General Information and Responsibilities in Quality Development

Accreditation in higher education is an inter-state and cross-university procedure for reviewing academic programs in bachelor's and master's degree programs at public or state-recognized higher education institutions. Accredited study programs are quality-assured in terms of both content and structure and therefore enable graduates, among other things, to provide evidence of the competencies they have acquired more easily in Germany and abroad. Accreditation gives students greater confidence when choosing where to study and assurance that the study program is relevant to the labor market and professional practice. Among other things, the feasibility of study programs is assessed, including whether the workload is appropriate, whether the program can be completed within the standard study duration, and whether opportunities for study abroad are available. Quality deficiencies or dissatisfaction with the program can thus be identified and addressed promptly.

Since 2019, OVGU has been system-accredited. This means that it has an internally established Quality Development System (QES) that reviews study programs and is authorized to award accreditation to study programs.

The criteria are compiled in the Catalog of Quality Criteriaand are also stored in the central documentation and workflow software Qurricula.

In ELIAS, the Accreditation Council's database.

In principle, the Vice President of Academic Affairs is responsible for the organization and quality of teaching and learning and continuing education and is therefore responsible for the Quality Development System (QES). Operational implementation and support are provided by the Central Quality Officer (ZQB) located in the Department of Quality and Study Program Development (K33). The faculties are responsible for the quality development of study programs: Heads of study programs and Faculty Quality Officers (FQBs) are primarily responsible for ensuring that quality exchanges are conducted, Quality Cycle Reports (QTBs) are prepared, and measures are monitored. Among other responsibilities, the Central Quality Officer is tasked with further developing the QES and reviewing the QTBs.

For general questions about quality assurance and accreditation at OVGU

Department of Quality and Study Program Development

Head: Anni Holzäpfel

qualitaet@ovgu.de

For questions about course evaluations

Emily Bauske

evaluation@ovgu.de

As a point of contact for students

Student Quality Officer

Alina Peters

sqb@stura-md.de

For questions about quality assurance in specific study programs

Please contact the respective Quality Officers