Quality Dialogues at OVGU: Program Discussions, Conferences, and Periodic Reviews

Quality exchanges are central elements of the QES and serve the purpose of continuous exchange and reflection on study program quality. They embody a structured communication culture that brings together all stakeholders involved in a study program, including teaching staff, students, Quality Officers, and external experts. Within these exchanges, study programs are regularly evaluated in order to continuously review and improve the quality of teaching and learning. The quality exchanges are based on the Catalog of Quality Criteria (QKK), which serves as a binding assessment framework. Study program meetings (SGG) take place at least every two years, while study program conferences (SGK) are held once per quality cycle, generally every eight years. A cycle meeting is held in preparation for the SGK. These exchanges are primarily used to evaluate the degree to which the subject-content quality criteria have been fulfilled.

Planning for study program meetings, which take place at least every two years, initially requires identification of the topics to be addressed. Participants are then identified, an agenda is prepared, and the event is organized operationally. The meeting should be scheduled so that all invitees can participate, particularly outside scheduled classes. Invitations should be sent at least two weeks in advance; participation may also take place by providing written feedback. It is important to document the meeting and record the results, derived measures, and quality criteria addressed in Qurricula. Several study programs may be combined in one SGG provided that separate minutes are prepared for each study program or that the minutes clearly indicate the individual, study-program-specific assessment, particularly that of external participants. Please also refer to the Guide for Study Program Meetings and Conferences and Chapter 4 of the Teaching and Learning Process Manual.

Planning for study program conferences, which must be held no later than 12 months before the end of the quality cycle, initially requires identification of the topics to be addressed. Participants are then identified, an agenda is prepared, and the event is organized operationally in accordance with theguide. Unlike the study program meeting, impartial external experts are also invited: a professor from another higher education institution, a representative of professional practice, an alumnus/alumna, and an external student. Invitations should therefore be sent at least four weeks in advance; if an invited participant is unable to attend at short notice, written feedback may also be provided. The meeting should be scheduled so that all invitees can participate, particularly outside scheduled classes. It is important to document the meeting and record the results, derived measures, and quality criteria addressed in Qurricula. Several study programs may be combined in one SGK provided that separate minutes are prepared for each study program or that the minutes clearly indicate the individual, study-program-specific assessment, particularly that of external participants. Please also refer to the Guide for Study Program Meetings and Conferences and Chapter 4 of the Teaching and Learning Process Manual.

The cycle meeting is held between the ZQB, the Head of the study program, and the FQB no later than three months before the SGK. The meeting focuses on the current status of the study program in order to assess the current level of fulfillment of the quality criteria, as well as the preparation of the conference and the QTB. Procedures can be discussed and questions clarified. To gain an overview of how the study program is operating, the faculty should, in preparation, review student progression data (see the various reports in Cognos) and evaluations, consider changes in resource allocation, assess the currency of the study content, and check that the study program information is maintained in Qurricula.