The work of the Review Group takes the form of the compilation of an Annual Monitoring Form and the drafting of the Cyclical Review Report, which is discussed within the relevant Course Council and forwarded to the University Quality Assurance Body (PQA) and the University Evaluation Committee.
Finally, the Quality Assurance Manager (RAQ) has the function of monitoring and verifying the correct implementation of the improvement actions approved by the Course Council. The RAQ is selected from among the teaching staff of the degree course.
DEPARTMENTAL QUALITY ASSURANCE BODY
In this context, the role of the departments is of paramount importance, as they are fundamental organisational structures for carrying out scientific research, teaching and training activities, as well as for the transfer of knowledge and innovation and for related or ancillary external activities. The Director and the Departmental Council represent the Departmental Governing Bodies responsible for defining the Quality Assurance Policies for Departmental Research and Teaching.
A Departmental Quality Assurance Body (PQD) is established within each department as an operational and liaison body between the department and the University Quality Assurance Body.
The PQD promotes:
- spreads the culture of Quality;
- applies, as far as it is concerned, the policies and general guidelines for Quality established by the Governing Bodies of the University;
- assists the Course Presidents in the drafting of documents for the QA of the degree courses (SUA-CdS, Cyclic Review Report, Annual Monitoring Form);
- assists the Director in the drafting of research QA documents (SUA-RD, any Department programme documents);
- supports the Director and the Departmental Council in the definition of policies and objectives for Quality and QA of research and of the Third Mission; - promotes continuous improvement in Research and Teaching through self-evaluation activities and evaluates the effectiveness of the actions undertaken.
In addition, the PQD, through the Departmental Education Delegate (as provided for in the ‘Framework Regulation for the Functioning of Departments’), liaises with the Departmental Teaching Committee, a committee with the function of supporting the Director in carrying out his/her responsibilities in teaching matters (as provided for in the ‘Framework Regulation for the Functioning of Departments’), while, through the Departmental Delegate for Research Quality and Third Mission, it verifies the regular execution of the procedures for the drafting of the SUA-RD.
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR
According to the Statute, the Director has the function of promoting, guiding and coordinating scientific activities. He/she supervises research and Third Mission activities and oversees their evaluation.
The Director is assisted by the Departmental Delegate for Research Quality and Third Mission who is entrusted with the following tasks:
- support in the definition of the department's research quality and Third Mission policies with the identification of indicators that not only consider teaching commitment but the quality of research and technology transfer activities as well;
- definition of the department's research quality and third mission assurance procedures;
- annual monitoring of research products (as defined by ANVUR in the VQR call and in the SUA-RD), both in quantitative and qualitative terms;
- structured management of the department's public engagement activities.
"Guidance refers to all activities aimed at enabling future and current students to plan and manage their learning in a way that is consistent with their personal life goals and makes full use of their individual skills and interests to achieve personal fulfilment.
Depending on the stage of the university process at which these activities are carried out, a distinction is made between:
Incoming guidance: carried out before the choice of degree course, incoming guidance is aimed at future students and offers support in identifying which course to take based on individual interests, expectations and aptitudes. In this phase, the various possible scenarios are presented to the future student and the alternatives of the university path are illustrated; ongoing guidance: carried out during the university career, it is aimed at enrolled students and is designed to guide them through the degree courses they are on, enabling them to better interact with the structures and the university context; career guidance: carried out close to or after graduation, it is aimed at graduates or undergraduates and designed to facilitate their introduction into the working environment."