Quality Policy
The Quality Assurance Policy of the School of Agriculture is fully aligned with the Quality Policy of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (A.U.Th.), as approved by the University Senate, and reflects its core institutional values.
The School of Agriculture ensures and promotes the quality of its teaching, research, and administrative work through the continuous improvement of all its activities, with the participation and contribution of all its members.
The School designs and implements high-standard Postgraduate Study Programs in the most significant fields and subjects of agricultural science, aligned with contemporary trends and demands, thereby strengthening its academic identity. Furthermore, the School is committed to fostering a creative environment for research and work among all its staff—teaching, research, and administrative—as well as a stimulating academic environment for its students.
Quality is recognized as a fundamental element in realizing the vision and fulfilling the mission of the School of Agriculture. Therefore, the development of a quality culture is considered of utmost importance.
Quality policy implementation – quality assurance
The School of Agriculture and the Postgraduate Program “Soil, Water, Energy Resources and Agricultural Environment Management” are committed to implementing the Quality Policy, which enhances the academic profile and orientation of the postgraduate programs, promotes their purpose and scope, supports the achievement of their strategic objectives (as defined annually), and determines the means, actions, and mode for their accomplishment.
It ensures the participation of all stakeholders and applies the appropriate internal and external quality assurance procedures with the ultimate aim of their continuous improvement. Moreover, the School is committed to fostering an environment of communication and cooperation among all its members—staff, students, and stakeholders.
The School of Agriculture and the Postgraduate Program “Soil, Water, Energy Resources and Agricultural Environment Management” apply the established quality assurance procedures set out in the Quality Manual of the Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with the necessary adaptation at the level of the specific Postgraduate Program. The implementation of the IQAS procedures is carried out in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP) of the University.
These quality assurance procedures are a valuable tool for the School and its postgraduate programs to effectively implement their teaching and research activities, achieve their objectives, and continuously enhance their academic services in general..
The School of Agriculture and the Postgraduate Program “Soil, Water, Energy Resources and Agricultural Environment Management” while implementing the present policy, are committed to applying the quality procedures that will demonstrate the following:
- the suitability of the structure and organization of the Postgraduate Program
- the intended learning outcomes and qualifications are consistent with the European and National Qualifications Frameworks level 7 for Higher Education
- the promotion of the quality and effectiveness of the teaching and research work of the Postgraduate Program.
- the adequacy of the qualifications of the teaching staff
- the setting, implementation, and annual review of specific quality goals for the continuous improvement of the Postgraduate Program
- the level of labor market demand for the graduates’ acquired qualifications
- the quality of the support services
- the efficient use of Postgraduate Program’s resources, including tuition fees (where applicable)
- the conduct of an annual internal evaluation and review of the quality assurance system of the Postgraduate Program, in collaboration with the School’s Internal Evaluation Group (OMEA) and MODIP of A.U.Th.
The procedures applied for monitoring and continuously improving the quality of the Postgraduate Programs include:
- Implementation, periodic review, and revision (where necessary) of the Postgraduate Program’s Quality Assurance Policy.
- Design of the Postgraduate Program in accordance with the current legislation and A.U.Th. regulations, taking into account—to the extent possible—the views of students, graduates, and collaborating institutions.
- Harmonization with the legislative and regulatory framework in force.
- Implementation of the Postgraduate Program’s Regulations, any other Regulations and AUTh’s Regulatory Decisions.
- Submission of the Personal Inventory Form and the Course Description Form to MO.DI.P.’s information system, by the teaching staff.
- Conduct of Courses and teachers’ evaluation by the students.
- Use of diverse student assessment methods.
- Effort towards the monitoring of the professional/career development of the Postgraduate Program graduates.
- Faculty staff (selection, regulations, performance, support)
- Master Program’s resources allocation and management (infrastructure, equipment, etc.).
- Quality data collection and processing/analysis (apt, complete, correct) as to ensure the Postgraduate Program’s quality with the goal of improving it.
- Monitoring, analysis, and comparison to national and international key performance indicators.
- Public disclosure of information about the Postgraduate Program
- Updating of the Postgraduate Program website in a systematic and qualitative way (Greek, English and potentially in another language), for the publication of the Program’s relevant information.
- Feedback mechanisms for strategic planning and goal-setting, review, and implementation of corrective actions (when required).
- Conduct of annual internal evaluations (monitoring, control, and revision of the Postgraduate Program) in accordance with all the aforementioned and based on the guidelines provided by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (H.A.H.E./ETHAAE) and the MO.DI.P.
- Support for external evaluation and accreditation procedures, in cooperation with MODIP.
Quality goals
The quality goals to which the School of Agriculture will devote its efforts for the Postgraduate Program “Soil, Water, Energy Resources and Agricultural Environment Management” are as follows:
- Teaching of fundamental knowledge and skills.
- Development of critical thinking and analytical abilities.
- Development of skills for designing and conducting independent research.
- Linking research with societal needs.
- Strengthening abilities in evaluating and synthesizing existing literature and data.
- Integration of state-of-the-art technology into the curriculum.
- Promoting effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork.
- Fostering a strong sense of ethical conduct and academic integrity.
- Promoting the quality and effectiveness of the research activities of academic staff and doctoral students.
Dissemination
The Quality Policy is communicated and disseminated to academic and administrative staff, students, and all other stakeholders. It is also published on the website of the Postgraduate Program.