Quality management at Leuven University College

Quality management at Leuven University College seeks to improve the quality of every aspect of our organisation. At Leuven University College, quality management is defined as follows: to work towards specific and structural quality improvement in all areas and at all levels of the organisation in a continuous, methodical, transparent and integrated manner.

Quality management is aimed at a broad spectrum of areas and stakeholders (students, staff, businesses and alumni) at different levels of the organisation (Leuven University College, department, study programme). Quality management takes into account the diversity between the various levels.

The EFQM framework is used as underlying model to assure that all areas and all players are considered.

The heart of quality management: PDCA cycle

Continuous care for quality improvement must be based on a methodical way of working. Loose initiatives or initiatives which are not goal-oriented are inadequate, although they might be valuable on their own. PDCA is a successive cycle that makes progress in such a methodological way possible. The most attractive feature of this model is that it can be used at different levels; the individual lecturer when preparing, implementing, assessing and adjusting his/her own teaching assignment can use it, as well as the organisation itself.

What can we expect?

Policy plans for all study programmes, all departments and all policy areas have been created. Drafting these plans is a crucial step towards methodical quality care (PLAN). The policy plans indicate the objectives for the years to come. Nevertheless, the process of drawing up plans, methodically implementing them and assessing its achievements is equally important.
An internal monitoring system has been created which allows management to determine to which extent each of the set goals have been achieved.

Measuring is knowing

Making quality visible and measuring it, is another essential aspect of quality care (CHECK). This happens by submitting surveys and doing research at a regular basis while all relevant players are involved. Examples are the three-yearly satisfaction survey of students and staff, two-yearly survey of recent graduates, measuring of study time, assessment of course units, … .

Safeguarding and improving the quality

And finally, the quality level which we have achieved, must be safeguarded and improved (ACT). Therefore it is crucial to follow up the policy plans and to draw conclusions based on the results of the quality surveys.

External quality management

External quality management comprises all activities related to visitations and the related accreditation.

Writing a self-assessment report and preparing the eight-yearly visitations are essential tasks of the study programmes.
Accreditation is a formal recognition of a study programme based on the judgment of an independent body (NVAO, Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders). If the study programme complies with a number of minimal requirements related to quality and level, the programme is accredited for a period of eight years.

The conclusions of the external visitations may provide points or plans of improvement for study programmes, departments and Leuven University College as a whole.