Quality Assurance at UniDistance Suisse

The quality assurance system supports the continuous development of teaching, research and services. It is based on a structured approach that combines governance, process management, risk monitoring and a quality culture.

The LGQM is the standing committee responsible for assuring and developing the quality of studies, teaching and institutional processes. As a strategic body, it develops and reviews the quality assurance strategy as well as the related objectives and measures.

More about LGQM

The Quality Assurance support unit coordinates the system at operational level and supports the relevant bodies in implementing quality measures.

Continuous improvement is at the heart of the quality assurance system. It is based on the PDCA cycle (Plan – Do – Check – Act), which enables quality measures to be planned, implemented, reviewed and adjusted systematically.

Process management is a structuring element of the system. It helps organisational units document, analyse and optimise academic and administrative processes, as well as develop common quality standards.

Quality assurance support unit advises the Rectorate and the units on analysing results, defining quality objectives and prioritising improvement measures.

The quality assurance strategy defines the institutional framework for promoting a shared quality culture based on regular reflection, stakeholder participation and continuous improvement.

Access the Quality Assurance Strategy (in french)

Access the Quality Assurance Strategy (in german)

The Quality Assurance support unit supports institutional accreditation in accordance with the HEdA. In particular, it coordinates the self-evaluation, the documentation of quality processes and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. UniDistance Suisse received a positive accreditation decision in 2020; the next reaccreditation is planned for 2027.

Learn more about accreditation

UniDistance Suisse promotes a quality culture in which quality is understood as a shared responsibility. The aim is to encourage the exchange of good practices and support the consistent application of quality standards across the institution.

Risk management is based on the internal control system (ICS) and the Business Risk Assessment (BRA). These tools make it possible to identify administrative, financial, strategic and operational risks and to define appropriate follow-up measures.

Quality assurance instruments are used to collect information, evaluate activities and identify opportunities for improvement. They directly feed into the continuous improvement process of the quality assurance system.

The Quality Assurance support unit organises and supports various evaluation formats in order to monitor the quality of study programmes. The results serve as a basis for targeted improvement measures.

• Evaluation of teaching: All modules are evaluated each semester by students according to criteria relating in particular to module design, learning activities, interactions, assessment of learning outcomes, feedback and workload.

• Evaluation of study programmes: Study programmes are regularly evaluated through a self-evaluation procedure and an external review. The results lead to an action plan monitored by the Rectorate and Quality Assurance.

• Student satisfaction barometer: Conducted every two years, it highlights students’ needs, expectations and concerns regarding distance learning and the learning environment.
  
  View the Satisfaction Barometer (in french)

  View the Satisfaction Barometer (in german)
   

• E-xcellence label: To ensure an external perspective on its practices, UniDistance Suisse participates in various quality evaluation and recognition procedures. These include the EADTU E-xcellence label, which is an international reference in the field of distance and online learning.
  
   More about the E-xcellence label

Research evaluation contributes to the continuous development of UniDistance Suisse’s scientific activities. It is based on various monitoring and evaluation instruments that support the development of research profiles and strategic priorities.

• Monitoring of research activities
  Research activities are regularly monitored through activity reports. These include information on research outputs, external funding, the promotion of early-career researchers and contributions to institutional development.
• Evaluation of academic careers
  Procedures for the recruitment, evaluation and promotion of academic staff are based on transparent quality criteria and internal and external assessments.
• Scientific cooperation
  Participation in national and international research projects and networks encourages exchange with the scientific community and contributes to quality assurance in research.
• Development of research priorities
  The results of evaluations feed into strategic planning and the continuous development of priority research areas.

UniDistance Suisse’s approach is based on a responsible, transparent and qualitative understanding of research evaluation. UniDistance Suisse supports the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), a global initiative aimed at improving research assessment procedures.

The evaluation of continuing education contributes to the development of offerings provided by UniDistance Suisse, as part of a continuous improvement approach based on the PDCA cycle (Plan – Do – Check – Act).

• Evaluation of continuing education programmes: Each delivery of a programme is evaluated by participants. The results help identify strengths and areas for improvement in the programme.
• Analysis and monitoring of results: Evaluation results are analysed with teaching staff and discussed during regular review meetings. They form the basis for defining, implementing and monitoring improvement measures.
• Steering of the continuing education offering: Insights drawn from evaluations inform discussions between the Continuing Education service and the Vice-Rectorate for Teaching contributing to the strategic development of programmes.

This approach ensures the quality and continuous improvement of continuing education offerings.

The evaluation of service provisions relies on qualitative and quantitative instruments adapted to the various service formats.

• Evaluation of offerings and projects: Every event, assignment or new offering undergoes evaluation.
• Satisfaction surveys and feedback: Participants, as well as partner or commissioning institutions where applicable, are invited to share their experiences.
• Monitoring indicators: Various indicators, such as the number of participants, capacity utilisation rates or profitability, complement the evaluations.
• Use of results: The results are analysed by the responsible services and used to improve services, processes and practices.

The insights gained from these evaluations promote the sharing of good practices and drive the continuous improvement of service provisions and knowledge transfer.

• Graduate survey: It gathers feedback from graduates on their study experience and the skills they acquired, in order to support the development of study programmes.
   
• Staff survey: It gives staff members the opportunity to assess various aspects of their professional situation and provides the Rectorate with input to strengthen the organisation.