Universityof Agricultural SciencesandRomanian Agency for
Veterinary MedicineCluj-NapocaQuality in Higher Education
Registration n. 9840/8.09.2009Registration n. ______/______
REPORT OF INTERNAL INSTITUTIONAL EVALUATION
for
THE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Information in this report is complete, accurate and
in accordance with principles of university ethics.
RECTOR,
Prof. DORU PAMFIL, PhD
CLUJ-NAPOCA
2009
CONTENTS
PART I. PRESENTATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AND DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS
I.1. LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE ORGANISATION AND FUNCTIONING OF THE UNIVERSITY. MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
I.2. MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AND ACTIVITY
I.3. TEACHING STAFF
I.4. MATERIAL BASIS
I.5. FINANCIAL ACTIVITY
I.6. STUDENTS
I.7. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND INTENATIONAL RELATIONS
The Second Part
ENSURING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES AND REFERENCE STANDARDS, AS PART OF THE INSTITUTIONAL STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
A: Institutional capacity
Criterion A1 – Institutional, administrative and managerial structures
S.A1.1 Mission, objectives and academic integrity
IP.A1.1.1. Mission and objectives
IP.A1.1.2. Academic integrity
IP.A1.1.3. Liability and public responsibility
S.A.1.2. Leadership and administration
IP.A1.2.1. Leadership
IP.A1.2.2. Strategic management
IP.A1.2.3. Efficient administration
Criterion A2 – The material resources
S.A.2.1. Patrimony, Equipment, Financial Resources allotted
IP.A2.1.1. Space for educational, research and other type of activities
IP.A2.1.2 Equipment
IP.A2.1.3. Financial resources
IP.A2.1.4. The system of the granting of scholarships and of other means of material support for students
B : Educational efficiency
Criterion B1 –Content of the study programmes
S.B1.1. Students admission
IP.B1.1.1. Principles of the admission to the study programmes offered by the institution
IP.B1.1.2. Admission practices
S.B.1.2 Structure and presentation of the study programmes
I.P.B.1.2.1. The structure of the study programmes
IP.B1.2.2. Differences in the realization of the study programmes
IP.B1.2.3. Relevance of the syllabuses
Criterion B2 – Results of learning
S.B2.1 – Valorising the university qualification obtained
IP.B2.1.1 Valorisation by means of employment
IP.B2.1.2 Valorising the qualification through the continuation of the university studies
IP B 2.1.3 The students’ degree of satisfaction in comparison with the
professional and personal development ensured by the university
IP B2.1.4 Student-centred teaching methods
IP B2.1.5 Career guidance for students
Criterion B3 – Research activity
S.B3.1 Research programmes
IP.B3.1.1 Research programming
IP.B3.1.2 Carrying out research
IP.B3.1.3 Valorising research
Criterion B4 – The financial activity of the organization
S.B4.1. Budget and accountancy
IP.B4.1.1. The income and expenses budget
IP.B4.1.2 Accountancy
IP.B4.1.3 Auditing and public responsibility
C – Quality management
Criterion C1 – Strategies and procedures to ensure quality
S.C1.1. Structures and policies to ensure quality
IP.C1.1.1 Organizing the system of quality assurance
IP.C1.1.2 Policies and strategies used to assure quality
Criterion C2 – Procedures regarding the initiation, monitoring and periodic review of the programmes and activities carried out
S.C2.1 Approval, monitoring and periodic assessment of the syllabuses and diplomas corresponding to the qualifications
IP.C2.1.1 The existence and application of the regulations regarding the initiation, approval, monitoring and periodic review of syllabuses
IP.C2.1.2 The diploma/qualification correspondence
Criterion C3 – Objective and transparent procedures of assessing results
S.C 3.1 Assessing students
IP.C3.1.1 The University has regulations regarding students’ assessment and grading which is applied rigorously and consistently
IP.C3.1.2. Integrating assessment in teaching-learning, on courses and syllabuses
Criterion C4 – Procedures of periodic assessment of the teaching staff quality
S.C4.1. Teaching and research staff quality
IP.C4.1.1 The didactic staff / students ratio
IP.C4.1.2 Peer evaluation
IP.C4.1.3 Students evaluation of teachers
IP.C4.1.4 The evaluation carried out by the university board
Criterion C5 – Accessibility of appropriate learning resources
S.C5.1 Teaching resources and student services
IP.C5.1.1 Availability of the teaching resources
IP.C5.1.2 Teaching as learning source
IP.C5.1.3 Stimulation and recovery programmes
IP.C5.1.4 Services for students
Criterion C6 – The systematically up-dated database referring to internal quality assurance
S.C6.1 Informational systems
IP.C6.1.1 Databases and information
Criterion C7 – Transparency of public information regarding the study programmes and, where the case, the certificates, diploma and qualifications obtained
S.C7.1 Public information
IP.C7.1.1 The public information offer
Criterion C8 – The functionality of the structures that assure the quality of education, in compliance with the law.
S.C8.1 The institutional structure assuring quality complies with the legal provisions and its activity is carried out on a permanent basis
IP.C8.1.1 The Board coordinates the application of the procedures and activities of quality assurance and evaluation
ANNEXES
REGULATIONS ANNEXED TO THE UASVM-CN UNIVERSITY CHARTER
SPECIFIC ANNEXES (PART I) OF THE INSTITUTIONAL EVALUATION REPORT
SPECIFIC ANNEXES (PART II) IN THE INSTITUTIONAL EVALUATION REPORT
FORMS
PARTI.PRESENTATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AND DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS
I.1. LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE ORGANISATION AND FUNCTIONING OF THE UNIVERSITY. MISSION AND OBJECTIVES
The University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (UASVM) Cluj-Napoca is the extension of the prestigious superior agricultural school of Cluj-Napoca, founded 140 years ago. Its very existence resides in the tradition of agronomic education in Cluj, back to the 15th century, when agricultural elements were taught in the trivium, by Jesuit monks in the present location of the university campus. The presentation of the university is included in different variants of brochures and fliers enclosed herein (Annex I.1-RO,Annex I.1-EN).
The Institute for Agronomic Education Cluj-Mănăştur was founded in the year 1869 and provided the diploma of „Licensed agronomist” after a three-year course study. At present, the university continues the tradition of this institute, which existed during the 1869-1906 period, as well as subsequent institutions, namely the Agricultural Academy Cluj (1906-1929), the Academy for High Agronomic Studies (1929-1948) and the Agronomic Institute (1948-1992), as the rightful heir of its heritage. The university underwent a continuous evolution throughout the ages, by diversifying its profiles and specializations, as the superior agronomic education underwent a process of modernization itself.
According to the Senate’s decision of January 17th 1990, the Agronomic Institute was structured into 4 faculties: Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Breeding and Biotechnologies and Veterinary Medicine. This structure underwent the approval of the Minister of Education, through the M.E. Order 7751 of April 27th 1990 and still functions at present.
University autonomy considered, in the university year 1990/1991 the Senate decided to name the Agronomic Institute the„University of Agricultural Sciences”, a decision confirmed by the OMES 4894 of March 22nd 1991. Starting with the year 1992, the institution functioned under the name of „University of Agricultural Sciences Cluj-Napoca”, according to the GD 812, published in the Official Monitor 337 of December 29th 1992, while on July 28th 1995, according to the GD 586, the institution receives its present name „THE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND VETERINARY MEDICINE CLUJ-NAPOCA”, on the basis of OME 4620/1995.
The University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca (UASVM Cluj-Napoca) is a public institution for superior education, being a setlegal body and having its own patrimony according to specific legal provisions:
- Law of education 84/1995 republished with subsequent modifications and additions
- OMER 3235/2005 on the organisation of university graduate courses;
- Law 88/1993 on the certification of education bodies for superior studies and the recognition of diplomas, as well as other norms in act aiming at superior education, scientific research and other activities in their support.
UASVM Cluj-Napoca is a self-financing institution, as well as financed by the Ministry of Education, Research and Innovation.
UASVMCluj-Napoca functions on the basis of GD 568/16.08.1995(AnnexI.2) on the organisation of university and GD 88/2005 on the organisation of graduate studies.
UASVM Cluj-Napoca functions on the basis of university autonomy, according to the University Charter (Annex I.3), according to present legislation, the provisions of the Romanian Constitution, the Law of National Education, the law on the statute of the teaching staff and other legal norms on the educational system and process in Romania.
The university complies with the principles described in the „Universal Declaration of Human Rights” and the Declaration of Lima on Academic Freedom and Autonomy of Institutions of Higher Education (1988), Magna Carta of European Universities (1988), the Declaration of Bologna (1999), the Association of European Universities, the International Association of Universities, the University Consortium for Life Sciences (ICA), the Association of Francophone Universities (AUF) and the EuroMediterranean University (EMUNI).
UASVM Cluj-Napoca is an academic institution for advanced education and research, promoting excellence in the educational and research process and providing a wide spectrum of specializations in agricultural and horticultural fields, as well as in the fields of animal breeding, biotechnologies and veterinary medicine.
The UASVM Cluj-Napoca Charter (of 2009) is the document establishing the mission (AnnexI.3), principles and general framework for functioning, enclosing specific regulations (annexes RC1-49). Periodically, UASVM Cluj-Napoca aims at improving regulations for functioning and procedures for the application and implementing of the Charter. Members of the university community are obliged to comply with the Charter and its specific regulations
Mission. In accordance with Charter provisions, the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine aims at professional formation at university level, to generate knowledge through scientific research and innovation. The mission undertaken aims at advanced research and education. In accordance, UASVM has the following objectives:
- promotes excellence in the field of education, research and innovation through initial and postgraduate academic formation, through life-long education and integration in the circuit of universal values in accordance with the demands of a knowledge-based society;
- ensures academic formation of highly-qualified specialists in fundamental scientific fields of nature, agricultural and forestry sciences, engineering sciences and veterinary medicine, by promoting graduate, master, doctoral and postdoctoral studies based on the development of knowledge, research and innovation;
- militates for the continuous substantial improvement of the educational process by a permanent adaptation of the specialization offer, by revising educational and analytical curricula according to national and worldwide standards and perspectives in the field;
- the through the quality of the educational process, the dialogue with society and the adaptation to its practical demands, the university aims at contributing to local, regional, national and European development, on social, economic and cultural levels.
The university continuously perfects its educational environment focused on the student. Students are encouraged to assimilate a wide range of professional and civic knowledge, abilities and skills, which can allow them to engage in competent and responsible activities in a free and democratic structure and applying the European System for Transferable Credits (ECTS). UASVM Cluj-Napocastudents are able to make use of practical abilities and skills through their involvement in fundamental and applied scientific research. The guide for the employment of ECTS credits is pat of the Regulation for the professional activity of students (RC41).
Professional standards that lie at the basis of the university curricula are adapted to national and European values in the field, a reflection of the present stage of our university community, as well as its developmental tendencies. Standards call for the formation of quality skills in students, which are characteristic to the field of study, as well as specific abilities for scientific research in the above-mentioned fields.
The university promotes the recognition of fundamental human rights and liberties, tolerance and respect for opinions, ideologies and religions, respect for life and the environment.
Policies for recruitment, promotion and improvement of university teaching staff provide the university with human resources necessary for graduate and postgraduate professional formation, as well as models for professional and civic demeanour.
The university is a pole of excellence for academic education and research, for culture and technological transfer in the specific fields of the South-Eastern and Central-European space. As a pole of excellence in the region, it conducts cooperation relations in the fields of education and research with other universities, government agencies, local and central government institutions, private commercial societies.
In order to complete its mission, the university had the following strategic goals:
1.To increase educational performances in the field according to the demands of the European Space of Superior Education.
2. Intensifying scientific research in accordance with priorities and strategy defined at national level and the strengthening of the capacity for innovation and technological transfer required by the active participation within the European Area of Research.
3. The continuous adaptation of the educational offer to the requirements and demands of the labour market, in accordance with the National Framework of Qualifications, by increasing the integration skills of graduates.
4. Implementation of an advanced system for quality control in accordance with European standards.
5.Internationalisation of studies and university affirmation as an excellence pole within the European academic area..
6. Development of relations with the social and economic environment and the active involvement in the life of the community.
7. Increasing the efficiency of university management and the amount of financial resources.
8. Providing ethical and moral criteria in the academic community and promoting excellence for the recruitment of human resources.
9. Extension and diversification of international relations and the significant increase of programmes for academic cooperation.
As medium and short-term objectives, UASVM aims at:
- the formation of specialists (frequency and distance educational forms), according to three levels of study (graduate, master, doctorate), thus complying with present and future requirements for the evolution of the specific professional environment in the fields of agriculture, animal breeding, biotechnologies and veterinary medicine;
- the adaptation of the institutional framework to present priorities in the field of advanced research, through the creation of specific master study programmes (Master School, IOSUM), doctoral study programmes (Doctoral School, IOSUD) and postdoctoral studies (Postdoctoral School, project);
- promotion of scientific research, innovation and technological transfer through theoretical studies, and efficient applicative projects, ISI publications, an enhanced number of inventions, innovations and spin-offs, some of them even international;
- affirmation in certain fields of research as a national leader and the existing research platforms, as well as the Institute for Life Sciences and the Research Centre for Biodiversity awaiting inauguration;
- stimulation of postgraduate education by promoting continuous learning and specialization according to the requirements of the labour market;
- compliance, within the limits of legal provisions and resources, with basic social needs of the members of the university community, by providing good conditions for study and labour, labour protection and leisure.
- promotion of international cooperation for the university integration n the excellence structures of the European academic and research areas (EAA and ERA) .
- implementing of quality culture and its application at every level of institutional activity, for a continuous improvement of university performances;
- education of students towards the respect of fundamental human rights and liberties, of dignity and tolerance, of the cultivation of cultural diversity and mutual understanding;
- decentralization of university management to increase responsibility in faculties and departments towards the employment of human and financial resources.
- diversification of international relations to increase university activity through educational and research offers in English and French and opening of education centres abroad.
Actions regarding the compliance with the mission and objectives are conducted according to The University Strategic Plan for the 2008-2011 period (Annex I.4). Its creation confirms the prognoses on the evolution of the social economic context nationwide, in accordance with the educational traits of the institution, human resources and existing material resources. For its conception, the following framework materials were considered:
- The Declaration of Bologna of the ministries of education (1999), as well as subsequent declarations of the Summits in Prague, Berlin, Bergen and London;
- Law regarding the Organisation of University Studies (Law 288/2004);
- Law on the Quality of Superior Education (Law 87/2006);
- Law on the Status of the Teaching Staff (Law128/1997);
- Methodology for Internal Evaluation A.R.A.C.I.S.;
- Government Decision on the Organisation and Functioning of Master University Studies (HG 404/2006);
- Government Decision on the Organisation and Functioning of Doctoral University Studies (H.G. 567/2005);
- Strategy for the development of scientific research in Romania(
- Project of the Law for National Education.
Strategic goals
- Continuation of the restructuring and organisation of study curricula, according to the new requirements (the Declaration of Bologna) started in the year 2005/2006. From the year 2009/2010, university studies for UASVM Cluj-Napoca will have the following configuration :
- technical education 4 + 2 (1,5) + 3 years
- biologic education3 + 2 + 3 years
- medical veterinary education6 years
- Restructuring and harmonization of study and analytical curricula according to the process of Bologna started in 2005/2006 alongside the application of the ECTS system adapted to the new educational patterns.
- Improving the range of existing graduate studies with new ones, which are compatible to the occupation of Romania and the European Community and the study offer in English and French.
- Development of the Continuous Education System, Distance Education and Low-Attendance forms of education, as new and flexible formsbased on new communication technologies and E-learning, thus providing students with the possibility to study individually, at the work place or at home and finally allowing them to obtain certain qualifications that are identical to those obtained in graduate studies.
- The priority development of the master system in Romanian (day, DE, LA, on-line), through the absorption of a minimum of 50% of graduates and the increase of the joint master offer in English, which will function within the IOSUM.
- Opening of an educational extension in Viterbo, alongside TusciaUniversity and Omnia Foundation.
- Increase of the number of teaching staff members involved in doctoral studies in order to ensure a minimum of 10% places for master graduates, the support of the doctoral fields, as well as the development of postdoctoral studies.
- Priority development of the structures and functionality of the quality assessment system by means of a management based on a continuous evaluation of all university activities. The Commission for Quality Control and Assessment (CQCA) and the Department for Quality Control (DQC) apply specific regulations and procedures towards the compliance with quality indicators for all university activities and aim at a sustainable improvement of educational quality, the quality of research and management of UASVM Cluj-Napoca.
- Strengthening of the social, research and educational infrastructure by finalizing mansards of dorms, doctoral dorm, the Agronomia Club, the Conference centre, the central library, the TPPA buildings, the pilot farm and the practice centre Jucu.
- Enhancement of the part played by student organisations in the management of student social services and the development of university life.
- Internationalization of UASVM Cluj-Napoca activity by balancing academic exchange with European universities and an increase of the number of students conducting specialty practice in European specialized units.
- Promotion of the entrepreneurial university model, similar to the system applied by prestigious worldwide universities.
- Achieving a balance between autonomy and responsibility, democracy, experience and joint participation in decision-making, towards social ethics and equity.
- Structuring and functioning of the internal auditing system at university and faculty levels in order to assess the teaching activity (teaching staff and students), research, economic, financial and management activity.
- Investigation of a possibility to redefine the University within the agreement with the UASVM Union, as a University for Life Sciences, according to the European tendencies of ICA (Association of Life Science University,
The strategic goals are supported by Annual operational plans at university level (Annex I.5), as well as faculty levels: