The Quality Assurance Policy of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) is fully aligned with the quality policy of NKUA, making the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (hereinafter referred to as the Department) committed to providing high-quality Greek and English language higher education to the students who choose it, by organizing and implementing postgraduate programs of high academic standards and significant added value, both in Greek and English, in the most important fields and areas of the Department.
Additionally, the Department aims to develop a creative research environment, free scientific expression, and work for all its personnel and members of its academic community. The Department is committed to implementing this quality policy in all postgraduate programs it currently offers and will offer in the future, by implementing the quality processes provided by the Institution's Internal Quality Assurance System, with the ultimate goal of their continuous improvement. Through this Quality Policy, the academic profile and orientation of the postgraduate programs are strengthened, their purpose and subject are promoted, specific annual goals are pursued, while the means and methods of achieving the above are determined, and the participation of interested parties in the evaluation and redesign processes is ensured.
Specifically, for the implementation of this policy in the MSc program "Biology of Exercise" the Department is committed to applying the quality processes described and analyzed in the Institutional Quality Handbook of the University's Internal Quality Assurance System, and implemented at the level of the Department's Study Programs with the required specialization/customization in this specific MSc program, in close collaboration with the University's Quality Assurance Unit (QUA). All quality assurance processes of the Department's MSc programs are subject to inspection, review, and revision, conducted annually by the Quality Assurance Unit in collaboration with the University's Quality Assurance Unit. The processes and procedures implemented for monitoring and continuous improvement of the quality of the Master's Programs are as follows:
- The Implementation of a Quality Assurance Policy for Postgraduate Programs, which includes specific quality assurance actions aimed at creating a framework within which the Postgraduate Programs must operate. The Quality Assurance Policy for the MSc in "Exercise Biology" is posted on the program's website at the following hyperlink: www.bioexe.uoa.gr.
- The allocation and management of resources for the Department's Postgraduate Programs through processes that contribute to optimal choices to achieve the creation of a suitable environment for achieving the Institution's goals regarding the provision of the required resources in necessary personnel, funding, infrastructure, and equipment, in order to operate and continuously improve the effectiveness of the Postgraduate Programs in achieving the quality goals they set.
- The Establishment of Quality Assurance Objectives on an annual basis by all Postgraduate Programs of the Department, which operate or are due to start within the academic year. Specific measurable and directly observable annual quantitative and qualitative objectives are selected for each Postgraduate Program, following consultation and agreement between the Departments' and Postgraduate Programs' administrations, evaluated by specific indicators. Achieving these objectives is considered crucial for improving the effectiveness of the internal functions (administrative, educational, research) of the Postgraduate Programs.
- Periodic Internal Evaluation and Monitoring on an annual basisof all Departmental Postgraduate Programs, in collaboration and with the support of the University's Quality Assurance Unit. Internal evaluation and assessment of all processes implemented in these programs are carried out, so that through the identification of elements and issues for correction with the implementation of jointly agreed improvements with the Quality Assurance Unit, the set goals are achieved, resulting in the improvement of the Department's Postgraduate Programs.
- The Collection of Quality Data: measurement, analysis, and improvement of the Department of Exercise Science and Sports Postgraduate Programs, in which effective data collection and analysis processes are applied regarding the programs (student data, teaching staff, structure and organization of courses, teaching, and student service provision, etc.), feeding into the University's OPESP information system as well as internal information systems of the Departments and the Institution.
- The Dissemination of Information for the Department of Exercise Science and Sports Postgraduate Programs. Through this process, all information concerning the Postgraduate Programs becomes directly accessible, timely, and presented objectively and clearly, including the existence of a specialized space on the Department's website for promoting the Postgraduate Programs, the existence of a special bilingual page for them, as well as the procedures for checking and updating their content.
- External Evaluation of the Department's Postgraduate Programs. A process of periodic certification by the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQAAA) is applied to all Departmental Postgraduate Programs, which is conducted through external evaluation by committees of independent experts.
The implementation of the above procedures in the MSc in "Biology of Exercise" will ensure (a) The suitability of the structure and organization of the Study Program, (b) The learning outcomes and resulting qualifications of the graduates of the MSc program are aimed to correspond to the maximum extent possible with the European and National Qualifications Framework for Higher, Education level 7, (c) The promotion of quality and effectiveness of the teaching work of the MSc program is achieved through its monitoring by the coordinating committee, the Quality Assurance Unit, the administration of the Department, and the University's Quality Assurance and Accreditation Unit, (d) The qualifications of the teaching staff, especially external collaborators, are suitable for the education of postgraduate students, (e) The formulation, implementation, and review of specific annual quality improvement objectives for the MSc in "Biology of Exercise" are conducted, (f) The level of demand for the acquired qualifications of graduates in the job market is monitored through regular assessment of labor market needs and tracking the progress of graduates, (g) The support services provided to postgraduate students, including administrative services, libraries, online services, scholarships, and student welfare services, meet their needs for effective monitoring, (h) The efficient use of the financial resources of the MSc program, derived from tuition fees, is ensured to provide the necessary services to postgraduate students and facilitate the operation of the programs, including on-site visits to locations outside the Department for their comprehensive education, (i) The conduct of annual internal evaluation and review of the quality assurance system for the MSc in "Biology of Exercise" is carried out in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Unit and the University's Quality Assurance and Accreditation Unit.
The quality objectives on which the Department of Exercise Science and Sport will focus its efforts for the MSc in "Exercise Biology" are as follows:
- Improvement of Graduation Rate: Enhancing efforts to ensure a higher rate of completion for postgraduate students.
- Enhancement of Quality Culture: Fostering a culture of quality within the MSc program, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and excellence.
- Activation of Study Counseling: Providing active study counseling to guide students throughout their academic journey and address any challenges they may encounter.
- Active Participation of Students and Alumni in Internal Evaluation Processes: Encouraging active involvement of current students and alumni in the internal evaluation processes to gather feedback and improve program quality.
- Quality of Research Output by Program Faculty: Ensuring the quality of research output by faculty members of the MSc program through publications and scientific impact.
- Involvement of Students in Research Processes: Encouraging and facilitating student participation in research activities to enhance their academic and professional development.
- Linkage of MSc Program with Doctoral Studies: Establishing connections between the MSc program and doctoral studies to provide a seamless academic pathway for students interested in further research and academic pursuits.
- Implementation of Actions to Connect the Program with the Job Market and Local Community: Undertaking initiatives to bridge the MSc program with the job market and local community through internships, collaborations, and community engagement projects.
- Improvement of Facilities and Support Services for the Student Community: Enhancing infrastructure and support services to cater to the needs of the student community within the MSc program, ensuring a conducive learning environment.