The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh) ensures the assurance and promotion of quality, through:
- continuous improvement in education and research;
- the continuous improvement of all its functions, processes and services,
- the continuous improvement of the university environment (working conditions and quality of life),
- enhancing transparency and accountability at all levels;
- the promotion to society, the state and the international scientific community of the work carried out in it,
- the active participation of all its members and in creative collaboration with external bodies.
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki organizes and implements Greek-language and foreign-language Study Programs of all cycles (Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies), as well as Lifelong Learning programs, of high standards in the most important fields and fields of science, oriented to the modern trends and requirements of science and society, thus strengthening its academic physiognomy and its international presence and contributing to the achievement of the National Strategy for Higher Education, Research, Innovation and development as a whole. In addition, it is committed to developing a creative research and working environment for all its staff (teaching, research and administration), a creative academic environment for its students and strengthening its connection with society.
The Quality Policy complies with the legal and regulatory framework of the Foundation and is harmonized with the Principles and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area. In addition, the Quality Policy is implemented through the establishment, review, redesign and redefinition of quality assurance objectives, which are fully aligned with the strategy of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Quality is recognized as a fundamental element for the realization of the vision and the achievement of the Foundation's mission and, therefore, the continuous strengthening of the culture of quality is considered particularly important.
Quality Policy Implementation – Quality Assurance
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is committed to the implementation of the Quality Policy, which strengthens its academic physiognomy and orientation, implements its strategic objectives and determines the means, actions and ways to achieve them, ensures the participation of stakeholders and implements the appropriate quality procedures with the ultimate aim of their continuous improvement. In addition to the above, the Foundation is committed to fostering a climate of communication and cooperation among all its members (staff, students and stakeholders).
The Quality Policy is directly linked to and is an integral part of the Institution's Quality Strategy, and is based on the following axes:
- Education policy
- Research Policy
- Economic Policy and Development
- Lifelong Learning and Education
- Extroversion and Internationalization
- Connecting with Society, the Economy and Boosting Innovation
- Upgrading the Quality of the Academic Environment and Sustainability.
The Quality Policy mainly supports and ensures:
- the organization of the Internal Quality Assurance System
- the active participation and assumption of the responsibilities of the leadership of the Institution, Faculties, Departments and other functional units, staff members and students, as well as their role in quality assurance
- the safeguarding of academic principles, research ethics and copyright, the prevention of any kind of discrimination
- humanitarian principles and respect for civil rights in accordance with the provisions of the International Human Rights Organisations
- encouraging creative collaboration between members of the academic community, students and external bodies in quality assurance
- the continuous improvement of learning and teaching, research and innovation
- the creation of an academic environment that promotes research and work publications in national and international high-level scientific journals
- the quality assurance of the curricula and their compliance with the specific Standards of the competent Authority
- the provision of high-level educational programs, modern and competitive in a national and international environment
- the creation of an environment that promotes student-centered learning
- the effective organisation of services and the development and maintenance of infrastructure;
- the allocation and effective management of the necessary resources for the operation of the Foundation;
- transparency and meritocracy in the selection and development of its personnel
- the development and rational distribution of human resources
- the sustainability of resources
- respect for the environment through improvement actions
- the effort to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals
- the recognition and reward of excellence.
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki implements the institutionalized quality assurance processes/procedures of the Quality Manual of the Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS). The coordination and implementation of the processes and procedures of the EDP is carried out by the Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) of the University in collaboration with the other academic, administrative and other units. The QSB is responsible for organizing, implementation, monitoring and continuous improvement of the Internal Quality Assurance System. Quality assurance processes are a valuable tool for the implementation of the teaching, research, administrative and other functions and procedures of the Foundation, in order to ensure the achievement of its objectives and the upgrading of both the academic and research work as well as the services offered.
The continuous improvement of quality is based on:
- The implementation of a quality assurance policy, its periodic review and review (in accordance with the procedures of the EDP).
- Strategy and goal-setting feedback mechanisms, etc., (overviewing, taking actions and corrective actions (when necessary)).
- To ensure the necessary resources to meet the needs of education, research and innovation and the academic activities of the Foundation in general, as well as the operational implementation of the EDP.
- The design and implementation of the Foundation's extroversion and internationalization actions.
- The design of Study Programs, with the participation of students, graduates, and collaborating institutions.
- The design of new Lifelong Learning programs while improving the existing ones.
- To create an attractive academic environment and provide incentives for conducting research and developing research collaborations, both nationally and internationally.
- Harmonization with the current legislative framework and regulatory provisions / Implementation of Regulations and Regulatory Decisions of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
- The collection and processing/analysis of quality data (complete, correct and up-to-date data).
- Monitoring, analysis and comparison with national and international indicators.
- To the disclosure of information.
- The qualitative and systematic updating of the Foundation's website and the NCDs.