The Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) is the structured and institutionalized framework through which a Higher Education Institution (HEI) organizes, implements, and monitors its policies and procedures for the continuous improvement of quality in all aspects of its operations—education, research, administration, and public engagement. It is an integral part of academic and administrative governance, operating within the national legal framework (e.g. Law 4009/2011, Law 4653/2020 in Greece) and aligned with the principles of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE).
Key Features of IQAS:
- Coordinated and monitored by the institution’s Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP).
- Includes quality policies, strategic planning, goal-setting, indicators, evaluations, and corrective actions.
- Applies to all levels of operation: institution, schools, departments, study programs, and services.
- Supported by formal documentation (e.g. quality manuals, procedural standards, indicator reports).
- Forms the basis for internal and external evaluations, including program/institutional accreditation.
- Focuses on quality culture and continuous improvement, not just compliance.
The Internal Quality Assurance System:
- Enhances the institution’s accountability, transparency, and effectiveness.
- Drives improvement in study programs, student experience, research, and administrative services.
- Provides evidence of performance through indicators and evaluation results.
- Supports ongoing self-improvement and preparation for external accreditation.
- Incorporates the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).