Quality Management in Academic Programs and Teaching
Quality in academic programs and teaching arises from the interplay of different perspectives, experiences, and requirements. The Office of Program Development, Quality Management, and Capacity Affairs supports the THA in systematically ensuring and continuously improving the quality and further development of academic programs and teaching.
Our quality management system aligns the university’s internal quality objectives with legal and academic requirements, as well as the expectations of our students, faculty, alumni, industry partners, and other relevant stakeholders. To this end, we have established procedures and tools that provide reliable information for the further development of degree programs, academic studies, and teaching.
A particular focus is placed on continuous quality improvement: evaluation results, key performance indicators, and expert assessments are collated, analyzed, and utilized to inform development processes.
Our Responsibilities
- Supporting the internal accreditation and re-accreditation of degree programs
- Supporting the continuous improvement of the academic offerings and degree program structures
- Designing, coordinating, and conducting university-wide evaluations
- Further development of quality management procedures and tools
- Compilation and analysis of quality-related data and information
- Supporting faculties, program directors, and other stakeholders on quality management issues
Evaluations at THA
The THA’s Evaluation Regulations define university-wide binding guidelines for conducting evaluations and handling their results. The evaluation system includes, among other things, regular course evaluations, degree program surveys, graduate surveys, and ad hoc surveys. The results are incorporated, among other things, into the further development of degree programs and into internal accreditation procedures.
The Office of Degree Program Development, Quality Management, and Capacity Affairs coordinates university-wide evaluation procedures and supports those responsible for their planning, implementation, and analysis.
Our Evaluation Services
The Office provides a centralized technical survey system for conducting surveys. The Zensus7 software is used to prepare, conduct, and automatically analyze surveys.
In addition, we provide support in:
- the design and refinement of questionnaires,
- the selection of appropriate evaluation methods,
- the implementation of online and other survey formats,
- the processing and interpretation of evaluation results, and
- the use of the results to further develop academic programs and teaching.
Our goal is to view evaluation not as an end in itself, but as a tool for evidence-based and constructive dialogue about quality and further development.
Commitment to Quality
For THA, quality in academic programs and teaching means continuously developing its academic offerings while integrating academic, pedagogical, organizational, and societal requirements.
Our understanding of quality is guided by the THA’s quality commitments:
- Up-to-date academic content and innovative teaching methods
- The best possible guidance and support for students
- A strong focus on practical application and professional relevance
- Equipping students for a successful professional and social future
We view quality development as a continuous process. Findings from evaluations, feedback from students and faculty, academic developments, and external requirements are systematically addressed and incorporated into the ongoing development of academic programs and teaching.
Quality management creates the necessary structures, procedures, and tools for this purpose and supports those responsible in jointly ensuring and further developing quality.