Integration of external expertise

A green and blue pictogram depicting two people with a speech bubble above their heads containing a checkmark.
© Uni MS - Web und Design

The integration of external perspectives plays an important role in the continuous improvement of studies and teaching at the University of Münster. As part of the quality management system (QMS), external expertise is regularly consulted in order to reflect on and further develop the quality of degree programs. In addition, the integration of external expertise is fundamental to meeting the legal requirements for quality assurance in degree programs.

The objectives of involving external experts in the QMS are manifold. They take a critical, independent look at the degree program concepts, provide constructive feedback on the special features and strengths of the degree programs, and thus provide important impetus for the further development of studies and teaching.

 

The quality assurance meeting on the involvement of external expertise

To ensure that the degree programs at the University of Münster meet the relevant quality standards, the QMS provides for careful review by external experts, thereby fulfilling the requirements of the Study Accreditation Ordinance (StudakVO). The so-called quality assurance meeting (QAM) takes place once during the eight-year accreditation period and involves

  • at least one student from another university
  • at least two subject representatives from other universities, and
  • at least one representative from professional practice

in the evaluation process. As external reviewers, they examine the design and implementation of the degree programs (individually or in bundles) and engage in an open, constructive exchange with the participants from the University of Münster. The independent assessment of the external reviewers is recorded as the result of the QAM in a report that serves as the basis for internal accreditation.

 

  • Process overview: quality assurance meeting

    The preparation and implementation of the quality assurance meeting (QAM) is a shared responsibility between the department and Dept. 1.4.

    The QM officer of the faculty is responsible for organizing the QAM. As part of the planning process, he or she determines the date and format of the meeting in consultation with the dean of studies and the respective program directors, compiles the list of participants, and prepares the selection of external experts who are to participate in the QAM as reviewers.

    1. Selection and appointment of external experts
      To select external experts, the QM officer collects suggestions for subject representatives from other universities and representatives from professional practice. These are first checked internally for impartiality and then contacted. If the experts indicate their willingness to participate, they must submit a declaration of impartiality and receive all the information necessary for their participation in the QAM.

      The selection of student reviewers is the responsibility of Department 1.4. For this purpose, a call for applications is usually issued via the student accreditation pool on the basis of a requirements profile drawn up by the faculty.

      The final group of external experts for the QAM is determined by a decision of the dean's office or departmental council. The list of selected experts, including their declarations of impartiality, is forwarded to Dept. 1.4. This department supports the process of appointing external experts by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and coordinates the QAM.
    2. Conducting and documenting the QSG
      The faculty's QM officer works closely with Dept. 1.4 to conduct the QSG. While the QM officer prepares the internal participants for the QSG, Dept. 1.4 is responsible for supporting the external experts. Prior to the QAM, Dept. 1.4 holds a preliminary meeting with the experts and forwards relevant topics or requests for further documents to the QSG participants via the QM officer.

      The QAM is usually moderated by external experts or the speaker from Department 1.4. The results of the QAM are documented by the speaker on the basis of the technical and content-related criteria of the StudAkVO. This documentation forms the basis for the preparation of the report, which is used for the internal accreditation of the degree program. If the QAM provides further content-related input, for example in the context of advisory expertise, this is recorded by the representatives from the faculty who are present and, if necessary, used later for the further development of the degree program or programs.

      The faculty receives the report and attaches it to the application for accreditation, which is sent to the IAK office. If necessary, it attaches a statement, for example, if changes have been made to program documents since the QSG in order to correct incorrect representations or discuss facts.

  • Overview on dates and tasks for external experts

    • Preparation of the Quality Assurance Meeting (QAM) based on the provided documents
    • Submission of a preliminary assessment of the study programs
    • Participation in the digital pre-meeting of the reviewers
    • Participation in the quality assurance discussion (online or in person)
    • Finalization of the final report based on a draft created by the rapporteur

Use of external experts for quality improvement

The quality assurance meeting offers the opportunity to utilize external reviewers not only to verify the criteria of the Study Accreditation Ordinance (StudakVO), but also to leverage their expertise for the qualitative further development of a study program. Such advisory expertise can, for example, serve to gather feedback on specific thematic focal points or to incorporate the practices of addressing particular issues at other universities into the analysis of studies and teaching. Furthermore, the experts can critically examine existing considerations for quality development of a study program and make constructive suggestions for further improvements. Through the advisory expertise, departments can receive important impulses that contribute to making their study programs even more attractive and future-proof.