Quality assurance unit (Q.A.U. / MODIP)
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
Issue B’ 7743/31.12.2023
Decision No. 5982 (3)
Establishment of the Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP) of the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA)
THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE ATHENS SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS (ASFA)
Having considered:
- Articles 215, 433, 469, and 470 of Law 4957/2022 “New Horizons in Higher Education Institutions: Enhancing Quality, Functionality, and the Connection of HEIs with Society and other provisions” (Government Gazette A’ 141).
- Subparagraph (th) of paragraph 2 of Article 5 of Law 3469/2006 “National Printing Office, Government Gazette and other provisions” (A’ 131).
- Article 90 of the Code of Legislation on Government and Government Bodies (Presidential Decree 63/2005, A’ 98), maintained in force by subparagraph 22 of Article 119 of Law 4622/2019 (A’ 133).
- Decision No. 4397/4.10.2023 of the Rector of ASFA “Formation of the Governing Council of the Athens School of Fine Arts” (Y.O.D.D. 1093).
- Decision No. 4398/4.10.2023 of the Rector of ASFA “Election of the Rector of the Athens School of Fine Arts” (Y.O.D.D. 1093).
- Internal memo No. 5940/21.12.2023 of the Directorate of Financial Management, stating that the estimated gross payroll cost (position allowance and employer contribution) for appointing one (1) department head amounts to €350.56 per month and €4,206.72 annually for a public servant, and €359.83 per month and €4,317.96 annually for an employee under an indefinite private law contract, to be covered by the regular budget of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports. This cost is increased by 30% from 1.1.2024, pursuant to Article 22 of Law 5045/2023 (A’ 136).
- The necessity to ensure the smooth operation of ASFA in the context of implementing the provisions of Law 4957/2022 and until the issuance of the Institution’s Organisation, as provided in Article 206 of Law 4957/2022.
- The general operational needs,
Decides:
A. The abolition of Chapter A’ of Decision No. 2198/07.06.2018 (B’ 2841) of the Senate meeting dated 07.06.2018 of the Athens School of Fine Arts.
B. The establishment, level, and administrative structure of the Quality Assurance Unit of the Athens School of Fine Arts, as stipulated in Article 215 of Law 4957/2022 (A’ 141), as follows:
Article 1 – Establishment and Organisational Structure
- Until the issuance of the Organisation foreseen in Article 206 of Law 4957/2022 (A’ 141), an administrative structure is established at the Athens School of Fine Arts, named Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP), as an autonomous unit at the Department level, reporting to the Rector and supervised by the Rector or the competent Vice-Rector to whom the relevant responsibility has been delegated.
- MODIP is internally structured into:
a) the Quality Assurance Committee, and
b) the Quality Assurance Service.
Article 2 – Mission
The mission of MODIP is the continuous improvement of the quality of the institution’s educational and research work, as well as the effective functioning and performance of its services, in accordance with international practices—particularly those of the European Higher Education Area—and the guidelines of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE).
Article 3 – Quality Assurance Committee
- The Quality Assurance Committee is formed by decision of the Senate and consists of:
a) the Rector or the competent Vice-Rector to whom the relevant responsibility has been delegated,
b) five (5) members of the Teaching and Research Faculty (TRF) of the HEI, holding the rank of Professor or Associate Professor,
c) one (1) representative from each category of Special Teaching Staff (STS), Special Educational Staff (SES), and Special Technical Laboratory Staff (STLS) of the HEI,
d) one (1) representative of undergraduate students,
e) one (1) representative of postgraduate students and doctoral candidates, and
f) one (1) representative from among Visiting Professors, Adjunct Instructors, Visiting Researchers, and Contract Researchers employed at ASFA.
The Head of MODIP and the Executive Director of the HEI attend the committee meetings without voting rights.
- The term of office of the Committee is five years. Representatives from points (d) to (f) are elected annually and have voting rights on matters related to their status.
- The Committee’s responsibilities include:
a) Drafting a proposal for the structure and operation of the Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) and submitting it to the Senate for approval and publication in the Government Gazette.
b) Developing policies and strategies for quality assurance and enhancement in all educational, research, and administrative activities of the HEI, with a particular focus on:- the quality of first-, second-, and third-cycle study programs, including foreign language programs,
- lifelong learning programs and the operation of the Center for Training and Lifelong Learning (KEDIVIM),
- individual academic units (Schools, Departments, Sectors),
- the Special Account for Research Funds and the University Research and Innovation Center (PAKEK), as well as the Research Institutes,
- academic or research units such as university museums and laboratories, including their service provision,
- the administrative services of the HEI.
c) Updating the IQAS at least every five (5) years, aiming for continuous improvement in accordance with developments in the European Higher Education Area, international practices, and HAHE guidelines.
d) Preparing the IQAS Quality Manual and submitting it for approval to the HEI Senate.
e) Conducting periodic internal evaluations and reviews of the IQAS.
f) Collaborating with HAHE to implement its directions and guidelines within the scope of its responsibilities.
g) Performing any other duties assigned to the Committee by the HEI’s Internal Regulations.
Article 4 – Quality Assurance Service
- The Quality Assurance Service is staffed by the HEI’s administrative personnel, both permanent and temporary, and is headed by an employee of the HEI, either permanent or under a fixed-term private law contract, with a specialisation or classification in Administrative and Financial Services and with relevant expertise and experience.
If staffing with ASFA personnel (permanent and indefinite private law) is insufficient, the Service may be supported by external collaborators under any form of employment or other legal arrangement, remunerated from the Special Account for Research Funds of ASFA. - The responsibilities of the Quality Assurance Service include:
a) Implementing decisions and providing secretarial support to the Quality Assurance Committee,
b) Submitting recommendations to the Committee and preparing materials for decision-making,
c) Collaborating with HAHE and supporting internal and external evaluation and accreditation procedures for the HEI, its academic and research units, and its first-, second-, and third-cycle study programs, including foreign-language and collaborative programs, and lifelong learning programs under Law 4653/2020 (A’ 12),
d) Developing, managing, and monitoring the IQAS of the HEI, including conducting internal evaluations in accordance with the IQAS Quality Manual,
e) Coordinating and supporting HEI and unit-level quality assurance implementation processes,
f) Collecting and processing data from all academic, research, and administrative units related to the implementation of quality assurance across the institution’s activities,
g) Publishing on the institution’s website information related to the accreditation, internal and external evaluation of the HEI and its units under Law 4957/2022,
h) Being responsible for filling in indicator values in the annual performance report to determine the regular annual funding allocation, as per Article 16 of Law 4653/2020,
i) Maintaining and updating MODIP’s information system and ensuring interoperability with HAHE’s National Integrated Quality Information System (OPESP),
j) Carrying out any other duties defined in the HEI’s Organisation and related to the scope of MODIP.
Article 5 – Resources of the Quality Assurance Unit
The funding of the Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP) of the Athens School of Fine Arts is provided through the institution’s own resources, as well as national, European, or international programs.
Article 6 – Entry into Force
This decision shall enter into force upon its publication in the Government Gazette.
Let this decision be published in the Government Gazette.
Athens, 22 December 2023
The Rector
Erato Chatjisavva