AQA-Audits

Certification of quality management systems in Higher Education Institutions

The AQA-Audit procedure is developed for public and private universities, Fachhochschulen, and university colleges of teacher education.

Principles

• In compliance with legal requirements and in accordance with European Standards and Guidelines (ESG);
• Takes into account the individual profiles and quality objectives of the Higher Education Institutions (HEI);
• System-, process- and results-oriented procedure
• Independence and involvement of external international expertise
• Strengthening of internal quality culture and quality development
• Fair balance of workload and benefits

The following performance areas can be assessed by an Audit:

Performance area: Studies, Teaching & Further Education
Performance area: Research
Performance area: Human Resource Management & Development
Performance area: Internationalisation & Mobility

The HEI decides if one performance area (FOCUS Audit) or if all four performance areas (ADVANCED Audit) will be addressed through the Audit. A successful audit is certified by a recognised label.

The assessment reviews six Audit standards which describe the main requirements for internal quality assurance and for an established quality management system. The audit is in compliance with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) and the standards have been determined by the scientific steering group of AQA.

1. The HEI possesses a strategy for quality and integrates this strategy into its steering mechanisms.
2. Quality assurance and development are a part of the leaderships’ responsibilities.
3. The HEI clearly defines and makes transparent the assignments of responsibilities and duties, and it also provides easy access to information needed for achieving target goals.
4. Procedures for internal quality assurance are established and the quality management system supports the core processes of the HEI.
5. Monitoring and information systems are an integral part of the quality management system and facilitate regular reporting.
6. A quality management system includes the systematic participation of the different stakeholders.

The audit standards are of a general character so as to be equally relevant to all performance areas. The assessment includes the organisation of the quality management system and representative key processes in the relevant performance areas.

Ongoing Audits:

• University Mozarteum Salzburg (FOCUS Audit)

Completed Audits:

• Medical University of Graz (ADVANCED Audit)
  (Accreditaion by decision of the Certification and Accreditation Commission on 30 November 2011)
  Further information to be found here.
  
• Graz University of Technology (ADVANCED Audit)
  (Accreditaion by decision of the Certification and Accreditation Commission on 24 March 2011)
  Further information to be found here.
  
• Medical University of Vienna (FOCUS Audit Human Resource Management & Development)
  (Accreditaion by decision of the Certification and Accreditation Commission on 24 March 2011)
  Further information to be found here.
  
• University of Sarajevo, School for Economics and Business
  (FOCUS Audit Studies, Teaching & Further Education)
  (Accreditaion by decision of the Certification and Accreditation Commission on 24 March 2011)
  Further information to be found here.
  
• Medical University of Graz
  (Accreditaion by decision of the Certification and Accreditation Commission in 29 September 2009)
  Further information to be found here.
  
• Karl-Franzens-University of Graz
  (Accreditaion by decision of the Certification and Accreditation Commission in 24 March 2009)
  Further information to be found here.