Roles in Quality Assurance of Education
Formal structures and bodies contribute to a reliable framework for quality assurance processes. However, to create a quality culture, all participants must feel ownership of quality and that they can contribute to assure excellence in education.
The division of authority, responsibility and roles in NMBU’s quality assurance system for education is described below, based on NMBU’s governance and management regulations (which follow from the Universities and University Colleges Act), guidelines for NMBU’s councils and committees, and job descriptions.
Everyone - leaders, empolyees and students at NMBU - has a responsibility for the quality assurance work.
Responsibility and roles in work relating to quality assurance
University Board
Is responsible for ensuring that the academic activities are of high quality and that the institution is run efficiently and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and provisions, and the framework conditions and goals set by superior authorities. Shall adopt a strategy for the institution’s educational and research activity and other academic activity, and make plans for academic development in accordance with the above. It thereby has overall responsibility for the development of results in the quality of education area and for NMBU working systematically on developing the quality of education and the learning environment.
Makes decisions on the creation and discontinuation of study programmes at all levels and adopts the annual study programme portfolio at bachelor’s and master's level. Every year, approves the Quality of Education Report at bachelor’s and master’s level and the Annual Report on Research Training. Issues overarching guidelines for work on quality of education based on the reported results.
Rector
Is the general manager for the institution’s academic and administrative activity. Reports to the University Board. Has overall responsibility for the development of results in the quality of education area, for following up the strategy and for NMBU working systematically on developing the quality of education and the learning environment.
Reports to the University Board on goal attainment via tertiary reporting and the annual Quality of Education Report and Annual Report on Research Training. Specifies the University Board’s guidelines and chooses priority areas within the quality of education area.
Pro-rector for Education
Has responsibility, delegated by the Rector, for the development of results in the quality of education area and for NMBU working systematically on developing the quality of education at bachelor’s and master’s level. Chairs the university’s Academic Affairs Committee and has line responsibility for the Department of Academic Affairs. Has a key role in the implementation of periodic programme evaluations, in the approval of new study programmes and in following up and monitoring existing programmes.
Pro-rector for Research and Innovation
Has responsibility, delegated by the Rector, for the development of results in the research quality area and for NMBU working systematically on developing the quality of education at PhD level. Chairs the University’s Research Committee and has line responsibility for the Department of Research, Innovation and External Cooperation. Decides annually, on the Rector’s authorisation, which PhD programmes will be subject to periodic evaluation.
University's Management Team (ULT)
Advises the Rector and is a forum for discussing important matters in the field of education.
Academic Affairs Committee (NMBU-SU)
Is the University’s advisory body for educational policy matters. Advises the Rector and provides strategic input on matters concerning education. Develops and gives advice on systems for quality assurance of educational activities at all levels. Assists with the coordination of education and strengthening of interdisciplinary cooperation. Provides input on measures to be included in the Quality of Education Report. Makes recommendations concerning the creation and discontinuation of study programmes at bachelor's and master's level.
Director of Academic Affairs
As head of the Department of Academic Affairs, is responsible for administrative tasks relating to NMBU’s programme portfolio, including developing joint administrative procedures and systems. Reports to the Pro-Rector for Education.
Has a day-to-day responsibility for the form and content of the quality assurance system, including procedures for programme and course evaluations. Serves as the secretariat for NMBU-SU and the Rectorate. Collates the programme reports so that they form the basis for assessing the study programme portfolio, and drafts the Quality of Education Report on assignment from the Rector.
Research Committee (NMBU-FU)
Is the University’s advisory body for research policy matters. Advises the Rector and provides strategic input on matters concerning research, including research training. Helps to ensure that research at NMBU is of high quality, and has a particular responsibility for initiating measures that enhance the quality of research, research training and further and continuing education. Makes recommendations in the Annual Report on Research Training.
Director of Research, Innovation and External Cooperation
As head of the Department of Research, Innovation and External Cooperation, has responsibility for the implementation of NMBU’s strategies for research (including research training), innovation and further and continuing education. Reports to the Pro-rector for Research and Innovation. Serves as the secretariat for NMBU-FU and the Rectorate. Collates the programme reports and drafts the Annual Report for Research Training on assignment from the Rector.
Learning Environment Committee (LMU)
Shall contribute to a good study and learning environment at the university, and to the physical and psychosocial learning and working environment being fully satisfactory based on an overall assessment that takes account of students’ health, safety and welfare.
Prepares an annual report that describes the status of the learning environment and LMU’s work and measures to improve the learning environment. Provides input to the Quality of Education Report relating to the psychosocial and physical learning and working environment.
Appeals Committee
Considers and makes decisions on, or gives an opinion on, cases that fall under the remit of the Appeals Committee pursuant to the Universities and University Colleges Act, Section 5-1.
Faculty Board (FS)
Decides the goals, priorities and strategies for the Faculty. Adopts an annual plan and budget. Is responsible for follow-up through approval of systems for quality assurance and quality development. Approves the Faculty’s Quality of Education Report, including study programme reports at bachelor’s and master's level, recommends the annual study programme portfolio at bachelor's and master’s level and recommends the creation or discontinuation of study programmes at the Faculty.
Dean
As head of the Faculty, has overarching responsibility for the quality of study programmes, for work on the quality of education in the Faculty, for personnel management and competence development. Is responsible for annual and periodic programme evaluations at the Faculty and for ensuring that the Faculty’s measures are followed up. Reports annually to the Rector on the status of the quality of education in the Faculty’s Quality of Education Report (bachelor's and master’s level) and through study programme reports (all levels). Advises the Rector on the study programme portfolio.
Faculty Academic Affairs Committee (FAK-SU)
Shall contribute to improving the quality of education and give the Dean advice on educational matters at both programme and course level. Considers the programme reports (bachelor’s and master’s level) and provides input to the Quality of Education Report.
Head of Teaching
Chairs FAK-SU and is a member of NMBU-SU. The Dean decides the mandate for the Head of Teaching. Is responsible for following up and contributing to developing the learning environment and the academic and educational quality of courses and study programmes at bachelor's and master’s level. Is involved in the work on evaluations and the Faculty's Quality of Education Report.
Programme Council for bachelor's, master's and PhD programmes
Contributes to good quality of education, and to the academic development of study programmes and pertaining courses. Advises the Dean on academic matters that fall under the Programme Council’s remit. Ensures an active dialogue with academic staff and students/PhD candidates. The Dean decides the mandate for the Programme Council. Is involved in the work on the annual programme evaluation.
Programme Coordinator
Is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing and developing the study programme. Chairs the Programme Council. Is responsible for the annual programme evaluation and programme report.
Faculty Research Committee (FAK-FU)
Shall contribute to improving the quality of research and give the Dean advice on research matters. If a separate PhD programme council has not been established, has operational responsibility for the content and organisation of the PhD programme, including annual reporting and day-to-day quality assurance work.
Head of Research
Chairs FAK-FU and is a member of NMBU-FU. The Dean decides the mandate for the Head of Research. Coordinates development work relating to the PhD programme(s) and the work on following up measures and action plans.
Course Coordinator
Is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing and developing a course. Shall ensure that there is an appropriate connection between learning activities and assessment forms and contribute to the students achieving the learning outcomes. Is responsible for the course evaluation and for the course report.
Lecturer
Shall implement and develop the programmes offered and contribute to the students achieving the learning outcomes. Gives continuous feedback to the students on the results of evaluations and implemented measures in cooperation with the Course Coordinator.
Students
Are responsible for participating in the quality assurance work, providing input in relevant forums, taking part in evaluations and being active participants in the learning process. Are represented on Programme Councils, the Faculty Academic Affairs Committees and the Faculty Boards, on NMBU-SU, LMU, the University’s management team, the Appeals Committee and the University Board. Through their representation, students have an opportunity to contribute to, and be heard in, processes at all levels. If evaluations are not carried out or followed up, the students must raise the matter with student representatives or the Faculty’s management.
More information on the students' role in the quality assurance of education (Norwegian only)
PhD candidates
Are responsible for becoming involved in the quality assurance work, contributing in relevant forums and taking part in evaluations, as well as being active participants in research wok and the learning process. Are represented on Faculty Academic Affairs Committees, Research Committees, NMBU-SU, NMBU-FU, the Appeals Committee and the University Board.
Forum for Academic Matters
Is NMBU’s forum for information and experience sharing on education-related matters between the Department of Academic Affairs and student advisers in the faculties.
PhD Forum
Is NMBU’s forum for information and experience sharing on PhD-related matters between the Department of Research, Innovation and External Cooperation and PhD advisers in the faculties.