Quality Assurance

The quality assurance of the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is aimed at the unified activity and development of the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences in the areas of strategic specialization in accordance with the priorities of the policy planning cycle for the development of the economy and society as defined in the policy planning documents. The quality management system of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is implemented in accordance with the standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG), as well as in accordance with the European Foundation for Quality Management excellence model (EFQM excellence model), in accordance with the development strategy of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, as well as the quality criteria of the European Union and the Republic of Latvia.

The quality management system of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is designed to improve the quality of studies, which, in accordance with the requirements of the labour market, provides human resources necessary for the future development of the economy, the state and society, while promoting the possibility of dynamic adaptation to changes in the external environment.

In order to strengthen the quality assurance and management capacity of education, the quality management policy of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is oriented towards:

• working with interested parties;
• strategic approach and leadership;
• staff engagement;
• process management and improvement;
• systematicity;
• a data approach to decision-making; 
• continuous improvement.

The quality management system of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and its assurance processes are structured according to the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDA) cycle, following the basic principles of the quality management policy of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences.

The quality management system of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences has been established as a three-level system:

• The VUAS VISION, which is formed by the VUAS Strategy, setting clear, relevant and commensurable goals and objectives;
• VUAS ACTION, which consists of the implementation of higher education, research and lifelong learning through management, operational and support processes, implementing procedures to ensure the achievement of goals and objectives;
• Monitoring the results of the VUAS.

The following mechanisms and procedures are applied to ensure the quality of higher education at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences at all three levels of the system:

• Licensing and accreditation of the field of study and study programmes;
• Compliance of study programmes' aims and objectives, content with the development strategy of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and development trends at international, national and regional level;
• Comparison of international and national competitiveness of study programmes with other programmes of universities recognised by the European Union;
• annual self-assessment of study programmes, evaluation of weaknesses and strengths of study programmes, changes, development opportunities and programme improvement;
• The provision and digitalization of study programme resources;
• Evaluation of the student-centred approach;
• Assessment and management of student performance;
• Assessment of student involvement in research;
• Assessment of student satisfaction;
• Assessment of graduates' performance and positioning in the work and business environment;
• Evaluation of the annual academic staff performance and evaluation of opinions;
• Analysis and improvement of processes and documentation;
• analysis of the views and development of cooperation between sectoral associations and employers;
• monitoring of strategy, quality management and risks.

The quality policy and management manual of the VUAS as well as other binding internal normative acts are published on the VUAS website and are available to VUAS staff, students, cooperation partners and other stakeholders (available here).

The processes and related information of the quality management system of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, as well as related internal normative acts of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences are available in the information content management system of the internal network of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences in the MOODLE environment.

Ventspils University of Applied Sciences is a member of the Latvian Quality Society.