New Trend at Grodno State University: Implementation of

Quality Management System as a Step Towards Integration of

Belorussian HE into European Educational Space

Riga 2009

BelarusGrodno

BelarusGrodno

Our country – the Republic of Belarus

Our University is named after the national poet of Belarus –

Yanka Kupala

Grodno Founded in 1128 Today the population of the city consists of:

• Belarusians (56%)

• Poles (22%)

• Russians (18%)

• Ukrainians (3%)

• also Lithuanians, Tatars, Jews.

Traditions of the University

• 1591 – an Orthodox school.• 1625 – 1773 – a Jesuit college.• 1775 – first higher medical educational establishment in Belarus – Medical Academy (school)• February 22, 1940 – Teacher Training Institute which was reorganized into Grodno State Pedagogical Institute in 1944 • 1957 – named after a national poet of Belarus – Yanka Kupala • October 13, 1978 – the pedagogical institute was reorganised into Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno .

University Mission

To promote learning and research in order to train well-educated and motivated citizens, who are needed in the region, the country and the

world, and to develop an integrated socio-cultural environment through the application of

knowledge accumulated by the world community for the benefit of the region’s and

country’s development

14 faculties and an association of socio-humanitarian sciences (totaling 76 departments), 4 colleges and Institute for Professional Skills Upgrading and Retraining.

More than 17000 undergraduate, master’s and postgraduate (Ph.D.) students are currently enrolled at the university.

2008 faculty members and staff are involved in the education and professional training of undergraduate and post-graduate students.

University today

Forms of Education• full time• part time• by correspondence• distance learning• short-term courses

Levels of Education• preparatory studies• first diploma• second diploma• Master’s degree• Ph.D. studies• upgrading training• retraining

Additional Courses• language courses• computer courses• business seminars

• Faculty of Philology http://phf.grsu.by • Faculty of History and Sociology http://fh.grsu.by • Faculty of Economics and Management http://fem.grsu.by• Faculty of Law http://lf.grsu.by • Faculty of Pedagogy http://fp.grsu.by• Faculty of Arts http://art.grsu.by • Faculty of Psychology http://psf.grsu.by • Faculty of Physics and Engineering http://ftf.grsu.by • Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science http://fm.grsu.by • Faculty of Biology and Ecology http://fbe.grsu.by • Faculty of Physical Training http://ffc.grsu.by• Faculty of Tourism and Service• Military Faculty http://mil.grsu.by• Faculty of Engineering and Transportation• Institute for Professional Skills Upgrading

and Retraining http://ipo.grsu.by

• Grodno Pedagogical College• Grodno Technological College http://www.xtt.grsu.by• Lida College• Volkovysk College

• Undergraduate education – 80 specialties

• Master’s degree studies – 33 specialties

• Postgraduate studies – 36 specialties

• Specialized secondary education – 32 specialties

Dynamics of increase in numbers of students

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 20060

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

16000

1800016136

2007 2008

Annual research is carried out within the framework of 150 research thesis. The research is carried out in the following fields:

• Energy supplies, alternative and renewable energy resources• Machine engineering • Physical, chemical, biological, and genetic methods and technologies of producing new substances• Nano–materials and nano–technologies • Developing new medical, diagnostic, preventive and rehabilitation technology, devices and products• Mathematical, and physical modelling of systems, structures, and processes in the nature and society• Competitive products of laser and optical engineering• Environmental safety, preservation of the environment, mineral resources and mining of Belarus• Theoretical basis for the development of innovative socially oriented economy in Belarus

Academics

Scientific potential of the Grodno region and YKSUGFaculty and staff

in YKSUG

other universities

Ph.D.

in YKSUG

other universities

Dr.Habil

in YKSUG

other universities

Partner Countries

The university has reached its limits of extensive development

Challenges posed by the modern world:

• Technical progress

• Globalization and Internationalization

• Commercialization of HE

• CHANGING ROLE OF HE IN SOCIETY

• More attention to the quality assurance support

• late1990s – announcement of the idea of integration of HE of Belarus into European educational space

• 2008-2009 – actualization of the task at hand is still relevant

• In 2002 Ministry of Education of Belarus along with the leading HE Institutions started developing new educational standards using some of the elements related to Bologna process among other criteria

• The elements of Bologna process in HE of Belarus Bologna– Two stage HE:

• Specialists (i.e. bachelor’s, 4-6 years)• Magister (i.e. Master’s,1 year based on the first stage

specialization), geared towards further doctorate studies• Master’s (individual programs for international students,

individual plan of study, 2 years)

But … there is no credit system, not easily convertible to Bologna process equivalent.

• Solution – to create robust university management system based on the best examples of national and international experience that would:

- optimize the process of education - create a strong base for responding to changing

environment and “easy” governance- increase effectiveness of the governance- assure quality of education - increase prestige and reputation of the university

• Quality of Education:– Achieving competitiveness of Belorussian HE – Increasing attractiveness for different

categories of prospective students,– Broadening of the export of HE

• Functioning elements of QMS in the system of education of Belarus:– Accreditation and licensing, – Complex of government educational standards– System wide statistical reporting, etc.

• Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno Started work on implementation of QMS in 2001 and we expect to be certified in the end of 2009.

• Components needed for effective QMS:-strengthening of the resources (material and human)

-introduction of innovative educational approaches- Mapping out and monitoring of the processes- Development of corporate culture

• Conditions for successful implementation of QMS– Readiness of the faculty and staff;– Use of international experience:

• Collaboration with HE establishments of Russian Federation, USA, Great Britain and Sweden.

• 2 international grants (TEMPUS/TACIS),• Participation in a number of international seminars.

Significant number of faculty and administrators have been certified as auditors

• Steps taken at YKSU:– Developed documentation regarding quality

management (strategy and policy)– Implemented system of strategic planning– Mapped out processes– Introduced system of monitoring, evaluation and

control of quality in selected processes,– Regular audit of quality– Developed principles and methods of data collection in

regards to the main processes and ongoing work for quality improvement

– Created Center of University Management that includes Department of QM

– Created website dedicated to QM (information on QM at YKSUG and international)

– Research on QM at YKSUG supported through intramural grant support

– Annual ranking of academic departments and evaluation of the faculty by students

• Questions related to implementation of QMS:– What kind of result do we expect?– Who’s evaluation is of special value?– What can and must QMS give to the

university, every participant of the process of education?

• YKSUG experience:– Implementation of QMS should follow the

proper steps and must not be rushed. A strong QMS needs solid foundation.

• Problems related to implementation of QMS:– Costs– Low motivation of academic faculty and staff

• Conclusion:

We strongly believe that it is not the question of if QMS has a place at the university, but what from it will take at a Belorussian university to deliver its full potential.

QM is a significant step towards integration of Belarus HE with European HE

• In 2008 the Ministry of Education of Belarus carried out decision to develop and implement QMS at Belorussian universities.

Acknowledgements

Alena Razava, Ph.D.

Thank you for your attention!