Internal Quality Assurance Unit
2026-04-22 11:56Internal Quality Assurance Unit
Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance at POLIS University refers to the entirety of structures, units, systematic processes, procedures, mechanisms, and tools dedicated to evaluating, monitoring, and reviewing performance, identifying qualitative outcomes, and providing recommendations for the improvement of academic units and programs. The main objective of academic quality assurance is to ensure continuous review, analysis, and improvement across all academic programs and institutional units, including research units, through an internal, critical, and constructive reflection process carried out by qualified internal staff, as well as by external evaluators.
The Academic Quality Assurance Policy has four main objectives:
- To ensure high academic standards and the continuous improvement of POLIS University’s academic units and programs.
- To establish principles, objectives, procedures, and core structures, and to standardize the evaluation process of academic units and programs.
- To document and communicate the results achieved during academic quality assurance processes.
- To ensure that all academic units and programs within the University are subject to the Quality Assurance Policy.
Internal Quality Assurance Unit
Based on Article 67 of the Statute of POLIS University, the main unit responsible for quality evaluation and assurance processes and procedures at U_POLIS is the Internal Quality Assurance Unit (IQA Unit).
The IQA Unit is responsible for the processes and procedures of internal evaluation of all academic activities (teaching and learning, study programs), as well as research, managerial, and administrative activities carried out at POLIS. The mechanisms and instruments applied by the IQA Unit enable full representation and inclusion of all stakeholder groups (academic staff, students, alumni, decision-making bodies, administration, and representatives from the business community).
The Internal Quality Assurance Unit (IQA Unit) operates in accordance with the provisions of the applicable higher education law, relevant by-laws, guidelines of the Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, as well as the Statute and Strategy of POLIS University.
The main procedure and mechanism for quality evaluation, both at the institutional level and for study programs offered by U_POLIS, is the quality review (institutional and/or program review, or a combination of both).
The review process is carried out in accordance with the following standards:
- The process must be fair, impartial, open, transparent, and well-informed.
- The involvement of leadership, faculty, departments, staff, and students is essential and critical.
- Institutional and program reviews must include external peers/experts, selected based on specific criteria and through a fair and transparent process.
- Review documents must be concise and easily understandable, without excessive formal or bureaucratic burden for those directly or indirectly involved in the process.
- The units, responsible staff, and other actors involved in the review processes are accountable for ensuring that academic quality assurance reviews are conducted in full compliance with approved internal procedures and regulations, within the deadlines defined in the work plan.
- The IQA Unit is responsible for ensuring that all program reviews follow the academic quality assurance process in an appropriate and consistent manner, as well as
- comparing the findings and results collected.
The IQA Unit reports to the highest academic governing bodies and administrative decision-making authorities, while remaining an independent unit in terms of its functioning, procedures, and the results it produces. The organization, duties, responsibilities, and activities of the IQA Unit are defined in its Regulation, which is approved by the Academic Senate. Within the framework of the European Standards and Guidelines, particularly in line with Standards I.2, I.3, I.4, I.5, I.6, and I.7, the IQA Unit aims to further promote the following aspects:
- To ensure that all study programs offered by POLIS are subject to a regular and cyclical institutional approval process.
- To ensure that the structure and content of the programs have clear learning outcomes.
- To ensure that programs are designed in a way that enables clear and comprehensible education for students.
- To ensure that POLIS establishes collaborations with third parties so that graduates have employment opportunities.
- To ensure that the internationalization strategy of POLIS University and its faculties is implemented within study programs by benefiting from external and international expertise.
- Ensures that programs are designed and delivered in a way that encourages students
- Take an active role in the learning process, where assessment and student outcomes reflect this approach.
- Encourages a sense of autonomy in students, while providing adequate guidance and support from the academic staff.
- Respects and adapts to the diversity of learners and their needs, enabling flexible learning where necessary.
- Assessment procedures must include the use and adaptation of a range of pedagogical methods, as well as flexible and effective modes of delivery throughout the teaching process.
- Study programs must undergo cyclical review. As a rule, the curriculum and content are reviewed every 2 (two) years, and at least at the end of each full study cycle.
- Program review is integrated into the annual work of the faculties/departments responsible for each program.
- Two-year cycles include both internal and external quality assurance requirements, in accordance with laws and regulations, the general quality assurance requirements established by POLIS, and the internal quality assurance requirements approved at the faculty/program level.
- Cyclical evaluations for curriculum review transform the results of quality assurance activities into follow-up actions.
- Cyclical evaluations of program reports are largely synchronized with all parts of the quality assurance process and the ongoing work related to study programs.
- The evaluation of the teaching process is carried out in accordance with the relevant guidelines at POLIS. This process includes systematic evaluation at the end of each semester by students for all courses offered within each study program. To ensure the effective monitoring of this process and a high level of student participation, program coordinators play an important role. Finally, this procedure is concluded with a dedicated report prepared by department/faculty heads, providing comments on student evaluations for each semester.
The Internal Quality Assurance Cycle at U_POLIS reflects continuous improvement and the Governance Regulation.
Members of the Internal Quality Assurance Unit (IQA Unit) collaborate with staff and other units to support quality assurance processes across the entire University. This includes advising on University policies and regulations, supporting the development and review of programs, as well as providing support to ad hoc and standing committees on various topics within POLIS University.
Head of the Internal Quality Assurance Unit:
Dr. Emi Hoxholli
Other Members of the IQA Unit:
As. Prof. Merita Guri – Member
Dr. Endri Duro – Member
Marsela Demaj – Member
Xhoi Musliaka – Member
Anjeza Dajzmaili – Member
Fiona Pirushi – Member(Student Representative)
Gjergji Dushniku – Member(Alumni Representative)
Enxhi Cerpia – Member(Business Community Representative)
