Internal evaluation

Practical QAU
Master Programme Internal Evaluation Results
"Applied Automation Systems"

QAU of the International Hellenic University, following the internal quality assurance system, carried out an annual internal evaluation of the Master's Program "Applied Automation Systems" of the Faculty of Engineering, so that, through monitoring and possible corrections, the goals set are achieved, with final result its continuous improvement.
Taking into account the internal evaluation reports and the relevant documentary material submitted by the Master's Program, QAU proceeded to draw up a practical internal evaluation results of the Postgraduate Studies Program.

Status of Findings

The Master's Program "Applied Automation Systems" of the School of Engineering was designed according to the modern needs and requirements in the specific subject, it operates from the acad. year 2020-21 (spring semester) and is in its 3rd year of operation in the current academic year, 2022-2023.
The objectives of the Master's Program are related to the acquisition of knowledge, skills and abilities by the students of the Department related to the subject of Engineering Production and Management. This means being able to design, implement, improve and manage systems consisting of people, materials, tools, machines, financial resources, IT and energy to create products and services (tangible and intangible resources). In today's era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, an important part of the work of the Production and Management Engineer, but also of the modern Engineer in general, has to do with the applied automation systems. This need is covered by Master's Program. It is also self-evident that this need is met by the profile of its students. The majority of them are executives of businesses and industries who want to adapt to the modern production needs of the economy and society.
The Master's Program, until today, is evaluated positively by the QAU as it appears to provide innovative and interdisciplinary postgraduate level education in the field of Applied Automation Systems and operates in a manner that responds to the expectations and needs of students and in shaping a worthwhile learning environment.

Positive points

-The Master's Program is quite popular and in fact attracts a majority of students who are workers, executives and business managers who request further education and training to adapt their work to the modern demands of the economy, production and society.
-Follows evaluation procedures by the students both of the course and the teacher per semester as well as of the overall program at the end of the course.
- The existence of a Master's Program website with completeness, clarity and objectivity of information. The Study Program is published online on the Department's website, together with the Study Guide and the program Gazette which provide important information to the students of the Department. The Master's Program has its own website (https://automation.dipae.edu.gr) and an account on social media. - There is a process of monitoring the career path of the department's Master's Program graduates through Employment and Career Structure (ECS) but also at the initiative of the Director and the Master's Program Steering Committee (SC).
-The Director of the Master's Program and the Steering Committee of the Master's Program are responsible for the coordination, the monitoring of the teaching, the extent of the material as well as for the adjustment and updating of the curriculum. In collaboration with the professors of the Master's Program, she presents her proposals to the Department Assembly, which is also the final judge.
-The adoption of multiple ways of examining courses in the context of Student-centered Learning and Assessment (written exams, assignments and oral exams in special cases, such as for students with dyslexia).
- The transparency of the student evaluation process is ensured by the supervision of the students during the exams, the public announcement of the results, the students' access to their writing and the discussion with the professor about possible objections to their grading.
-Transparency in the assignment, control and examination of diploma theses. A specific procedure is followed for the assignment process, while there are specific quality standards for the evaluation of the postgraduate thesis.
-The financial independence of the Master's Program is ensured by the financial participation of the students, the state budget and research income. The sustainability of the program is ensured by the proper management of funding sources.
- The transparency of the procedures during the selection of admitted students, which is based on scoring and an interview by a three-member committee.
-There are invited professors and researchers from abroad for a certain number of lectures.

Negative Points

There is still no organized system for monitoring graduates.

Recommended preventive/corrective actions

The standardization of the control procedures of the operation of the program.

The standardization of the process and the implementation of a monitoring system for the graduates of the program.

The recording in the annual evaluation report of the standardized operation control procedures and response of the Master's Program to its objectives.

The recording in the annual evaluation report of the process of checking the results / grading of the students as well as the way of participation of the evaluation results of the educational process in decision-making.

Recruitment of new faculty members to improve the ratio of students to professors as well as administrative staff for the smooth operation of the Department.

The publication of data on the professional rehabilitation of program graduates.

The search for ways to attract foreign students, professors and international collaborations in the context of the strategic goal of internationalization.

On behalf of the Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) of the International Ηellenic University

The President of QAU
Makridou Kalliopis

The Secretary of QAU
Tsanduka Maria