Academic Unit Quality Policy

  1. Strategy of the Foundation – Academic unit

The quality policy of the academic unit is based on the quality policy of the institution. It seeks to be a pillar of excellence in education and research, emphasizing at the same time internationalization, the utilization of research results, teaching and learning innovation, the development of entrepreneurship and the interconnection of PMS with society.

PMS through the International University of Greece has developed and implements a specific official Quality Assurance Policy, which is part of its strategy. In the development and implementation of this policy, with the appropriate structures and procedures, all interested internal actors (Administrative Bodies, Faculty Members and Researchers, Employees, Students of PMS and other interested parties) participate.

The PMS Quality Policy aims to continuously and systematically ensure, improve and strengthen the quality of the study program and the supporting services of the department and the institution.

It includes the formulation of clear, specific, measurable objectives and corresponding quality assurance actions, which define the framework within which the PS must operate in order to achieve the expected results.

It expresses the systematic, structured and continuous commitment of the PMS and the Foundation to the provision of high quality education, research, teaching and services, recognizing that the primary responsibility for quality assurance lies with the PMS and the Foundation itself.

Fundamental values

This Policy is based on the following fundamental values:

  • academic freedom in teaching, research, expression and circulation of ideas within the framework of the Constitution and the Laws of the state,
  • respecting meritocracy, academic and scientific ethics,
  • of dedication to the advancement of science and the transmission and diffusion of knowledge with a sense of social responsibility,

Essentials

The main axes on which the PMS Quality Assurance and Improvement policy is structured are the following:

  • The preservation of academic principles, ethics, the prevention of discrimination, the encouragement of the participation of external bodies in quality assurance.
  • The continuous reformation and improvement of the curriculum.
  • Improving student learning.
  • The support of young researchers.
  • Dissemination of research findings.
  • The strengthening of the multi-level research project at PMS.
  • The continuous improvement of the working conditions of the scientific and administrative staff of the PMS.
  • The development and rational distribution of human resources
  • The efficient organization of services and the development and maintenance of infrastructure.
  • The development of synergies between the PMS and various Departments of the Schools of DI.PA.E. in undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
  • The contribution to the productive reconstruction of the country.
  • The strengthening of collaborations with other undergraduate and postgraduate study programs of foreign and domestic institutions, the dissemination and strengthening of research projects and synergies, as well as the improvement of the production of research work.
  • The promotion and support of innovation in educational work.
  • The attraction of high-level faculty members from Greece and abroad.
  • The promotion of PMS in Greece and Internationally.
  • The availability and effective management of the necessary resources for the operation of the PMS
  • The utilization of alternative funding sources (participation in international programs, self-financed study programs, sponsorships/donations).
  • The connection with society.
  • PMS leadership, staff members and students taking responsibility and assigning their role in quality assurance

Link to strategy

The quality policy is directly connected and an integral part of the PMS Strategy, which is based on the following pillars:

  • Digital Transformation

It aims at the qualitative improvement of the Administrative Capacity and the services provided as well as at the monitoring of all quality indicators and results through the development and use of corresponding information systems and digital governance systems.

  • Green Deal

The PMS focuses, among other things, on trying to improve its environmental quality through environmental actions with the aim of contributing to the reduction of the environmental footprint, better resource management, environmental awareness of the academic community, providing a friendly environment for its students and staff.

  • Creation and development of study programs oriented to the needs of the Market and Entrepreneurship.

The development of quality, flexible, market-linked study programs and the attraction of high-level students and teachers are pursued through individual quality objectives such as the connection of the PMS with businesses and organizations, the continuous evaluation of the quality of the education provided, the strengthening of mobility and internationalization of the educational process etc.

  • Internationalization

PMS seeks to strengthen its contacts with the international academic community, participate in strategic alliance networks, utilize its research infrastructure, increase the mobility of the academic community.

  • Strengthening research and innovation by attracting new researchers

It has as a constant and permanent feature of its operation excellence in research and its connection with education. In this context, it aims to connect and attract leading researchers from all over the world as well as talented students. The achievement of the above as well as individual goals in this direction will lead to the improvement of the quality of the project provided by the PMS.

  • STATEMENT OF POLICY QUALITY OF THE GRADUATE STUDY PROGRAM

The Department of Production and Management Engineering (MPD) of the Faculty of Engineering of DIPAE, having accumulated experience, knowledge and research on the subject of automation, created and established with the Official Gazette 5036/t. B/13-11-2020 the Master's Program entitled "Applied Automation Engineering Systems". The specific Master's Program is dedicated to providing high quality higher education to its postgraduate students and also to the effort to develop a creative research and work environment for the lecturers, the staff of PMS as well as its students. The commitment of the Director, the Coordinating Committee, the Administrative Bodies and all the staff to the continuous improvement of the education and research services provided is a strategic choice of the PMS.

The Master's Program entitled "Applied Automation Systems" has established and implements a specific quality policy, which is fully harmonized with the legal and regulatory framework that governs the operation of the Production and Management Engineering department and the university. Through redesigning, updating and redefining the quality policy, PMS is committed to achieving optimal performance.

In particular, for the implementation of the Quality Assurance Policy, the PMS of the IPA Department implements procedures that ensure and document: a) the suitability of the structure and organization of the PMS, b) the pursuit and achievement of learning outcomes and qualifications in accordance with the European and National Higher Education Qualifications Framework level 7, c) the promotion of the quality and effectiveness of the teaching work provided, d) the suitability of the qualifications of the PMS teaching staff, e) the drafting, implementation and review of specific annual quality objectives for the continuous improvement of the PMS . the annual internal evaluation and review of the PMS quality assurance system, as well as the cooperation of OMEA and MODIP of DIPAE.

2.1 ACTIONS FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE

The Master's Program entitled "Applied Automation Engineering Systems" of the Department of Production and Management Engineering of DIPAE has developed and implements a specific policy of Quality Assurance, which is part of the strategy of the IPA department and is consistent with its general strategy university. In the development and implementation of this policy, with the appropriate structures and procedures, all the internal actors of the PMS (administrative bodies and staff, secretariat, faculty members, postgraduate students and other academic and scientific collaborators) participate.

The main axes on which the PMS Quality Assurance and Improvement policy is structured and which are directly linked to the Foundation's strategy are the following:

I. The continuous reformation and improvement of the Master's Program

The MSc aims to provide graduate-level training in applied and advanced automation systems, so that MSc graduates acquire a strong scientific background, experience and know-how for the development of intelligent automation systems. More specifically, the MSc aims to:

a) the high-level training of scientists who will be able to successfully staff critical areas related to Automatic control, and industrial production to contribute substantially to the production of integrated solutions.

b) the development and promotion of research in all areas related to applied automatic control systems.

The scientific field of automation is the focus of 3her and 4her industrial revolution. It is a multifocal object that is at the cutting edge of technology and innovation. The Department of Mechanical Engineering came from a merger of the Departments of Automation Engineering and Mechanical Vehicles of the former ATEITH, therefore the knowledge of the subject of Automation at a high level by the teaching and scientific staff of the Department is a given. The former Automation Department two years before its merger had proceeded with a reform of its PPS. Therefore there is the culture and acceptance of continuous reform and improvement of the curriculum. The director and the Coordinating Committee of the PMS, monitors, records and makes use of the developments of relevant graduate study programs in Greece and abroad. In addition, they collaborate with colleagues in the field of Automation who supply the Coordinating Committee of the PMS with modern scientific positions, research proposals and teaching needs of each study specialization for the content and organization of the Master's Program

II.    The continuous strengthening and improvement of the potential of teachers

The lecturers at PMS are made up of professors from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, while a significant number of teachers come from other institutions of higher education and scientists of recognized prestige with specialization in Automation, which is also the scientific subject of PMS. For this purpose, there is posted on the website of PMS open call for expressions of interest without an expiry date. Before the start of each academic year, the competent administrative body of the PMS assigns to candidates who meet the requirements of the law, the teaching of those courses not covered by faculty members of the Department, after evaluating the applications that have been submitted. The submission of an expression of interest request does not oblige the Department to proceed with the conclusion of a contract. Attached at the end is the "Invitation for expression of interest" for prospective teachers.

III. The strengthening of student-centered learning in the design of the PMS

The PMS is largely organized with a focus on the needs of postgraduate students so that they have the appropriate preparation not only in knowledge but also in the required skills to successfully and safely meet the needs in the highly demanding and sensitive area of production and automation. Improving the performance and performance of students participating in the PMS is a priority, while the graduation rates of the department's graduate students are very good.

IV. The continuous improvement of the working conditions of the scientific and administrative staff of the PMS.

Relations between the scientific and administrative staff are harmonious and the possibility of decent work is provided. For problems related to the appearance of the space, hygiene and safety, the possibilities of the department are limited since the age of the building infrastructure and insufficient maintenance create difficulties, although with the cooperation of everyone the conditions are acceptable. In this direction, the improvement of the infrastructures, the resources of the PMS help.

V. The strengthening of PMS collaborations with other institutions (Higher Education, Research Centers, Institutes) of the country and abroad, the diffusion and strengthening of research projects and broader synergies, as well as the improvement of research production.

The "Applied Automation Systems" Master's Program has numerous educational and research collaborations that largely reflect the recognition of its members both in Greece and abroad. A sufficient number of teachers come from other institutions of higher education, while professors of the Department of Education and Research have had or are participating as coordinators or collaborators in research projects, several of which are internationally competitive. This collaboration translated into international publications reflects the very high evaluation of PMS.

VI. The development of PMS extroversion

From the above it is clear that PMS makes appreciable efforts for extroversion. In addition, it maintains collaborations with productive entities mainly in the Industrial Area of Thessaloniki but also with individual businesses in the area, which translates into a better education for postgraduate students. Collaborations are also developed with local social bodies such as the neighboring municipalities of the area of the Alexandria campus of Sindos, the local church, etc.

2.2 THE COMMUNICATION OF POLITICAL QUALITY

The PMS quality policy is communicated in the following ways:

A) the posting on a special link on the PMS website https://automation.dipae.edu.gr, to inform interested and newly admitted, active postgraduate students and graduates as well as any interested party, of all relevant information about the PMS quality policy.

B) the posting on the website of the Department of Production and Management Engineering http://iem.ihu.gr for the information of undergraduate students who express a corresponding interest

C) The more specific information of the newly admitted postgraduate students about the political quality of the Department at the reception ceremonies of the postgraduate students

D) the relevant information in lectures, seminars and informative events with the aim of promoting the Department's postgraduate study program to interested parties as well as in conferences or seminars organized by members of the Department's faculty

E) during the Department's contacts with Productive, Social and Cultural organizations with whom it has good communication and cooperation.