Again, positive review reports for UM
On Wednesday 13 March, the Executive Board received a positive Institutional Audit (ITK) report from the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO). The Board was handed the report by NVAO chair Dr Anne Flierman. It marks the immediate successful completion by Maastricht University of the second stage of the quality audit. In addition, the university has had its plan relating to the Quality Agreements assessed by NVAO. As part of the audit, UM also completed the accreditation process for the Certificate for Quality in Internationalisation (CeQuInt). That certificate was awarded to UM as well.
Student takes centre stage
The assessment shows that UM's educational vision is seen as very positive. Rector Magnificus of Maastricht University Prof. dr. Rianne Letschert: "The ITK report confirms that students take centre stage at UM, in education and research as well as in our international orientation. The intensive dialogue and interaction with and between our students fuel our mutual engagement, understanding and feedback. This is rooted in our distinct quality culture and benefits our high-level education and research." Vice-president of UM's Executive Board Dr Nick Bos adds: “This positive report and these certificates show that we have our quality management in good order. It is the work of many, supervised by, among others, the Education Platform, the heads of the Education Office, the University Council, etc.”
Frontrunner in the field of international policy
The international audit panel was impressed by UM's extensive international policy. According to the panel, the UM manifests itself as a frontrunner in this field. President of Maastricht University Prof. dr. Martin Paul: "We think it’s important that our students orient themselves in the world and prepare themselves for an international future. I am proud that our policy is considered best practice in this area".
Quality agreements
The audit panel also provided advice to NVAO on Maastricht University’s plan relating to Quality agreements. This plan provides the details of the allocation of additional funding following the introduction of the student loan system. Anne Flierman handed the NVAO report to Minister of Education, Culture and Science Ingrid van Engelshoven on 6 March. It’s the first advisory report on the quality agreements that has been offered to the minister. In total, the plans of 54 institutions will be assessed this year. Based on all these advisory reports, the Minister will take a decision on the student loan funds.
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