Quality Assurance Committee for distance learning education

The Committee was established to enable the University of Western Macedonia to run distance learning courses, which have been a dynamic component of global educational systems, on the occasion of the recent health crisis. UoWM has established the specific committee with a view to focusing on continuously developing and improving distance learning services. More specifically, the Quality Assurance Committee for distance learning involves: a) exploring best practices in asynchronous and modern distance learning, b) exploring best practices for asynchronous and synchronous distance learning exams c) continuously improving asynchronous and synchronous distance learning quality d) collaborating with other Institutions and bodies for the implementation of distance learning education (undergraduate and postgraduate).

The committee is coordinated by a QAU department and submits an Action Plan and Report to the Rector’s Council and QAU.

Review Committee for Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS)

The Review Committee for the Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) is composed of the Rector, Vice Rectors, QAU and QAU administrator. The Committee examines data from various sources, such as internal evaluation results, process performance results, preventive / corrective actions, and (a) reports objective achievement rates to the Senate and (b) submits proposals about changes that could have a positive impact on IQAS efficiency to the Senate.

The Committee submits an Action Plan and Report to the Senate.

Committee on Excellence and Liaison of Research with Education

The Committee:

  1. promotes excellence by organising seminars, workshops, etc. In each University School it endorses PhD candidates’ research work.
  2. establishes centres of excellence at UoWM
  3. submits proposals to integrate liaison of research with education in course curricula
  4. submits interdisciplinary project proposals.

The committee submits an Action Plan and Report to the Rector’s Council and QAU.

Support Committee for Vulnerable Groups

The Support Committee for Vulnerable Groups of the University of Western Macedonia provides care and support to the University human resources (administrative and academic staff, undergraduate and postgraduate students and PhD candidates, alumni, research associates) and endorses a wide-ranging network of biopsychosocial services, aiming at promoting psychological resilience, as well as personal, professional and social development.

In this context, the UoWM Student Support Unit for Vulnerable Groups (MYFEO) delivers social care and counselling services to all University students, especially to disadvantaged individuals. MYFEO aims to enable equal access to education for students with different abilities and needs, by providing for adaptive processes, assistive technology, access services, consultation and funding.

In particular, MYFEO engages in:

  • offering daily psychological support and counselling (individual and group) to students in all University cities
  • implementing best practices and student assistance protocols and special exam methods
  • training the University staff in student support actions
  • appointing competent staff in all Department Administration services to support the disabled
  • delivering services to improve accessibility to University buildings
  • creating library access facilities for people with mobility problems and visual impairments
  • delivering services to improving e-accessibility – accessibility to information (services for students with sensory disabilities)
  • organising transport services for students belonging to vulnerable groups
  • providing benefits to low-income students, such as rent subsidies or other financial support.

The Committee is coordinated by the Department of Student Welfare, and submits an Action Plan and Report to the Rector’s Council and QAU.

Committee on Animal Welfare and Environmental Sustainability

The Committee on Animal Welfare and Environmental Sustainability was established in order to engage in animal (stray, domestic and wild) protection and conservation of the environment. The Committee:

  • elaborates on and submits scientific, thorough and realistic opinions and proposals on animal welfare and environmental issues to the University Administration and all public competent bodies
  • collaborates with scientists, academics, intellectuals and politicians
  • collaborates with large animal welfare organisations in Greece and abroad
  • submits proposals for the implementation of relevant research and educational programmes
  • organises conferences, seminars and workshops to raise awareness in such issues.

The committee submits an Action Plan and Report to the Rector’s Council and QAU.

Health Crisis Management Committee

The committee was formed by academic staff members and scientific associates of the Departments belonging to the School of Health Sciences, under the Dean of the School of Health Sciences, to react against the recent health crisis, and protect the academic community and University functions. In detail, the committee aims to:

  • communicate with the National Public Health Organisation (EODY in Greek) and other health authorities to submit proposals to the University Administration as regards the recent health crisis
  • organise relevant information conferences, seminars and workshops
  • submit proposals for the implementation of relevant research and educational programmes
  • monitor and evaluate general health risks.

The committee submits an Action Plan and Report to the Rector’s Council and QAU.

Committee on Gender Equality

The Committee was established to promote gender equality by engaging in:

  • preparing action plans to promote and ensure equality in the University educational, research and administrative processes
  • proposing measures to promote equality and fight sexism
  • providing mediation services to address complaints of harassment
  • organising relevant information conferences, seminars and workshops.

The committee submits an Action Plan and Report to the Rector’s Council and QAU.

Culture Committee

The committee proposes, implements and promotes cultural and artistic activities. It aims at:

  • raising intellectual and cultural standards within the University and the region of Western Macedonia, with conferences, workshops, exhibitions, lectures, and other cultural events
  • promoting the University cultural activities and functions
  • submitting proposals for the implementation of relevant research and educational programmes
  • fostering and propagating local customs

The committee submits an Action Plan and Report to the Rector’s Council and QAU.

Sports & University Sports Centre Committee 

The committee, established to promote sports in academia, aims at:

  • engaging students in taking up sports
  • organising sports events
  • submitting proposals for sports facilities and upgrading UoWM’s sports facilities
  • fostering partnerships between the University and local and national entities

The committee submits an Action Plan and Report to the Directorate of Technical Services and IT support, the Department of Student Welfare, the Rector’s Council and QAU.

Internal Regulation Committee

The Internal Regulation Committee submits proposals to the Senate about UoWM Internal Regulation and provides for compliance with the current statutory requirements. The Committee is informed on the best international practices in governance and internal organisation in higher education, collaborates with the internal audit unit and submits substantiated proposals to the Senate.

The committee submits an Action Plan and Report to the Rector’s Council and QAU.

Committee on UoWM Strategic Planning

The Committee submits proposals to the Senate about the University long-term strategic plan. It is informed on developments and achievement in higher education, proposes appropriate corrective measures and, if necessary, reformulates University objectives.

The Committee submits an Action Plan and Report to the Rector’s Council and QAU.

Library Committee

The Library Committee aims at the efficient operation of the University library, and submits relevant proposals to the University Authorities. Its function is advisory and supervisory. The Publications and Library Head reports to the Library Committee about library processes, and prepares and introduces annual financial and administrative reports and annual planning schemes to the committee and the Senate.

The committee submits an Action Plan and Report to the Rector’s Council and QAU.