Professionalisation of the Offices of the Deans of Studies
Coordination
- Christina Höhmann (Teaching and Learning Quality Management)
Staff and Participants
- Representatives of the Offices of the Deans of Studies
- Study and examination advisers
- Deans of studies
- Employees from Student and Academic Services
Overall objectives
- Restructuring the advisory “landscape” and optimising tools for targeted advice of students, changing the concept of advice from crisis intervention to study guidance;
- Establishment of an effective and comprehensive study quality management at faculty level along with the development of supportive tools;
- Advanced training programme for the Offices of the Deans of Studies (areas of activity: advice, academic supervisor, degree programme supervisor, Dean of Studies);
- Medium term: reduction in number of student dropouts, increase in numbers graduating during standard course length.
Objectives achieved
- Establishment of regular networking meetings of the representatives of the Offices of the Deans of Studies and of advisory service representatives
- Close consultation by the Council of Academic Deans with the networking meetings
- Coordination of the Offices of Student Affairs, in particular the Central Student Advisory Service with the decentralised advice providers
- Development of specific advice services for students
- Agreements between representatives of the Offices of the Deans of Studies and central institutions in relation to constructive procedures for monitoring degree programme and tuition fees
- Agreements on development of degree programmes and organisation of key competency options between employees in the Offices of the Deans of Studies and those responsible centrally
- Development of a CPD programme for employees in the Offices of the Deans of Studies
Ongoing tasks
- Developing and reinforcing the Admissions Office according to faculty-specific aspects
- Ongoing development of quality assurance, discussions and coordination of existing tools and establishment of quality control loops
- Consolidation of CPD options
- Establishment of the on-boarding programme for new Deans of Studies and the induction programme for new employees in the Offices of the Deans of Studies
- Developing tools to reduce ratio of dropouts (e.g. Self-Assessment module)
- Reinforcing transparency about topics in the area of teaching and learning
