Evaluation of University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”

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This report concludes the evaluation of University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa” from Iaşi. The evaluation took place in the year 2012, within the framework of Performance in Research, Performance in Teaching – Quality, Diversity, and Innovation in Romanian Universities, a strategic project which aims at strengthening core elements of Romanian universities' management, such as their autonomy and administrative competences, by improving their quality assurance and management proficiency.

Such evaluations are taking place within the context of major reforms in the Romanian higher education system, and specifically in accordance with the provisions of the 2011 Education Act and the various related normative documents. Whilst institutional evaluations are taking place in the context of an overall reform, each university is being assessed by an independent team, under the authority of Institutional Evaluation Programme.

Contents

Evaluators

The evaluation team consisted of:

  • Professor Winfried Müller, former Rector, University of Klagenfurt, Austria, Team Chair
  • Andy Gibbs, Edinburgh Napier University, UK, Team coordinator
  • Professor Lucija Čok, former Minister, former Rector, University of Primorska, Slovenia
  • Professor Sezer Şener Komsuoğlu, Rector, Kocaeli Üniversitesi, Turkey
  • Fernando Miguel Galan Palomares, Student, University of Cantabria, Spain.

The team thanks the Rector Prof. Vasile Astărăstoae from UMF for the warm welcome and the hospitality as well as for the useful and open discussions. Our special thanks go to Vice Rector Assoc. Prof. Dragoş Pieptu who was UMF’s liaison person and who prepared and organised all our meetings during the visits. The team also thanks Mrs. Mihaela Vacariu Sirotta from UMF’s international office and Mr. Octavian Popa from UEFISCDI for assisting the team with respect to many organisational details.

Self-evaluation Process

The self-evaluation report of UMF along with the appendices was sent to the evaluation team (hereafter team) at the end of May 2012. The documentation received was of a very good quality and provided a clear account and introduction to the university.

The self-evaluation group consisted of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Radu Iliescu (President), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lacramioara Serban (Academic Secretary), Prof. Dr. Irina Draga Caruntu, Prof. Dr. Carmen Hanganu, Prof. Dr. Carmen Vulpoi, Prof. Dr. Anca Galaction, Prof. Dr. Lenuta Profire, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Laurentiu Sorodoc (members), Dana Zainescu (management representative), Alexandru Barbu (students’ representative), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dragos Pieptu (Vice-Rector, contact person) and Mihaela Vacariu Sirotta (International Relations Secretary). The group directly collaborated with members of top-level management, members of the administration of each faculty, members of the academic (education and research staff) and students, via the students’ representative.

The team is grateful for the significant effort of the self-evaluation group in developing the SER. The team agree with the self-evaluation group’s observation that this process has been an important step for further developing UMF’s self-evaluation culture and in building a quality culture within the institution.

The visits of the team took place from 24 to 26 June 2012 and from 28 to 31 October 2012. In between the visits UMF provided the team with additional documentation requested by the team.

Reporting

Governance and Institutional Decision-making

more on Governance and Institutional Decision-making at UMP "Grigore T. Popa"

UMF has a strong and committed leadership. This is evidenced not only by their effective planning and delivery of strategy over the last six years but also their ability to continue striving for their vision despite difficult operational circumstances. Expressions of support for the leadership of the university were present in all of the teams meetings.

Teaching and Learning

more on Teaching and Learning at UMP "Grigore T. Popa"

The university strives to deliver excellence in both teaching and research. The team heard positive accounts of student education at the university from a variety of sources and concluded that students, graduates and stakeholders value the quality of education. The team praise the symbiosis of teaching and research, the focus on linkages between these and the engagement of students in learning about research at all levels.

Research

more on Research at UMP "Grigore T. Popa"

UMF sees itself as a major provider of health sciences education and research in Romania, according to the SER. The SER confirms the strategic goal to improve UMF’s visibility and market presence both as a medical sciences education provider and a key player in international research. It also aims to increase non-state budget revenue by tapping into research funding available from both public and private agencies on national and European levels

Service to Society

Generating a sense of pride in its contribution to the modern society is a key component in university strategy and underpins much of what the university is trying to achieve. The influence of UMF on national health care is evident. There is an awareness of shared responsibilities and a good cooperation with hospitals. The university was able to evidence numerous examples of community engagement and spoke of these with great enthusiasm.

The team heard from a large number of stakeholders of the university’s pivotal role in the community and describe a mutually beneficial relationship. Stakeholders support the new legislation and support the establishment of the centres of excellence. The team praise the lifelong learning activities of UMF and encourage the continuation of existing activity and UMF’s way of offering important services to society.

Quality Culture

more on Quality Culture at UMP "Grigore T. Popa"

Quality is a feature that is mentioned frequently in the SER and underpins the strategic objectives of the university. It is stated that “UMF will sustain these objectives by permanent review, adaptation and modernisation of its services and processes with a clear and unabated focus on quality and excellence”. The strategic plan 2012 – 2015, quality manual and other documents present a good platform in continuing the move towards quality assurance.

Internationalisation

more on Internationalisation at UMP "Grigore T. Popa"

The mission of the UMF is to be recognised as a great research university, a European leader in research and excellence in education, dedicated to the positive impact in the lives of its students, graduates and staff, as well as the local, national and international communities.

Recommendations

Governance and institutional decision-making

  • The senate needs to be proactive whilst at the same time building a co-operative relationship with the rector focused on strategic planning for the institution
  • Reconsider the size of the senate
  • Define performance indicators against all goals and objectives in the strategic plan 2012 – 2015 and regularly monitor progress detailed in an action plan
  • Pluri-layered sources of decision-making and sharing responsibilities have to be more transparent and effective
  • Planned recruitment of a critical mass of new positions provides opportunity to realise potential
  • Convince the government to enable institutional autonomy in the use of budget surplus and independently earned income to achieve strategic goals
  • Clearly identify benchmarks and performance indicators drawn from comparable institutions

Teaching and learning

  • Reward excellent teaching and research
  • Develop library provision to ensure it is line with the needs of students and researchers
  • Create and elaborate a teaching learning and assessment strategy based on student centred learning
  • Balance autonomous study time/student workload with teachers’ contact time in teaching and learning and e-learning approaches in the spirit of the new philosophy of sharing responsibilities in study achievements.
  • Use the experience of students and alumni to further enhance reputation
  • Ensure that the principles of excellence in teaching and research apply to all curricula, disciplines and students
  • Promote UMF’s leading role in education and research in the field of nursing

Research

  • UMF should focus its excellence on priorities in research fields
  • Strengthen visibility of research by being more present in international research groups
  • Further open UMF to the international scientific community (mobility programmes, language policy, collaborative research, conference attendance, staff recruitment etc.)

Service to society

  • The team encourage UMF to continue its way of offering important services to society
  • The team commend the lifelong learning activities of UMF and encourage the continuation of existing activity

Quality culture

  • The administrative council has been involved in strategic planning and quality management but the quality culture has to be improved by developing common understandings and ownership/awareness
  • Sound quality processes especially within the French and English streams will help build quality and reputation

Internationalisation

  • Maximise the potential of the international student body through shared curricula activity
  • Elaborate a specific strategy through targeted activities with clear leadership
  • Invest more human resources in the international office
  • Further develop induction and support services to integrate international students
  • Utilise positive student experiences to promote student exchange
  • Gather quantitative and qualitative evidence on employability and workforce impact to build reputation
  • Define and practice a clear language policy
  • Use synergies between the programmes given in English and French with the corresponding Romanian programme

Conclusion

UMF is a well-established institution of high national and international reputation. It has highly motivated academic and administrative staff, committed student and supportive stakeholders. External reviews have confirmed its leading position in the region and the country.

UMF has the capabilities to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. The team has confidence that UMF will fulfil its mission adding value to the welfare of the Romanian society, strengthen its position as global player as a university of medicine and pharmacy and contribute to the international scientific progress in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and bioengineering.

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