This presentation gives an overview about the first quality certification scheme that honours the innovative use of ICT in Higher Education.

1. Advancing the Quality Landscape
Workshop at Online Educa 2009, Berlin
Jim Herbolich
European Foundation for Management Development

3. Quality according to UNIQUe
UNIQUe certifies ICT adoption and integration for
learning in HE based on broad consensus from
several initiatives.
UNIQUE involves HEIs into a collaborative
benchlearning process on ICT adoption.
UNIQUe is based on a holistic model: pedagogies,
technologies and support services.

4. eL Quality Certification
 Quality assurance is becoming increasingly important as
ICT-based learning becomes more and more widespread in
universities in Europe.
 Looking at the current situation, ICT based learning is still a
rather new phenomenon and that different “visions” of
eLearning exist.
 However - within Europe, a broadly acceptable Quality
Accreditation system in eLearning within HE is absent
despite the need to support HE in order to face the
challenges presented by the emerging needs associated
with the introduction of new technologies

5. UNIQUe Univeristies
Fully UNIQUE Certified Universities (3 years)
 Università di Macerata (Italy)
 University of Leicester (UK)
 Universidad de Granada (Spain)
 TKK Dipoli Institute at the Helsinki University of Technology (Finland)
 Politecnico di Milano
 University of the Aegean
 Moscow University of Industr and Finance

6. UNIQUe – Ecology
UNIQUE Project
CEL (Socrates Programme
eLearning Program 2007-2008)
Accreditation (EFMD) Institutional Accreditation
Converging criteria
MASSIVE Accreditation method
(eLearning Programme Joint effort
2005-2007)
Institutional Peer review
Method/Model
Impact on Universities
Management HEXTLEARN
Services European Peer (LLP Programm
2008-2010)
Reviewers Team System approach to
ICT use in HE &
Quality Assurance
EFQUEL
SIG HE

7. Why is UNIQUE unique? (1/2)
 UNIQUe is an accelerator for quality improvement and
innovation.
 Compared to other quality initiatives in the area of
technology-enhanced learning, UNIQUe has a broader
institutional approach and is not only related to e-learning.
The Unique quality label builds on the broadest
stakeholder involvement.
 The UNIQUe process is structured in six very distinct
stages and offers a formalised approach in each of the
steps.

8. Why is UNIQUE unique? (2/2)
 The Unique quality label provides an accreditation as a
result, next to continuous quality improvement
mechanisms.
 The Unique quality label focuses on innovation. UNIQUe
ensures continuous quality improvement since it is a
diagnostic tool for self-assessment of the institution
 The UNIQUe label benefits from an overall institutional
framework already tested through the MASSIVE project
and from the EFMD experience

10. Governance structure
UNIQUe Governace Structure
UNIQUe
UNIQUe Supervisory UNIQUe
Advisory Awarding
Board Board
Body
UNIQUe
Executive
Office
UNIQUe Partners

11. UNIQUE Quality-Concept
LEARNING RESOURCES
 RESOURCES FOR LEARNING
 STUDENTS
 FACULTY (TEACHERS)
 TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT
LEARNING PROCESSES
 QUALITY OF THE OFFER (e.g. catalogues and services, learning
organisation)
 IPR MANAGEMENT
 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT/ HR DEVELOPMENT + SERVICES
LEARNING CONTEXT/INSTITUTION
 COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION, (culture, R&D)
 INSTITUTIONAL STANDING, (e.g. Context and mission, Background and
experience, reputation in the eL community)
 OPENESS (e.g. Access, connections with the corporate word, contribution to
the community, international issues)

12. UNIQUe accompanying tools
TARGET TOOLS MEDIA
HEI considering to apply
Detailed information on the UNIQUe Web site
schemes
FAQ
Application form (positioning questions+ Web site
elements to adapt their specificity)
HEI waiting for audit visit
Self assessment toolkit (questionnaire + other Papers (off line form)
tools,)
Evaluation grid used by audit team Papers (off line form)
Audit team
Methodological guidelines Papers (off line form)
Tools grids Papers (off line form)
Format for reporting Papers (off line form)
Advisory board
Information on methods (intermediate status Papers (off line form)
document)
General public
Published documents/reports Web site
Promotional documentation Web site
Project information Web site
Awarding body
Information Papers (off line form)
Code of practice Papers (off line form)
Evaluation + decision and communication Papers (off line form)
formats
Certificate Papers (off line form)

13. Thank you very much!
…sign up for quality…
http://www.qualityfoundation.org
Contact
Jim Herbolich, EFMD
Member of the Board of Directors EFQUEL