SDU’s quality system for education programmes was originally founded in 2003, when the Danish University Act introduced the idea of ‘quality development’. This led to development work internally at SDU, which over time has resulted in the quality system we have today.

Part of the quality work also means that the system itself must be evaluated at regular intervals and adjusted if necessary. An initial evaluation was carried out in the autumn of 2022, which led to a review process being launched.

The review process will examine whether there is anything that can be made simpler and more agile, so that we have a simpler system that utilises our resources in the best possible way. However, the goal of the review is not to start from scratch and redesign the entire system. The system will still be recognisable and we need to keep what works well today. 

Another consistent focus point is that the system must be able to support a real change, such as the students’ experience of their programmes and teaching. One way to achieve this is by shifting efforts from backward-looking control to forward-looking development initiatives.

SDU’s quality system sets the framework for the University’s systematic and targeted work to ensure that our education programmes are of high quality and of great relevance to society. The ‘Review of SDU’s quality system’ project aims to ensure that SDU continually has a quality system that supports its quality work in an easy and meaningful way. 

It is well-documented through previous institutional accreditations and internal evaluations that the current quality system provides SDU with a robust basis for the work with teaching and education programmes. The quality system must therefore be continued so that it remains recognisable. But it also needs to be customisable so that it is easy to develop teaching and education programmes. The quality system must be transparent, meaningful and generally support the best possible utilisation of resources for quality work.

A key prerequisite for these goals to be met is that all actors in the quality organisation feel that the system is meaningful for the work with teaching, education and education management, and that they feel ownership of the quality system. 
Among other things, the review must take into account:

• Scope and complexity: The system has grown in a way that has made it resource-heavy and difficult to adapt to new development needs. It is also characterised by high variance across areas. 
• Challenge of perceived ownership and meaningfulness: If the system is not perceived as meaningful by the stakeholders (students, lecturers, heads of studies, etc.), there is a risk that the system will not work as intended. 
• Increased focus on supporting development: Currently, the system’s main focus is on quality control. In the future, more time will be spent on development work.

The quality system affects large parts of the work with teaching and education programmes at SDU, and ownership must be ensured by incorporating the perspectives, roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders in all elements of the system – students, lecturers, administrative staff and management. Therefore, the project will involve key stakeholders in the organisation to whom the quality system is relevant in the review of the quality system.

Initially, the project’s launch and purpose will be communicated widely throughout the organisation via collegiate bodies and the liaison committee (in early September). Shortly afterwards, key stakeholders will receive targeted information about the project and how they can get involved. 

At the core of the project are five main tracks dealing with different aspects of the system: Its overall structure and concrete content, processes for quality work, data support, skills development and procedure for developing the system. The tracks will be launched in phases, but the entire project will be completed by summer 2025.

The project is organised with the Pro-Rector as the project owner, the Council for Education as the steering committee and key quality employees from the faculties and the Central Administration as the project group. 

Regardless of whether you are one of those who have a lot to do with the system (e.g. the secretary of a study board or a programme manager) or whether you only encounter the system indirectly (e.g. as a lecturer or student), please note that you will not immediately notice any changes or have to do anything differently than usual while the review is taking place.

However, you can contribute to the review in different ways depending on your position within the organisation. An important prerequisite for the system to actually support the work on quality in the organisation is that the system is perceived as meaningful by everyone from students, lecturers and administrative staff to responsible managers. That’s why inclusion is important to the process.

It will be possible to follow the project via this page, and many people in the organisation will be invited to contribute to the review process. If you would like more information about the project or have suggestions for the review process, please contact Project Manager or a member of the project team (see under ‘Contact’).

Project Manager

• Caroline Schaffalitzky, SDU Student Services: csm@sdu.dk

Project Team

• Per Æbelø, Faculty of Health Sciences: pabelo@health.sdu.dk  
• Lone Granhøj, Faculty of Humanities: granhoej@sdu.dk  
• Morten Vestergaard-Lund, Faculty of Business and Social Sciences: movl@sam.sdu.dk   
• Kim Erik Jensen, Faculty of Engineering: kej@tek.sdu.dk 
• Søren Sten Hansen, Faculty of Science: shan@sdu.dk
• Julie Nauerby Kristensen, SDU Student Services: juna@sdu.dk