QM committees and actors

Task

The QM Committee advises the Rectorate and the Faculty QMs on the operational implementation and further development of quality development and accreditation processes. Work results are passed on by Q³, the Faculties and study programme managers and/or the central units of the University of Cologne to the Faculty committees, the Teaching and Studies Committee, the Senate or the Rectorate for coordination within the framework of the further development and accreditation of study programmes. The QM Committee also ensures continuous exchange and critical reflection on the Q³UoC Teaching quality management system. The QM Committee can set up working groups to address specific topics.

Board members

The QM Committee is composed of:

1. the head of Q³,
2. one representative from each of the six Faculty QMs,
3. a representative from the Centre for Teacher Education (ZfL),
4. the Teaching/Learning Reporting Team management staff,
5. a representative from the Strategic Controlling & Information Management Department,
6. a representative from the campus management team,
7. the head of the Student Application and Registration Office, and
8. a representative from the International Office.

Members

Key points

• Chair: Head Q³
• Meeting rhythm: when necessary, but at least once a month during the term
• Representation regulation: a deputy is appointed for each member.
• Legal basis: QM Regulations
• Duration of mandate/term of office: 2 years

Task

The Student Advisory Committee offers a platform for the exchange of ideas and collaborative work on topics related to student advisory services, with the aim of improving the quality of these services at the UoC as a whole. The committee builds on the outcomes of various consultation rounds on topics relevant to advisory services, as well as the “Successful Studying at the UoC” project. Based on established practice, the expert committee’s work is oriented toward the stages of the student life cycle: study orientation, starting your studies, and studying. To facilitate focused discussions on these phases, three working groups/round tables have been assigned to the expert committee.

Composition

The Student Advisory Committee is composed of:

• one representative from each Faculty,
• one representative from the ZfL,
• one representative from the ZSB, who coordinates and moderates the meetings,
• one representative from the Service Center Inclusion,
• one representative from the Gender & Diversity Management Department,
• one representative from the International Office,
• one representative from the Suggestions and Complaints Office,
• one representative from the ProfessionalCenter,
• one representative from the AStA, and
• one representative from Q³, who coordinates and moderates the meetings.

The round table coordination teams participate in the meetings as guests. Additional guests may be invited depending on the topic. To invite a guest, please contact the chair of the meeting at least two weeks in advance.

Chair of the meeting:

Daniel Rauprich, ZSB: d.rauprich(at)verw.uni-koeln(dot)de

Sarah Smikale, Q³: s.smikale(at)uni-koeln(dot)de

Round tables

Round table meetings are composed of representatives from institutions that are also represented on the expert committee. Guests may be invited to the round table meetings. Each round table has a coordination team that invites participants to the meetings, prepares and follows up on them, and guides the meeting.

Study orientation round table

The study orientation round table specifically addresses the exchange of advice and information for prospective students, such as the coordinated planning of events and programmes such as Studieren Probieren (Try Studying), the organization of activities at schools, or the presentation of specific topics such as the OSAs. The focus is on university-wide networking to determine common needs, identify synergies, and coordinate communication flows and processes.

Coordination team:

Jessica Marx, ZSB - AB Prospective Students: j.marx(at)verw.uni-koeln(dot)de

Geesche Intveen, ZSB - AB Prospective students: g.intveen(at)verw.uni-koeln(dot)de

Please contact us if you are interested in participating in the round table or subscribing to our mailing list.

Round table on starting your studies

The round table on starting your studies serves as a forum for discussing all topics related to the beginning of your studies. Topics include orientation programmes for first semester students and the study entry survey.

Coordination team:

Alexander Funke, Q³: alexander.funke(at)uni-koeln(dot)de

Maximilian Wähnert, Q³: m.waehnert(at)uni-koeln(dot)de

Please contact us if you are interested in participating in the round table or subscribing to our mailing list.

Round table on studies

At the round table on studies, we exchange information on advisory and information services for students in course-related semesters. One goal is to keep each other up to date on these services. Another objective is to network these services, exploit possible synergies and coordinate future needs.

Coordination team:

Oliver Kießler, ZSB - AB Students: o.kiessler(at)verw.uni-koeln(dot)de

Dr Vanessa Keller, ZSB - AB Students: v.keller(at)verw.uni-koeln(dot)de

Please contact us if you are interested in participating in the round table or subscribing to our mailing list.

Task

The QM Foresight Team advises as an internal university group on the strategic development of the Q³UoC Teaching quality management system.

Board members

The QM Foresight Team is composed of:

1. the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies,
2. the head of Q³,
3. two representatives from the Deans of Teaching and Learning,
4. two representatives from the Faculty QM,
5. two internal Q³ UoC experts,
6. a student, and
7. a representative from the Centre for Teacher Education (ZfL).

Members

Key points

• Chair: Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies
• Meeting frequency: when necessary, but at least once a semester
• Representation regulation: a deputy is appointed for each member
• Legal basis: QM Regulations
• Duration of mandate/term of office: 2 years

Task

The External Quality Management Advisory Board, as an entity outside of the university, advises the Rectorate on strategic development as it relates to quality management for teaching and learning and on the further development of the Q³UoC Teaching quality management system.

Board members

The QM External Advisory Board is composed of:

1. a Rector from a system-accredited higher education institution,
2. a Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies/Quality,
3. at least one expert on international affairs,
4. a head of a QM unit,
5. a QM representative from abroad,
6. one representative from professional practice,
7. a representative from a science ministry outside North Rhine-Westphalia with knowledge of accreditation, and
8. a student from another system-accredited higher education institution.

Members

*) Mr Lamert is expected to be able to participate as a student representative until the end of December 2024.

Key points

• Chair: the External QM Advisory Board elects a chairperson from among its members
• Meeting rhythm: as necessary, but at least twice a year
• Legal basis: QM Regulations
• Duration of mandate/term of office: 3 years

The Accreditation Committee is responsible for preparing the Rectorate's decision within the framework of the University of Cologne's internalinitial and re-accreditation proceduresfor the quality assurance of its study programmes. Based on the Accreditation Committee’s recommendation, the Rectorate makes the accreditation decision. The Accreditation Committee is supported by the centralQM Office Q³ and the Accreditation office.

You can find further information here.

Chair: Prof Dr Beatrix Busse

Committee management: Alessa Hübner and Julia Lohmar

Contact: LSK@verw.uni-koeln.de

The Teaching and Studies Committee ensures qualified co-determination in accordance with § 11a (2) sentence 2 HG. It is responsible for inter-Faculty matters relating to studies and teaching. Specifically, the committee prepares resolutions on admission, examination and doctoral regulations for the Rectorate and Senate. The establishment and composition of the committee are set out in § 6 of theConstitution of the University of Cologne. You can contact the LSK office here. The template for registering an agenda item with the LSK and the checklist for reporting deviations from the Cologne Model regulations are available in the downloads section of the QM portal.

Further information on the LSK, including details about its composition and members, can be foundhere.

The Quality Development and System Accreditation Arena is convened by the Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies and the Head of Q³ as required. It plays a decisive role in participatory and co-creative strategic development as well as elaboration of topics and issues, and provides important internal impetus. As the former System Accreditation Arena, it was, together with other sub-arenas, an important body for central-decentral cooperation as well as for cross-departmental and cross-status group participation in the design and development of the system, even during the development phase ofQ³UoC.

In addition to the Quality Development and System Accreditation Arena, which acted as a central motivator, especially during the system's development, the committees facilitate participatory communication within Q³UoC and strengthen its collaborative nature.

(see the report on the second system accreditation inspection, 2023)