CONGRADProject Presentation TEMPUS Project: CONGRADConducting graduate surveys and improving alumni services for enhanced strategic management and quality improvement

30 March 2012REGIONAL CONFERENCE

QUALITY MATTERS: QUALITY ASSURANCE AT UNIVERSITIES IN THE REGION

Predrag LažetićCentre for Education Policy

Outline

1. Project introduction2. Potentials of graduate surveys3. CONGRAD Approach4. Outlook: Results & reporting

2

1. Project introductionCONGRAD Key features

Key featuresTEMPUS project3 years (2011-2014)15 partner institutions4 EU countries, 3 partner countries

Objectiveto improve the institutional strategic management and self-evaluation capacities of higher education institutions in Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina implementation of regular graduate surveys

3

1. Project introductionCONGRAD Consortium Partners

4

EU Partners Regional Partners

• Bielefeld University, DE• Charles University in Prague, CZ• Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, ES• University of Jyväskylä, FI

• University of Belgrade• University of Novi Sad• University of Kragujevac• Singidunum University, Belgrade• Subotica Tech – College of Applied

Sciences• School of Higher Technical Professional

Education, Niš• Higher Business Technical School, Užice• Centre for Education Policy, Belgrade

• University of Montenegro

• University of Banja Luka• University of Tuzla

RS

ME

BA

2. Potentials of graduate surveys

5

Benefits for

higher education institution

Research orientation

Chart by INCHER-Kassel

3. CONGRAD ApproachInitial graduate survey

Background•study conditions and labour market conditions change over time•quality assurance as a key concern of HEI•accreditation standards demand regular institutional self-evaluation based on systematically collected dataBUT: no systematic and reliable information on study conditions and graduates’ careers •HE reforms and curricular reformsBUT: no evidence-based evaluation of HE reforms and curricular changes

Graduate survey results provide systematic and reliable information on study conditions and the transition from higher education to the labour market.Two cohorts: 2007 & 2012 (calendar year 2007 and calendar year 2012)Online survey

6

3. CONGRAD ApproachWhat are the benefits for Universities?

Process-based outcomes• institutional infrastructure for graduate contact data collection• institutional infrastructure for initial (and future) graduate survey(s)• capacity building

Graduate survey results• for the first time:

reliable information on the transition from higher education to labour market• institutional quality assurance

accreditationpotential students: marketing and informationcurrent students: information and counsellingalumni work

7

4. Outlook: Results and reporting

Study conditions (retrospectively)•resources, literature•quality of teaching•counseling/guidance•internship•regional/international mobility•…

Broader economic perspective•labour market situation (objective)•labour market perception (subjective)•influence of nepotism, party state and shadow economy•…

Situation after graduation•further studies•time for job search•regional/international mobility•…

Occupational situation •competences (requirements)•income•branch/industry•field of activity•…

characteristics of first vs. current job

8

9

Contactcongrad@uni-bielefeld.de Bielefeld University, CONGRAD Project Coordinatoraunit@cep.edu.rs Centre for Education Policy, CONGRAD Analytical Unit

Thank you for your attention!