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Quality Manual

QUALITY MANUAL

OF NICOLAUS COPERNICUS UNIVERSITY IN TORUŃ

     Table of contents

  1. General information
  2. Internal Quality Assurance and Work Organisation System
  3. Education
  4. Documenting course of studies and diploma procedure
  5. Recruitment
  6. Study regulations and student affairs
  7. Employment policy and delivery of didactic classes
  8. Career Service
  9. Updates

 

  1. General information

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń was established in 1945 by the efforts of the staff of Stefan Batory University in Vilnius and Jan Kazimierz University in Lviv, who arrived after the war. The University draws inspiration from the heritage of these universities and builds on the academic traditions of Pomerania and the Chełmno Land. In 2004, Ludwik Rydygier Medical University in Bydgoszcz, currently Collegium Medicum of Nicolaus Copernicus University, was incorporated into Nicolaus Copernicus University.

NCU performs its statutory tasks in the Toruń campus comprising 13 faculties:

and in the Bydgoszcz campus comprising 3 faculties:

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń is a public, university-type higher education institution operating on the basis of the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 478 as amended). The University is a signatory to the Great Charter of European Universities adopted on 18 September 1988 in Bologna. In 2019, Nicolaus Copernicus University was awarded the status of a research university in the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” programme. The project supports the best Polish universities, which will be able to successfully compete with foreign centres in the coming years.

Essential legal acts:

Governing regulation: Resolution No. 37 of the Senate of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 16 April 2019 – the Statutes of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2019, item 120 as amended)

Governing regulation: Resolution No. 56 of the Senate of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 15 April 2014 amending the Strategy of the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń for 2011-2020

Governing regulation: Decree No. 165 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 4 November 2019 – Organisational Regulations of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2019, item 367 as amended)

University Authorities:

2. Internal Quality Assurance and Work Organisation System

NCU has the internal quality assurance and work organisation system called the Academic Excellence System (AES) that aims at developing culture of quality, good atmosphere, and high work efficiency, enhancing satisfaction of employees and doctoral students, fostering economic effects and the recognition of the University.

Regulation establishing the internal quality assurance and and work organisation system: Resolution No. 45 by the Senate of NCU in Toruń of 24 October 2023 on the Internal Quality Assurance and Work Organisation System at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2023, item 378 as amended).

The bodies responsible for the implementation of the tasks under the Internal Quality Assurance and Work Organisation System:

The administrative servicing of the AES is provided by the Department of Education whereas the IT support is secured by the University Centre for IT Services. Monitoring professional career paths of graduates is the task of the Department for Professional Promotion of Students and Alumni of the NCU in the Toruń campus and the Department for Professional Promotion of Students and Alumni of Collegium Medicum in the Bydgoszcz campus.

University Council for Quality Assurance

The University Council for Quality Assurance is an opinion-giving and advisory body to the rector. It is composed of representatives of faculties and other teaching units of the University and representatives of students. Selected members of the Council are part of the Monitoring Team headed by the vice-rector responsible for education.

The Monitoring Team performs ongoing activities essential for the implementation and operation of the AES.

Specific regulation: Decree No. 169 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 30 September 2024 on the appointment of the University Council for Quality Assurance at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń for the 2024-2028 term of office (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2024, item 341)

Faculty coordinators for quality assurance and faculty councils for quality assurance

The tasks of faculty coordinators and faculty councils are to ensure the effective operation of the AES at the faculty level by supervising and coordinating activities necessary for its effective functioning.

Specific regulation: Decree No. 180 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 26 November 2019 on detailed tasks of faculty coordinators in charge of quality assurance and faculty councils in charge of quality assurance (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2019, item 390)

Procedures for quality assuring:

Improvement measures

The aim of implementing improvement measures is to use the potential of the University and promote good practices in research, teaching and organisational work.

The processes of improving the quality assurance include activities related to issuing recommendations based on the results of quality assessment conducted at the University, implementing recommendations of the Polish Accreditation Committee and proposals for improvement submitted by members of the academic community.

Specific regulation: Decree No. 167 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University of 1 September 2020 on improvement of education at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2020, item 285)

Auditing didactic classes

The procedure serves to manage and coordinate the substantive supervision process and to assess the performance of teaching duties by academic teachers and other persons delivering classes. The actions implemented under the procedure serve to verify and improve the teaching offer, evaluate the education process and are also used in the periodic teacher appraisal.

Specific regulation: Decree No. 204 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 31 December 2019 on the procedure of auditing didactic classes at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2019, item  438 as amended)

 Evaluation of didactic classes

The procedure of evaluating didactic classes by their participants serves to implement solutions conducive to improving the quality assurance. It is also used in the teacher appraisal procedure. The survey covers all didactic classes provided at University and is conducted with the use of the USOS system.

Specific regulation: Decree No. 212 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 24 October 2023 on the procedure of evaluation of didactic classes at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2023, item 381)

Student satisfaction survey

The aim of the student satisfaction survey procedure is to improve the quality of education and the organisation of work at University based on the survey addressed to students regarding the level of their satisfaction with the study programme, implementation of teaching classes, infrastructure, organisation of studies, administrative services, internal communication and general satisfaction.

Specific regulation: Decree No. 211 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 24 October 2023 on the procedure of evaluating satisfaction of students at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2023, item 380)

Postgraduate student satisfaction survey

Specific regulation: Decree No. 114 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 5 July 2024 on the procedure of evaluating satisfaction of participants of the postgraduate studies at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2024, item 251)

Employee satisfaction survey

The aim of the employee satisfaction survey procedure is to improve the quality of education and work organisation at the University based on the survey addressed to employees concerning the  level of satisfaction with the image, the University authorities, the immediate superior, cooperation, communication, working conditions, remuneration and development opportunities.

Specific regulation: Decree No. 210 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 24 November 2023 on the procedure of evaluating job satisfaction of employees at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2023, item 379)

Monitoring professional careers of graduates

The aim of the procedure for monitoring career paths of graduates is to introduce regulations concerning the monitoring of career paths of graduates and the use of the survey results to improve the quality of education and adapt study programmes to the needs of the labour market.

The survey covers the graduates of Nicolaus Copernicus University 6 months and 3-4 years after graduation. The survey is conducted by the Department of Vocational Promotion of Students and Graduates of NCU.

Specific regulation: Decree No. 205 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 31 December 2019 on the procedure of monitoring professional careers of graduates of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2019, item 439)

3. Education

Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń provides degree programmes pursuant to the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 478 as amended).

The teaching offer of the University includes general academic or practical profile studies, including first-cycle degree programmes, second-cycle degree programmes and master’s long-cycle degree programmes; third cycle degree programmes  (doctoral studies) – from the academic year 2019/2020 provided as part of doctoral schools; post-graduate studies; continuing education and training courses.

Students and doctoral students may pursue their studies in the full-time or part-time mode.

University has regulations in place governing the process of establishing fields of study, levels and profiles of studies, forms of studies and specialities as well as regulations for launching, in the existing field of study, studies provided in a foreign language or in the mode of distance learning. The University also provides for uniform guidelines for study programmes.

Specific regulations concerning the teaching offer and study programmes:

 Regulations governing post-graduate studies

Other actions related to education

Committee for Education

The University Committee for Education is an opinion and advisory body to the rector  composed of representatives of faculties, teaching units and students and doctoral students. The Committee evaluates and gives its opinion on key educational issues such as establishing and ceasing to provide higher education studies, study programmes and other relevant issues relating to education in university terms.

Specific regulation: Decree No. 170 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 30 September 2024 on the Committee for Education of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń for the 2024-2028 term of office (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2024, item  342) – the last appointment act – the committee has been continuously operational since 2012.

 Confirming learning outcomes:

The University has regulations and procedures in place to confirm learning outcomes achieved outside University.

Specific regulations:

4. Documenting course of studies and diploma procedure  

The documentation of studies, including student registers, student files, and the book of diplomas, is kept pursuant to the regulations of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 478 as amended) with the use of the University Study-Oriented System. Electronic student registers are obligatory at University.

Specific regulations:

5. Recruitment

University determines the requirements, mode and the commencement and completion date of the recruitment process as well as the manner of its conduct in accordance with the provisions of the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law of Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2021, item 478 as amended).

6. Study Regulations and student affairs

The organisation of studies and the associated rights and duties of the student are laid down in the study regulations. University provides for the type, amount, criteria and the procedure of granting benefits to students in accordance with the applicable laws.

Specific regulations:

7. Employment policy and delivery of didactic classes

The current regulations at University lay down the organisation and order of the work process and the rights and obligations of the employer and employees related to this process. They also specify the scope of duties of academic teachers, types of didactic classes, their load and settlement rules, as well as other issues related to the nature of the work of academic teachers. The adopted regulations also provide for ethical principles applicable at the University and introduce anti-discrimination and anti-mobbing provisions.

8. Career Service

Career Service has been operating at NCU since 1993. The staff of the Career Service support students and graduates on the labour market, provide information, counselling on a case by case basis and carry out professional trainings. The department is also responsible for conducting alumni career paths survey and processing survey results.

Specific regulation: Decree No. 5 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 26 January 1993 on the establishment of the Office of Vocational Promotion of Students and Graduates of Nicolaus Copernicus University

9. Updates

The Quality Manual is reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis, at least once every 6 months.

Updates of the Quality Manual require the approval by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. All versions of the Manual are registered and serve as operation records of the Quality Assurance System at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.

Legal basis for the announcement: Decree No. 141 by the Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń of 29 June 2020 on the introduction of the Quality Manual of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń (NCU Legal Bulletin of 2020, item 253).

Update: November 21, 2024.

Logo European Funds - Republic of Poland - European Union

Universitas Copernicana Thoruniensis In Futuro II - modernization of the Nicolaus Copernicus University as part of the Integrated University Programme

Operational Programme Knowledge Education Development POWR.03.05.00-00-Z306/18 co-financed by the European Social Fund for 2014-2020