QUALITY POLICY

The MSc “Computer Science and Computational Biomedicine” of the University of Thessaly (U.T.H.) has as its cognitive subjects Computer Science, Computer Science and Biomedicine. Its purpose is the scientific training and specialization of students in the above mentioned subjects and the development of related research activities and applications.
The main objectives of the MSc are:

i. The promotion of scientific research and the specialisation of graduate scientists in the fields of:
a) Computational Medicine and Biology,
b) Computer and Telecommunication Systems Security, Big Data Management, and Simulation, and
c) Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Education.
ii. Attracting graduates of the two collaborating Departments, who either seek education through the second cycle of studies, or wish to continue for doctoral studies.

iii. Attracting graduates from other Departments or Institutions with a related field of study and with potential for further research activity.

iv. To strengthen the presence of the School of Sciences and increase its student population, in order to further enhance its position and competitiveness in the academic environment.

v. To provide a high level of postgraduate education, both in the local community, nationally and internationally, so that graduates have the ability to contribute in the short and medium term to the economic and technological development of Greece.The mission of the MSc is to offer high quality education to its students and the promotion of knowledge and research in the field of Computer Science and Computational Biomedicine, with ethical rules that will serve the needs of society, in the formation of a free and open society.

All this with the aim of recognition and attractiveness of the postgraduate studies offered within the next five years at the national level, as well as international acceptance of the research work carried out. The present MSc, fully in line with the universal policy of the UF, considers the need to formulate attitudes, develop ideas, culture and Quality Assurance (QA) Policy in the institution to be central to its policy. The PP guarantees a secure path for the identification, but also the achievement of the visions, mission, objectives and policies of the supporting departments and the institution. The economic crisis makes the cost of higher education unbearable, but under any condition there is accountability to society, which demands to know all the qualitative and quantitative indicators that define its identity. Through the PP, the University meets its expectations and objectives, but also its social role and the needs of society. Its Quality Assurance System, following faithfully the standards set by the University, aims to develop a culture of continuous quality enhancement in the academic community, so that it can fulfill its objectives through education, excellence, promotion of knowledge, and innovation in research. It is a commitment to processes of improvement and rivalry rather than competition, processes that will lead to decision making and enhance self-confidence. It follows the ‘Principles and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area’, in accordance with the European Union Declaration on Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), 2009, Helsinki.

This MSc., in order to excel, must motivate, give the opportunity to students, teachers and administrators to highlight their potential and successes in all areas: studies, knowledge, career, etc. .. The teaching work is the noblest path to motivation, effort and continuous improvement. In this MSc not simply teaching, learning, research, and service to society is pursued. Quality is sought in teaching, learning, research and service to society. Good IP procedures are an indicator of internal democracy. These procedures are permanent and contribute to the achievement of the Foundation’s autonomy. The quality assurance through the correct evaluation of the work of this MSc, leads to the formulation of documented recommendations for taking measures, for the establishment or improvement of institutions and for the formulation of directions and strategies for quality improvement of the educational, research and administrative function. A part of the quality assurance procedures is its evaluation, according to the standards set by the P.Th. in total. Evaluation is a continuous and participatory process. Through the evaluation, this MSc. as an integral part of UTH. establish an opinion on the quality of the work performed based on academic and objective criteria and indicators of general acceptance.

CONNECTION OF POLITICAL QUALITY WITH THE STRATEGIC PLANNING OF MSC
The Internal Quality Assurance System of the MSc “Informatics and Computational Biomedicine” of UTH and the implementation procedures of this project, based on the strategic planning of the UTH which follows are the following:

1. The systematic improvement of the quality indicators of all units, administrative and academic, the evaluation of the teaching and research work of faculty members and temporary teaching staff, the systematic updating of the relevant information system of the Foundation, the participation in the analysis and consultation with other Departments and the committee of the external evaluation reports of the University of Athens, the qualitative and systematic updating of the websites of the MSc (http://icb.sci.uth.gr/), and the periodic drafting of the reports evaluation of the MSc based on the guidelines of ETHAAE.

2. Contributing in every way to the creation of an environment and incentives for attracting highly trained scientists, stable and decent living and working conditions, remuneration and remuneration for the achievement of quality and excellence in the academic community. The adoption of the best international selection criteria for all categories of teaching staff.

3. The development of motivation strategies for students, teachers and administrative employees.

4. The activation of processes that will make this MSc. attractive to students and staff, through strategies to develop a climate of cooperation and competition between the different cognitive areas it treats. Activities promoted by MSc. include research and publications, fundraising, delivery
scholarships to excellent students, the provision of high-level logistical equipment, the attraction of foreign language students, through international recognition, etc.

5. With the above activities, the <Sc. contributes to the promotion of U.Th.’s admission procedures. in selected international university ranking lists. The U.Th. it needs to gain the confidence and self-belief that it can distinguish itself internationally, and properly managed assessment and quality assurance systems can help in this area.

6. The policy of this MSc., harmonizing with the policy of U.Th. in the last decade, it aims at the continuous improvement and systematic organization of the Internal Quality Assurance System, at undertaking initiatives that will help to improve the quality of the work provided by the MSc, the staff members and the students.

The institution takes care of the safeguarding of academic values, the development of ethical rules, the respect and promotion of the values of equality at all levels, the prevention of discrimination, the support of postgraduate students throughout their studies, the participation of external institutions in quality assurance, the continuous improvement of learning and teaching, the promotion of research and innovation, the quality assurance of study programs and their compliance with the standards of E.TH.A.E.E., the effective organization of services and the development and maintenance of the infrastructure, the effective management of the necessary resources for the operation of the Foundation to the extent possible and finally the development and rational distribution of human resources.

PREVENTION OF DISCRIMINATION
With Article Θ2, par. 3 of the Organization of the Foundation of U.Th. explicitly stated that “All members of the University community must know that no form of discrimination based on gender, racial or ethnic origin, religious or other beliefs, disability, age or sexual orientation is tolerated by the Institution and that the principle of equal treatment. No form of direct or indirect discrimination and sexual harassment is tolerated by the Foundation. In the workplace, all categories of members of the “Informatics and Computational Biomedicine” MSc. community of U.Th. , they must behave with due respect, in the absence of any form of discrimination and any form of harassment (PTH Organization, 2014, p. 202). UTH has also published a special edition of the Foundation’s code of ethics, while in MSc. There is a special complaint management mechanism, a Research Ethics regulation and the institution of the Academic Advisor is in place.

METHODS OF PUBLISHING THE POLICY OF MSc
The MSc. “Informatics and Computational Biomedicine”, faithfully following the policies of U.Th., follows absolutely transparent decision-making procedures, through its collective bodies, as well as the publication of quality assurance practices and reports. On the relevant websites of the Foundation as well as on the websites of the individual academic units, which are available to the general public, one can find the relevant information. This text is posted on the website of the MSc at a central point (HTTP://ICB.SCI.UTH.GR/).

Summary: The MSc. “Informatics and Computational Biomedicine” of U.Th., as it is part of the U.Th. has established a clear quality assurance policy and culture. It aims at the systematic improvement of its quality indicators, the formation of a motivation environment and the development of motivation and excellence strategies for students, teachers and administrative employees. This policy is in harmony with its strategic planning, the internal and external evaluation reports, the planning and reports of the administration of the MSc. in cooperation with the administration of the Departments that support it and of the Foundation, and the decisions of the competent bodies, following a clear communication protocol provided by the regulations of the U.Th. Finally, it goes through processes of continuous renewal and revision with
with the ultimate aim of improving its services to students, and its contribution to the promotion of science and research in society.

The full text is available at the following linkQUALITY POLICY OF THE MSC