Quality Policy of the Program
The establishment of the Postgraduate Program (MSc) is incorporated into the multi-year development plan of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), the School of Dentistry, and the Faculty of Health Sciences, and is aligned with the overall strategic planning of the University. The Postgraduate Studies aim to:
(a) promote knowledge,
(b) advance research,
(c) address the educational, research, social, cultural, and developmental needs of the country,
(d) train highly qualified scientists capable of contributing to theoretical and applied domains of specific scientific fields, and
(e) generate and disseminate knowledge, expertise, methodological tools, and research outcomes in the scientific area in which each Department/School operates.
The strategic plan of AUTh identifies, as a key action of its academic development strategy, the need to provide high-level Postgraduate Studies in the field of Prosthodontics, specifically addressing:
(a) the most advanced scientific requirements of society for specialized dentists,
(b) innovative applications of dental technology,
(c) the organization of health services in Prosthodontics, and
(d) the staffing of both academic institutions and private providers of dental services with specialized scientific personnel.
Quality Assurance Policy
The Quality Assurance Policy of the School of Dentistry is fully aligned with the quality policy of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
The School ensures and promotes the quality of its teaching, research, and administrative activities through the continuous improvement of all its functions and with the active participation and contribution of all its members.
The School designs and implements high-standard postgraduate programs in the most significant fields of its discipline, oriented towards contemporary trends and requirements, thereby reinforcing its academic profile. Furthermore, the School is committed to cultivating a creative research and working environment for its faculty, researchers, and administrative staff, as well as a constructive academic environment for its students.
Quality is recognized as a fundamental element for realizing the School’s vision and fulfilling its mission; consequently, the establishment of a culture of quality is deemed essential.
Implementation of the Quality Policy – Quality Assurance
The School of Dentistry and, specifically, the MSc in Prosthodontics, are committed to implementing the quality policy, which:
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strengthens the academic profile and orientation of postgraduate programs,
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advances their objectives and scope,
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ensures the achievement of their annually defined strategic goals,
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determines the means, actions, and methods of implementation,
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guarantees the involvement of stakeholders, and
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applies the appropriate internal and external quality assurance procedures with the ultimate aim of continuous improvement.
Additionally, the School is committed to fostering an atmosphere of communication and collaboration among all its members (staff, students, and stakeholders).
The School of Dentistry and the MSc implement the established quality assurance procedures of the Quality Assurance Manual of AUTh’s Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS), with program-specific adaptations where necessary. The application of IQAS procedures is carried out in collaboration with the University’s Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP). These procedures constitute a valuable tool enabling the School and its postgraduate programs to implement their teaching and research activities, to secure the achievement of their goals, and to enhance their overall academic performance.
In implementing the policy, the School and the MSc commit to applying quality assurance procedures that demonstrate:
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the appropriateness of the structure and organization of the MSc,
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that intended learning outcomes and qualifications comply with the European and National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, Level 7,
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the promotion of quality and effectiveness in teaching and research,
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the suitability of the academic staff’s qualifications,
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the formulation, implementation, and review of specific annual quality objectives for program improvement,
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the employability and labor-market relevance of graduates’ qualifications,
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the quality of support services,
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the efficient utilization of MSc resources, including tuition fees where applicable,
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the conduct of annual internal evaluations and reviews of the quality assurance system of the MSc in Prosthodontics, in collaboration with the Internal Evaluation Group (OMEA) and MODIP of AUTh.
Furthermore, a range of processes are applied for monitoring and continuously improving the quality of MSc programs, such as the application of a postgraduate quality assurance policy, its periodic review and revision, course and instructor evaluations by students, collection and analysis of quality data, dissemination of information, and annual internal evaluations, among others.
Quality Objectives
The quality objectives of the School of Dentistry for the MSc in Prosthodontics are as follows:
Q.1 Ensuring the quality of the educational provision
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Q.1.1 Improvement of the average graduation grade of MSc graduates
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Q.1.2 Reduction of the average duration of studies
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Q.1.3 Increase in participation in course/instructor evaluations
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Q.1.4 Increase in average scores in course evaluations
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Q.1.5 Enhancement of academic advising services
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Q.1.6 Increase in the annual graduation rate
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Q.1.7 Strengthening of the quality culture within the MSc
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Q.1.8 Expansion of MSc enrollment capacity
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Q.1.9 Optimization of the student–faculty ratio in the MSc
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Q.1.10 Increase in the percentage of external teaching collaborators
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Q.1.11 Increase in the percentage of courses employing innovative teaching methods
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Q.1.12 Assurance of the high level of knowledge and skills of collaborating teaching staff
Q.2 Research excellence
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Q.2.1 Increase in the number of peer-reviewed publications in international journals
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Q.2.2 Increase in citation counts (Scopus/Google Scholar) per faculty member of the MSc
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Q.2.3 Submission of funded research projects
Q.3 Internationalization
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Q.3.1 Enhancement of the program’s visibility at national and international level
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Q.3.2 Strengthening of student mobility
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Q.3.3 Attraction of international students
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Q.3.4 Recruitment of visiting professors from foreign institutions
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Q.3.5 Participation in the activities of the EPICUR European University Alliance
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Q.3.6 Attainment of accreditations and certifications from international organizations
Q.4 Engagement with society and the labor market
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Q.4.1 Systematic dissemination and promotion of program content, acquired skills, and career prospects
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Q.4.2 Strengthening of student interaction with professional bodies and labor-market actors
Dissemination
The Quality Policy is communicated and disseminated to academic and administrative staff, students, and other stakeholders. It is also made publicly available on the MSc’s official website.