Naslov
The Development of a National ‘Quality Label’ to Enhance Equity and Social Inclusion in Higher Education: Insights from Croatia

Autori
Šćukanec, Ninoslav ; Thomas, Liz

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u zbornicima skupova, cjeloviti rad (in extenso), stručni

Izvornik
European Access Network Silver Jubilee Conference: Retrospective for Perspective, Access and Widening Participation 1991 – 2041 / - , 2016

Skup
European Access Network Silver Jubilee Conference: Retrospective for Perspective, Access and Widening Participation 1991 – 2041

Mjesto i datum
Dublin, Irska, 29.05.2016. - 31.05.2016

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

Ključne riječi
equity; social inclusion and quality in higher education; quality label; quality enhancement in higher education

Sažetak
The ‘social dimension’ is an issue of great importance in higher education in Europe, being a key plank of the Bologna process since 2007. The challenge however it how to embed an inclusive approach across the institution, that not only enables greater equity in participation in higher education, but in outcomes too. This paper discusses the concept and development of a quality label to improve equity and social inclusion in higher education (HE) through inclusive learning and teaching. It draws on two relevant European examples to illustrate the concept and practice of using a ‘quality label’ to promote the social dimension, which we understand as equity and social inclusion in terms of participation in and outcomes from higher education. The paper draws on these two evaluated examples to identify the benefits and challenges of a quality label, and the key decisions that have to be made in taking forward such an initiative at the national level. The paper then focuses on the issue of standards, capacity and guidance. How prescriptive should such a quality label be, and how can it be used to develop institutional capacity, while maintaining objectivity and rigour? These are challenges faced by other quality labels, and in the Croatian context a ‘self-evaluation tool’ has been developed to provide guidance and support, and develop capacity, while contributing to the standards of the award. This tool will be presented. This initiative is being developed as part of the E-Quality: Linking quality and social inclusion in higher education in Croatia project, funded by the European Union, through the European Social Fund. The paper has been written in consultation with the project Advisory Group, and the ideas were tested out and refined following feedback from across the HE sector at the project conference, 21 January 2015, University of Rijeka.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Pedagogija

POVEZANOST RADA