The Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at the Democritus University of Thrace achieved the impressive excellent score of absolute fulfillment of all ten grading criteria by international independent experts, set by the Quality Assurance and Certification Authority in Higher Education (A.D.I.P.), during the certification process of the Department’s Undergraduate Program Studies (U.P.S.), which took place from 21 to 26 October 2019.
The three external evaluators, who were selected by the A.D.I.P., were Mr. Adamantios Arampatzis, Professor at Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany), Mr. Kostas Karadakis, Associate Professor at Southern New Hampshire University (U.S.A.) and Mr. Stefanos Volianitis Associate Professor of Aalborg University (Denmark).
The Evaluation and Certification Council of the National Authority of Higher Education (H.A.H.E.), as A.D.I.P. was renamed, accepted on July 2, 2020 the Report of the Certification Committee, based on which it certifies that the Undergraduate Program in Physical Education and Sports Science of the Democritus University of Thrace complies fully with the principles of H.A.H.E. Undergraduate Prorgam Studies Quality Standard and the Quality Assurance Principles of the European Higher Education Area (ESG), for study level 6 of the National and European Qualifications Framework.
The validity period of the certification is set for four years, from 05-29-2020 to 05-28-2024.
What is academic certification?
Academic certification is an unalterable process, which is carried out in terms of transparency and meritocracy by a recognized Independent Authority, based on specific, predetermined, internationally accepted, quantitative and qualitative criteria and indicators, with the aim of objectively ensuring and continuously improving the quality of the Higher Education. The certification of U.S.P. includes scoring in the following ten distinct areas:
- Quality Assurance Policy
- Design and approval of study programs
- Student-centered learning, teaching and assessment
- Student admission, stages of study, recognition of studies and receiving a degree
- Teaching staff
- Learning infrastructure and student support
- Information Management
- Public information
- Continuous monitoring and periodic internal evaluation of the U.S.P. and
- Periodic external evaluation of the U.S.P.
The D.P.E.S.S. of the Democritus University of Thrace proves in practice that it is an active academic entity, which has organized operational structures and the necessary know-how, as it successfully responds to today’s challenges, which Higher Education is called upon to face both at the educational, research and academic level.
What is the benefit for graduates?
Academic accreditation ensures that graduates of an accredited study program have acquired a specific combination of knowledge, competences and skills aligned to European academic accreditation criteria. In addition, it is the passport for Greek graduates to attend Master’s Programs in Europe and internationally, many of which positively evaluate the possession of a certified degree. It also enhances the mobility of Greek graduates and increases employment opportunities in jobs where the possession of certified degrees is a prerequisite for employment. It is pointed out that the possession of certified degrees is, pan-European, a current trend in the labor market and a key criterion for recruiting new graduates.
