Institutional Accreditation: debriefing with the experts
Institutional Communication Service
4 October 2021
The team of external experts concluded its visit for institutional accreditation at USI on Thursday with a debriefing session open to all interested parties. USI left a very positive mark: a dynamic organisation with new governing bodies and quality assurance processes that have developed tremendously since the last audit in 2014.
USI has proven to be a transparent institution that is proud of its accomplishments over the years. However, the experts highlighted the presence of some "sand in the gears", offering insight for the further development of the University. The detailed report of the expert group will be delivered to USI on 22 November 2021. After that, the University will be able to submit its comments. The outcome of the overall procedure will be announced in March 2022.
The independent procedure led by the Swiss Quality Assurance Agency (AAQ) regularly examines Swiss universities' internal quality assurance system. The process includes audits for quality in governance, education, research and services offered. Institutional accreditation is a prerequisite for universities to use the designation "university" and is also indispensable for obtaining federal and inter-cantonal subsidies. The procedure is participatory: for USI, more than 60 representatives from all areas of the University - students, academic staff and employees - took part.
