Quality & Innovation Grants - QIGs

Objective

The objective of this sub-component is to make additional resources available to support strategic and innovative plans to enhance the quality of teaching and research. Unlike the UDG, which target universities, the QIG will be accessible to and implemented by, specific study programs and/or departments. The other fundamental difference with the UDG is that QIG funds will be awarded on a competitive basis. The approach followed in designing the QIG lies on the observation that the current mechanisms to fund study programs are based on purely historical and mechanical grounds and do not contain incentives for academic to either improve their performance in teaching or to undertake research. The QIG is expected to provide these incentives and to give momentum to the positive attitudinal changes linked to them and initiated by the QEF grants under the IRQUE Project.

The first two windows include teaching and learning activities for undergraduate programs. One window will be specifically reserved for Art and Management Faculties, where quality is particularly put into question by potential employers, and whose graduates have the greatest difficulties to find employment. The second window, also targeting the undergraduate programs, will be open to all other faculties. Under these windows, the QIG resources will support activities such as updating curricula, modernization of pedagogical methods and assessment systems.

The first round of QIGs window 1 and 2 is in progress. Guildlines for proposal writing were released, initial proposals by study programs were invited and reviewed. Recommended study programs have been invited to submit comprehensive proposals.

QIGs window 3 is in progress. Proposal were invited, received and reviewed. Site visit are being conducted for recommended proposals.

QIGs window 4 is in progress. Proposal are invited has a dedline of 31.01.2012.