Quality Assurance

The Quality Assurance (QA) System of the Department of Architecture, Design and Urban Planning (DADU) is managed by three Quality Management Groups, with the support of the Departmental Quality Representative (RAQ–D). Their role is to coordinate the activities needed to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the QA system, through the collection and organisation of the required evidence.

In line with the University’s overall QA system, the Quality Representative maintains ongoing dialogue with the Quality Presidium, the Evaluation Unit, and the Quality Office, contributing to the drafting of annual and periodic documents and reports that support the continuous improvement of teaching and research.

Within these processes, the Head of Department plays an active role by defining responsibilities, assigning tasks, and guiding the work of the representatives towards the achievement of the required quality objectives.

For this purpose, DADU has established three Quality Assurance Management Groups: one for the Architecture degree programmes, one for the Urban Planning pathway (bachelor’s and master’s), and one for the Design degree programme (L4). These groups oversee the quality assurance processes and ensure compliance with, and the long-term maintenance of, the requirements (R3 and R4) related to teaching services, study and service spaces, research, and the sustainability of the degree programmes.

In keeping with the principle of student centrality, the self-assessment processes (AVA), particularly those related to teaching, revolve around the Joint Student-Staff Committee (CP–DS). This body acts as a link between the final “users” of the quality assurance system and the Department’s governing bodies – the Degree Programme Councils (CCdS) and the Department Council (CdD).

With a view to continuous improvement, student representation within the CP–DS has increasingly played a key role over time, helping to identify areas for development and encouraging improvements adopted by the CCdS and the CdD as shared objectives to be achieved.

Within this structure, and following a systemic and process-oriented approach, the Quality Assurance Working Groups (GdL–AQ) act on the basis of the findings from the annual reports and periodic reviews of the Joint Student-Staff Committee (CP–DS).

Drawing from this evidence, the GdL–AQ define and implement the necessary actions within the Annual Programme Report (RAR) and the Single Annual Programme Statement (SUA–CdS), aiming to meet system requirements and address any weaknesses or areas for improvement. The overarching goal is to ensure, as far as possible, the continuous enhancement of the services and overall performance of the degree programmes over time.

The quality assurance process is further strengthened by the involvement of external stakeholders beyond the Department. Their contribution helps to better define the educational objectives, taking into account the needs of the local area, the production system, and the challenges posed by contemporary complexities.

This collaboration allows academic programmes to be oriented towards developing integrated multidisciplinary skills, which are increasingly essential for the roles of both the Architect, the Planner and the Designer.

Regarding the processes aimed at meeting requirement R4, related to the quality of research and Knowledge Transfer activities (TM), the Department has appointed two additional coordinators responsible for preparing the annual performance monitoring reports (SUA–RD and SUA–TM).

These coordinators are supported by a working group focused on research and Knowledge Transfer quality, which collaborates in defining the objectives and targets to be achieved and maintained, in line with the goals set out in the Department’s Strategic Plan (PS–D) and consistent with University guidelines.