International accreditations help to increase the visibility of universities, but above all they are conducive to building quality culture.
International accreditation is a difficult, time-consuming process that requires the commitment of the entire academic community. However, it is worth taking such actions. They make it possible to significantly improve the university management process, thus contributing to its development. The very process of preparing for accreditation is important and it should be treated as a process of self-improvement. It is the time of development of mechanisms related to monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement of all aspects of university functioning. Efforts involved in the accreditation procedure enforce critical reflection, and this, in turn, makes the benefit of becoming accredited not only a recognizable quality mark after the completion of the entire process, but also everything that follows and what is gained by the university during the preparation. The most important element in the accreditation procedure is not the moment of meeting the criteria, but the process of reaching this stage and maintaining the obtained results.
As part of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education project "International Accreditations" of the Operational Program Knowledge Education Development, co-financed by the European Social Fund, Lodz University of Technology implements the following accreditation procedures:
- 19 ENAEE (European Network for Engineering Accreditation) program accreditations,
- 2 ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) program accreditations,
- 3 ECTN (European Chemistry Thematic Network) program accreditations,
- institutional accreditation HCERES (Haut Conseil de l'évaluation de la recherche et de l'enseignement supérieur),
- EAQUALS re-accreditation (European Association for Quality Language Services) for TUL Language Centre,
- institutional evaluation IEP (Institutional Evaluation Programme)/EUA,
- institutional accreditation CEEMAN IQA for the Faculty of Organization and Management,
- institutional accreditation ACEEU (Acreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities).
EUR-ACE® Label (EURopean ACcredited Engineer) is the European quality label for engineering degree programs at Bachelor and Master Level. It is closely linked to the Bologna process and is based on "Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area". It is awarded by the ENAEE (the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education), a network of European institutions for the accreditation of engineering programs. Currently, 15 institutions in Europe are authorised to award the EUR-ACE® Label. There is the Accreditation Committee of Technical Universities (KAUT) among them which was authorised to award the EUR-ACE® Label together with its accreditation after several years of efforts.
The EUR-ACE® Label is a recognised quality label in all European countries because it is based on a coherent framework of standards that measures the effectiveness of engineering degree programs. In countries with regulated engineering professions, programs with EUR-ACE® Label meet the requirements for the award of the titles of Registered or Chartered Engineer (CEng), and the European Federation of National Engineering Associations (FEANI) automatically recognizes programs with EUR-ACE® Label as eligible for the award of the title of European Engineer (Eur Ing).
Wthin POWER project, Lodz University of Technology has been awarded with 19 EUR-ACE® Labels: Materials Engineering (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label, EUR-ACE Master Label), Automatic Control and Robotics (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label, EUR-ACE Master Label), Mechanical Engineering (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label, EUR-ACE Master Label), Chemical Technology (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label, EUR-ACE Master Label), Nanotechnology (EUR-ACE Master Label), Biotechnology (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label, EUR-ACE Master Label), Applied Computer Science (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label, EUR-ACE Master Label), Technical Physics (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label), Architecture (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label, EUR-ACE Master Label), Civil Engineering (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label, EUR-ACE Master Label), Management and Production Engineering (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label).
Additionally, TUL has been awarded six accreditations outside the project: Mechatronics (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label, EUR-ACE Master Label), Computer Science (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label, EUR-ACE Master Label) and Chemistry (EUR-ACE Bachelor Label, EUR-ACE Master Label).
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ENAAE/EUR-ACE® Label accreditations are financed by the Ministry of Education and Science as part of the POWER project "International accreditations". The aim of the project is obtaining international accreditations and certificates by Polish HEIs, increasing the international competitiveness of universities. Co-financing of the project from EU funds is 84.28%, the remaining funds come from the state budget.
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Program IEP (Institutional Evaluation Programme)
The Institutional Evaluation Programme (IEP) is implemented with the support of the EUA (the European University Association), which is a reputable international institution recognized by the academic community. The IEP is a tool for developing and improving the university management system. It puts emphasis on common reflection and exchange of experience. It focuses on the quality culture and the extent to which the results of the quality processes implemented at the university are used in the decision-making process.
The IEP assessment takes the form of evaluation, not accreditation. The whole process consists of a self-evaluation carried out by the university, followed by the assessment of external evaluators. The result of these activities is not only a set of recommendations developed by the evaluation team, but first and foremost the development of good practices by university employees. Their implementation is intended to enhance the efficiency of university management and the effectiveness of its quality assurance system.
Subjecting to external evaluation by TUL is the implementation of its strategic objectives in the area of quality assurance, efficient management of the University and internationalisation. In 2019, 2 evaluation visits took place. Over 180 persons attended the meetings with the IEP Team (EUA) - University authorities and individual faculties, academic and administrative staff, students, doctoral students, and external stakeholders. The summary meeting at which the IEP Team (EUA) shared with the participants their observations regarding the functioning of the university was of great interest to the academic community. The report on Lodz University of Technology evaluation is available on the IEP website:
Evaluation report for Lodz University of Technology
IEP evaluation is financed by the Ministry of Education and Science as part of the POWER project "International accreditations". The aim of the project is obtaining international accreditations and certificates by Polish HEIs, increasing the international competitiveness of universities. Co-financing of the project from EU funds is 84.28%, the remaining funds come from the state budget.
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The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) was established in 1932 in the United States. It accredits programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. Today ABET standards continue to play fundamental role and have become the basis of quality for STEM disciplines all over the world. More than 2,200 experts from industry, higher education and government are working on the evaluation. ABET is constantly improving its assessment criteria, ensuring their consistency with what is happening in the economy and the labour market. It is involved in many international activities supporting the process of accreditation of engineering education. To date, it has accredited 4,361 programs at 850 colleges and universities in 41 countries around the world, including Europe. Most of the accreditation processes of current engineering programs around the world are based at least in part on ABET guidelines. ABET’s voluntary peer-review process is highly respected because it adds critical value to academic programs in the technical disciplines, where quality, precision and safety are of the utmost significance.
Lodz University of Technology applied for accreditation for two programmes conducted in English: Computer Science, and Information Technology. Accreditation visit took place in November 2021. The university's efforts were successful, in August 2022 both programmes were accredited by Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
ABET accreditations are financed by the Ministry of Education and Science as part of the POWER project "International accreditations". The aim of the project is obtaining international accreditations and certificates by Polish HEIs, increasing the international competitiveness of universities. Co-financing of the project from EU funds is 84.28%, the remaining funds come from the state budget.
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HCERES (Haut Conseil de l'évaluation de la recherche et de l'enseignement supérieur)
is an internationally renowned body which is recognised by the academic world. It is a member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and it is listed in the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR). It has experience in institutional and programme accreditation around the world. To date, HCERES accreditation has been granted to universities from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Vietnam, Qatar, Cameroon and Armenia, in addition to French universities. HCERES is an institution that attaches importance to internationalisation, which is emphasised in its strategic documents.
The HCERES evaluation process refers to the individual areas of internal quality management in education adopted in the "Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Education in the European Higher Education Area". The evaluation process involves experts not only from France, but also from other countries, including representatives of such universities as, for example: Universität Zürich, University of Antwerp, Universidade de Lisboa, ETH Zürich, Technische Universität München.
The on-site visit took place in October 2019. As part of this visit, 41 meetings of the HCERES Evaluation Team were held with the Rector, Vice Rectors, academic and administrative staff, students, graduates, external stakeholders, domestic and foreign academic partners. The team visited TUL Library, Career Office, Office for Students with Disabilities, International Cooperation Centre, laboratories of TUL.
In April 2020 Lodz University of Technology, as the first Polish university, was awarded HCERES accreditation. The university did very well in all 6 evaluated criteria and was fully accredited for 5 years. The HCERES Evaluation Team highly assessed the wide range of educational offer in science and technology and its adaptation to the needs of the labour market as well as TUL committment to a constant improvement of its programs. The final report drew attention to the wide scope of cooperation between TUL and the socio-economic environment, and to the fact that the university has developed a real capacity to seize current opportunities offered by this environment.
In the area of research, HCERES appreciated the work of TUL to become an intensive research university - defining comprising scientific priority areas and leaders, research based learning, and establishing a new doctoral school. The Evaluation Team also noticed a very well-developed international network essentially built for successful students exchanges, the involvement of the academic community in building a quality culture and its awareness of the principles of professional ethics. The enormous commitment of employees, students and university partners in its activities was also appreciated, as well as the fact that the whole community of TUL shares a common vision of its strategy.
Evaluation and accreditation report for TUL
TUL_Accreditation_Certificate_2020.pdf
HCERES accreditation is financed by the Ministry of Education and Science as part of the POWER project "International accreditations". The aim of the project is obtaining international accreditations and certificates by Polish HEIs, increasing the international competitiveness of universities. Co-financing of the project from EU funds is 84.28%, the remaining funds come from the state budget.
CEEMAN International Quality Accreditation (CEEMAN IQA)
International Quality Accreditation - IQA addresses educational institutions that provide management or business education. The accreditation process emphasizes both internationally recognized quality standards and the relevance of an institution’s activities in responding to meeting the development needs of its customers and markets. The accreditation framework focuses on seven areas of assessment: strategy, governance, research, education, resources, continuous improvement/innovation, and responsible practices.
CEEMAN IQA objectives are:
- encouraging international contacts among academics in the field of management education and research, but also close contact between institutions and their business partners, with the objective of better understanding business development needs and engaging in relevant practice-based research.
- fostering processes of continuous improvement in all aspects of institutional activity and encouraging creativity and innovation in both the content of management education and the processes by which it is delivered.
- paying proper attention not only to the managerial substance of management education but also to the broader questions of social, ethical, and environmental responsibility which business activity entails.
CEEMAN (International Association for Management Development in Dynamic Societies) is an international management development association established in 1993 which aims to accelerate the growth in quality of management development in central and eastern Europe. Today CEEMAN is a global network of institutions interested in quality of education and innovations in this field, as well as in the broad area of subjects related to change, with 200 members from 50 countries in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. There are 20 Polish institutional members of CEEMAN out of which only 2 are universities of technology – Lodz University of Technology and Gdańsk University of Technology.
So far 33 HEIs have been accredited by CEEMAN, including 10 Polish universities. The Faculty of Organization and Management of TUL has successfully passed the eligibility review and it can start the International Quality Accreditation – IQA conducted by CEEMAN.
CEEMAN IQA accreditation is financed by the Ministry of Education and Science as part of the POWER project "International accreditations". The aim of the project is obtaining international accreditations and certificates by Polish HEIs, increasing the international competitiveness of universities. Co-financing of the project from EU funds is 84.28%, the remaining funds come from the state budget.
Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU)
Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU) was founded in 2016 as part of the University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and now it is established as a separate organisation in Germany. ACEEU has set the world's first accreditation framework for the third mission of universities, and by this supported the transformation of universities towards third generation institutions innovative in its approach. ACEEU works with transformational leaders and change makers to make change happen and the world a better, more sustainable place - with universities at the heart.
ACEEU is committed to redefining the standards of quality in higher education, empowering university stakeholders to be proactive agents of change and accelerate innovation and collaboration through third mission. Its mission is to promote cultural change, to accelerate institutional development and to amplify the recognition of excellence through the provision of world-class accreditation services.
ACEEU envisions universities to become more entrepreneurial and engaged, ultimately generating greater social, cultural and economic impact. According to ACEEU, an engaged university is oriented towards and strategically positioned to deliver a range of societal contributions, benefits and impacts. The institution undertakes education and research aligned with society and business needs. Research and projects are collaborative and mutually beneficial. The priority in third mission activities is engagement and the institution accordingly develops its people, organisational capacity, support structures and external collaborations. An engaged university is an influential organisation within the wider ecosystem and is dedicated to continuous improvement and the generation of greater social and cultural impacts for the city and for the region.
ACEEU offers institutional and divisional accreditation. HEIs can choose between Entrepreneurial University Accreditation or Engaged University Accreditation or go for both of them. ACEEU is currently exploring opportunities to drive the quality of educational programmes by evaluating 21st Century Skills.
ACEEU has 34 members, including 7 Polish HEIs. On May 17-18, 2023, the on-site accreditation visit took place at TUL. The ACEEU team met with the staff, students and alumni of the university, as well as representatives of institutions and companies with which TUL cooperates within its engagement.
ACEEU accreditation is financed by the Ministry of Education and Science as part of the POWER project "International accreditations". The aim of the project is obtaining international accreditations and certificates by Polish HEIs, increasing the international competitiveness of universities. Co-financing of the project from EU funds is 84.28%, the remaining funds come from the state budget.
The European Chemistry Thematic Network Association (ECTN) labels
The European Chemistry Thematic Network Association (ECTN), is a non-profit association registered in Belgium and is an outcome of six years of network activity (1996-2002). The Association was created to provide a sustainable future for the European Chemistry Thematic Network, a network funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus programme.
There are currently over 120 members (higher education institutions, national chemical societies and chemical companies) of the network coming from 30 different European countries and associate members world-wide. Expert European groups work on a range of topics including developing a framework for the bachelor, master and doctorate qualifications in chemistry and providing interested institutions with a possibility to apply for the Chemistry Eurobachelor®, the Chemistry Euromaster®, the Chemical Technology Euromaster®, and the Chemistry Doctorate Eurolabel®.
In 2023 the Faculty of Chemistry of Lodz University of Technology was awarded Eurobachelor® and Euromaster® labels for the Chemistry programs and Euromaster® label for the Chemical Technology program.
ECTN accreditations are financed by the Ministry of Education and Science as part of the POWER project "International accreditations". The aim of the project is obtaining international accreditations and certificates by Polish HEIs, increasing the international competitiveness of universities. Co-financing of the project from EU funds is 84.28%, the remaining funds come from the state budget.