Quality assurance (QA) system for the PhD program
The National Agency for the Evaluation of the University System and Research (ANVUR), set requirements to ensure that PhD programs not only meet high standards but are also able to continuously monitor and improve their activities.
The AVA 3 model currently applied represents an important development in the quality assurance (QA) system for PhD programs. It is based on the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) logic that encourages universities to plan clear objectives, implement effective and coherent strategies, monitor results through specific indicators, and act to make improvements.
The AVA 3 model makes explicit elements of relevance to the quality of doctoral training, with particular regard to
• the context of reference and the professional profiles at the outset
• the elements of interdisciplinarity, multidisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity
• the objective of mobility and internationalisation;
• the growth of doctoral students, as members of the scientific community, within public or private institutions, congresses and/or workshops and/or training schools.
Contact person for Quality Assurance
Each PhD programme identifies an internal reference person to oversee the substantive and procedural aspects envisaged by the AVA 3 model, in relation to the phases of organisation and management of the PhD programme.
In particular, the QA Contact Person takes part in a working group composed of the Coordinator and a representative of the doctoral students in the following phases
• consultations with the social partners
• preparation of the annual teaching planning and organisation document, to be submitted for approval to the Teaching Board and the PQA for an opinion on compliance with QA procedures
• preparation of the annual report containing an account of the educational activities carried out and of the resources invested, as well as a comment on the indicators for monitoring the results achieved
Professor Anna Maria Colangelo has been appointed as the QA contact person by the board of teachers of the PhD program in Neuroscience.
Stakeholders and social partners committees
Stakeholder consultation, both initial and downstream of review actions, is a fundamental element for planning that is attentive to the needs of the economic and productive system in terms of employment prospects and personal and professional development.
Each PhD programme identifies a board, assisted by the Coordinator and the QA contact person for the PhD programme, whose composition includes at least three external members (a maximum of one academic), among whom it is also possible to involve a successful alumnus. Each course, according to its own specificities, identifies the most suitable stakeholders, among representatives of:
• public administrations;
• professional associations;
• professional orders and colleges;
• enterprises from sectors related to the PhD;
• third sector enterprises;
• Alumni associations of the University of Milan Bicocca (or a selection of graduates, PhD students, postgraduates);
• Research centers;
• Academic and cultural institutions of national or international relevance other universities.
For the PhD program in Neuroscience the board is composed by:
- Prof. Roberto Meroni, LUNEX University, Head of Department of Physiotherapy, Chair of the Ethics Committee, Senate Chair, ex alumno
- Dr. Daniele Colombo, Zambon S.p. A, R&D Portfolio Manager & Medical Excellence Lead, Global Medical Office
- Dr. Carmelo Lupo, Diapath S.p.A., Head of Innovation
PhD students and quality assessment
The PhD students are involved in the quality assurance system of the Doctoral School and of the PhD program they are attending by answering specific surveys and by attending to periodic internal meetings. Moreover, representatives of the PhD students take part to the consultations with the stakeholders.