Accrediation from BAC Extended

UNYP is very pleased to announce that its accreditation from the British Accredition Council has been extended. Following on from a comprehensive two day inspection by members of the Council, the Accreditation Committee awarded continuing accreditation to the University of New York in Prague. The inspectors interviewed Vice-President for Academic Affairs, the General Manager, the Financial and Student Accounts Manager, the Chairs of the Business Administration, Communications and Psychology departments, and Acting Chair of the Economics and International Relations Department. They had a meeting with the Empire State College Director of Academic Program, Prague, and with UNYP’s registrars, admissions office staff, Marketing Director and three leading members of the Student Council. They toured both buildings, scrutinised documentation and observed samples of the teaching. The Comittee noted that there had been vast improvements in the university since the appointment of the General Manager, Mr Sotiris Foutsis, and that the management structure and the academic management structure had been significantly strengthened. It was noted that the promotional materials and the web site gave a fair and accurate description of the academic programs, the qualifications offered and the premises, facilities and staffing. It was also noted that the testing, grading and monitoring of students progress was of a high standard. The University has various means of reviewing its own overall performance. It conducted an internal evaluation in autumn 2005, and in May 2006 the Student Council produced a Benchmark Report. Both these exercises produced valuable reports and would be worth repeating. The Czech Ministry of Education requires regular self-evaluation by accredited institutions and UNYP’s partner universities use a variety of mechanisms to monitor its performance. Overall, the University’s Management of Quality is of a high standard. Students are carefully assessed before and during their courses, the courses themselves, student satisfaction and quality of teaching are effectively monitored, and the institution has various means of reviewing its overall performance.Overall, there is an appropriate and improving provision for student welfare. The increase in the number of academic advisors and the appointment of the Student Affairs Coordinator has strengthened the systems for student support and advice and the Student Council, actively encouraged by management, is successfully representing student opinion and enhancing university life beyond the classroom. Since the last inspection, the University’s 20,000-volume library has developed steadily from what originally was, to a large extent, a text-book depository. It is now a valuable study and reference resource, actively supporting the students. Although the Comittee had no required actions for the University, it did make some useful recommendations. These included the introduction of a regular fire drill, and the appointment of a Fire Officer; the redisign of the study area (within practical limitations); a clarification of the minimum attendance requirements and that the University encourage greater staff participation in the life of the University. The management is working towards implementing these changes as soon as possible.