Inovativni turizem

The key document in the formal self-evaluation system of the Doctoral Program Innovative Tourism is the Self-Evaluation Report of the Faculty of Tourism Sciences, which refers to the educational activity. It is prepared for each academic year. The structure, methodology and content of the report follow the instructions of the University of Primorska. The self-evaluation report contains an analysis of the performance in implementing the measures and explanations of areas where measures and objectives were not achieved. The self-evaluation report is accompanied by an action plan for the next academic year, which includes objectives, activities, responsibilities and deadlines for the implementation of measures for each quality indicator. The quality loop is not properly closed in the evaluation of the doctoral program. The reason for this is that there is no specific self-evaluation report for the doctoral program. The measures proposed in the self-evaluation report for the educational activities and the different analysis materials are not specified at the level of the individual study program. During the evaluation visit, various stakeholders pointed out the great importance of informal approaches in self-evaluation of the study program and in collecting suggestions for changes in the study program from both students and professors. The informal system is made possible by the small number of students and the close relationship between professors and students. The informality of the procedures limits the possibility to adequately evaluate the contents and procedures of self-evaluation. Therefore, the expert group suggests greater formalization of the self-evaluation process. After the self-evaluation report is prepared, the management of the faculty is informed about results. The results are also discussed at the academic assembly and in the departments. Students are informed through their representative on the Quality Committee and by presenting the report and measures at the Student Council. The self- evaluation report and measures, as well as the results of the student survey, are presented to students at the beginning of the academic year, but this does not apply to doctoral students. The documents are available on the faculty website. The goal of the study program is to create a profile of a doctoral graduate tailored to the needs of tourism, qualified for both research and applied work in tourism. Thus, the program itself is characterized by an important duality: on the one hand, training for independent research work that will represent a new contribution to science. On the other hand, the training for applied work in tourism with the formation of specific knowledge and competences in the field of innovative tourism, which can contribute to the increase of competitiveness of tourism services and products on the Slovenian and international tourism market. Due to this duality, the program faces major challenges, especially in the area of balancing basic and applied research in tourism. As it evolves (major changes in 2017 and 2022), the program is increasingly moving away from applied goals and emphasizing the scientific-research aspect. The faculty is actively involved in research and development activities. Research activities are mainly focused on applied knowledge, but basic research projects are also sufficiently included. However, we recommend greater research ambitions in the field of basic research. Students are usually already working and therefore have less time to study. Prior to enrollment, faculty members interview applicants to discuss student expectations, ambitions regarding the research area, and the course of study itself. These interviews are informative in nature and are not intended to select applicants prior to enrollment. The program of study in the Innovative Tourism program allows for good individualization for each student through elective courses and independent research. Although the department conducts a sufficient number of research projects, the systematic involvement of students in such projects is problematic. The expert group also reviewed the availability of compulsory literature mentioned in the curricula and found that a large number of literature units are not available in the faculty library, according to the Cobiss database some are not available even in the whole of Slovenia. The timetables are entirely tailored to the needs of PhD students, so they take place in the afternoon. Students expressed satisfaction with the work of professors and with support services. Students expressed satisfaction with the way they are informed. Basic information about the study program is available on the website. We suggest that the faculty expand the information available. The autonomy of professors is at an appropriate level. Major interventions in autonomy are experienced only by the teachers who are rated poorly in surveys, but the faculty management supports them in improving their pedagogical and didactic skills. The central suggestions of the expert group mainly refer to a stronger formalization of the system for collecting initiatives and proposals in the self-evaluation process of the study program and changes in the study program, the separate creation of measures specific for the doctoral study program, a stronger involvement of students in research projects, a stronger networking of students during their studies, and a more adequate representation of the interests of doctoral students in the student council. The faculty prepared a comprehensive response report with numerous annexes to the first version of the report of the group of experts. An action plan was created, with which the faculty proactively responds to the opportunities for improvement identified in the report. From the documentation it is clear that the faculty will adequately take care of the elimination of identified discrepancies and that it is aware of the necessity of quality monitoring and development of the study program.