Faculty of Health and Social Sciences Slovenj Gradec

The report on the re-accreditation of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences Slovenj Gradec (FHSS SG) thoroughly outlines the evaluation process of the entire institution conducted by experts appointed by the National Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Quality in Higher Education. The report was compiled based on a review of extensive documentation, self-evaluation reports, and discussions with key stakeholders of the institution. The strategic plan for 2022-2027 aligns with the faculty's vision and reflects a commitment to principles of employability, internationalization, quality, and mobility. However, the strategic plan is not publicly available on the faculty's website, highlighting a need for greater transparency as key stakeholders are not informed about it. The internal organization of FHSS SG enables the inclusion of all stakeholders in the management and development of the institution's activities. Regular meetings of certain committees, such as the disciplinary committee, are suggested to maintain readiness and the institution's commitment to adhering to the highest ethical principles. FHSS SG has made progress in the field of scientific, professional, and research activities, focusing on applied research in clinical environments with active student involvement. Research performance, measured by the ARIS methodology, shows a high level of achievement, although the faculty ranks last among comparable institutions, which should be viewed in a broader context. There is a clear need to increase the number of research- active staff with doctoral degrees in the research group or to encourage younger researchers to engage in scientific activities. Practical education is well organized, emphasizing the importance of clinical training in achieving professional competencies and following guidelines for regulated professions. The faculty has established a wide network of learning institutions for clinical training, but improvements are suggested in systematically closing the quality loop through a structured process leading to actionable improvement plans. FHSS SG actively collaborates with the environment and employers, providing information on employment opportunities that match the competencies of its graduates. The need for further development of "relational competencies" to improve interdisciplinary cooperation is highlighted. The internal quality assurance system is in place, but a more systematic and documented approach is needed for collecting and analysing feedback. The faculty's efforts in the professional and personal development of teaching and non-teaching staff are recognized, but there is a need for systematic planning of training and other professional development activities in this area. The expert group assesses that FHSS SG meets the quality standards in various areas with identified opportunities for improvement in its operations. Additionally, the expert group notes that the institution could better utilize events such as the re-accreditation for the institution/study programs to review the quality system and some work processes more thoroughly, and to approach the content and structural supplements of the important parts of the evaluated study programs more consistently. In response to the report (April 18, 2024), FHSS SG has accepted the proposed improvements and has already begun to implement some of them.