Department of sociology and psychology
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- 8.2. Policy of selection, renewal, training and development of academic personnel for coming six years
7. Students7.1. Number of students in the programme In the study programme “Psychology” in academic year 2007/2008 11 students were enrolled, in 2008/2009 – also 11 students. At present the study programme involves 15 students. To popularize the programme among those who would like to study in Latvia the following activities have been carried out: description of the programme is inserted in RSU web page and in advertising booklet, descriptions of the programme are put in different reference materials, RSU guide-book is being prepared. 7.2. Inquiry of students and its analysis Inquiry carried out in the spring of 2009 suggest that all (100%) of the questioned students are fully satisfied with both choice of university and choice of the programme. Majority of the students have chosen this study programme because it seemed interesting (67%), or because future profession seemed attractive (50%) and it ensures career possibilities (42%). Evaluating total quality of studies, 70% of the questioned students have recognized it as very good or good, but 30% have not given a precise evaluation. The students were asked to evaluate separate elements of study process as well, but 25% have avoided a precise answer. Combining variants of positive and negative answers, we can obtain the following picture: majority of the students (75%) are satisfied with quality of lectures and seminars, also with process of consultations are satisfied 58%. With writing of reports, essays and summaries are satisfied 50%. Study organisation by partly modular system satisfies majority of the students (83%). As advantages of this system are mentioned: not much stress due to examinations, as they are not organised at the same time, but at the end of each course, there is no overload in session time and with this mastering of knowledge is more profound. Table 6
Evaluation of the elements of study process (%)
Evaluating technical provision of studies, majority of the students are satisfied with premises (60%), access to the Internet (80%), supplementary aids (OHP, boards, etc.) -91%, with library service and teaching aids (82%), with provision of hand-outs (91%), but with provision of computers are satisfied 100% of the students. Table 7 Evaluation of technical provision of studies (%)
1.1.Choosing three the most suitable descriptions of studies in their study programme, more than a half of the students (67%) recognized studies as “interesting”, “suitable” and “intellectually stimulating”. Assessing results of student inquiry, attention was paid to two aspects: students’ dissatisfaction with writing of reports and essays, provision with teaching materials. It was decided to review usefulness of the topics of reports and essays in certain study courses and, taking into account possibilities and course specifics, substitute them with research, analytical or other types of testing works (e.g., projects, group works, etc.), making performance of these works for students more interesting. As to provision with teaching materials – lecturers of the courses were informed. In future it is planned to scan these materials, as it is done in other RSU programmes in social sciences. The Department will follow also the job career of the graduates, as well as their experience, and inquiries of graduates and their employers will be organised annually. Results of inquiries will enable us to perfect content and process of the programme. 7.3. Participation of students in perfection of study process Students of the programme are provided with possibility to participate actively in perfection of study process. Quality management perfection system, introduced in RSU, which corresponds to the international and national standard (LVS EN ISO 9001:2000 un LVS EN 45013:1989), helps to fix all discrepancies in organisation and realization of the study process. This system projects continuous contact with students, taking into consideration their proposals for perfection of study process and feedback from students. Within the academic year at the end of a study course, student inquiries are organised to find out students’ evaluation of process of mastering the study course. In these inquiries students evaluate content of study course, quality and competence of an academic, as well as provision with materials and technical aids. The academic staff of the Department and visiting lecturers are informed on results of the inquiry, so that they can improve their courses, preventing drawbacks and considering the given suggestions. Every academic year inquiry of the students of “Psychology” programme of RSU Communication faculty is organised. The main aim of this inquiry is evaluation of the programme “Psychology” from students’ point of view. 8. Assessment of academic staff involved in the higher education programme 8.1. Conformity of qualification of the academic staff to implementation of objectives and tasks of the study programme Studies are ensured by highly qualified academic personnel: RSU academics and visiting lecturers, basically psychologists with at least a three–year work experience and Master’s degree in psychology. In the Department of Sociology and psychology 6 academics work, 5 of them are permanent academics. Of them 4 have PhD degree, including one associated professor, two assistant professors. Two academics have Master’s degree, one of them is a PhD student. Administrative personnel is one laboratory assistant/secretary. In implementation of the programme “Psychology” 5 academics of Communication faculty are involved and 19 academics from other RSU structural units – faculties of Rehabilitation, Nursing, Law Institute, departments of Psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy, Psychiatry and narcology, Normal physiology, Institute of Anatomy and anthropology, departments of Medical biology and genetics, Physics, Language Centre. Totally implementation of the programme “Psychology” involves 35 academics: 11 visiting and 24 RSU academics, all of them having been elected in RSU, and it comprises 100% of the total number of academics. Of RSU academics, involved in the programme, 58% are comprised by professors and associated professors, including 21% professors and 37% associated professors, assistant professors -17%, lecturers -21%, assistants -4%. Of the academics 17 have PhD degree, which comprises 68% of the total number of RSU academics, but the rest of the academics have Master’s degree medical doctor’s degree. Three of the academics with Master’s degree study for PhD degree or have finished its theoretical part and are preparing for defending of doctoral theses. Two of visiting academics have PhD degree (1 assoc.prof., 1 assist. prof.) and 9 – Master’s degree (4 – lecturers, 5 assistants). Of the visiting academics 18% have PhD degree. Table 9 reveals the list of academics who have been elected in RSU and it is their permanent job, but Table 10 – list of academics who have been elected in other institutions. Table 8 Characteristics of academics involved in the programme
Thus, for more than a half of the academics involved in the programme place of their election is RSU, and more than a half of the academics have PhD degree. The rest 11 academics work on contract basis and their permanent place of work is outside RSU. It should be noted that 5 art therapists, who are involved in implementation of the programme, have a degree Mg.health care, which is significant, taking into account that this programme was designed as the base programme in studies for Master’s degree in Art therapy. Table 9 List of permanently working academics
Table 10 List of visiting academics
Analyzing structure of the academics, one can conclude that the personnel have the necessary qualification for work in the Bachelor’s programme. The academic personnel is highly qualified and competent to provide students with necessary research skills, theoretical knowledge, skills and competences. The academics are involved in scientific research work, performing both scientific and practical work. (See Appendix 4.4) Their scientific activities are revealed by participation in conferences and seminars in Latvia and abroad, publications of scientific articles in Latvia and abroad (including internationally quoted publications), participation in writing books, working out of scientific projects, financed by both foreign institutions and Scientific Council of Latvia. In aspect of practical work, significant is perfection of personnel’s knowledge (See CVs in Appendix 2). The link between academics’ scientific activities and Psychology study programme is advanced by RSU strategic direction – integration of medical and social sciences. It is a stimulating factor in preparation of psychologist’s assistants, educated in concordance with specifics of health and social care.
It is important to emphasize that RSU teaching staff is regularly offered to participate in international and national scientific conferences and symposiums, to use possibilities of exchange programmes and to teach in foreign universities, acquiring valuable experience in scientific and pedagogical traditions in other universities. Study programme ”Psychology” involves academics and experienced practitioners of high qualification. The Department takes care to ensure that the study programme involves personnel which have academic work experience as well as practical work experience (incl., involvement of overseas colleagues). Directory: zinojumi zinojumi -> Self-evaluation Report zinojumi -> Self-evaluation report zinojumi -> “Automobile Transport” Professional Master study program in “Automobile Transport” zinojumi -> Teacher speech therapist Download 1.71 Mb. Share with your friends:
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