On June 22, 2021, the Accreditation Council awarded the “Prize for Quality Development” for the second time at its 109th meeting. It went to the Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences for its application for reaccreditation of the study program bundle “Social Work” (B.A.), “Early Education – Bildung und Erziehung im Kindesalter” (B.A.), “Counselling – Psychosocial Counselling in the Fields of Social Work / Social Pedagogy, Education and Upbringing” (M.A.) and “Science Social Work” (M.A.).
The very good success rates of 93 to 97 percent and the high willingness to continuously develop the degree programs led to the nomination of the winning application; the jury also particularly praised the strong interdisciplinarity, the implementation of new specializations, the “online advice” in the curriculum and the variance and competence orientation of the examination procedures.
Applications from five higher education institutions were in the running for the award. Two higher education institutions had applied themselves, the other three nominations were based on proposals from the Accreditation Council and were selected from almost 440 applications.
Since 2020, the Accreditation Council has awarded the prize for special achievements in quality development in the field of teaching and studies at the level of programs that can serve as inspiration for other higher education institutions.
The decision to award the prize was made by a six-member jury, whose members were selected by representatives of the higher education institutions, the International Affairs members, the Student Group representative and members of the Professional Practice Group of the Accreditation Council.
The following degree programs were nominated for the 2021 Quality Development Award:
- Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences, reaccreditation of the study program bundle
“Industrial Engineering, Engineering and Management“ - Neubrandenburg University of Applied Sciences: Reaccreditation of the study program bundle
“Social Work“ - Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn: Reaccreditation of the study program bundle
“Theology“ - University of Vechta: Reaccreditation of the two-subject combined degree program
“Bachelor Combined Studies“ - Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences: Reaccreditation of the degree program
“Computer Visualistics and Design” (B.Sc.)