A qualidadade e internacionaliçao no ensino superior em portugalun estudo de caso nas universidades do Minho, Aveiro e Algarve

Resumen

The present research leads us to analyze the problem of Higher. Education and, more specifically, the implementation of quality indicators / measures defined for higher education. Considering the need to complement the research as much as possible we have applied a mixed research model, that is, qualitative and quantitative. The methodological design used was the questionnaire to the students, the institutional interviews as well as documentary analysis. Under the present study we have made an analysis on the themes of Quality in Higher Education with a big focus on Internationalization as a quality indicator of the Higher Education Institutions (HEI). This led us to a bibliographical review on European policies and directives in these matters, as well as the existing policies, directives and legislation in Portugal on them, and their respective framework. We made a brief characterization of the three HEI studied - University of Minho, University of Aveiro and University of the Algarve - as HEI and their organization - but also as Institutions that are directed by European and national policies regarding Quality and how Internationalization, as an indicator of Quality measurement in Higher Education, is effectively measured and what weight it has in its strategy. Subsequently, and in methodological terms, specific objectives were defined as follows: (i) understand whether HEIs have defined a quality policy as well as their goals; (ii) understand how HEIs guarantee the quality of their training offer and the learning of their students; (iii) understand if HEIs promote, evaluate and improve their scientific, technological and artistic activity: (iv) understand if HEIs are equipped with human resources that are able to respond to the requests of their students; (v) understand if HEIs are equipped with material resources adequate to the development of their students' learning; (vl) understand whether HEIs have systems for collecting information and publicize the results of such information; (vii) understand how HEIs have established their internationalization strategies and which are the main internationalization indicators. The results achieved show that the three Institutions have well-defined Internal quality assurance structures, which are directed by European directives and National authorities. It is also verified that the three HEIs have in their activities plans, strategic plans, Manuals and Quality Plans, the concern to maintain their quality levels and to reach goals and objectives to reinforce this quality, achieving prominent positions in international rankings such as U-Multirank. On the other hand, the results indicate that the three Institutions are concerned to provide quality services to their international audience, which is also visible with regard to the material and human resources as well as structures available to meet the needs of these audiences (website, information, support services, materials, activity reports) that also shows a great concern on the growth of these HEIs with respect to their Internationalization. These HEIs give a great deal of importance to the teaching-learning factor, which is undoubtedly one of the essential factors when measuring the quality of an HEI, and the participation that its students have in this evaluation and in all the consequences that this evaluation has for their institutions and courses. However, although the students have an active participation in their teaching-learning evaluation processes, the answers they gave to the questions related with this subject show that they do not know if their HEIs take into account their opinions when thinking about changing or renewing the curricular plans and also they do not know if their international colleagues participate in this evaluation process. Finally, the present research clearly indicates that there are HEIs with more developed areas than others, that the focus on internationalization, research and cooperation are visible and increasing, a little divergent in terms of areas, but all of them already have their own internationalization strategies, and are mobilized to respond to the policy of quality and internationalization of their institutions.