FAQ

1. What is the term of office for members of the University Evaluation Unit? 

   The term of office of members is three academic years and with a maximum of two consecutive terms of office. Student members' term of office is two academic years. 

    

2. What are the tasks of the University Evaluation Unit? 

   The University Evaluation Unit is responsible for assessing the quality and effectiveness of teaching, research, and third mission activities, as well as the efficiency of support services. 

    

3. The student representative in the University Evaluation Unit discloses or shares the reports they have access to for their assigned role?

   No, the student representative signs a confidentiality agreement and cannot share the material they have access to for their assigned role.

    

4. How many meetings must the University Evaluation Unit hold per year?

   The University Evaluation Unit meets at least three times a year.
   Based on specific needs or initiative, additional meetings may be scheduled during the year.
   At the beginning of each year, the University Evaluation Unit sets the meeting schedule and the working plan. 

    

5. Who receives the University Evaluation Unit's annual report?

   The Academic Council, the Managing Director, and the Rector receive the annual report from the University Evaluation Unit. The University Evaluation Unit relies on various information sources, including reports from the Joint Faculty-Student Committees and additional informative documents provided by the Quality Assurance Committee and the University itself. 

    

6. Are records kept of the meetings held by the University Evaluation Unit?

   At the end of each meeting, minutes are drawn up and signed by the President and the Secretary, recording the decisions taken, the content and the main points of the discussion. A copy of the minutes is sent to all members of the University Evaluation Unit, the Rector, the Managing Director, and the President of the Quality Assurance Committee. 

    

7. Who nominates the members of the University Evaluation Unit?

   The members of the University Evaluation Unit are appointed by the University Board with the participation of the Academic Council for the Bocconi Faculty component. The student representative is elected by the students according to Regulations. The Rector proclaims the election results by Rectoral Decree. 
    

8. Who are the main stakeholders (players?) of the University Evaluation Unit? 

   The University Evaluation Unit operates in close coordination with the Governing Bodies of the University: the University Board, the Rector, and the Managing Director. Externally, it also interacts with the MUR and the ANVUR. 

    

9. What is the role of the University Evaluation Unit in the establishment of a new Study Program? 

   The University Evaluation Unit provides a binding opinion to the University regarding compliance with the requirements for initial accreditation for a new Study Program. 

    

10. What is the task for Study Programs, PhD, and Departments Audition (Audit)? 

    The Study Programs, PhD, and Departments Audit (Audition) analyze the operation of the Quality Assurance system. During these meetings, the University Evaluation Unit examines how bodies and stakeholders responsible for Quality Assurance oversee the advancement of Study Programs, PhD, and Departments. 

     

11. The considerations made by the Evaluation Unit and the indications reported in their reports also have external visibility? 

    Yes, externally, the Evaluation Unit refers to the Ministero dell’Università e della Ricerca and the Agenzia Nazionale di Valutazione del Sistema Universitario e della Ricerca. 

1. How long do members of the Quality Assurance Committee remain in office? 

   The term of office of members has a different duration depending on the component concerned:  

   ° for the Central Unit members (Deans) it has a duration equal to the Rector’s term  
   ° for the student members, it has a duration equal to the term of office defined by the student elections

    

2. What are the functions of the Quality Assurance Committee? 

   The Quality Assurance Committee is the University body responsible for supervising and monitoring the University Quality Assurance process defined by its governing bodies. It implements the University’s quality policies approved by the University Board on the proposal of the Academic Council, monitors the quality processes relating to teaching, research and third mission. It also operates within the framework of the guidelines and indications that are defined by the central governing bodies of the University, carrying out the tasks assigned by the provisions in force, as they are compatible.

    

3. Is student representation present within the Quality Assurance Committee?

   Yes, the following are members of the Committee:
   - One student representative for the undergraduate and graduate programs, overseeing quality assurance aspects related to these programs;
   - One student representative for PhD programs, responsible for quality assurance matters concerning PhDs.

    

4. Can student representatives on the Quality Assurance Committee disseminate or share with other students the material they have access to in order to fulfill their assigned role?

   No, student representatives sign a confidentiality agreement and cannot share the working material they have access to in order to perform their assigned role. 

    

5. How does the QA Commitee account for its work?

   The Quality Assurance Committee is required to prepare an annual report summarizing the activities carried out and the status of implementation of the Quality Assurance system, which also contains the general plan of action for the following year. This report is forwarded to the academic governing bodies and to the University Evaluation Committee. 

    

6. What is the role of the Committee in case of a Periodic Accreditation visit?

   As part of the preparations for the Periodic Accreditation visit, the QA Committee must conduct a self-assessment to evaluate compliance with the current AVA model’s site requirements. 

    

7. How is the culture of Quality promoted and shared within the University?

   The QA Committee promotes and disseminates the culture of quality and continuous improvement within the University through training and dissemination initiatives on Quality Assurance. The main channel for the dissemination of all quality assurance processes is the B-Quality web portal, open to the entire Bocconi community (faculty, students and staff).
    

8. How does the QA Committee contribute to the revision of the University’s quality assurance system? 

   The QA Committee drives the revision of the University’s QA system in close liaison with the governing bodies. In addition to drawing up- and periodically updating-the procedures, guidelines, instructions and other descriptive and operational documents relating to the management of the QA system, the PQA prepares an annual report summarizing the activities carried out and the status of implementation of the QA processes, which also contains the objectives and general plan of action for the following year. 

    

9. Who is sent QA Committee’s annual report? 

   The report is forwarded to the academic governing bodies, the Planning and Liaison Committee and the University Evaluation Unit.

    

10. What are the functions carried out by the QA Committee in relation to teaching activities? 

    The QA Committee:
    - Verifies the continuous and correct updating of the information contained in the SUA-CdS of each degree program offered by the University;
    - Organizes and monitors surveys of students’, graduating students' and graduates’ opinions;
    - Coordinates and monitors the work of the Student-Faculty Joint Committees. 

1. What is the composition of Student-Faculty Joint Teaching Committees?

   At Bocconi there are currently seven CPDSs, organized in such a way that each one groups a cluster of Degree Programs, which are similar in terms of subjects and/or vertically linked. Each CPDS is structured by assuring the presence of one faculty member and one student for each Degree Program of reference (with the exception of the Integrated Master of Arts in Law and CYBER, whose CPDS is made up of 2 faculty members and 2 students belonging to the Program).

    

2. What is the length of the appointment? 

   CPDS member appointments last three years for faculty members and two years for students.

    

3. What are the functions of the CPDSs? 

   The CPDSs play the role of monitoring the quality and the conditions of teaching within Degree Programs as well as the support that faculty members provide to students.
   mong the tasks assigned to the CPDS there is also the formulation of an opinion (mandatory but not binding) on the establishment of Degree Programs. The competent CPDSs of the disciplinary area of reference of the proposed Program is called upon to express an opinion on this issue.

    

4. In addition to the tasks set out in the AVA model, what other tasks are assigned to the CPDSs within the university? 

   The members of the CPDS are invited, by right, to participate in the meetings of the stakeholder Consultation Tables of the relevant Boards, providing guidance and opinions on the content of the teaching offer and on the adequacy of the expected graduate profiles.

    

5. What is the role of the students in the CPDSs? 

   The role assigned to student members is of fundamental importance for the purposes of identifying aspects to analyze and formulating proposals for improvement, offering a point of view that complements that of faculty members. The role of students includes the following:
   - They maintain constant and direct contact with other students in their Degree Program, gathering reports of problems or suggestions for improvement regarding teaching and organizational and infrastructure aspects related to them.
   - They are encouraged to inform classmates in their respective Degree Programs about the tasks and activities of the CPDS, while maintaining confidentiality requirements related to the dissemination of sensitive data and information.
   In short, they represent the primary channel between the student population of individual Degree Programs and central QA bodies (University Evaluation Unit and QA Committee) and as a result, positively contribute to the Degree Program’s QA cycle. 

    

6. Can students share the material they have access to?  

   No. Students have access to sensitive material. In fact, they must sign a confidentiality document  related to their position as CPDS members. 

    

7. How many meetings need to be organized annually? 

   At least one joint meeting with all the sub-committees that make up each CPDS needs to be organized per year, as well as other meetings at the sub-committee level, between the faculty member and the student in each sub-committee, depending on the aspect to investigate and the topics to consider for writing the annual report. The joint meeting must be convened by the related coordinator – which may occur remotely – to examine the annual reports, share working methods and coordinate future activities. 

    

8.  Are the meetings of the CPDS (and/or their sub committees) recorded?  

   The CPDS (or the relevant sub-committee) draws up summary minutes of each meeting.  The minutes of the meetings are forwarded to the Quality Assurance Committee.  

    

9. How is the coordinator for each committee selected?  

   Each committee appoints a coordinator from its members, chosen from among the faculty members in the sub-committees that make up the CPDS, also based on the availability of the faculty members. The coordinator has the task of sharing the approaches and activities of each sub-committee and convening and coordinating the plenary meetings. 

    

10. Is it useful to exchange views with previous members? 

    Yes, direct exchange of views is useful. In any case, the CPDSs will also have access to the reports prepared in past years.  

     

11. Is training provided for the role of a  CPDS member?  

    Yes, a special webinar is available on the B-Quality portal, reserved to the Bocconi community, and on the BlackBoard platform that illustrates the role, tasks as well as actions that CPDSs are called upon to perform. Newly appointed members are invited to follow the webinar in order to become more aware of the activities required and the responsibilities associated with the assigned role.  

12. Are the results of CPDS analyses available externally? 

    Yes. The annual report is published on the AVA portal managed by ANVUR.

1. What is meant by Third Mission - Social Impact (TMIS) Activities ? 

TM-IS activities are initiatives that leverage expertise developed in research and teaching to promote the dissemination, enhancement, and application of knowledge, thereby contributing to social, cultural, and economic growth across different levels of society.  

2. Do Third Mission activities have an impact externally? 

Yes, Third Mission activities entail continuous interaction with businesses, institutions and non-profit entities, as well as local and international communities. This interaction aims to foster mutual growth and enhance the education of both students and graduates. 

3. What are the general guiding principles of TMIS for the "Teaching and Education" area? 

The guiding principles are: 
- Providing constantly updated continuing education: Through the SDA Bocconi School of Management, the university supports professionals' ongoing growth by offering learning experiences tailored to their specific needs.
- Facilitating graduates' job placement: Through close collaboration with the job market, the university assists students, graduates, and Master's degree holders in finding fulfilling employment opportunities that match their acquired skills.
- Developing engagement activities and interactions with the school community aimed at encouraging primary and secondary school students to pursue independent study and critical thinking. 

4. Is there also involvement from the alumni community? 

Yes, through the Bocconi Alumni Community (BAC), the university fosters a wide network of graduates and diploma holders worldwide. The BAC offers opportunities for networking, mentoring, and professional development. 

5. What is the channel at Bocconi for conducting TMIS activities in the innovation domain? 

The internal entity Bocconi for Innovation (B4i) functions as a startup accelerator it oversees two separate programs for pre-acceleration and acceleration for emerging businesses at different stages of developing their entrepreneurial concepts. 

6. What is the Support and Coordination Committee for Third Mission and Social Impact activities? 

The Support and Coordination Committee for Third Mission and Social Impact activities is a body composed of representatives from TM-IS activity leaders. Its role is to coordinate and promote TMIS initiatives.
The committee is chaired by the Dean for Academic Strategy and Institutional Affairs.

1. What is the Periodic Review of a Degree Programs? 

The Periodic Review comprises the main moment of in-depth self-evaluation of the progress of a Degree Program. The following is identified based on the pre-defined objectives and the results obtained by the Programthe strengths that characterize it, any problems or issues that are identified, key challanges, improvement measures to implement during the following cycle. 

2. What does the Periodic Review Report include and what is its purpose? 

The Periodic Review Report must include the self-assessment of the Program regarding the implementation of the QA requirements at a Program level and the achieved performance, with an indication of the main strengths and weaknesses that were identified and a definition of the improvement objectives and actions.

3. How is the Periodic Review structured?

The analyses, evaluations and suggestions that trigger the review process are included in a detailed document, the Periodic Review Report, which is divided into the following five (5) sections as specified by the AVA model:

1. Quality Assurance in the Development of the Study Program; 
2. Quality Assurance in the delivery of the study program; 
3. Administration of study program resources; 
4. Review and improvement of the study program; 
5. Analysis of indicators.

Each of the first 4 sections is made up of three (3) parts, with reference to the specific aspects being analyzed: 

a) overview of the key developments since the last Periodic Review, including any improvement initiatives undertaken in the Study Program;

b) overview of the key developments since the last Periodic Review, including any improvement initiatives undertaken in the Study Program;

c) Definition of objectives and improvement actions, including interventions deemed necessary or appropriate based on evolving conditions and identified critical elements. Objectives may also encompass multiple years and must relate to substantial aspects of student learning and experience. It should be specified which actions are believed to achieve the objectives. 

4. Who is responisble for preparing the Periodic Review Report? 

The Program Periodic Review Report is prepared by the Program Review Group under the guidance of the Program Director (who supervises its preparation).

5. Is there a form "appointment" procedure for the student rapresentative? 

Currently, the appointment procedure has not been formalized. The student for the Review Group is selected by the Program Director, normally from among the appointed student representatives in the Degree Program Committee and remains appointed until graduation. 

6. Which academic bodies receive the Periodic Review Report? 

Periodic Review Report must be submitted for approval to the Degree Program Committee, which is responsible for it. It is advisable, before approving the final version, to send a preliminary draft of the report to the QA Committee to check the formal correctness of the document and its content. After approval by the respective Degree Program Committee, the QA Committee will send it, for each respective area of responsibility, to the Program’s School Dean, the Student-Faculty Joint Teaching Committee, the University Evaluation Unit and ANVUR.

7. Is it necessary to answer all the questions in the Periodic Review Report format?

Yes, as far as possible, it is important to respond precisely (with valid arguments and concrete evidence) to all the points of reflection indicated in the reference format of the report, even if the Review Group should ascertain the failure or inadequate performance of one or more processes related to them. In drafting the report, it is useful to follow the outline and the "Guidelines" made available by the Quality Assurance Committee since this ensures adherence to the more general aspect defined in this regard by ANVUR and allows a clear declination of strengths and improvement objectives for the next cycle, which is essential for the subsequent steps of both internal and external evaluation.
 

8. Do improvement measures need to be defined for all 5 report sections?

In addition to being a fundamental analysis and self-assessment document, the Report is also a planning document for the Program, with which the management COMMITS to taking on a development path for the following 3-5 years. A large number of objectives does not need to be indicated, but if possible at least one for each section. The identified objectives must be plausible, significant (of multiannual importance and scope), measurable, previously agreed upon with any involved persons and essentially controllable by the Program management.

9. How often is the Periodic Review held and for which reasons? 

Periodic Review must be carried out with a frequency that does not exceed 5 years, and in the case of any of the following circumstances:

• Upon request from the University Evaluation Unit;
• If there are serious critical aspects that concern the Program;
• In the case of changes in program's key features;
• During the Periodic Accreditation (if older than 2 years or not updated to reflect the current reality of the Program).

10. All Degree Programs conduct the Periodic Review?

Yes, periodically and whenever one of the cases listed in pt. 9 above occurs. Exceptions are newly activated Degree Programs that have not yet completed a full cycle (and therefore do not yet have graduates) and those undergoing deactivation. For Degree Programs that are undergoing merger/transformation, it is appropriate for the Periodic Review to be prepared by the Course that results from this process (and, as such, is activated in the University's Educational Offerings), provided that it has completed a full cycle of studies.

11. Are the improvement actions defined in the Report verified? 

Yes. After the Periodic Review Report is prepared, every year the Program QA Group monitors the state of progress and implementation of the actions that are defined and actually implemented, also providing a brief evaluation of their estimated effectiveness by completing a summary form to be sent to the QA Committee.

1 What is the Annual Monitoring?

The annual monitoring process is an integral part of the “current” management of a Degree Program.

2 What is the purpose of the Annual Monitoring?

The purpose of the Annual Monitoring is to:

1. control the progress of the Program by analyzing the main performance obtained in reference to the previous year;
2. identify any problems or points of attention in which to intervene with specific improvement measures. 

This is obtained through a monitoring and commenting activity, carried out by each Degree Program, regarding a set of selected indicators in order to point out the most significant aspects in terms of processes and results.