Quality Assurance Department

SIIL follows the guidelines of its own quality assurance system, in line with its statutory mission and taking into account the needs of distance learning. The SIIL quality assurance system is based on national and international criteria and standards. It includes methods and measures for documenting and improving the quality of its activities as a higher education institution. The system comprises comprehensive, consistent, and dynamic rules, mechanisms, and processes that enable SIIL to:

• comply with its quality statement, according to which SIIL degrees provide students with excellent opportunities in the job market and demonstrate a high level of professional competence and readiness to achieve goals through the implementation of chosen strategies;
• implement and continuously review measures derived from its objectives and strategies;
• introduce corrective mechanisms;
• continuously improve institutional performance and adapt to changes in the higher education environment, while understanding a culture of quality as a living concept throughout the institution;
• increase process transparency, strengthen staff involvement in quality management, and improve internal communication.

SIIL has defined its guiding principles, values, and strategic objectives, in accordance with which it conducts its activities. The quality assurance system is developed, evaluated, and continuously improved in line with the quality assurance strategy (see Quality Assurance Policy) and applies across the entire institution.

The elements of the quality assurance system are coordinated with each other, enabling consistent and goal-oriented quality management that ensures efforts align with achieved results.

SIIL has developed a Quality Assurance Policy that serves as a guide for the development of quality management for all stakeholders and forms the foundation for further system development in line with existing tools and measures already in place.

SIIL strives to develop and fulfill its mission in accordance with the institute’s values. It has established a quality assurance system based on these values, enhancing its ability to achieve strategic goals. The initial QAM system was launched in September 2019. The current version has been in place since October 2022.

Every Institute employee plays a role in quality assurance. All SIIL activities are guided by its mission and related guiding principles. These activities are reflected in the Institute’s policies and procedures, which inform staff, students, and other stakeholders about all aspects of SIIL’s operations.

The policies and procedures are implemented through the relevant departments. SIIL annually evaluates the management of its quality assurance systems through staff workshops, feedback on specific areas, and regular meetings of the Institute’s various departments.

The Quality Assurance Office (QAO) closely collaborates with the representative of the Board of Shareholders, the Academic Council, the Director of the Operations Office, the Director of the Academic Office, the Director of the Student Office, and the Head of the IT Department.

Service and Support Office. The QAO may assign tasks to internal staff as needed. It organizes internal meetings every two months. The Director of the QAO regularly reports to the Academic Council and the Rector’s Office on its activities and status. The QAO has implemented a quality assurance system based on the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the EduQua quality standards for adult learning.

A wide range of activities have been implemented to establish and gradually improve the institution’s quality management system. Under the QAO’s leadership, the institution’s vision, mission, and strategy were redefined, a quality assurance strategy based on the corporate strategy was developed, as well as an internal control system (ICS) and a business risk assessment (BRA). This marked the beginning of the development of an integrated school management system.

The Quality Assurance Department manages the quality assurance system and supports the rector’s office in implementing continuous improvement measures. This ensures reliable quality assurance and communication with the Board of Shareholders within the existing hierarchical structure.

Functions

The main responsibilities of the QAO include the following:

monitoring the quality assurance system;
continuous further development of the institution’s quality analysis in accordance with the Internal Control System (ICS) and the Business Risk Assessment (BRA); evaluation, review, and control of internal processes;
analysis and improvement of the quality culture at the institution.

EduQua

In June 2022, SIIL received the EduQua quality certificate and confirmed its quality level during an EduQua audit in August 2023.

The EduQua label is awarded to adult education institutions that meet 22 core quality standards. These criteria define the minimum standards an institution must meet to receive the EduQua label. Independent certification bodies in all regions of Switzerland verify compliance with these minimum standards.

QS Stars

In September 2022, SIIL received a “Five Star” rating in the “Online Learning” category.

SIIL is currently undergoing institutional accreditation by the ENQA-recognized IAAR Accreditation Agency and programmatic accreditation by the ENQA-recognized AQUIN Accreditation Agency, both based on the European standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

The primary goal of these guidelines and standards is to establish a robust quality system and develop a common understanding of quality assurance in learning and teaching across countries and among all stakeholders. SIIL strives to adhere to and exceed these guidelines and standards.

As Switzerland has been a full member of the European Higher Education Area and the Bologna Process (EHEA) since 1999, SIIL defines its approach to quality assurance in accordance with the EHEA criteria and strategy.

Information is SIIL’s most important asset. Accurate, timely, relevant, and properly secured information is essential to the success of SIIL’s academic and administrative activities. The Institute strives to ensure secure access, use, and processing of information.

Technological information systems, hereinafter referred to as “information systems,” play a vital role in supporting SIIL’s day-to-day operations. These information systems include, but are not limited to, all infrastructure, networks, hardware, and software used to manipulate, process, transport, or store SIIL-owned information.

The security of SIIL’s IT resources and data cannot be achieved without a consistent governance model that ensures that all IT systems at SIIL operate in accordance with established policies and best practices.

The SIIL governance model is designed to clearly define who is authorized to manage key IT systems and services, as well as how individuals and groups wishing to use new systems or services are approved and subsequently managed.

All suspected information security incidents must be reported as quickly as possible through appropriate channels. All SIIL employees and students are required to promptly report information security breaches and issues to the IT Services and Support department so that prompt remedial action can be taken. The IT Services and Support department will be responsible for establishing an incident management team to resolve all issues. Records will be created describing all reported information security issues and breaches. These records will be encrypted and securely stored for six months, after which all information relating to individuals will be deleted. Records will be kept in an anonymized format for a further two years for statistical purposes.

SIIL is obliged to comply with Swiss law and relevant European Community legislation. Relevant laws applicable in Swiss law to the security of information systems also include the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

SIIL is committed to responding to all rights inquiries and protecting the rights of individuals in accordance with data protection law. Detailed guidance and support on protecting the rights of individuals is available from the Data Protection Authority.

Right to Information: Individuals must be informed about the processing of their personal data. The Data Protection Act contains specific provisions regarding the information that must be provided to individuals through a privacy notice when personal data is collected.

Right of Access: Individuals have the right to request access to a copy of their personal data.

Right to Correction: Individuals have the right to have inaccurate data about themselves corrected.

Right to Erasure or “Right to Be Forgotten”: Individuals have the right, under certain circumstances, to have their personal data erased.

Right to restrict processing: Individuals have the right, under certain circumstances, to request that the processing of their personal data be restricted.

Right to data portability: Individuals have the right to receive their personal data and reuse it across different platforms and services under certain circumstances.

Right to object to processing: Individuals have the right, under certain circumstances, to object to the processing of their personal data.

These rights are not absolute and are subject to certain exceptions under data protection law.