Best practices
Inter-institutional cooperation for accrediting EU joint programmes at national level - the case of ManagiDiTH Master
Users: Training Providers (Private), Training Providers (Public) | Theme: Accreditation and certification | Action: Education programmes/courses| Beneficiaries: Training Providers (Private), Training Providers (Public), Policymakers (Member State).
To achieve this objective, seven consortium partners from three European countries are involved in the project, including: ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon (Portugal), Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Finland), Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Greece), Instituto de Telecomunicações (Portugal), Whymob, Lda. (Portugal), Clinipower Finland Ltd (Finland), Mundiserviços – Companhia Portuguesa de Serviços e Gestão, Lda (Portugal).
The programme’s objectives include the development of training references for level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework in the digital health sector, the creation of a multidisciplinary learning ecosystem, and the introduction of a pedagogical model that prioritises problem-oriented learning strategies supported by digital tools.
The innovative pedagogical and technical skills of the consortium partners will be leveraged to create an integrated Master programme that builds on projects that have already been implemented within the consortium. Furthermore, there are several associated partners in the project, including Health Cluster Portugal, Thessaloniki’s Association of Women with Breast Cancer “Alma Zois”, Finnish Diabetes Association, European Network of Living Labs Ivzw, The Union For Senior Services – Valli, Portuguese Red Cross, Adhd Hellas, and Hovi Group Oy.
Overall, the ManagiDiTH curriculum is a ground-breaking initiative that aims to transform healthcare systems and services across Europe, making them more efficient and effective. By equipping healthcare professionals with specialized digital skills, the programme will ensure that graduates are well-prepared to succeed in the rapidly evolving digital healthcare sector.
The challenge?
Different national accreditation frameworks (procedures, forms and calendar) were found, which required a reinforced inter-institutional cooperation among the 3 Higher Education Institutions in order to get the Master programme accredited in Finland, Greece and Portugal.
Our solution
Having a sequential submission of the accreditation processes throughout the first 1.5 years of the project. First, the accreditation of the Master was awarded in Finland, as Laurea University of Applied Sciences does not require a submission to a national accreditation authority; secondly, Portugal beneffited from the previous accreditation of Laurea, to submit the full process of accreditation to the national authority (A3ES); and finally, AUTH has benefitted from the previous two accreditation processes as well as all the documentation and information collected and organised previously.
This has required the open and transparent sharing of all information among HEI partners, and the storage of the three set of common files that were used at the best convenience of each partner, in order to complete the necessary information for each of the national processes.
This approach enabled the Master Program to start even without the accreditation process being completed in Greece, and at the same time, it was important for the Greek partner to have already the Master running for showcasing in concrete how the Programme was delivered, considering also its innovative nature of fully joint design, delivery, and online learning.
Outcomes
The EU joint Master Programme ManagiDiTH was accredited in three EU countries (at Month 13 in Finland, Month 17 in Portugal, and Month 23 in Greece) even though the first cohort has started in Month 20 (September 2024).
No delays were registered and 187 students started their studies in the first edition.
Key takeaways
- Having an open and transparent communication among partners of the consortium since Day 1 of the Project about the accreditation requirements and challenges (top priority on the implementation of the project)
- Sharing all the documents and information regarding the national accreditation requirements (forms, calendar, bodies and services to be involved in each HEI)
- Planning the national accreditation processes in a sequential manner and benefit from previous accreditation in one or two (or more) EU countries
- Permanent contact with National Authorities, in particular, for explaining the specificities of these innovative models for EU joint programmes funded by EU – DEP (not an Erasmus Mundus Joint Programme)
- Mutual support of each partner to the national accreditation processes (i.e. Laurea’s official documentation was a key element to assure that the accreditation was granted in Portugal; AUTH beneffited from the Official Decision of the Portuguese Accreditation Authotiry (A3ES)).