Law 3374/2005, article 5, par. 2

The OM.E.A. is appointed by the academic unit under evaluation, by decision of its General Assembly.

It is composed of distinguished faculty members (Professors and Associate Professors), preferably with experience in quality assurance procedures.

A students’ representative participates in the committee.

 The Internal Evaluation Committee OM.E.A) of the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management, is composed (Decision of the Department’s General Assembly Session 19^th/ 24.09.2023) by the following members:

• Anastasia Pantera, Professor, as President of OMEA.
• Georgios Fotiadis, Assistant Professor, as a member of OMEA.
• Stavroula Galanopoulou, Assistant Professor, as a member of OMEA.

 Responsibilities of the OM.E.A.:

• Is responsible for conducting, in collaboration with the relevant MODIP the Internal Evaluation Process of the academic unit,
• Monitors the completion of the Census Forms and Questionnaires and informs the relevant administration entities and members of the academic unit about the answers,
• Collects all the necessary data for the evaluation and based on them:
• Prepares the Internal Evaluation Report (Self-evaluation) of the academic unit, which forwards to theD.I.P. and, subsequently (via MO.DI.P) to the National Authority Higher Education   Ν.Α.Η.Ε.
• Collaborates with the Ν.Α.Η.Ε. Agency for the organization and implementation of the External Evaluation.

The OM.E.A. is constituted in the Academic Units (Faculties or Departments) by decision of the General Assembly by faculty members of the ranks of Professor or Associate Professor,  with internationally recognized scientific work and preferably with experience in quality assurance procedures. In the OMEA. also participates a representative of the students, designated by their association (Law 3374/2005, Article 5 §2).

The duties of an OM.EA stand for the duration of an Internal and External Evaluation period and terminate upon the completion of the External Evaluation process.

The roles of an OM.EA. are to conduct, to coordinate and to execute: plans and coordinates the evaluation process and is responsible for the preparation of the Internal Evaluation Report.

The OM.E.A. is responsible for carrying out the internal evaluation process  in the relevant Academic Unit: it monitors the completion of the questionnaires (see  Census Bulletins and Course/Teacher Questionnaire for Students), informs the administration entities and members of the Academic Unit about the answers and results of the interaction of the teaching staff and the students, and collects all the necessary relevant data.

Based on the above data, the OM.E.A. prepares the Internal Evaluation Report (Law 3374/2005, Article 5 §2).

In its duties, OM.E.A. is assisted by all members of the Academic Unit: it seeks the participation of all, but also takes into account their views.

The OM.E.A. defines and communicates from the outset the ways in which the transparency of the internal evaluation is ensured (e.g. how all views, ways and means of communication of all stakeholders are heard and taken into account, keeping a record of communication, decision-making processes, encouraging initiatives, addressing disagreements, etc.).

The importance of qualitative and timely planning, standardisation of procedures and periodic updating of all participants is underlined.

The Department implements a specific quality policy, which is fully linked and harmonized with the legal and regulatory framework governing the operation of AUA. By adopting, reviewing, redesigning, and redefining the quality policy followed, the Department aims at higher academic performance and scientific/social recognition. With this strategy, it will highlight values, standards and examples, in order to contribute to the pursuit of AUA for high quality educational and research results and a steady course of economic and social progress based on the scientific knowledge and the produced technological achievements.

The Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management of the School of Plant Sciences of the AUA has developed and implemented a specific official Quality Assurance Policy, which is part of AUA's strategy.

In the development and implementation of this policy, with the appropriate structures and procedures, all internal actors participate (administrative bodies, faculty members, laboratory staff, administrative staff and students of the Department).

The Department's quality assurance policy and its implementation strategy are implemented through the Internal Evaluation Team (OM.E.A.) in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP) of AUA.

In order to ensure and continuously improve the quality of educational and research work, as well as for the effective operation and performance of its services, the Department complies with the criteria set out in article 72.2 of Law 4009/2011.

For reasons of information and transparency, the Quality Assurance Policy of the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Management has been posted on the Department's website and, through the OM.E.A., has been communicated to all members of the Department's staff.

This policy shall in particular support:

• Take of responsibilities by the leadership of the Department and its individual administrative units, the members of the teaching, administrative and other staff and the students, as well as the role they are assigned regarding quality assurance.
• Safeguarding academic principles, ethics, preventing discrimination and encouraging the participation of external actors in quality assurance.
• The continuous improvement of learning and teaching, research, and innovation.
• The quality assurance of the curriculum and its compliance with the special standard of the National Authority for Higher Education (NAHE).
• The allocation and effective management of the necessary resources for the operation of the Department.
• The development and rational distribution of human resources.
• Ensures the quality of services and infrastructure.

The main axes on which the Quality Assurance and Improvement Policy of the Department is structured, and which are connected and form part of the strategy of AUA are the following:

1. The continuous reform and improvement of the Program of Undergraduate Studies of the Department.
2. The strengthening of student-centered education in the design of the Undergraduate Program.
3. The improvement of the performance of the students of the Department in their studies.
4. The reduction of the percentage of students who drop out or delay in completing their studies.
5. The strengthening of the multilevel research work in the Department and the production of more and significant impact publications in international scientific journals, as well as in collective volumes and proceedings of conferences with referees.
6. The continuous improvement of the working conditions of the teaching, research, administrative and other staff of the Department and the resolution of infrastructure issues (e.g. buildings, equipment).
7. The development of synergies between the Departments and Faculties of AUA, as well as other Universities, in undergraduate and postgraduate programs of study.
8. The increase in transnational cooperation programmes providing for the mobility of students and teaching staff (e.g. ERASMUS programme).
9. The strengthening of collaborations with other institutions abroad and domestically, the diffusion and enhancement of research projects and wider synergies, as well as the improvement of the production of research work.
10. The improvement of the extroversion of the Department.
11. The attraction of high-level faculty members from Greece and abroad, in accordance with the current legislation.
12. The contribution of the Department to the higher ranking sought by the AUA in the evaluation of universities at national and international level according to the generally accepted qualitative and quantitative indicators.
13. Solution of technical problems related to the implementation of administrative work.
14. The contribution of the Department to the intended implementation of measures to reduce pollutants and environmental burden ("environmental footprint") caused by the University due to its operation.
15. The creation of new Postgraduate Programs (MSc).
16. The utilization of alternative sources of funding (participation in international programs, self-funded study programs, sponsorships/donations).
17. The improvement of the organization and provision of Lifelong Learning programs.
18. The contribution of the Department to the policy of AUA for the continuous organization and implementation of activities of direct and indirect support of vulnerable social groups.
19. The involvement of the Department’s alumni network in its pursue to reach its academic and social goals.