The UNIQUe project aims at enhancing the reform process of European higher education institutions by creating, testing and launching an eLearning quality label for ICT use in higher education. In this way UNIQUe aims to facilitate the improvement of higher education eLearning-related processes and management.

The UNIQUe label is being built by combining the Peer Review methodology, developed in MASSIVE and the programme accreditation for teChnology-Enhanced Learning (CEL), successfully developed by the European Foundation for Management Development, and will adapt this certification scheme to all eLearning related activities that European Universities need to enhance in order to increase their efficiency, quality and attractiveness to the world.

The UNIQUe Code of Practice:

1.    Independent
Selection for members of the relevant bodies (peer review and awarding body) must ensure that no conflict of interest exists between any individual body and  its members and those of the candidate institution.
 Members are required to declare to the UNIQUe Supervisory Board where potential conflict of interest may exist (e.g. formal or semiformal association with the candidate institution) and where necessary as instructed by the UNIQUe Supervisory Board exclude themselves from the process.

2.     Impartiality
All members are required to be impartial and previous or past dealings or interactions with candidate institutions or personnel within same, should be evaluated to ensure that no prejudice or favouritism is applied, suggested or perceived. If necessary members should inform the UNIQUe Supervisory Board and exclude themselves from the process.

3.    Objectivity
In exercising professional judgement all body members should ensure that an objective attitude is maintained at all times. The process should not be based on “initial impression” but on substantive tangible and factual evidence.

4.    Reputation
It is essential that all candidate institutions are assessed on the basis of objective evaluation that ignores their considered reputation past or present. The process must at all times remain unbiased and be applied fairly and uniformly to all parties without exception.

5.    Context  and Openness
It is essential that all candidate institutions during the assessment process are viewed in  the context in which they are embedded. The contextual factor should be taken into consideration throughout the entire assessment process.

6.    Fit for purpose of the use of ICT
The nature and the scope will vary accordingly with the desired objectives. The assessment should be carried out in a manner that it is both coherent with and relevant to the purpose for which the ICT being used ( within teaching and learning processes) is intended. 

7.    Formative aim of the evaluation
The assessment process is not a fault finding exercise. It should not be designed to criticise but to provide an objective overview (e.g. looking for compliance with the UNIQUe Quality Criteria), and to promote the Spirit of continuous quality improvement.

8.    Confidentiality
All body members should comply with relevant and professional ethical guidance and take all reasonable steps to ensure that they treat as confidential all the information received or obtained during the course of the UNIQUe accreditation process.
 

For more information of the UNIQUe project, please visit the project web site (http://unique.qualityfoundation.org)