On 18 March and 19 March 2024, representatives of the German Accreditation
Agency for Health and Social Sciences (AHPGS) and international experts from Germany and Switzerland visited YHU College (VET) and YHU in the framework of institutional audit. They met with students, teaching staff, and other stakeholders, took a tour, and, summing up, said they were very impressed with YHU’s commitment to institutional development and the involvement of the YHU management team, students, teaching, and administrative staff.
Experts also said that academic freedom and institutional autonomy are fundamental
European values and commended YHU’s efforts in that direction. They noted that YHU is building a culture of quality. For example, surveys are helpful in improving study programmes. They liked YHU’s participatory system of decision-making involving stakeholders, which fosters the development of the community and collective spirit.
YHU is making strides towards internationalisation, but it is just getting started at the college. Experts called for boosting the process and highlighted institutional benchmarking with European universities. In their view, teaching is student-centred, and staff and students believe in YHU’s efforts to improve the quality of education. The student-faculty ratio and sufficient space and classrooms are satisfactory, but the college needs a business plan for investment and modernization.
Accreditation Coordinator Lena Schnell thanked YHU for the hospitality and said it was essential that the visit took place during such dynamic changes. AHPGS will soon discuss the next steps with YHU.
