Brussels (BE) / Gdansk (P), September 2009 - The UNIQUe Quality Label for the innovative and creative use of ICT in higher education was officially launched during the EDEN Conference in Gdansk. At the EFQUEL Innovation Forum 2009, the participants can gather information at various events with reviewers, representatives of universities that have been accredited with the Quality Label, and members of the the UNIQUe consortium.
The UNIQUe certification was developed out of a European project and is funded by the Lifelong Learning program of the European Commission, by EFQUEL, EFMD, EUROPace, and MENON.
Every partner supported this process with its own expertise in the field of quality criteria (MENON), methods (EFMD), review processes (EUROPace), and dialogue-oriented quality (EFQUEL). Dr. Claudio Dondi, President of EFQUEL defines UNIQUe as -œthe combination of academic tradition of peer-review and management tradition of certification at the institutional level of business schools-.
The first universities and institutes have already been selected and will receive the EFQUEL Award 2009, which honors the excellent use of ICT for learning and teaching:
Prof. Gilly Salmon from the University of Leicester commented, -œAll colleagues involved in eLearning and learning technology research, development, and innovation throughout the university can be delighted that their efforts have been recognised, not only across their university and by their students, but also in the demanding and competitive, external world of higher education-.
The advantages of the UNIQUe accreditation are multiple. The recognition as one of the top European universities in the use of ICT in line with the European Commission's standards stands among the top advantages. Furthermore, once awarded, the UNIQUe accreditation is valid for a three-year period. During this period, the university can use the UNIQUe Quality Label in its official and promotional documents, as well as on its website.
