UC Quality Week aims for 'continuous improvement'

Established by the United Nations in 1990, World Quality Day is celebrated by organisations around the world on the second Thursday of November. The University of Coimbra (UC), which marks the occasion every year, has extended the celebrations to the first UC Quality Week which runs until 15 November.

The initiative plays an important role in the "continuous improvement" of quality indicators, according to the Rector of the University of Coimbra, Amílcar Falcão. This year, marked by "very good news," the University achieved the "highest rating" in audits conducted by the Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (A3ES) and the Portuguese Certification Association (APCER), particularly concerning the ISO 9001 standard. Amílcar Falcão sees Quality Week as a moment to "celebrate and express gratitude to all those who have contributed" to achieving this level of quality. "Quality brings greater efficiency and better service delivery, and UC is deeply committed to ensuring this," he adds.

The first day of the first UC Quality Week included the renewal of the ISO 9001 certification. According to André Ramos, APCER's Marketing Director, "this recognition reflects not only UC's commitment to providing quality services, but above all its dedication to quality teaching and its central focus on students". The renewal of this certification "positions the institution both nationally and internationally as an example of rigour and innovation", concludes André Ramos.

"More than 20 years have passed since the first certification of UC," recalls Sílvia Santos, head of the UC Department for the Promotion of Quality (DPQ). "However, for the first time, and only since 2022, we have this certification at the level of organic units and some cultural extension and training support units." She also advocates "continuous improvement", stating that "there is a willingness and openness to go further".

For Sílvia Santos, "quality management happens every day at UC and is done by everyone". She urges the community to see quality management "as a synonym for value creation, for the ability to simplify, and for the promotion of excellence and collaboration for all".

The Quality Week "is an event that celebrates the University of Coimbra's continuous commitment to excellence," says Filipe Rocha, director of the UC's Management Support Service, highlighting as key challenges "the integration of factors such as technology, especially artificial intelligence, as well as the principles of sustainability and sustainable development".

During the opening session of Quality Week, the DPQ invited the UC community to present projects and initiatives that have helped improve the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of UC activities.

By sharing good practices and developing new skills, Quality Week provides opportunities for reflection, dialogue and addressing challenges.