VID Specialized University is an accredited, private higher education institution. With approximately 400 employees and 4000 students, VID is the third-largest private higher education institutions in Norway.
VID Specialized University emerged on January 1, 2016, from the merger between four Norwegian institutions: Diakonhjemmet University College, Haraldsplass Deaconess University College, Betanien University College, and School of Mission and Theology.
The history of VID is based on diaconal and missional pioneer work from 1843, making VID the oldest private institution of higher education in Norway. In line with tradition and future national and global societal needs, VID's vision and mission are to be: "A value-based and church-based specialized university with high academic teaching- and research ambitions relevant to society and the church".
Thus, VID will educate leaders and professionals for service in the health, social and educational sectors and the church through programs of higher education and by conducting research, development, and innovation on a high international level within health- and social sciences, pedagogy, culture- and social studies, management, Diakonia and theology.
VID offers programs of professional studies within nursing, occupational therapy, social education, family therapy, Diakonia, and theology, in addition to several other programs at Bachelor, Master, and continuing education levels. VID offers two Ph.D. programs: Diakonia, Values and Professional Practice, and Theology and Religion.
VID's core values are a Holistic perspective on humanity, Commitment to solidarity, Future-oriented knowledge. Based on these core values, VID's slogan is "Committed to humanity – locally and globally".
VID's systematic work with the quality of education encompasses all aspects that impact education quality, from the marketing of studies to the completed education, to ensure that students receive the best education possible. Student evaluation forms part of this work.
The systematic quality work aims to safeguard and develop a high international standard of quality in its study programs and contribute to the right learning environment by, Supporting VID's strategy aimed at clarifying its value profile – offering sought-after study programs and contributing to valuable research – focussing on forward-looking professional practices – strengthening VID's position as a viable and preferred educational and research institution in local, regional, national and global arenas. Ensuring that students develop knowledge, skills, and general competence relevant in interaction with the sectors that we provide study programs for and specialize in. Ensuring that quality non-conformance is identified and that improvement measures are implemented based on quality analyses and documentation. Ensuring that VID protects its academic mandate by establishing new study programs and revising existing programs. Defining work processes and routines/procedures in the quality work provides a predictable framework for its operations and ensures that these are followed up.
Continuous quality development is dependent on a good quality culture in the organization. This is particularly important at VID as it is a relatively new university college and has merged with another institution on January 1, 2018. The broad geographical spread of study locations represents a significant challenge in developing a common quality culture.
Information, training, and involvement are essential elements of the work. VID's systematic work with the quality of education must be visible and easily accessible to students and staff. An electronic quality manual that assembles guides, guidelines, and procedures is currently being devised and available in early spring 2018 (around February/March). A quality portal where data and results will be easily accessible is also being planned. VID's quality improvement and non-conformance system handles failings in academic quality and HSE. The aim is to facilitate the reporting of quality deficiencies to deal with as quickly as possible.
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