Strategic Development and
Quality Unit

The Strategic Development and Quality Unit (Unidad de Desarrollo Estratégico y Calidad, UDEC) encourages, facilitates and administers activities in the strategic development and quality areas for all the faculties, schools, campuses and services of the CEU Cardenal Herrera University (CEU UCH).

Since it was established in 2005-2006, under the initial name of the Technical Unit for Quality, it has sought to support the constant improvement of the University’s study programmes and processes, adherence to national and regional legislation, and coherence with the rest of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

At the UDEC, we seek to realize our Rector’s vision and directives, working in close collaboration with the University’s governance bodies, study programme administrators and University services, together with all those who form part of our university community. In this way, we strive to ensure that projects are carried out to a high standard, encouraging a culture of innovation and excellence in education, with the University’s strategic objectives in mind. The ultimate aim is to make CEU UCH an outstanding institution within the European Higher Education Area.

Vice-Rector for Quality and Students

D. Francisco Javier Montañez Aguilera

Strategic Development and Quality Unit

Dª. Mª José Collado Muñoz
Dª. Montserrat Martínez Soldevilla
Dª. Inma Doménech Martínez
Dª. Agnes Castillo Ramón

The UDEC provides the following services:

• Design and implementation of the University's Internal Quality Assurance System.
• Technical support for the different processes of assessment, certification and accreditation at the University, for teaching, research and administration.
• Technical support and administration of the University’s participation in assessment processes undertaken by Spain’s quality assessment and accreditation agency, ANECA (Agencia Nacional para la Evaluación de la Calidad y Acreditación) and Valencia’s regional quality assurance agency, AVAP (Agència Valenciana d’Avaluació i Prospectiva).
  • Drafting of documentation: tables, indicators, reports, studies, evidence and surveys.
  • Technical assistance and training of members of self-assessment committees.
  • Support and coordination of external assessment committees.
  • Monitoring and coordination of assessment processes.
• Technical support to the University Statistical Service.
• Training activities related to quality assurance and the culture of quality in a university context.
• Monitoring and analysis of European, national and regional higher education policy, taking into consideration the viewpoints of government, specialist agencies, changes in the law and action plans.
• Promotion of quality and innovation in university administration.
• Data collection regarding needs and suggestions originating from the university community, responding to contributions and making proposals for improvement to senior management.
• Technical support to the University’s governance bodies for the launch and development of strategic proposals and the achievement of strategic objectives.

The UDEC is responsible for the continuous improvement of the CEU Cardenal Herrera University’s processes and services. Our ultimate aim is to ensure that the University is a leading higher education institution, with outstanding teaching and efficient and reliable services. The UDEC is open to collaboration with the whole university community – students, lecturers and administrative and service staff. By working as a team, we can achieve continuous improvement.

To view the UDEC’s annual Activity Reports, click on the link below:

View reports

Objective 1

To improve the learning process so that students can enhance their critical thinking skills, their ability to increase their knowledge of the discipline autonomously, and their ability to interpret the social and cultural reality they are immersed in.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.3. Student-centred teaching, learning and assessment.	Criterion 3. Student-centred learning.	PC05 – Teaching planning and implementation.

Objective 2

To implement humanistic training in values on all the University's degree programmes.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.3. Student-centred teaching, learning and assessment.	Criterion 3. Student-centred learning.	PC05 – Teaching planning and implementation.
Criterion 1.9. Continuous monitoring and periodic assessment of the study programmes.	Criterion 2. Quality assurance of study programmes.	PC12 – Analysis, review and improvement of study programmes.

Objective 3

To maintain close collaboration with employers, professional associations, and other external stakeholders to keep the University's range of study programmes up to date and coherent with market demands.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.2. Design and approval of study programmes.	Criterion 2. Quality assurance of study programmes.	PC01 – Design of study programmes.
Criterion 1.9. Continuous monitoring and periodic assessment of the study programmes.	Criterion 2. Quality assurance of study programmes.	PC12 – Analysis, review and improvement of study programmes.

Objective 4

Digitalization of student administration tools at the University.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.6. Student support and learning resources.	Criterion 5. Resources and services.	PA15 – Material resource management.

Objective 1

To improve the student experience, instilling a student-centred culture throughout the University.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.4. Student admission, development, recognition and certification.	Criterion 3. Student-centred learning.	PC02 – Student recruitment. PC03 – Admission of new students. PC04 – Registration, issue of degree certificates and maintenance of student records.
Criterion 1.3. Student-centred teaching, learning and assessment.	Criterion 3. Student-centred learning.	PC06 – Student guidance and support. PC07 – Mobility of home studentss. PC08 – Mobility of hosted students. PC09 – Management of external placements.

Objective 2

Promotion of academic excellence.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.4. Student admission, development, recognition and certification.	Criterion 3. Student-centred learning.	PC02 – Student recruitment. PC03 – Admission of new students. PC04 – Registration, issue of degree certificates and student-record keeping.
Criterion 1.3. Student-centred teaching, learning and assessment.	Criterion 3. Student-centred learning.	PC05 – Teaching planning and implementation. PC06 – Student guidance and support.

Objective 3

To achieve student companionship through mentoring.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.3. Student-centred teaching, learning and assessment.	Criterion 3. Student-centred learning.	PC06 – Student guidance and support.
Criterion 1.5. Academic staff.	Criterion 4. Academic/research and teaching support staff.	PA02 – Academic staff training.

Objective 1

To improve the employability of our alumni through provision of support to entrepreneurship and improvement of career prospects.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.3. Student-centred teaching, learning and assessment.	Criterion 3. Student-centred learning.	PC10 – Management of employability.

Objective 2

To encourage closer links between between the University and our alumni.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.3. Student-centred teaching, learning and assessment.	Criterion 3. Student-centred learning.	PC10 – Management of employability.

Objective 3

Bringing senior industry figures in to serve as a source of inspiration to our emerging talent.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.3. Student-centred teaching, learning and assessment.	Criterion 3. Student-centred learning.	PC10 – Management of employability.

Objective 1

To guarantee compliance with ethical standards and academic integrity in the University's research.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.5. Academic staff.	Criterion 4. Academic/research and teaching support staff.	PE02 – Definition of the academic staff policy.

Objective 2

Promoting excellence in research and supporting the development of projects with a social impact.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.5. Academic staff.	Criterion 4. Academic/research and teaching support staff.	PE02 – Definition of the academic staff policy.

Objective 3

To facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology, encouraging collaboration with companies and institutions and promoting innovation.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.7. Information management.	Criterion 2. Quality assurance of study programmes.	PC12 – Analysis, review and improvement of study programmes.

Objective 4

To promote research dissemination, bringing science closer to society and expanding the overall visibility of research results.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.8. Public information	Criterion 9. Publication of information regarding activities and study programmes.	PC14 – Dissemination of public information.

Objective 1

Digitalization of processes for academic staff management.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.6. Student support and learning resources.	Criterion 5. Resources and services.	PA16 – Service management.

Objective 1

To implement HR policies which boost talent recruitment.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.5. Academic staff.	Criterion 4. Academic/research and teaching support staff.	PE02 – Definition of the academic staff policy. PA01 – Selection and recruitment of academic staff.

Objective 2

To promote the training of University staff so that they can improve their teaching, research and management skills, competencies and tools.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.5. Academic staff.	Criterion 4. Academic/research and teaching support staff.	PA02 – Academic staff training.
Criterion 1.6. Student support and learning resources.	Criterion 5. Resources and services.	PA08 – Training of the administrative and service staff.

Objective 3

To possess the best talent by means of human resources policies, promoting the transversal and objective staff development (both the academic staff (PDI) and the technical, management, administration and service staff (PTGAS)).

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.5. Academic staff.	Criterion 4. Academic/research and teaching support staff.	PE02 – Definition of the academic staff policy. PA01 – Selection and recruitment of academic staff. PA03 – Evaluation of teaching (DOCENTIA).
Criterion 1.6. Student support and learning resources.	Criterion 5. Resources and services.	PE03 – Definition of the policy for the administrative and service staff. PA07 – Selection and hiring of the administrative and service staff. PA12 – Administrative and service staff development system.

Objective 4

Improve the well-being and job satisfaction of academic, administrative and service staff.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.5. Academic staff.	Criterion 4. Academic/research and teaching support staff.	PA03 – Evaluation of teaching (DOCENTIA).
Criterion 1.6. Student support and learning resources.	Criterion 5. Resources and services.	PA12 – Administrative and service staff development system.

Objective 1

To incorporate study programmes specific to the university (i.e., non-degree programmes) into the internal quality assurance system (SAIC, the Spanish acronym).

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.1. Quality assurance policy.	Criterion 1. Quality assurance policy and objectives.	PE01 – Establishment, review and updating of the quality assurance policy and objectives.
Criterion 1.1. Quality assurance policy.	Criterion 10. Maintenance and updating of the SAIC.	PE05 – Review and improvement of the SAIC.

Objective 2

To maintain the national and international certifications and quality seals obtained.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.1. Quality assurance policy.	Criterion 10. Maintenance and updating of the SAIC.	PE05 – Review and improvement of the SAIC.
Criterion 1.10. Cyclical external quality assurance.	Criterion 2. Quality assurance of study programmes.	PC12 – Analysis, review and improvement of study programmes.

Objetive 3

To promote a quality culture among the different University stakeholders, so that they know and use the different tools available to them for participation in the continuous improvement of the institution.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.8. Public information.	Criterion 9. Publication of information regarding activities and study programmes.	PC14 – Dissemination of public information.
Criterion 1.7. Information management.	Criterion 2. Quality assurance of study programmes.	PC12 – Analysis, review and improvement of study programmes.
Criterion 1.9. Continuous monitoring and periodic assessment of the study programmes.	Criterion 2. Quality assurance of study programmes.	PC12 – Analysis, review and improvement of study programmes.

Objective 1

To enhance the presence of the University’s Pastoral Service across different areas.

ESG criteria	AUDIT Criteria	SAIC Processes
Criterion 1.3. Student-centred teaching, learning and assessment	Criterion 3. Student-centred learning.	PC06 – Student guidance and support.

• CEU UCH Internal Quality Assurance System.
• Process Manual

• Final ANECA Report on the Design of the Internal Quality Assurance System
• Structure Of The University's Quality Assurance Committees
• Quality Assurance System (Saic) Implementation Certificate – Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencia
• Quality Assurance System (Saic) Implementation Certificate – Faculty of Health Sciences, Elche
• Quality Assurance System (Saic) Implementation Certificate – Faculty of Health Sciences, Castellón
• Quality Assurance System (Saic) Implementation Certificate – ESET (School of Design, Architecture and Engineering)
• Quality Assurance System (Saic) Implementation Certificate – Faculty of the Humanities and the Communication Sciences, Valencia
• Quality Assurance System (Saic) Implementation Certificate – Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Institutional Accreditation of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
• Institutional Accreditation of ESET (School of Design, Architecture and Engineering)
• Institutional Accreditation of The Faculty of The Humanities and the Communication Sciences, Valencia
• Institutional Accreditation of The Faculty of Health Sciences, Castellón

Quality assurance system processes

• Review of the Processes of the Quality Assurance System, 2023/24 bis
• Review of the Processes of the Quality Assurance System, 2023/24
• Review of the Processes of the Quality Assurance System, 2022/23
• Review of the Processes of the Quality Assurance System, 2021/22 bis
• Review of the Processes of the Quality Assurance System, 2021/22
• Review of the Processes of the Quality Assurance System, 2020/21
• Review of the Processes of the Internal Quality Assurance System (SAIC), 2018/19
• Review of the Processes of the Quality Assurance System, 2017/18
• Review of the Processes of the Quality Assurance System, 2016/17
• Review of the Processes of the Quality Assurance System, 2015/16
• Review of the Processes of the Quality Assurance System, 2014/15
• Review of the Processes of the Quality Assurance System, 2013/14

Quality Manual

• Review of the Quality Manual, 2023/24
• Review of the Quality Manual, 2022/23
• Review of the Quality Manual, 2021/22 bis
• Review of the Quality Manual, 2021/22
• Review of the Quality Manual, 2017/18

• Quality Assurance Committee Portal
• SAIC Indicator and Evidence Portal