European studies

Programme QA Governance and Committees
On 8 April 2024, the Degree Programme Council approved the composition of the Programme Quality Assurance Committee (Commissione di Gestione dell’Assicurazione della Qualità – CGAQ), which includes ex officio members, tenured academic staff, technical–administrative personnel involved in teaching, and student representatives.
CGAQ Composition:

• Prof. Angelo Castaldo (ex officio, Programme Chair)
• Prof. Alessandra Paolini (tenured faculty)
• Prof. Cristina Napoli (tenured faculty)
• Dr. Sabrina Ozzella (Teaching Manager, Faculty of Law)
• Dr. Lucia Virgillo (Academic Affairs Officer, Department of Legal and Economic Studies – DSGE)
• Dr. Daniele Graziano (Academic Affairs Officer, Department of Legal Sciences – DSG)
• Ms. Benedetta Tomassini (student representative)
• Mr. Davide Mercurio (student representative)

The CGAQ convenes regularly to prepare and analyse strategic documentation related to the self-assessment process of the programme, in line with Ministerial Decree No. 6/2019. In particular, it is responsible for drafting the Cyclical Review Report and the Annual Monitoring Report, supporting the Programme Chair in the planning and revision of the academic offering, and updating the SUA–Didattica form.

Permanent Committees Supporting the CGAQ
The CGAQ is supported by three Permanent Committees, formally established by the Degree Programme Council on the same date, each with specific responsibilities:
Admissions Committee
Responsible for managing student admissions, supporting the CGAQ and the Programme Chair in decisions related to student access, promoting international agreements, and developing strategies to enhance the attractiveness of the programme. Faculty members also serve as academic tutors in the University’s GOMP information system.
Members:

• Prof. Antonio Capizzi
• Dr. Davide Perrone
• Dr. Lucia Virgillo

Student Progress Committee
Monitors student academic progress, identifies any critical issues, and proposes interventions to ensure timely and successful degree completion. It also reviews the consistency of the course offerings and flags any scheduling conflicts.
Members:

• Prof. Angelo Schillaci
• Prof. Cristina Napoli

Both members are also designated as academic tutors.
Career and External Relations Committee
Focuses on connections with the labour market, promotes internships and traineeships, drafts the Regulations on Other Educational Activities (AAF), and supports the creation of the Advisory Board.
Members:

• Prof. Maria Irene Papa
• Prof. Alessandra Paolini

Both are also designated academic tutors for the programme.

QA Organisational Roles

• Programme Chair (Prof. Angelo Castaldo)
  Oversees the QA system for the degree programme and monitors compliance with university rules and regulations, with the support of the CGAQ and input from the Joint Student–Faculty Committee.
• CGAQ
  Monitors programme performance and results, drafts the Review Report, identifies strengths and weaknesses, and proposes corrective actions.
• Academic Affairs Officer (Dr. Lucia Virgillo – DSGE)
  Supports the CGAQ and Programme Chair in implementing the academic offer, managing study plans, career abbreviations, and incoming transfers.
• Teaching Manager (Dr. Sabrina Ozzella)
  Provides administrative–technical support for teaching activities.
• Programme Council
  Convened by the Chair, it defines strategic directions, reviews the academic offering, evaluates the Review Report, and proposes continuous improvement actions.

Annual Monitoring Cycle and AVA3 Indicators
Each year in June and July, the CGAQ conducts a preliminary analysis of the AVA3 indicators, both to support internal discussions within the Council and to raise awareness among programme stakeholders about possible areas for improvement. In 2024, this process also informed the Council's discussion on alignment with the “Decreto Classi”, which regulates the reform of academic degree structures.
Starting from academic year 2024/2025, self-assessment activities also include the drafting of the Annual Synthetic Review Report (DARS–OPIS) based on student feedback data (OPIS), with the goal of enhancing the Council’s awareness of student perceptions and potential areas for teaching improvement.

Self-Assessment Cycle
Phase I – Drafting of the Provisional Annual Monitoring Report (by November)

• The CGAQ analyses AVA/ANVUR and OPIS data and prepares a draft Annual Monitoring Report (SMA) using the template provided by the Quality Team (TQ).
• The draft is submitted to:
  
  • Joint Student–Faculty Committee (CPDS)
  • Programme Coordinator (CM)
  • Faculty Teaching Manager (MDF)
  • Quality Team (TQ)
• The CM, with support from the MDF and department teaching staff, assists the CGAQ with the drafting.

Phase II – Review and Improvement (December 2024 – January 2025)

• By mid-December:
  The CM provides feedback using the evaluation grid; the SMA may be amended accordingly.
• By 31 December:
  The CPDS submits its Annual Report, offering further input for corrective measures.
• By mid-January:
  The CGAQ revises the SMA based on feedback. The updated report is presented to the Council, which:
  • Analyses indicators and OPIS data
  • Discusses student and CPDS comments
  • Approves corrective actions
  • Adopts the final version of the SMA
• The SMA is returned to the CM, who completes the final evaluation grid.
• By the end of January:
  If further comments are raised, the Council finalises and approves the SMA, which is then submitted to the MDF.

Phase III – Submission and Publication (by end of January 2025)

• The MDF publishes a summary on the national portal (ava.miur.it), highlighting any critical points.
• The final SMA is submitted to:
  
  • University Evaluation Unit (NVA)
  • CPDS
  • Programme Coordinator (CM)
  • Quality Team (TQ)

Student Feedback Analysis (OPIS) and DARS–OPIS
The DARS–OPIS summarises and interprets student satisfaction data, identifying critical areas and improvement actions.
Phase I – Data Access and Initial Drafting (September – November 2024)

• By October:
  Programme Chairs access OPIS data via the dedicated platform.
• By November:
  
  • The CGAQ prepares the first draft of the DARS–OPIS using the TQ template.
  • The draft is shared with the CPDS.
  • With support from the programme’s Teaching Observatory, the CPDS analyses:
    
    • the CGAQ’s assessment
    • the proposed corrective measures

Phase II – Review and Approval (November – December 2024)

• By early December:
  The CPDS submits its feedback. The CGAQ revises and finalises the DARS–OPIS accordingly.
• By mid-December:
  The Council discusses OPIS data, approves the DARS–OPIS, and shares it with:
  • CPDS (for its Annual Report)
  • Affiliated Department
  • TQ
  • NVA
  • Programme Coordinator (CM)

Phase III – Final Review (by end of February 2025)

• The CM reviews the DARS–OPIS using the TQ evaluation grid and assesses:
  
  • the process quality
  • the analysis depth
  • the relevance of identified improvement areas
• By the end of February:
  The completed evaluation grid is returned to the programme and to the TQ.

The CGAQ plays a central role in this process, from drafting the initial analysis to coordinating discussions, improving documents, and ensuring shared ownership of the programme’s quality improvement strategy.