At IST, our philosophy is focused on delivering high quality education. This is secured by a strong and flexible quality assurance system in accordance with international standards and practices followed by Universities abroad. Our quality assurance system applies and monitors all stages of the educational process as well as the administration services offered to students..
At IST we give particular emphasis on the quality assurance of the services offered and, in particular, on the very sensitive sector of university level education, given also the fact that in our country quality evaluation in education is still at an initial stage, especially in the public sector.
At IST, our philosophy is focused on delivering high quality education. This is secured by a strong and flexible quality assurance system in accordance with international standards and practices followed by Universities abroad. Our quality assurance system applies and monitors all stages of the educational process as well as the administration services offered to students.
Recognition of Degrees
Studies at IST are based on the British philosophy regarding higher education, where there is more emphasis placed on the quality rather than the quantity of knowledge as well as to the development of independent thinking and acting on the part of the students.
The degrees awarded by the University of Hertfordshire to the graduates who have attended IST enjoy recognition throughout the world, offering them unlimited possibilities for professional employment and further academic development.
The degrees that are awarded in Greece following programmes at IST are recognised by all of the organisations and businesses of the private sector as well as by several public organisations, which, in fact, have entrusted to us the training of their executives (e.g. Hellenic Navy, Public Power Corporation – DEH).
Recognition by the greater public sector falls under the application of the directives 36/2005 of the European Communities Council, based on which all professional rights of the citizens of the European Union who are holders of degrees from recognised European universities, like the University of Hertfordshire, are equal. More specifically, Article 50, paragraph 3, states the following: ‘In cases of justified doubt, where evidence of formal qualifications, as defines in Article 3 (1) (c), has been issued by a competent authority in a Member State and includes training received in whole or in part in an establishment legally established in the territory of another Member State, the host Member State shall be entitled to verify with the competent body in the Member State of origin of the award :
(a) whether the training course at the establishment which gave the training has been formally certified by the educational establishment based in the Member State of origin of the award
(b) whether the evidence of formal qualifications issued is the same as that which would have been awarded if the course had been followed entirely in the Member State of origin of the award
(c) whether the evidence of formal qualifications confers the same professional rights in the territory of the Member State of origin of the award
IST meets all three of the above stated requirements.
Audit and Continuous Assessment of Quality
Our dedication to assuring quality is highlighted by the fact that our system is evaluated and certified on a regular basis by international independent quality assurance organisations. It must be noted that such an authority is not available at present in Greece, neither in the private nor in the public sector.
ISO, the International Standards Organisation, monitors the quality of the services provided and has certified IST Studies with ISO 9001:2008 for the “design and implementation of university level courses”.
Independent Science and Technology College (IST) Athens was first accredited as ‘an institution proving higher education’ by the British Accreditation Council for Further and Higher Education (BAC) in 2001. It was most recently re-inspected in October 2011.
BAC’s inspectors reported on an excellent standard of provision in all of the areas assessed during the inspection. They considered that IST College was well administered, with motivated and highly qualified staff. The whole operation worked efficiently and effectively. IST College’s facilities were state of the art and would be the envy of most colleges in the private educational sector. The classroom facilities were conducive to a positive learning environment, as were the library and computer facilities. Students were gaining a thorough educational experience of which they are highly appreciative. Teaching, learning and assessment are well coordinated and all within IST College are dedicated to the needs of the students. There was excellent support to enable students to identify and gain appointment in their chosen careers after graduation. The partnership with the University of Hertfordshire was based on mutual respect and clearly operated well.
