Quality Policy

The studies at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) of the Technical University of Crete are aimed at the education and high-level technical training of engineers in modern technology subjects found in the fields of IT, electronics and computer architecture, telecommunications, electric energy systems, and automatic control systems. Its purpose is for the students to acquire the necessary theoretical knowledge in fundamental principles of modern technologies in all above areas, but also to develop applied thinking, which will allow them to solve modern complex technological problems. The School offers multidimensional, in-depth, and modern education, so that its graduates are able to collaborate and compete nationally and globally with their Greek and foreign colleagues. The graduates of our School have successful careers in different professions. Some of our graduates serve as faculty members in universities in North America, Europe, and Greece, are researchers in international and Greek research institutions, work as successful professionals in large companies (in Greece and abroad), or have founded their own.

The faculty and staff of our School is highly qualified. All professors have studied or worked in well-known universities and research centers abroad, or have research collaboration with such universities/centers. The School's international orientation is evident in the participation and frequent distinction of undergraduate and graduate student groups in international competitions. School's infrastructure includes 11 education/research laboratories that support undergraduate and graduate education as well as internationally competitive research supported from competitive national and international funding. The School of ECE places great emphasis on the rigorous and well-rounded education of its students. For this reason, most of the undergraduate courses have a laboratory component which is conducted in the same laboratories where diploma theses and graduate research are carried out. Thus undergraduate students are acquainted with the research conducted in the School of ECE from the early years of their studies.

Research is an integral and highly-valued part of the School’s activities, because it allows the School to actively participate in the advancement of science in the international arena and has direct benefits to our educational efforts. The research conducted by members of the ECE School has led to significant international recognition and awards, including multiple best paper awards. According to the 2011 external evaluation of our School: “...The EEC was impressed by the high standards of the Department in its current core areas and the quality of teaching and research.”

To achieve the above goals and strategic objectives for the Undergraduate Study Program and its continuous improvement, the School of ECE follows a quality assurance policy with the participation of all interested parties (teachers, staff, students), which is aligned with the quality policy of the Technical University of Crete. It is a part of the strategic plan of the Technical University of Crete which provides guidance for the achievement of the following strategic goals: 1. Quality Education, 2. Research and Innovation, 3. Excellence, 4. Human Resource Development, 5. Infrastructure Development, 6. Optimal Operation, 7. Sustainable Development, 8. Outreach, and 9. Internationalization.

The quality policy of the School of ECE includes the necessary procedures to ensure

1. the appropriate structure and organization of the curriculum through coordinated procedures and the achievement of the necessary learning outcomes and professional qualifications, according to European and national standards,
2. the continuous improvement of the quality and effectiveness of the offered teaching work, which is based on student-centered learning and teaching and follows internationally renowned practices,
3. the acquisition of qualifications by its graduates, that meet the needs and demands of the dynamically changing Greek and international job market,
4. the appropriate qualification of faculty and teaching staff through open hiring procedures and merit-based recruitment, evaluation, and promotion,
5. quality, instead of quantity, in the research work of the ECE School members and the attraction of competitive - at the international level - projects, awards, and distinctions,
6. the interconnection of teaching, research, and innovation,
7. the sufficient quality of infrastructure and services, processes, and tools that support learning and academic activities, so that students are offered a top level of study,
8. the encouragement of student and (especially junior) instructor mobility, following a well-defined timeline,
9. the minimization of the administration duties of junior faculty and the development of Academic Capital, so that the School becomes role model for the Technical University of Crete and the other Greek universities.

For the implementation of the above quality policy, the School of ECE operates a periodic internal evaluation of the Undergraduate Curriculum, as well as quality assurance procedures on an annual basis in collaboration with the Quality Assurance Unit of the Technical University of Crete, as described in the "Quality Manual of the Internal Quality Assurance System of the Technical University of Crete" [available in Greek at https://www.modip.tuc.gr/en/quality-assurance/internal-quality-assurance-system]. Also, the Undergraduate Curriculum of the School of ECE undergoes periodic external evaluation by committees of independent experts, according to certification procedures organized by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education.