1. Evolution of the Regulatory Framework for Internal Evaluation Groups (OMEA)

The role and responsibilities of the Departmental Internal Evaluation Group (OMEA) were initially defined in Law 3374/2005 (Article 5):

"The academic units undergoing evaluation (Schools or Departments) shall, by decision of their General Assemblies, appoint Internal Evaluation Groups (OMEA). These groups are comprised of faculty members, primarily at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor, with internationally recognized scientific contributions and, preferably, experience in quality assurance procedures. A student representative, designated by the competent representative body, also participates in the OMEA. The OMEA is responsible for conducting the evaluation process within the respective academic unit, monitoring the completion of questionnaires, and informing the governing bodies and members of the academic unit regarding the responses and the results of the dialogue with faculty and students. It collects all necessary data and, based on these, drafts the Internal Evaluation Report of the academic unit, which is subsequently transmitted to the institution's Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP) and, through it, to the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQA/ADIP)."

Article 5 of Law 3374/2005 was repealed by Article 81, Paragraph 23 of Law 4009/2011. According to Law 4009/2011 (Article 10, Para. 6, point f): "The Assembly holds the following responsibilities, as well as any others provided by the provisions of this law, the University Charter, and the Internal Regulations: f) the formation of groups for the internal evaluation of the curriculum.". This article was subsequently repealed by Law 4485/2017. The next reference to the OMEA is found in Law 4485/2017 (Article 21, Para. 2, point k):

"2. The Departmental Assembly holds the following responsibilities and any others provided by the provisions of this law, the Charter, the Internal Regulations, and other provisions of current legislation: k) the formation of groups for the internal evaluation of the Department."

The aforementioned article was repealed by Law 4957/2022. Law 4957/2022 (Article 30, point ka) currently stipulates: "Responsibilities of the Departmental Assembly: ka) to submit proposals to the Quality Assurance Committee for the formation of groups for the internal evaluation of the Department, its constituent academic units, and its study programs."

Internal Evaluation Groups (OMEA) are established within academic units (Departments). They serve a coordinating, advisory, and executive role, acting as the primary liaison between the University’s Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP-UoP) and the respective academic unit.

The members of the OMEA are appointed by the Departmental Assemblies and may include:

• (a) Faculty members (ΔΕΠ), with priority given to the ranks of Professor and Associate Professor;

• (b) members of the Special Teaching Staff (ΕΕΠ);

• (c) members of the Laboratory Teaching Staff (ΕΔΙΠ);

• (d) a student representative also participates in the Departmental Internal Evaluation Group (ΟΜΕΑ).

It is recommended that selected individuals possess internationally recognized scientific contributions and, preferably, experience in quality assurance procedures. The Chair of the Department shall ensure the appointment of a staff member to provide administrative support for the OMEA’s activities. The exact number of members constituting the OMEA, as well as the specific scope of its duties, is determined by the respective Department.

• ✓ Submits proposals for the annual strategic goals (quality objectives and corresponding Key Performance Indicators/KPIs) and the Department’s Quality Policy to the Assembly. It is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the Department's annual goal attainment and proposes adjustments to objectives in cases of deviations from the established timeline. Causes of deviations from initial quantitative targets are documented, and corrective or improvement actions are identified.

• ✓ Designs, schedules, and coordinates the internal evaluation of the Department and its study programs (Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Doctoral) in collaboration with the Department’s statutory committees and the Quality Assurance Unit (MODIP).

• ✓ Monitors the completion of: (a) course inventory sheets (per semester), and (b) student evaluation questionnaires regarding teaching performance; it subsequently informs the academic unit of the evaluation findings (reports).

• ✓ Oversees the timely collection and entry of quality data into the Integrated Information Quality System (IISQS/OPESPA) of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education, in cooperation with the Departmental Secretariat and the secretariats of each Postgraduate Program.

• ✓ Compiles the necessary documentation for the accreditation proposals of all three cycles of higher education study programs, as well as for new study programs prior to their commencement, and transmits this material to Hellenic Authority for Higher Education  (via MODIP).

• ✓ Participates in external evaluation processes conducted by committees of independent experts organized by Hellenic Authority for Higher Education.

• ✓ Proposes an Action Plan to the Departmental Assembly, detailing the measures to be taken to achieve proposed improvements and address any weaknesses identified in the HAHE External Evaluation and Accreditation Report.

• ✓ Drafts the Monitoring Report in collaboration with the members of the Departmental Assembly and submits it to MODIP.