External expertise is integrated into activities at the Department of Veterinary Medicine with the aim of supporting development and further development of academic programs. It is an additional tool used to supplement the quality assurance implemented in studies and teaching activities. This expertise is solicited through the regular involvement of external experts. This takes place for the different degree programs either within the context of a Peer Consultation with external specialists or through an EAEVE peer review process. Which form of external expertise is intended for the relevant degree programs at the Department of Veterinary Medicine can be seen from the roadmap on the integration of external expertise at the Department of Veterinary Medicine.

A Peer Consultation provides a structured setting for an objective evaluation of individual degree programs that integrates input from external specialists in the area, external students, and professionals working outside academia. Depending on the specific case, the process aims either to guarantee that quality standards are met when creating a new degree program or to assess existing programs at regular intervals and identify potential areas for development. A Peer Consultation for existing degree programs is held at least once during the accreditation period, and beyond that at least every eight years.The process entails a self-critique by departments that takes place before the actual consultation. For existing degree programs the findings from other quality assessments should be taken into account when reviewing the current degree program design. Departments should collect topics and questions in advance that should be addressed during the consultation with outside experts. The external reviewers’ evaluation and recommendations serve as a basis for creating new degree programs or for reshaping and improving an existing one.

All relevant information and documents on planning and implementation can be found here.

Information on the peer review process of the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE) can be found here.