Report summary
In the process of the sample evaluation of the postgraduate doctoral study program
Strategic Communication and Management of the third level, carried out by FUDÅ , the
members of the group of experts did not detect any major shortcomings or nonconformities and no partial fulfillment of quality standards. We detected some advantages,
the most in the 4th standard, for which we also listed the most recommendations. FUDÅ
regularly evaluates and updates the content, composition and implementation of the study
program, but since the self -evaluation reports are primarily focused on quantitative data,
it suggests introducing more substantive assessments of what the results mean for the
program and its goals. It also suggests supplementing them with concrete substantive and
professional arguments about the results achieved and finding a way to greater
involvement of stakeholders f rom the environment. FUDÅ ensures the closure of the quality
circle and adequately implements the tasks planned on the basis of the results of the self -
evaluation of the study program, which is evident f rom the self -evaluation reports, but it
suggests to include more argumentation and reflection in these reports, to go beyond the
quantitative presentation of the situation and to strengthen and clarify the role of individual
stakeholders in the formulation of measures and strengthen that part of the self -evaluation
that requires substantive evaluation of the ef fects of the measures. In them, significantly
more attention and content should be devoted to the research work of doctoral students,
which is very modestly presented in the reports, as well as its connection with FUDÅ 's
research profile and projects.
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FUDÅ regularly monitors the implementation of the study program and changes and
improves it, and the similarity of the Strategic Communication and Management doctoral
study program with the Sociology doctoral study at the same institute is noticeable, which
makes it dif ficult to clearly profile individual study courses and subjects. The subjectspecific competences listed in the description of both doctoral study courses - strategic
communication and management - are very dif ficult to achieve with only one compulsory
course f rom a narrower field of study. It is suggested to think about additional compulsory
subjects that will achieve a more complete familiarization of students with the entire
scientific field they are studying. We observe a modest amount of teaching content in the
field of fundamental research methodology, which would standardize the entry
competences of doctoral students, given that the analyzed doctoral program currently
of fers only one course with advanced methodological content. The horizontal and vertical
connection of doctoral study subjects with elective subjects is weak, as they do not cover
comprehensive content f rom the scientific field of communication and management, which
is especially evident when analyzing the doctoral theses submitted and completed so far.
The application and implementation of FUDÅ 's scientific research projects is successful in
terms of number and heterogeneity, but it must be coordinated to a greater extent with
the desired research profile of FUDÅ , as well as to a greater extent with the programs
of fered by doctoral studies. It is necessary to introduce mechanisms and a comprehensive
approach that will ensure the participation of doctoral students in the institution's scientific
research projects and coordinate the topics of doctoral dissertations with project research
topics, instead of leaving the initiative to individual project managers and university
teachers on doctoral studies.
The method, form and scope of the study program implementation correspond to its
content, composition, type and level, so that the study content and personnel resources
are suitably adapted and provided. There are quite a few advantages to be found in the
implementation of the study program, but there are certain issues that still need to be
worked out. For example, it is necessary to formally determine what is meant by the term
"academic colloquium", which is interpreted and understood dif ferently by various actors
and participants of the completed evaluation, and then this form of work should also be
addressed in the study program and in the doctoral study schedule. More specifically, it
suggests defining the orientations when choosing a research doctoral topic; to judge to
what extent the paid availability of lecture recordings and other forms of online support is
meaningful and useful to students; pay even more attention to more systematic training
of students in the use and citation of professional literature, on avoiding plagiarism and on
academic writing; to consider the optimization of space in Ljubljana for the uninterrupted
work of professional services, lectures and seminars and for individual consultations of
mentors and students; to consider the possibilities of implementing the program in more
suitable, larger premises, which, for example, FUDÅ has at the location in Nova Gorica;
continue upgrading the information system; to encourage students to use the materials
and resources provided by FUDÅ , since only 1/3 of doctoral students are enrolled in the
library; to assess the possibility of staf fing professional services due to the consequences
of increased enrollment; increase the number of formal group meetings - academic
colloquia and other forms, such as winter camp and professional conferences, as students
value them as particularly useful; above all, to find a way to significantly increase the
involvement of doctoral students in the institution's research projects, which represent a
great but underutilized advantage of the institution for doctoral studies.
Ensuring the rights of stakeholders in the study process is guaranteed.
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In response to the preliminary report, FUDÅ prepared an action plan for the realization of
all given recommendations with outline activities, an appropriate timeline and key
responsible persons.