Student Self-Government and Its Role in Ensuring the Quality of Higher Education

Abstract

The article updates the role of studentship and student self-government as an active participant in the educational process, a partner in the processes of reforming higher education, that is involved in the government structures of the higher education institution, particularly, in the process of ensuring the quality of higher education. Based on the analysis of normative legal acts and scientific sources, the authors highlight the state and institutional level of influence of student self-government on decision-making regarding the processes of ensuring the quality of education. The foundation for the development of opportunities for student self-government is provided by the state level, that adopts normative legal documents that create prerequisites to the participation of student self-government in the procedures of ensuring the quality of education, particularly, the Law of Ukraine «On Higher Education», that regulates the activities of student self-government bodies in Ukraine; «Standard of higher education»; «Regulations on the Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Training of Higher Education Candidates», that prescribe requirements for the participation of representatives of student self-government in the system of internal quality assurance. The implementation of the above-mentioned legal acts and the student-centered approach in the educational process of higher education institutions are ensured at the institutional level. Student self-government at the institutional level has a significant number of mechanisms and tools for influencing the internal quality assurance of education, for example through: procedures for the formation and implementation of educational programs at higher education institutions; procedures for ensuring the quality of teaching and learning at higher education institutions; procedures for preventing academic dishonesty at higher education institutions. The authors also highlighted the main tools used at higher education institutions considering the opinion of student self-government, such as: surveys, meetings of project groups, academic councils of faculties and higher education institutions, etc. The implementation of the above-mentioned measures, discussion and response to existing problems with representatives of the student body, are the key to improving the quality of education and the prestige of higher education institutions.