Engineering studies in Spatial Management, conducted by the Faculty of Human Geography and Planning of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, has been awarded the prestigious Association of European Schools of Planning Quality Recognition (AESOP QR) certificate. The certificate was awarded for the years 2020-2026, at the annual AESOP Heads of Schools Meeting.
The Association of European Schools of Planning is the Association of European Schools of Planning which is a network of European universities, their faculties and affiliated schools dedicated to teaching and research in urban and regional planning. The Association was founded in 1987 in Belgium and currently has more than 150 research and teaching units. The Faculty of Human Geography and Planning of Adam Mickiewicz University is an institutional member of this organization.
AESOP QR is a program of continuous quality support for education in spatial planning. It is based on voluntariness, mutual support and sharing of best practices. It reflects the changing demands on AESOP member schools. The guiding motto of AESOP QR is to promote excellence in teaching.
The aim of AESOP through the awarding of QRs is to enhance the quality of research and professional education of university staff involved in urban planning education in Europe and beyond.
The process of awarding AESOP QRs goes beyond the mere evaluation of curricula in urban planning fields of study. It is based on partnership, knowledge exchange and involves close interaction between reviewers selected by AESOP from different countries and representatives of the institution applying for the certificate. The application is reviewed twice and the evaluation process takes many months.
After the first review is received, a workshop is organized which is attended by the reviewers and the preparer of the application. During these workshops, consultations and discussions are held to develop the best form of the application. The consultations involve the exchange of experiences and sharing of knowledge on the application of good practices in urban planning teaching.
Through this evaluation process, applicants have the opportunity to review their existing study plan against the requirements of AESOP and determine its compatibility with current challenges posed by the economy and society. They also learn about the requirements for institutions teaching urban planning at the international level. The evaluation process is based on the principles of partnership, in which the applicants are equal participants in the discussions held with the reviewers regarding the quality of the submitted proposal.
The reviewers of the application submitted in early 2020 by the representatives of the AMU Faculty of Human Geography and Planning, were professors; Angelique Chettiparamb (University of Reeding, United Kingdom) and Paulo Silva (University of Aveiro, Portugal). In turn, the organizer of the evaluation process and awarding the certificate on behalf of AESOP was Professor Daniel Galland from Aalborg University in Copenhagen.
AESOP Quality Recognition Certificate is awarded for 6 years during the annual AESOP General Assembly. Due to the cancellation of the Assembly meeting this year due to the Covid-19 threat, the certificate was awarded at the AESOP Heads of School Meeting and published on the Association’s website. Obtaining a certificate for engineering studies in the field of spatial management is an important international distinction for the Faculty of Human Geography and Planning and gives greater recognition to this field of study not only in Poland but also abroad.
It is worth mentioning that the Faculty of Human Geography and Planning at Adam Mickiewicz University has been recognized as the best in the national ranking Perspectives 2020.
