Quality improvement funds (QVM) - for teaching projects and student projects
Quality improvement funds are used for the targeted improvement of studies and teaching. On the basis of the Study Quality Act, they are earmarked for the optimization of study conditions and the supervision situation.
Quality improvement agents
In March 2011, the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia passed the "Study Quality Act" to improve the quality of studies and teaching.
As compensation for the abolition of tuition fees in the 2011/2012 winter semester, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is providing universities with so-called quality improvement funds (QVM) amounting to 300 million euros per year. This sum is allocated to the universities on a pro rata basis according to the number of students. Criterion for distribution: proportion of students in 1.5 times the standard period of study (Section 1 (2) of the Study Quality Act). By capping the total amount at state level, the funds will not increase automatically and linearly with increasing student numbers in future.
§ Section 2 of the Act for the Improvement of Studies and Teaching at North Rhine-Westphalian Universities (Study Quality Act) regulates the earmarking of quality improvement funds: "The funds under this Act are to be used for the specific purpose of improving teaching and study conditions. In particular, they can be used to improve the ratio of full-time teaching staff to students."
The Study Quality Ordinance of 08.01.2021 specifies the purpose of use:
§ 1 para. 2 "The quality improvement funds are to be used for the specific purpose of improving teaching and study conditions. The funds are to be used in particular to improve the supervision situation with the aim of reducing the number of dropouts and increasing the number of graduates."
§ Section 1 (3) "Each higher education institution shall use at least two thirds of its quality improvement funds for full-time teaching staff and full-time teaching support staff."
The legal provisions
- Study Quality Act of 01.03.2011
- Study Quality Ordinance of 06.07.2011, version 28.01.2021
- Amendment Ordinance - Study Quality Ordinance of 08.01.2021
The distribution of quality improvement funds
The quality improvement funds are distributed proportionally on a faculty/decentralized basis or strategically coordinated centrally. This provides Schools and institutions with a predictable budget that flows directly into the improvement of studies and teaching. In addition, selected funds are used to promote additional projects and initiatives that provide new impetus for good teaching and better study conditions. This project-related funding supplements the basic allocation of funds and enables a targeted response to current needs and development opportunities.
The central quality improvement commission "Commission for Quality Improvement in Teaching and Studies" monitors the use of quality improvement funds and advises on measures to improve study conditions. At faculty level, in the degree programmes and in other decentralized organizational units, faculty QA commissions and QA circles also support the concrete implementation of measures in the respective subject and organizational context.
The Commission for Quality Improvement in Teaching and Studies
The tasks of the commission are regulated in the Act on the Improvement of Quality in Teaching and Studies at North Rhine-Westphalian Universities (Study Quality Act), in particular in Section 4 (1):
- The commission advises the university management
- Gives an opinion on the progress reports to be prepared by the universities every two years
- The commission can draw up planning proposals for the appropriate use of funds
- Can otherwise act by way of self-referral
The composition of the commission is regulated in the Basic Regulations of the University of Siegen (§24 para. 2, current version from 30.09.2020):
- five students
- two university lecturers
- one academic staff member
- one member of technical and administrative staff
- Chair: the responsible Prorectors with an advisory vote by virtue of their office
Commission members are elected for two years by the (University) Senate on the recommendation of the Education Commission.
The elected members 2024:
| Commission for Quality Improvement in Teaching and Studies 2024 (§ 24 GrundO from 30.09.2020/ §23 GrundO from 20.03.2025) |
Members |
|---|---|
| Group of university lecturers and professors | (2) Prof. Dr. Veronika Albrecht-Birkner (Faculty I) Prof. Dr. Eva von Engelberg (Faculty II) |
| Group of academic staff members | (1) Mr. Marc Herrman (Faculty IV) |
| Group of students | (5) Mr. Boran Alaman (Fak. I) (from 17.12.2025) Mr. Jan-Niklas Kellermann (Fak. I) Mr. Elke Kröhner (Fak. II) Mr. Benjamin von Kameke (Fak. III) Mr. Lydia Doreen Mann (Fak. IV) Mr. Sebastian Atakan-Zachrau (Fak. III) (until 30.11.2025 ) |
| Group of employees in technology and administration | (1) Dr. Mathias Scheicher (Fak. I) |
Contact persons
Prorectorates for Studies, Teaching and Quality Management
Prorectors Univ.-Prof. Dr. habil. Hans-Michael Merzendorfer
Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 2 / AR-B 2202/2
57068Siegen
Phone: +49 271 740-3917
E-mail: prorektorat-slq@uni-siegen.de
Personal consultant:
Antje Zoller
Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 2a / AR-NA 510
57076Siegen
Phone: +49 (0) 271 / 740-4645
E-mail: antje.zoller@uni-siegen.de
Quality improvement funds for teaching projects ("Besser lehren!"), student projects ("Besser studieren!") and necessary repairs and replacements for equipment and materials used in teaching ("Besser intakt!")
Tamara El-Sheik
Adolf-Reichwein-Straße 2a / AR-NA 210
57076Siegen
E-mail: tamara.el-sheik@zv.uni-siegen.de
Phone: +49 (0)271 / 740 - 4954
Advice on the tenders
Tamara El-Sheik
Room: AR-NA 210
Phone: 0271 740-4954
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Advice on the internal Besser! funding lines (teach/study/intakt): General advice on calls for proposals and applications as well as financial planning
Antje Zoller
Room: AR-NA 510
Phone: 0271 740-4645
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Advice on content requirements
E-mail
If you have any further questions, please write to lehrentwicklung@uni-siegen.de.