To ensure high-quality programmes, KU Leuven uses the ‘COBRA’ method. This approach puts continuous quality improvement at the centre: every day, teaching teams, programmes, faculties, and the university work on initiatives to make your education as strong as possible. COBRA also ensures that at least once every four years, these initiatives—and the overall quality of the education delivered—are thoroughly reflected upon.
KU Leuven greatly values the voice of its students. As a ‘receiver’ of education, you have a unique perspective that those who ‘create’ education may sometimes overlook. That’s why, as a student, you may be invited to take part in surveys, feedback sessions and other initiatives that seek your views on different aspects of education. The feedback you provide helps the university identify what could be improved and what deserves appreciation.
Some important surveys:
Take part in surveys and discussions and help us improve education.
Our student representatives have a very specific role within COBRA: they ensure that the student voice is included in continuous quality assurance and in reflection processes. Student representatives are part of the Programme Committees (POCs) and help make sure that your programme runs smoothly.
Student representatives are also active in many other policy-making bodies at KU Leuven. There too, they provide feedback, monitor processes and reflect on the quality of education, the culture of quality, the education policy in place and possible improvements.
Student representatives provide a direct link between the student community and the meetings where advice is given and decisions are made about education, for example, the POC of your programme. This leads to more targeted and effective improvements.
All collected feedback — positive, neutral and negative — is carefully analysed and used to define actions where needed. Depending on the feedback, this may lead to immediate follow-up by an individual lecturer or a Programme Committee (POC), or it may result in broader actions at the faculty or even university level.
The infographic below explains the entire COBRA process. Of course, you can find more information on the KU Leuven website.
Will you take on the role of discussion leader? Then you’ll be the moderator during one or more COBRA discussions with students. You make participants feel at ease, encourage everyone to take part and keep the conversation on track.
But you won’t be on your own! There’s an introductory training to get you fully prepared for your student discussion, and each faculty has a contact person you can turn to with any questions about COBRA.
This training is designed for all discussion leaders. You’ll learn about conversation techniques, preparing for discussions, arranging the space, and reporting. The basic training is offered fully online via Toledo, KU Leuven’s learning platform.