Quality is built through the participation of the entire academic community.
Through assessment, continuous improvement and the active participation of students, faculty, and technical, administrative and management staff, the University of Minho (UMinho) strengthens the quality of its teaching, research, and services.
UMinho has unequivocally embraced the principle that quality and it's assurance are fundamental to its operations and development. This principle is enshrined in the organization's statutory commitment to conduct its activities within a culture of quality, one founded on responsibility, effective action, and the primacy of the public interest.
To pursue this goal, UMinho has defined an institutional quality strategy, explicitly set out in its Quality Policy and embodied in an internal quality management system, the Internal Quality Management System (SIGAQ-UM). This system is grounded in a foundational document, the Quality Manual, and seeks to address the challenges posed by European standards and guidelines for quality assurance in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
In alignment with UMinho’s mission and strategic objectives, the documents below establish the standards and goals to be pursued by the organization and are to be considered foundational elements for the development and implementation of the quality policy:
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Strategic Plan |
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Action Plan |
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Annual Activities Plan |
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Evaluation and Accountability |
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Activities and Accounts Report |
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Quality Manual |
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To better understand, start here...
What is SIGAQ-UM?
It is the University of Minho’s Internal Quality Management System, responsible for promoting the continuous improvement of the University’s teaching, research, and service activities.
What is the Quality Policy?
It defines the institutional principles and commitments to ensure continuous improvement.
What is the objective of the Quality Policy?
To ensure that the University conducts its activities in accordance with principles of quality, responsibility, effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
Who participates in SIGAQ-UM?
The entire academic community, including students, faculty, researchers, leadership, technical and administrative staff, and other stakeholders.
Quality Management and Accreditation Services Unit
Order RT-44/2020 | Organizational Regulation for the University of Minho Service Units
The University of Minho Service Units constitute logistical, technical, and administrative support structures that ensure the operational backing of the University of Minho’s governing and consultative bodies, as well as its organic, cultural and specialized units. Their internal organization is defined in the Organizational Regulation, published in Order No. 5708/2020 on May 22, 2020, in the "Official Journal of The Portuguese Republic" (Official Gazette), 2nd Series, No. 100/2020.
USGAQ | Mission
[Article 28 of the UMinho Service Units Organizational Regulations]
"The mission of the Quality Management and Accreditation Services Unit is to monitor and support activities promoting and ensuring quality at the University—across teaching, research, and services—in accordance with the highest standards of higher education quality assurance."
✓Última revisão:
13/10/2026|Responsável:
Júlia Lopes
