Enhancing the quality of teaching and learning: strategies and practices of academic development in two EU universities

This chapter portrays the particular realities and activities of two Centres devoted to the support and enhancement of teaching in two European Universities, respectively from Scotland and Belgium. After providing an overview of the conceptualization of quality used, we introduce the comparison of the strategic priorities and activities at the light of this theoretical framework. The details emerging from the description of the origins, objectives and the actions implemented affords to derive common denominators and identify key differences in the ways in which the two Universities support academic development, pedagogical innovation and the alignment to EU regulations. The comparison offers a rich overview of the potential of such units to achieve institutional strategic goals to benefit both academics and students and ultimately enhance learning and teaching.