Program Development

1.1.  Fully Executing the David Kerns Six step model for validation

Following the authorisation, the University plans to execute validation mechanisms for its curriculum using David Kerns Six step model.

  • The institutional mechanisms provided for in curriculum mapping and assessments (so-called exam boards, which will check the implementation of curricula and student achievement) will be implemented together.
  • Programs, modules and subjects will be assessed; If necessary, programs will be strengthened – new modules/ subjects or staff will be added;
  • Training/retraining of academic staff will continue;
  • Students will be informed about the possibility of

1.2.  Obtaining accreditation for the program(2024-2025)

After the authorisation, the University plans to obtain accreditation for the existing programs under the CAAM-HP, which will increase the awareness of the programs in the local market and regionally.

  • Priorities will be set between these programs based on student demand and academic staff / university resources and research interests, and an action plan will be formulated;
  • Programs and modules will be evaluated; If necessary, programs will be strengthened – new modules / subjects or staff will be added;
  • The accreditation process will take

1.3. Adding new educational programs (2025-2025\6)

In 2024, the university will start working on new educational programs. One of the possible directions is the Doctor of Medicine Integrative Medicine. The Integrative Medicine program is in line with the mission and vision of the University, particularly in terms of educating future leaders. Programs will be added through accreditation.

  • Competitions will be announced and new academic staff will be added;
  • The relevant concept will be prepared and the relevant action plan will be written;
  • A program will be created and prepared for the accreditation process;
  • The accreditation process will take

1.4.  Obtaining international accreditation (2026-2027)

In 2025, the University, will begin work on obtaining accreditation from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA).

    • The readiness of the University will be
    • The relevant expert/experts will be found and hired to evaluate and assist the University in bringing the QAA into compliance with the standards;
    • The application will be submitted to QAA and the accreditation process will take

Organisational Development

2.1.  Diversification of the financial sources (2024-2029)

The university will not have a financial sustainability problem as funding is provided by the founder and the fees paid by the students will be spent on the development of the university. At the same time, in parallel with the investment by the founder, it is desirable to diversify the financial resources of the university.

  • The University will develop various areas of economic activity that will allow it to have diversified sources of income. Revenue diversification policy will be developed for this purpose.
  • Research and consulting services will be launched;
  • Develop and start short-term training;
  • External funding sources will be obtained for conducting

2.2.  Development of the human resources (2024-2029)

The University considers the continuous development of human resources as a priority. It will develop a human resource planning, development and management strategy that addresses existing challenges and defines the skills, experience, competencies, characteristics and quantities of employees required in various fields, developing their attraction plan, developing personnel management and management mechanisms; A fair and dignified work environment will be created for employees, where each employee feels valued and believes that the work environment is fair and non-discriminatory. Employees are encouraged to perform their duties fairly, and sanctions are imposed under strictly defined conditions. Critical thinking will be promoted and the rights of the whistle-blower will be protected.

  • Human Resource Planning, Development and Management Strategy will be developed;
  • Staff information mechanisms will be developed and implemented
  • Introduction of mechanisms required for professional development of staff (eg training, mentoring, ) will be introduced.

2.3.  Development of the management system (2024-2029)

The University realises that with the launch of the activity, it will be necessary to introduce the mechanics of permanent development of the management system:

  • The management structure will be assessed and refined;
  • The electronic personnel management system will be developed and implemented;
  • The structural units will be fully staffed and the necessary employees will be found / hired;

2.4.  Infrastructure development/improvement (2024-2029)

The University will constantly take care of the development of its own infrastructure to make it more modern and comfortable for study, research and social interaction.

  • Periodic evaluation and optimisation of the placement of study programs, research center(s), student activities and administrative units in the existing building will be carried out.
  • Measures to improve environmental standards on the campus (surveys, information meetings and trainings) will be conducted to provide feedback from students and staff and also provide them with the necessary information.

Developing Research activities

The University realises that active research is the foundation of academic success. From the very beginning, the university will support the academic staff who are already engaged in research activities. At the same time, in the first stage of strategic development, the university will create the appropriate infrastructure and start cooperation with Universities worldwide.

3.1.  Creating research infrastructure (2024-2027)

  • A Research Promotion Strategy and Action Plan based on the present strategic development plan will be developed;
  • Research centers / laboratories in compliance with academic programs will be created (step by step), on the basis of which studies in the fields of medicines and alternative medicine and complementary medicine will be planned; The regulations and concepts of the research will be developed, which will determine the direction and goals of the center’s activities; Will be allocated appropriate area and will be equipped; If necessary, additional researcher / researchers or support staff will be recruited.

3.2.  Promoting research activities (2024-2027)

  • The University will fund research activities and allocate internal grants for its own or invited academic staff;
  • The University shall provide funding for the attendance of research staff at scientific-research conferences and establish an appropriate mechanism;
  • The University will assist research staff and centers in obtaining the external funding required for the research. National scientific foundations will be a priority in this direction;
  • The University will organize scientific-research conferences on the spot;

3.3.  Using research results (2024-2027)

Among research projects university will prioritize projects that identify and address societal problems;

  • Interactive delivery of project progress and results to the public during and after the implementation of each project;
  • The University will support the introduction of research results into curricula – each researcher will be responsible for enriching their own curriculum with the knowledge created/accumulated during the research.

3.4 Attract and involve young people in science (2024-2027)

The university will help involve its own students in scientific projects. For this purpose:

  • Prior to the commencement of each project, the academic staff implementing the project will hold public lectures and meetings, where they will present research projects to university students and also talk about research activities;
  • When approving research projects funded by the University, the mandatory criterion will be the involvement of students in the research project. Research modules will be created based on the existing research projects, where students will be able to participate and obtain credits
  • If there is a position of a paid research assistant in external funding projects, preference will be given to university students;
  • The participation of students in projects, in addition to loans, may be reflected in financial support (including in the form of tuition tax benefits).

Developing the Quality

4.1.  Development of internal quality management system (2024-2027).

The University will constantly take care of the development of the quality management system. By considering the best practices of the Partner University and also in order to develop the quality culture.

  • With the participation of students and academic staff, joint committees will be set up where students and academic staff will be represented according to fields. The committee will meet regularly to discuss issues related to improving the quality of programs;
  • The University will implement an evaluation and development system for academic and invited staff. The following approaches will be used in internal evaluation: a). A staff self-assessment system will be introduced; B). A peer review system will be introduced; C). Regular survey of students will be conducted; This system also includes research activities of academic and scientific staff. Developments will be planned based on the assessment University and faculty quality management services will be able to develop their own expertise and participate in national or international events for this purpose.

4.2.  Introduction of an external evaluation system (2024-2027)

  • The University shall conduct regular evaluation of the University’s programs by the quality assurance agencies and accreditation agencies based on the David Kerns Six Step model-medical curriculum development.
  • The University will periodically invite independent (local and international) experts within the framework of program and international accreditation and through them will evaluate the results of the current programs.

4.3. Activation of the developmental mechanisms (2024-2027)

  • The University will analyse the results obtained from internal and external evaluation and plan appropriate steps;
  • The University will update educational programmes if needed;
  • Provides the purchase of material resources if necessary;
  • Human resources will be systematically developed (see 4.1.2)

Internationalization of Teaching, Research and Management

5.1.  Develop an internationalization strategy and action plan (2023)

  • An internationalization strategy and action plan will be It will rely on this strategy and take into account the main directions given in it (see below).

5.2.2 In the research direction, preference will be given to “mentoring in research” when the research is conducted by university staff and with the support of other University colleagues;

5.2.3 At a later stage, the University will support the preparation of joint research project applications; At the end of the implementation of the strategic plan, the university should be ready to implement joint research programs with the worldwide partner university.

5.3.  Promoting student and staff participation in international mobility

The University strives to create institutional mechanisms for international mobility of students and university staff (both academic and administrative), as this contributes to the continuous development of quality. The university will be ready to be active in terms of mobility in terms of both student and university staff development and admission.

  • The University will initiate mobility programs with the partner universities worldwide;
  • Memoranda of Understanding on the development and implementation of exchange programs with other partner universities will also be signed;
  • The University seeks cooperation within Erasmus+;
  • The University will provide continuous development of an institutional mechanism promoting international mobility and will continuously inform students and university staff about the existing opportunities.

5.4. Attracting foreign students

An important part of internationalization is the internationalization of the student contingent. For this purpose:

  • Relations with student recruitment partner organizations will be deepened;
  • The internal mechanisms of the University will be constantly developing in the areas of identifying and providing for the needs of students; In order to ensure quality, a partner university(-ies) will be constantly involved in these

5.5. Attracting foreign academic personnel

The university implements all programs in English. Accordingly, in accordance with the legislation of Montserrat, foreign candidates will be considered in the selection of academic staff:

  • Academic competitions announced after receiving the authorization will be of an international character; foreign academic staff will be recruited on the basis of a long-term contract, using the recruitment platform of staff from different countries;
  • Memoranda of Understanding will be signed with partner universities on the exchange of academic staff (see 5.1.).

5.6.  Attracting foreign administrative staff

Similar to the present strategic task:

  • After receiving the authorization, international competitions will be announced for the leading administrative positions;
  • The Institute of Short and Long-Term Advisors of Partner Universities, which assisted the University in the development of the management system, will be actively used.

5.7.  Implementation of joint international research projects

  • The University will facilitate the participation of academic staff in international conferences (see 3.2.2);
  • The University will organize international scientific conferences on the spot and invite scientific and academic staff from partner foreign organizations (see 3.2.3);
  • The University seeks to attract international funding for joint research (see 5.2.2 and 5.2.3).

Collaborate with the Public, Create and Increase awareness

Valhalla Westchester College of Medicine Montserrat is a newly established higher education institution in Montserrat and despite its strengths, it is necessary to communicate with the public about the mission, goals and structural advantages of the University, both locally (in Montserrat) and globally. Also, the University believes that it is its social responsibility to constantly provide information to the public about current research or other activities at the University. For this purpose:

6.1.  Develop a communication strategy and plan (2024)

  • A communication strategy and action plan will be developed. It will be based on this strategy and will target the target audience.

6.2.  Creating an online channel for the university (2024-2028)

The university administration, in cooperation with the students, will create an online communication channel of the university:

  • Develop a channel concept and development strategy;
  • The channel will be posted on the University website and social network;
  • Videos will be prepared for the purpose of popularizing the academic staff of the University, students, current projects, and the current life of the University in general, and the created products will be distributed on the online channel and through various communication channels.

6.3.  Promoting program specifics and teaching methods (2025-2029)

The university’s undergraduate programs are based on the David Kerns Six Step model and experience, as well as teaching-learning methodologies that need to be communicated to the appropriate audience. Particular emphasis will be placed on the Affiliation Agreement with the Universities worldwide and the opportunities for internationalization of the academic process.

  • Information/advertising materials will be created and delivered to the target groups through various communication channels, including the University website, social networks and mass media;
  • Short informative films on curricula will be prepared and disseminated through various communication channels, including the University website, social networks and mass media;

6.4.  Promoting University research projects

The University places particular emphasis on conducting important practical research for the community. Once the research activities have started and the first results will be available:

  • Community/target groups will be informed about research projects (see 2.3).
  • University workshops/conferences will be organized, where research conducted within the University will be presented for discussions.

6.5  Student projects and their promotion

  • The University allocates funds to support student projects; Relevant information will be posted on the university’s website and social network and meetings will be organized
  • Videos on student projects will be prepared and disseminated through the University Online Channel; If necessary, the media will be used for this purpose;