The European Dimension of Quality Assurance

Henrik Toft Jensen EUAConference “Quality Assurance in Higher

Educationand Vocational Education and Training

University of Graz, 11 May 2006

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European University Association (EUA)

EUA: main representative organisation of universities (c750) and their national Rectors’ Conferences (34) in 45 countries across Europe

Mission: to promote coherence in European higher education and research through: Policy development

Support to members (projects & services)

Particular focus on Bologna implementation

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Lisbon and Bologna

The Lisbon strategy: -> to make Europe the most

competitive knowledge based society also by 2010: shared

expertise, knowledge and resources with priority on

research training, through FP7 - including ERC & now EIT.

EU 25 countries

The Bologna Process: Governmental push for

convergence in 1999 implementation in universities

across Europe. EHEA by 2010. 45 countries

HEIs increasingly recognised as central actors if the Lisbon

& EHEA goals are to be reached

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Changing higher education landscape: The conflicting demands on institutions

increase participation & widen access / cut costs & charge fees

be more local / more regional / more European / more global

increase mobility within Europe / attract more students & scholars from outside Europe

improve academic quality / be more responsive to labour market by providing graduates with more employable skills

provide compatible curricula across Europe / maintain cultural diversity & be more learner-centred

be more autonomous / conform to set framework

be more competitive / be more socially inclusive

… and do it all with decreasing public funding...

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EUA role in the Bologna Process

Policy positions for the European higher education sector Salamanca, Graz and Glasgow Declarations

Participation in Bologna decision making EUA is a member in the BFUG and in all its working groups EUA represents European HEIs in the biannual Ministerial meetings

Support to members in implementing reforms Conferences, seminars and workshops Programmes & projects focusing on developing & sharing good

practice..

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QA: an essential tool

Because universities have to take care of quality Because of the international competitionBecause of the Bologna processBecause of the Lisbon objectives

EUA is very active in this area through projects and policy development

universities

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EUA’s activities in (or linked to) the QA area: A wealth of concrete experience

The Institutional Evaluation programme: 150 institutions in 36 countriesThe Quality Culture Project: 150 institutions in about 30 countriesTrends – accompanying the Bologna processJoint MastersDoctoral studiesEMNEM (European Masters New Evaluation Methodology – guidelines for internal QA of joint programmes)Higher Education Reform information project – for Bologna promoters (new)Creativity in Higher Education (new)Doc Careers (new) Quality Forum (new)

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Policy involvement of EUA in QA At national level:

Representation in the Boards of QA agencies: CNE (FR), HAC (HU), IUQB (IR), CRUIE (IT), etc.

Discussions with QA agencies and governments on the development of national QA frameworks

At European Level : Member of ENQA Member of the Bologna Follow-Up Group and Board Discussions with ENQA/ESIB/EURASHE (E4)

At international level: Member of CHEA’s International Commission (USA) UNESCO and OECD

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European level: Changes in the quality debate

Bologna Declaration (1999): quality is not a key issuePrague Communiqué (2001): the role of QA agencies predominatesBerlin Communiqué (2003): Quality moves to the top of the agendaThe responsibilities of HEIs is acknowledged

Bergen Communiqué (2005): Quality of QA processes

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Bergen: Key decisions regarding QA

1. Standards and guidelines apply to:

Internal quality processes in institutions

External quality processes of institutions

External quality processes of QA agencies

-> Risk: looking at this as a checklist! -> rigidity/standardisation

2. Peer-review process

3. Register of QA agencies operating in Europe

-> Risk: looking at this as the prerogative of QA agencies! -> conflict

of interest

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Post-Bergen development: the EC Recommendation

(adopted on 15 February 2006

Encourage HEIs to develop internal quality processesEncourage QA agencies to apply the Bergen standards and guidelinesEncourage the establishment of a register of QA agenciesEnable HEIs to turn to any agency in the register, provided it is compatible with national legislation or permitted by national authorities.

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Post-Bergen discussion: Issues and Questions

1. Policy and structural issues:Will the Register be developed in the framework of the Europe of 25 or the Bologna process that includes 45 countries?What should be the appropriate role of ENQA in order to avoid a conflict of interest?What will be the degree of autonomy of the Register Committee vis-à-vis governments and to whom should it be accountable?

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Post-Bergen discussion: Issues and Questions

2. Content issues:Will the Register include any and all QA/accreditation agencies? Will it categorise them and how? Will it exclude some agencies for failing to comply with the European standards and guidelines? What would be the legal implications of each option?

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Quality as a process

Quality control Quality assurance Quality Culture Creativity

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What is at stake for institutions?

Develop an internal quality assurance system and cultureEnsure a proper external evaluation:With a European/international outlook Institutional rather than programme approach Improvement orientedFocused on specific missions and objectivesMindful of the need to increase the creativity

potential of higher education, the researchers and the learners

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For more informationwww.eua.beInstitutional Evaluation programme: http://www.eua.be/eua/en/membership_evaluation.jspxQuality Culture: http://www.eua.be/eua/en/projects_quality.jspxEuropean Masters New Evaluation Methodology: http://www.eua.be/eua/en/EMNEM.jspxDoctoral Programme: http://www.eua.be/eua/en/Doctoral_Programmes.jspxCreativity in Higher Education: http://www.eua.be/eua/en/Creativity.jspx