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The European Dimension of Quality Assurance

The European Dimension of Quality Assurance. Henrik Toft Jensen EUA Conference “Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training University of Graz, 11 May 2006. European University Association (EUA).

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The European Dimension of Quality Assurance

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  1. The European Dimension of Quality Assurance Henrik Toft Jensen EUA Conference “Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training University of Graz, 11 May 2006

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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...

  5. 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..

  6. QA: an essential tool universities • Because universities have to take care of quality • Because of the international competition • Because of the Bologna process • Because of the Lisbon objectives EUA is very active in this area through projects and policy development

  7. EUA’s activities in (or linked to) the QA area: A wealth of concrete experience • The Institutional Evaluation programme: 150 institutions in 36 countries • The Quality Culture Project: 150 institutions in about 30 countries • Trends – accompanying the Bologna process • Joint Masters • Doctoral studies • EMNEM (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)

  8. 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

  9. European level: Changes in the quality debate • Bologna Declaration (1999): quality is not a key issue • Prague Communiqué (2001): the role of QA agencies predominates • Berlin Communiqué (2003): • Quality moves to the top of the agenda • The responsibilities of HEIs is acknowledged • Bergen Communiqué (2005): Quality of QA processes

  10. 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

  11. Post-Bergen development: the EC Recommendation(adopted on 15 February 2006 • Encourage HEIs to develop internal quality processes • Encourage QA agencies to apply the Bergen standards and guidelines • Encourage the establishment of a register of QA agencies • Enable HEIs to turn to any agency in the register, provided it is compatible with national legislation or permitted by national authorities.

  12. 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?

  13. 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?

  14. Quality as a process Quality control Quality assurance Quality Culture Creativity

  15. What is at stake for institutions? • Develop an internal quality assurance system and culture • Ensure a proper external evaluation: • With a European/international outlook • Institutional rather than programme approach • Improvement oriented • Focused on specific missions and objectives • Mindful of the need to increase the creativity potential of higher education, the researchers and the learners

  16. For more information • www.eua.be • Institutional Evaluation programme: http://www.eua.be/eua/en/membership_evaluation.jspx • Quality Culture: http://www.eua.be/eua/en/projects_quality.jspx • European Masters New Evaluation Methodology: http://www.eua.be/eua/en/EMNEM.jspx • Doctoral Programme: http://www.eua.be/eua/en/Doctoral_Programmes.jspx • Creativity in Higher Education: http://www.eua.be/eua/en/Creativity.jspx

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