News - 5 December 2008

The first three quality assurance agencies have been included on the new European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) since Friday, 5 December 2008.

EQAR’s Register Committee, an independent body made up of experts in quality assurance and chaired by Irish High Court Judge Bryan McMahon, considered the first applications for inclusion on EQAR at its meeting on 22/23 November 2008 at Corvinus University of Budapest. Following a thorough analysis, three agencies could be accepted at the meeting. Further applications are pending.

Agencies that wish to be included on EQAR are first required to undergo an external review in line with EQAR’s Procedures in order to evidence their substantial compliance with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG). Based on the external review, agencies can apply for inclusion on EQAR in accordance with EQAR's formal requirements and procedures, as set out in the EQAR Procedures for Applications. (read more about the application process)

• Please consult the Communiqué by the Chair of the Register Committee [PDF] for additional information.
• View the Register of quality assurance agencies

EQAR was founded by the four European stakeholder bodies representing quality assurance agencies (ENQA), students (ESU), universities (EUA) and other higher education institutions (EURASHE) in March 2008 in the context of the Bologna Process. It aims at increasing transparency and trust in quality assurance of higher education in Europe. The register provides information about reliable and legitimate quality assurance agencies to students, higher education institutions and the labour market. For additional information please refer to the pages About and Background.