News 2013
11 December 2013: Peer-Learning Seminar in Croatia
- Medieval castle of Trakošćan
Almost 40 participants from various European ministries, ENIC/NARICS and QA agencies discussed the use of NQF’s and External QA as a reference point for recognition and recognition of cross-border QA reviews.
Case study presentations were held by representatives of the ENIC-NARIC's of Croatia and the Flemish Community of Belgium, the University of Graz and the Lithuanian Centre for Quality Assessment in Higher Education (SKVC).
23 October 2013: Three new agencies listed on the Register
were accepted by the Register Committee at its meeting in Ghent last week.
The Register now features 32 agencies that have demonstrated to operate in substantial compliance with the European Standard and Guidelines.
7 May 2013: Two Agencies admitted to Register
Based on external reviews of the two agencies the Register Committee concluded that they operate in substantial compliance with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG).
Having satisfied the requirements of the EQAR Merger Policy, the Flemish Council of Universities and University Colleges' Quality Assurance Unit (VLUHR QAU), established as a result of a merger between the two quality assurance agencies VLIR and VLHORA (both admitted to the Register in 2009), was granted provisional registration. During the two-year period VLUHR QAU will have to undergo an external review against the ESG.
Annual Report 2012
The EQAR Annual Report 2012 is available for download.
It includes the Report by the Register Committee, as well as the Strategic Plan 2013-2017 adopted by the last EQAR General Assembly. Please note that the Annual Report will be available on-line only this year.
Optimised for screen [PDF, 2MB] - A4 version for printing [PDF, 8MB]
21 March 2013: EQAR GA adopts Strategic Plan 2013-2017
At EQAR's 7th General Assembly, held at Dublin Castle on 13 March 2013, members adopted the Strategic Plan for the years 2013-2017. This marks an important step to strengthen EQAR's strategic role, as was recommended by the international expert panel that reviewed EQAR in 2011.
EQAR's two strategic goals for the coming years relate to "International Trust and Recognition of Registered QAA's" and "Enhanced Transparency and Information Provision". (Strategic Plan 2013-2017)
After the meeting a reception was held to celebrate EQAR’s fifth anniversary. The first Chair of the Register Committee, Mr Justice Bryan McMahon, addressed EQAR members and partners in a special congratulation speech, following congratulations by the Irish Department of Education and Skills as well as the European Commission.
Read more about present and past General Assemblies.
5 March 2013: Revision ESG
The Steering Group for the revision of the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) has launched an open call for contributions to the revision process. The call addresses the Bologna Follow-Up Group (BFUG) as well as all others interested in contributing to the revision of the ESG.
At the Bucharest Ministerial Conference in April 2012, European ministers of higher education decided to revise the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG) and invited BUSINESSEUROPE, Education International, ENQA, ESU, EUA, EURASHE and EQAR to prepare an initial proposal.
The Steering Group looks forward to receiving your replies to the open call for contributions to the revision process by 26 March 2013 at the email address esg.revision@ehea.info. You can follow proceedings regarding ESG revision here: revisionesg.wordpress.com.
6 February 2013: Revised Procedures for Applications
Based on its experience during the past four years since and in order to implement certain recommendations made by the external expert panel that evaluated EQAR in 2011, the Register Committee revised the Procedures for Applications in 2012.
The main changes brought about by the revision are:
- The Register Committee's decisions on all eligible applications for inclusion on the Register will be published, including their reasons.
- A process has been introduced to confirm eligibility of a future
application, before the external review process and actual application. - The rules regarding duration and renewal of inclusion have been
clarified, and flexibility has been increased. - The full Curricula Vitae of the panel members that carried out the
external review have to be submitted with applications.
Applications that were prepared in line with the previous version of the
Procedures will be fully compatible also with the revised Procedures, since
there has been no change in substance of the eligibility requirements or
criteria for inclusion.
Information on the Revision of the Procedures for Applications [PDF]
Guide for Applicants [PDF]
Procedures for Applications [as of January 2013, PDF]
Information on applications for inclusion on the Register
