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)
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
Because
Because
Because
universities
universities have to take care of quality
of the international competition
of the Bologna process
of the Lisbon objectives
EUA is very active in this area through
projects and policy development
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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
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)
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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
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
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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 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.
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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
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
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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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