News

On 23 September, we took part in the meeting of the Red Española de Agencias de Calidad Universitaria (REACU), held at the headquarters of UNIBASQ, the Agencia de Calidad del Sistema Universitario Vasco.

The meeting provided an opportunity to strengthen coordination between agencies and to share perspectives on current issues related to quality assurance in higher education.

The event was hosted by UNIBASQ, which is currently coordinating the network.

This week, a meeting of the Spanish Network of University Quality Agencies (REACU) took place, attended by the directors of Spain's quality agencies.

The event, hosted by the Aragon Agency for Quality Assurance and Prospective (ACPUA), was an excellent opportunity to strengthen collaboration among agencies and share experiences. On behalf of AQUIB, we thank ACPUA for their warm welcome and outstanding organization of this gathering.

At AQUIB, we work to ensure that official university study programmes meet high-quality standards. One of our key responsibilities is the accreditation renewal process, an essential step to confirm that educational programs are functioning properly and offering a solid education.

This process involves a visit by a group of experts to the university. During their stay, they interview various groups (faculty, students, alumni, etc.) to gather feedback and assess the program. They also review facilities, study plans, and the outcomes achieved by students.

Using this information, our Degree Evaluation Commission drafts a report that determines whether the program can continue to be offered or if improvements are needed. This process is repeated every six years for 240-credit undergraduate degrees, master’s programs, and doctoral programs, and every eight years for longer undergraduate degrees of 300 or 360 credits.

Last month, we visited the University of the Balearic Islands to renew the accreditation of the Master’s in Marine Ecology and the Master’s in Agronomic Engineering.

AQUIB participates in the General Assembly of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), which takes place from October 25 to 27, 2023, in Dublin, Ireland. This event has been organized by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and has brought together leading institutions and agencies in the field of accreditation of higher education on an international scale.

The official opening event features welcome speeches from prominent figures, including Padraig Walsh, CEO of QQI, Douglas Blackstock, President of ENQA, and Simon Harris, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science of Ireland. Moreover, the plenary sessions focus on pertinent topics in educational quality, such as the evolution of global recognition policies and their link to quality assurance. These sessions also delve into practical challenges in implementing quality assurance and recognition within educational institutions.

AQUIB expresses its gratitude for being a part of this pivotal event for advancing higher education quality and extends appreciation to QQI for their hospitality and to ENQA for organizing this assembly.

The general assembly of the Spanish Network of University Quality Assurance Agencies (REACU) was held on Monday 5, June 2023, organised by AQUIB, which holds the secretariat for 2023.

During the meeting, some key issues for the Agencies were discussed, with the aim of reaching a consensus on REACU's position.

AQUIB would like to thank the Agencies that attended the meeting for their willingness to help.

AQUIB has initiated meetings with the quality assurance responsables of artistic study programmes in the Balearic Islands. The last meeting had representation from the Direcció General de Formació Professional i Ensenyaments Artístics Superiors of the Autonomic Goverment, the EASDIB (School of Art and Design of the Balearic Islands), the ESADIB (School of Dramatic Art of the Balearic Islands) and the Conservatori Superior de Música de les Illes Balears.

AQUIB is advising and collaborating with these institutions in the implementation of the accreditation and monitoring processes for their study programmes. The Agency would like to thank all those involved in the process for their willingness to help.