News

We held a joint meta-evaluation meeting with the centres providing Higher Artistic Education in the Balearic Islands to review the follow-up of these programmes for the 2024–2025 academic year.

The meeting focused on reflecting on the main findings of the follow-up evaluation process and reviewing the evaluation process itself, with the aim of identifying areas for improvement and continuing to enhance the quality of Higher Artistic Education.

The programmes discussed were the Higher Degree in Music, the Bachelor’s Degree in Higher Artistic Education in Design, and the Bachelor’s Degree in Higher Studies in Dramatic Arts.

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.