External quality assurance vis-à-vis internal quality assurance

1. External quality assurance vis-à-vis internal quality assurance Axel Aerden 17 April 2012

2. NVAO? • Set up in the framework of the Bologna Process • Bi-national organisation • Established by treaty • Safeguards for independence • procedures, methodologies, decision-making • Publicly funded • Pre-funded by the Netherlands & Flanders (60/40) • HEIs pay for procedures • Accountable • Committee of ministers • Respective parliaments

3. European HE Quality Assurance Landscape European Credit Transfer System Level descriptors AD, Ba., Ma. & Dr. Qualifications Framework for EHEA “Ph.D.” 3rd cycle European University Association (EUA) European Standards & Guidelines for QA European Student Union (ESU) “Master” 2nd cycle90-120 ECTS Peer review of QA Agency Bachelor 1st cycle 180-240 ECTS European Association of HEIs (EURASHE) AssociateDegree+/- 120 ECTS European QA Register European Association for QA in HE (ENQA)

4. From internal to external quality assurance

5. From internal to external quality assurance • Internal QA assurance • To achieve academic excellence (“improve”) • quality of teaching, learning, research and scholarship • To demonstrate achieved academic quality (“proof”) • To keep at the level of achieved quality • External QA assurance • To contribute to the enhancement of quality • To provide third-party information about quality • To support transparency

6. From internal to external quality assurance Internal quality assurance system Assessment frameworks External quality assurance system Institutional level Institutional audit Self-evaluation report Self-evaluation report Programme level Programme accreditation

7. NVAO’s general principles ? • Open and inclusive approach • One framework for all assessments in a given type of procedures • E.g. one assessment framework for all types of initial accreditation • Fit for purpose (~appropriate burden) • Respect for institutional autonomy • Internal quality assurance system • Assessment in line with institutional choices on the basis of the relevant framework • Programme level • Institutional level

8. NVAO’s framework principles • Generic, descriptive standards ≠ Narrow, prescriptive and highly formulated • Broad acceptance • Focus on what should be done (~fitness of purpose) ≠ How they should be achieved • Do not dictate practice • Focus on teaching & learning (~education) • Incl. academic standards ≠ Research • Incl. professional orientation ≠ Service to society

9. The self-evaluation report (NL) • Central documentation for External QA • Self-contained document – relatively brief • Basic information • Institution / programme details • Presents perspective shared by (internal) stakeholders • Addresses each standard in relevant framework • rationale, practice, ambition • Provide insight into strengths & weaknesses • Maximising strengths? • Converting weaknesses into strengths? • Mandatory annexes

11. Thank you for your attention a.aerden@nvao.net - @AAerdenwww.nvao.net - www.qrossroads.eu