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ECA - Code for the selection of expertsECA - Code for the selection of experts
Rolf Heusser, Chairman of ECA
Oslo, 14 February 2008
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 2
Presentation by Rolf HeusserPresentation by Rolf Heusser
1. Codes of good practices for QAA‘s2. ECA principles for selection of experts3. Case study Switzerland4. Open questions and conclusions
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 3
Codes of good practices for QAA‘s - RationaleCodes of good practices for QAA‘s - Rationale
Built upon shared experiences of QAA’s Promote international consistency of external QA Guarantee reliable external QA procedures Increase transparency for HEI’s and society Basis for external reviews of QAA’s Necessary element for MR agreements
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 4
INQAAHE Guidelines of good practices (2007)INQAAHE Guidelines of good practices (2007)
Standard 8
Criteria
QAA‘s must have specifications on the characteristics, selection and training of reviewers
Non conflict of interest mechanism in work of experts; adequate training of experts; evidence based expert reports
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 5
European standards and guidelines (2005)European standards and guidelines (2005)
Standard 4 (part II)
Standards 6/8 (part III)
Care in selection of experts; appropriate training of experts; international experts; participation of students
Independency of agency in nomination and appointment of experts; non conflict of interest mechanism
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 6
ECA code of good practice (2004)ECA code of good practice (2004)
Standard 15
Reference points
The accreditation procedure must guarantee the independence and competence of the expert panels
Criteria for selection of experts and for composition of expert panels; independency statements of experts
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 7
ECA – Principles for selection of experts (2005)ECA – Principles for selection of experts (2005)
Agreed procedures for the selection of experts:• Based on policies of agency or legislation
• Selection criteria for experts must be published by the agency
• Independent and unbiased experts; disclosure of possible conflicts of interest; confidentiality statement
• Institutions have right to comment on selection of experts
• Accreditations decisions should be made by the relevant authority and not by the group of experts themselves
• Experts must be briefed adequately by the agency
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 8
ECA – Principles for composition of expert ECA – Principles for composition of expert panelspanels
Expert panels have the following mix of expertise:• Experience in quality assurance in higher education
• Appropriate academic qualifications and scientific or professional reputation in relevant area(s)
• Relevant international experience
• Knowledge on teaching and learning methods
• Expertise in development, design, provision and evaluation of higher education programmes
• Knowledge of the country-specific HE-system
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 9
ECA – Principles for composition of expert ECA – Principles for composition of expert panelspanels
Specific for institutional accreditation:• Expertise in institutional governance and management
• Leadership experience in research/academic management
Commendable:• Gender balance in the expert panel
• Student representatives
• Representatives from the labour market
• A significant proportion of experts from outside the country
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 10
ECA Road map to mutual recognitionECA Road map to mutual recognition
Activities/Tools Date
Inventory of accreditation systems 2004Mutual observations 2005
Code of good practice 2004Principles: selection of experts 2005Principles: accreditation of joint programmes 2006Common publication format/databank 2007
In depth comparisons / joint projects 2006Joint declaration ECA – ENIC/NARIC 2006External review of ECA members 2007Formal agreements of mutual recognition 2007
Mutual understanding of
accreditationorganisations
Mutual Recognition ofaccreditationprocedures
MutualRecognition ofaccreditation
results/decisions
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 11
OAQ – Independency of expertsOAQ – Independency of experts
Nomination of experts according to published selection criteria; investigations of agency
Appointment of experts by scientific advisory board Majority of experts must work/live abroad HEI can object experts Declaration of independence and confidentiality of
panel members
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 12
OAQ – Student participation in expert panelsOAQ – Student participation in expert panels
Until 2006: Limited student participation in external QA
2006: training of students ---> student expert pool built up in cooperation with Swiss student union
2007: accreditation guidelines ask for integration of students into all expert panels
New law on Swiss higher education: students will become member of Swiss accreditation council (decision making body)
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 13
OAQ – Expert panels for institutional auditsOAQ – Expert panels for institutional audits
4 international experts + 1 student member Leadership experience, QA experience, academic
expertise according to profile of institutions Language of on site visit is free choice of HEI At least one expert of previous audit in the panel
(continuity) Same panels for different Swiss universities
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 14
OAQ – Open questions about expertsOAQ – Open questions about experts
How to recruit renowned and experienced experts?
How to verify independence of experts? Optimal balance between international and
national experts? How to assure consistency of panel judgements? How to assure clarity of conclusions? Reimbursement of experts?
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 15
ConclusionsConclusions
Various codes of good practices have been established and are successfully implemented by QAA
ECA has published commonly agreed principles for the selection of experts ---> can easily be adopted to various types of quality assessments
Commonly agreed standards and principles are a necessary element for MR agreements among agencies and contribute to the convergence of the EHEA
There are many open questions about selection and work of reviewers ---> continuous exchange among QAA necessary
Titel van de presentatie | H.J. de Tuinman | 30 maart 2003Heusser / Oslo / 2008 | 16