I wish to have the most educated country of them all, therefore I have ordered to issue doctoral diploma for all my subjects

ACCREDITATIONACCREDITATION

Assoc. Prof. Ivan OSTROVSKÝ, PhDAssoc. Prof. Ivan OSTROVSKÝ, PhD

SloveniaSlovenia

November 200November 20077

Slovak experienceSlovak experience

Thomas Hobbes: Leviathan (1651)Thomas Hobbes: Leviathan (1651) 

““If we acknowledge that universities If we acknowledge that universities represent sources of civil and moral represent sources of civil and moral teaching for preachers and country teaching for preachers and country nobility to draw their strength from it and nobility to draw their strength from it and then spread it among people, great care then spread it among people, great care should be paid to keeping these sources should be paid to keeping these sources clean, neither muddied by godless clean, neither muddied by godless politicians nor bewitched by bad ghosts.”politicians nor bewitched by bad ghosts.”

QA TrendsQA TrendsAcross Europe, the external quality assurance Across Europe, the external quality assurance

of higher education has two main aims: of higher education has two main aims: • to contribute to the improvement of higher to contribute to the improvement of higher

education education • to provide reliable information on the current to provide reliable information on the current

quality of activities of higher education quality of activities of higher education institutions in regard to both teaching, and institutions in regard to both teaching, and research. research.

With the move toward a With the move toward a ‘European Higher Education ‘European Higher Education Area’Area’, there is, however, also a drive for greater , there is, however, also a drive for greater transparency and comparability of quality and transparency and comparability of quality and standards across Europe to facilitate the international standards across Europe to facilitate the international mobility of workers and the trans-national recognition mobility of workers and the trans-national recognition of qualifications.of qualifications.

CONCEPTUAL LINK: EVALUATION AND ACCREDITATION

AUTHORITY AND OWNERSHIP, INDEPENDENCE

FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONSFUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS

ACCREDITATION COUNCIL: TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

ACCREDITATION COMMISION VERSUS MINISTRY

VISIBILITY OF PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES

OUTPUTS/OUTCOMES

LegislatioNLegislatioN

• The accreditation activities of The accreditation activities of AAccreditation ccreditation Commision of Slovak Republic (ACS)Commision of Slovak Republic (ACS) are are legitimised by national law No. 131/2002 legitimised by national law No. 131/2002 (novelised by the Law No. 538/2003)(novelised by the Law No. 538/2003)

• The ACS was established by the government The ACS was established by the government decision 1240/2002 on November 13decision 1240/2002 on November 13thth, , novelised by the government decree novelised by the government decree 104/2003104/2003

• Other legislation:Other legislation:– Law No 477/2002 and 445/2003 about the professional Law No 477/2002 and 445/2003 about the professional

qualifications,qualifications,– Regulation of the Ministry of Education about the academic Regulation of the Ministry of Education about the academic

awards and titlesawards and titles

Accreditation CommissionAccreditation CommissionEstablishmentEstablishment

The Accreditation Commission The Accreditation Commission is established by the Governis established by the Govern--ment as its advisory bodyment as its advisory body

Accreditation CommissionAccreditation Commission MembershipMembership

• The Accreditation Commission is composed of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and other members appointed and recalled by the Government at the Minister's proposal after an opinion given by representative bodies of higher education institutions;

• they are appointed from among distinguished personalities of higher education institutions, professional and scientific establishments. Members of the Accreditation Commission also include foreign experts.

Accreditation CommissionAccreditation Commission CompositionComposition

• 21 members21 members• 30% external members30% external members

– 3 of Slovak Academy of Science3 of Slovak Academy of Science– 2 from another institutions2 from another institutions– 2 foreigners (1 CZ + 1 HU)2 foreigners (1 CZ + 1 HU)

• The Government shall appoint members of the The Government shall appoint members of the Accreditation Commission for six years; they may Accreditation Commission for six years; they may be appointed for not more than two consecutive be appointed for not more than two consecutive terms of office. terms of office.

• The function of the member of the Accreditation The function of the member of the Accreditation Commission is incompatible with the post of Commission is incompatible with the post of Rector, Vice-Rector, Dean and Vice-Dean Rector, Vice-Rector, Dean and Vice-Dean

Accreditation CommissionAccreditation CommissionManagementManagement

• The method of discussion of the Accreditation The method of discussion of the Accreditation Commission and its work teams is regulated Commission and its work teams is regulated by the Statute of the Accreditation Commiby the Statute of the Accreditation Commi--ssion approved by the Government.ssion approved by the Government.

• Activities of the Accreditation Commission are Activities of the Accreditation Commission are physically and financially provided for by the physically and financially provided for by the Ministry.Ministry.

• Activities of members of the Accreditation Activities of members of the Accreditation Commission and its work teams are acts in the Commission and its work teams are acts in the general interest. The employer shall, at the general interest. The employer shall, at the Minister’s proposal, grant them a remuneration Minister’s proposal, grant them a remuneration and cover their travel expenses in accordance and cover their travel expenses in accordance with special regulations.The funds for the with special regulations.The funds for the remuneration are refunded to the employer by remuneration are refunded to the employer by the Ministry.the Ministry.

• The Accreditation Commission may establish The Accreditation Commission may establish work teams for professional preparation of its work teams for professional preparation of its discussions.discussions.

• The Chairman and other members of the work The Chairman and other members of the work team are appointed and recalled by the team are appointed and recalled by the Chairman of the Accreditation Commission Chairman of the Accreditation Commission after the approval of the Accreditation after the approval of the Accreditation CommissionCommission..

• TThe Chairman of the work team is appointed he Chairman of the work team is appointed from members of the Commission. from members of the Commission.

• The work team members must fulfil the The work team members must fulfil the criterion of a high professional level and criterion of a high professional level and authority. Also foreign experts may become authority. Also foreign experts may become members of the work team.members of the work team.

Accreditation CommissionAccreditation CommissionManagementManagement

Accreditation CommissionAccreditation CommissionRecallRecall

• The Government may recall a member of the The Government may recall a member of the Accreditation Commission at the Minister's Accreditation Commission at the Minister's proposal after an opinion given by repreproposal after an opinion given by repre--sentative bodies of higher education institusentative bodies of higher education institu--tions provided the membertions provided the member

– fails to fulfil his/her obligations resulting fails to fulfil his/her obligations resulting from the membership; the reason shall be from the membership; the reason shall be considered by the Accreditation Commiconsidered by the Accreditation Commi--ssion and the recalling shall be proposed to ssion and the recalling shall be proposed to the Minister by the Chairman of the Acthe Minister by the Chairman of the Ac--creditation Commission,creditation Commission,

– has been lawfully sentenced for an intenhas been lawfully sentenced for an inten--tional crime or he/she has been sentenced tional crime or he/she has been sentenced to unconditional imprisonment.to unconditional imprisonment.

DEFINITIONS FOR DEFINITIONS FOR ACCREDITATIONACCREDITATION

Agency provideAgency providess the following definition for the following definition for accreditation that have a set ofaccreditation that have a set of common common features:features:

• accreditation is concerned with quality of accreditation is concerned with quality of programmes and/or institutionsprogrammes and/or institutions (objects);(objects);

• it implies clearly defined consequences it implies clearly defined consequences (sanctions), and a formal(sanctions), and a formal licensing licensing (recognition, right to award degrees), that (recognition, right to award degrees), that result from formal decisions;result from formal decisions;

• accreditation follows transparent rules and accreditation follows transparent rules and regulations.regulations.

Law 131/2002 Section 82

• The ACThe AC:: – monitors,estimates and independently evaluates monitors,estimates and independently evaluates

the quality of the teaching, research, developthe quality of the teaching, research, develop--ment, artistic or other creative activities of ment, artistic or other creative activities of higher education institutions higher education institutions

– contributes to their improvement contributes to their improvement – generally assesses conditions under which generally assesses conditions under which

such activities are carried out at individual such activities are carried out at individual institutions of higher education institutions of higher education

– works out recommendations for improvement of works out recommendations for improvement of work in higher education institutionswork in higher education institutions

– may inform the public about its findings.may inform the public about its findings.

Accreditation CommissionAccreditation CommissionActivitiesActivities

• The Accreditation Commission appraises the The Accreditation Commission appraises the level of research, development, artistic or level of research, development, artistic or other creative activities of higher education other creative activities of higher education institutions. In doing so it considers the institutions. In doing so it considers the results of periodical evaluation of a higher results of periodical evaluation of a higher education institution according to special education institution according to special regulations.regulations.****) Law No. 132/2002 on Science and Technology, Section 18, Clause 7.) Law No. 132/2002 on Science and Technology, Section 18, Clause 7.

• The Accreditation Commission also performs The Accreditation Commission also performs complex accreditation of activities of the complex accreditation of activities of the higher education institutions.higher education institutions.

Accreditation CommissionAccreditation CommissionActivitiesActivities

• When fulfilling its tasks pursuant to Law, the Accreditation Commission is entitled to require information, docu-mentation and cooperation, essential for its activities, from central bodies of the State administration, from hig-her education institutions and legal entities carrying out research and development at the territory of the Slovak Republic.

Accreditation CommissionAccreditation CommissionActivitiesActivities

• The AC gives its opinion on the following:The AC gives its opinion on the following:– capacitycapacity of the higher education institution of the higher education institution to implement the study to implement the study

programmeprogramme with the right to award to its graduates the academic with the right to award to its graduates the academic degree,degree,

– capacity of the non-higher education institutioncapacity of the non-higher education institution to take part in to take part in implementation of the implementation of the PhD study programmePhD study programme,,

– capacitycapacity of the higher education institution of the higher education institution to conduct the habilitation to conduct the habilitation procedure and procedure for nomination of ”profesors”,procedure and procedure for nomination of ”profesors”,

– proposals forproposals for establishment,establishment, merger, affiliation, split, dissolution, merger, affiliation, split, dissolution, change of name or change of seat of a public higher education change of name or change of seat of a public higher education institution or a State higher education institution, faculty of a public institution or a State higher education institution, faculty of a public higher education institution or faculty of a State higher education higher education institution or faculty of a State higher education institution,institution,

– proposal forproposal for granting granting the State consent for a legal entity wishing to the State consent for a legal entity wishing to act as a public higher education institution,act as a public higher education institution,

– proposal for classificationproposal for classification of a higher education institution as of a higher education institution as referred to under referred to under Law 131/2002, Law 131/2002, Section 2, Clause 13 and 16,Section 2, Clause 13 and 16,

– proposal for changeproposal for change in the list of the fields of study, in the list of the fields of study,– other proposalsother proposals with regard to the system of higher education with regard to the system of higher education

presented by the Minister.presented by the Minister.

Accreditation CommissionAccreditation CommissionOutputs/OutcomesOutputs/Outcomes

• The Accreditation Commission gives its The Accreditation Commission gives its opinion on the facts according to opinion on the facts according to LawLaw, not , not later than within one hundred fifty days later than within one hundred fifty days from receipt of complete documents.from receipt of complete documents.

• TThe statement within the framework of he statement within the framework of complex accreditation of activities of the complex accreditation of activities of the higher education institution higher education institution not later than not later than 10 month from receipt of complete 10 month from receipt of complete documentsdocuments

Accreditation CommissionAccreditation CommissionOutputs/OutcomesOutputs/Outcomes

VISIBILITY OF PROCESSES VISIBILITY OF PROCESSES AND PROCEDURESAND PROCEDURES

• ACS assessment criteria and its pro-ACS assessment criteria and its pro-cesses and procedures are publicly cesses and procedures are publicly available. This information is published available. This information is published on the website of the SAC and Ministry on the website of the SAC and Ministry of Educationof Education

• ACS awares that it should provides the ACS awares that it should provides the documents in English, even if it has not documents in English, even if it has not accomplished this yet.accomplished this yet.

VISIBILITY OF PROCESSES VISIBILITY OF PROCESSES AND PROCEDURESAND PROCEDURES

• Record No. 1 (19.4.1999, Bratislava).

• Record No.34 (26.-28.9.2007,

Nový Smokovec).

RECORDSRECORDS

Accreditation of Individual Activities of a Higher Accreditation of Individual Activities of a Higher EducationEducation InstitInstitution and Granting Rightsution and Granting Rights

• Accreditation of a study programme is a process within Accreditation of a study programme is a process within the framework of which the Accreditation Commission the framework of which the Accreditation Commission shall assess at the request of a higher education shall assess at the request of a higher education institution its capacity to implement the study institution its capacity to implement the study programme. programme.

• After the statement of the Accreditation Commission After the statement of the Accreditation Commission according toaccording to Law Law the Ministry may grant to the higher the Ministry may grant to the higher education institution the right to award for graduates of education institution the right to award for graduates of this study programme the appropriate academic degree. this study programme the appropriate academic degree.

• The study programme for which the higher education The study programme for which the higher education institution achieved the above right, is the accredited institution achieved the above right, is the accredited study programme. study programme.

Accreditation CommissionAccreditation CommissionOrientationOrientation

• By assessment of HE institution capacity to provide By assessment of HE institution capacity to provide particular study program is discussedparticular study program is discussed

• HE Institution and its departments involved in such HE Institution and its departments involved in such study program provisionstudy program provision,,

• Study program itselfStudy program itself..• By assessment of HE Institution as the provider of study By assessment of HE Institution as the provider of study

program are assessed attributes as followsprogram are assessed attributes as follows• Level of researchLevel of research,,• Working and technical conditions and resourcesWorking and technical conditions and resources• Human resourcesHuman resources..

• By assessment of study program are assessed attributes as By assessment of study program are assessed attributes as follows:follows:

• Curricula contentsCurricula contents• Requirements for applicants and entrance Requirements for applicants and entrance

examinations requirementsexaminations requirements, , • Requirements for graduatesRequirements for graduates, , • Level of students and graduatesLevel of students and graduates..

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCREDITATION PROCESSACCREDITATION PROCESS

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCREDITATION PROCESSACCREDITATION PROCESS

• Criterion/attributeCriterion/attribute• Level of researchLevel of research

– BcBc• Continuous routine research in the fieldContinuous routine research in the field• Implementation of research results into the programImplementation of research results into the program

– MsMs• Continuous research at national/international level Continuous research at national/international level • Implementation of research results into the programImplementation of research results into the program

– PhDPhD• Continuous research at international level Continuous research at international level • Grants performanceGrants performance

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCREDITATION PROCESSACCREDITATION PROCESS

• Criterion/attributeCriterion/attribute• Human resources capacityHuman resources capacity

– Enough qualified staff (Ms, PhD, +)Enough qualified staff (Ms, PhD, +)– GuarrantorsGuarrantors

• BcBc–Assoc.Prof. < 65Assoc.Prof. < 65

• MsMs–Prof. < 65Prof. < 65

• PhDPhD–Prof. < 65Prof. < 65

Law 131/2002Law 131/2002Chapter TwoChapter Two

Granting Rights and Complex Accreditation of Granting Rights and Complex Accreditation of Activities Activities

of a Higher Education Institutionof a Higher Education Institution

• Section 84Section 84 “ “Complex Accreditation of Activities of a Complex Accreditation of Activities of a Higher Education Institution Higher Education Institution ““

• Section 85Section 85 “ “Relocation of a Higher Education Relocation of a Higher Education Institution Institution ““

• Section 86Section 86 “ “Application of Non-Higher Education Application of Non-Higher Education Institution for Accreditation and Granting the Right Institution for Accreditation and Granting the Right for the Appropriate Field of Study to Participate in for the Appropriate Field of Study to Participate in Implementation ofImplementation of t the PhD Study Programmehe PhD Study Programme””

• Section 87Section 87 “ “Activity of a Higher Education Institution Activity of a Higher Education Institution during Suspension orduring Suspension or after Deprivation of Granted after Deprivation of Granted RightsRights””

PROGRAMME ACCREDITATIONPROGRAMME ACCREDITATION PRACTICEPRACTICE

University ownerowner providerprovider

AccreditationAccreditation CommissionCommission

PublicPublic user/customeruser/customer

political authoritypolitical authority

professional bodyprofessional body

GovernmentGovernment

DIPLOMA(quality value)

DE

CIS

ION

(pro

po

sal)

advisory bodyadvisory body

CRITERIA

WorkingGroups

LICENCE(accreditation)

PROPOSAL(dossier)

PROGRAMME ACCREDITATIONPROGRAMME ACCREDITATION RESULTSRESULTS University

PublicPublic user/customeruser/customer

political authoritypolitical authority

GovernmentGovernment

STATE guarantySTATE guaranty PROFESSIONAL guarantyPROFESSIONAL guaranty

PROPOSAL(dossier)

DE

CIS

ION

(pro

po

sal)

≥ 2000Accredited study

programmes

JobLicence

DIPLOMA(quality value)

OVERBURDENED!OVERBURDENED!

LICENCE(accreditation)

AccreditationAccreditation CommissionCommission professional bodyprofessional body

CCREDENTIALSREDENTIALS

• The credentials of completed The credentials of completed study programmes within the study programmes within the framework of a field of study are framework of a field of study are the following:the following:– higher education diploma,higher education diploma,– certificate of State certificate of State eexamination,xamination,– Diploma Supplement.Diploma Supplement.

• The higher education diplomaThe higher education diploma is a certificate on is a certificate on completion of an accredited study programme in completion of an accredited study programme in the field of study and on award of academic degree. the field of study and on award of academic degree. It is issued by the higher education institution.It is issued by the higher education institution.

• The diploma of higher education containsThe diploma of higher education contains::– the graduate's first name and surname, the graduate's first name and surname, – diploma registration number, diploma registration number, – name of the higher education institution, name of the higher education institution, – name of the field of study, name of the field of study, – name of the study programme pursued, name of the study programme pursued, – name of the faculty if the programme has been carried name of the faculty if the programme has been carried

out at the faculty, out at the faculty, – academic degree academic degree – other data determined by the higher education institution. other data determined by the higher education institution.

CCREDENTIALSREDENTIALS

• The certificate of the State examinationThe certificate of the State examination is a is a document on the State examination taken, its document on the State examination taken, its parts and its result. It is issued by a higher parts and its result. It is issued by a higher education institution.education institution.

• The Diploma SupplementThe Diploma Supplement is a document is a document containing details on the completed study containing details on the completed study programme. Information to be included in the programme. Information to be included in the Diploma Supplement shall be provided for by Diploma Supplement shall be provided for by regulations issued by the Ministry. The Diploma regulations issued by the Ministry. The Diploma Supplement shall be issued by a higher Supplement shall be issued by a higher education institution. The graduate shall receive education institution. The graduate shall receive the Diploma Supplement along with his/her the Diploma Supplement along with his/her diploma.diploma.

• The higher education institution shall also issue The higher education institution shall also issue the credentials under the credentials under Law (Law (Clause 1Clause 1))in a foreign in a foreign language at a special request.language at a special request.

CCREDENTIALSREDENTIALS

• “The reliance on national Portuguese experts poses a problem. The pool of Portuguese experts is limited and, as is generally the case with academic communities in small countries, there is often considerable familiarity between reviewers and the reviewed. This combination potentially compromises the necessary independence and objectivity of the external evaluations.

• An Assessment of the Existing System and Recommendations for a Future System

• Report by an ENQA review panel: Quality Assurance of Higher Education in Portugal

External Quality Assurance inExternal Quality Assurance inSmall CountriesSmall Countries