Observation missions, including comparisons, between QA and accreditation agencies

• Nature: Observations of accreditation procedures of another agency participating in the project
• Volume: 16 observation missions
• Structure: The observation missions are carried out by each of the agencies in the project who will observe a procedure of another agency in the project. Each agency will carry out 1 observation mission. An observation format will be drafted which can be used for carrying out the observation. The format relates to standards for good practices in accreditation (the ECA Code of Good Practice) and includes a comparison of accreditation frameworks on some essential points, as well as information on how the achievement of learning outcomes is assessed.
• Content: The observation missions consist of: the observation format, the observation of the procedure, and a short observation report based on the format which is made by the observer with comments from the observed agency, and then shared among the project partners.

Transferable methodology for including agencies in the multilateral recognition agreement

• Nature: An on-line methodological report
• Volume: approx. 20 pages
• Structure: Introduction; Lessons learnt from the observation missions; The observation format; The content of the multilateral recognition agreement; How to join the multilateral recognition agreement?
• Content: The methodological report will look at the experiences from the observation missions which form the basis for the trust needed to join the multilateral recognition agreement. If needed improvements of the observation format or the conduction of the observations will be proposed. This will be followed with the proposal for the content of the multilateral recognition agreement. The final chapter will deal with the steps agencies should take in order to join the multilateral recognition agreement.

Feasibility study for the coordination point

One of ECA’s proposed solutions to facilitate joint programmes is the establishment of a coordination point. This coordination point should be able to assist institutions and QA & accreditation agencies regarding external QA procedures of joint programmes. Additionally the coordination point could provide relevant information on internal & external QA of joint programmes and the recognition of their degrees.

In order to customise this coordination point as much as possible to the needs of the joint programmes and the quality assurance agencies, ECA investigated the current state of affairs among coordinators of joint programmes and QA & accreditation agencies.

The now published report intends to establish what kind of information and/or assistance on quality assurance, accreditation and recognition of degrees a coordination point regarding joint programmes should provide.

The results of ECA’s study indicate a strong demand amongst both the joint programmes and the QA agencies for a more centralised, international approach and underpin the foundation of a coordination point regarding joint programmes. A large proportion of the programme coordinators find external QA of joint programmes challenging, and struggle to collect all the information required. The same goes for degree issues. Worrisome is the fact that almost all information and activities are national, which essentially contradicts the international nature of these joint programmes.

Pilot procedures regarding joint programmes

• Nature: Single accreditation procedure of joint programmes carried out by at least one of the partner agencies under the guidance of the coordination point, followed by an on-line pilots evaluation report.
• Volume: 4 pilot procedures and an pilots evaluation report of approx. 20 pages
• Structure: 4 joint programmes (if possible Erasmus Mundus programmes) will be selected for carrying out the pilot procedures. One of the procedures should take place outside of Europe. The aim of the pilot procedures is to test the approach taken by the coordination point in accordance with the work flow charts and the methodology for accrediting joint programmes. The pilots evaluation report will consist of: Introduction; Lessons learnt from the pilot procedures; Revision of work flow charts and methodology
• Content: In each of the pilot procedures a joint programme will be accredited with the participation of other partner agencies. The pilots evaluation report is meant to refine the methodology and work flow charts of the coordination point.

Knowledge base

• Nature: Website design with electronic database containing literature and principles on internal and external quality assurance of joint programmes, and information on recognition of degrees awarded from joint programmes.
• Volume: 1
• Structure: The Knowledge Base will primarily function as a point of reference for coordinators of joint programmes, quality assurance agencies and recognition authorities, but will also contain information which is of value for other Stakeholders in HE. The Knowledge base will be built up throughout the whole project and be officially launched by the end of the project.
• Content: At the end of the project the Knowledge base will contain a rich collection on issues related to quality assurance, accreditation and recognition of degrees awarded from joint programmes.

Guidelines regarding the award of degrees and diploma supplements for higher education institutions and their joint programmes

• Nature: An on-line report
• Volume: approx. 20 pages
• Structure: Introduction; Methodology applied for establishing guidelines and good practices; Guidelines; Good practices; Conclusions
• Content: The draft guidelines and good practices will be discussed in two workshops with ENIC-NARIcs and the drafts will be circulated among Erasmus Mundus programmes and the project groups

Principles regarding the recognition of degrees awarded by joint programmes

• Nature: An on-line report
• Volume: approx. 10 pages
• Structure: Introduction; Methodology applied for establishing the principles; The Principles
• Content: The draft principles will be discussed in two workshops with ENIC-NARIcs and the drafts will be circulated among recognition bodies world-wide, credential evaluators and the project groups

ENIC-NARIC Workshops on the recognition of degrees awarded by joint programmes

• Nature: Workshops with ENIC-NARICs
• Volume: Two Workshops
• Structure: Draft principles, guidelines and good practices to be discussed by ENIC-NARICs
• Content: The recognition of degrees awarded by joint programmes

Joint programmes dissemination conference

• Nature: Conference
• Volume: One conference
• Structure: The results of the JOQAR project will be disseminated through this conference
• Content: The target groups for which presentations and sessions will be schedules are QA and accreditation agencies, institutions providing joint programmes and coordinators of joint programmes, ENIC-NARICs, students and government representatives.

Inclusion of Erasmus Mundus programmes into the Qrossroads database

• Nature: Database development
• Volume: One
• Content: All the Erasmus Mundus programmes (incl. –where available– learning outcomes) and institutional details will be included into the Qrossroads database

Search function and dedicated Erasmus Mundus web page on Qrossroads

• Nature: Database development
• Volume: One
• Content: Creation of a special search function on Qrossroads to find Erasmus Mundus master’s programmes and to search through consortium web pages and to link all this information to a dedicated Erasmus Mundus web page on Qrossroads