1. Cross-border quality assurance of joint programmes

1.1. Development of multilateral mutual recognition agreements

The first objective of the project is to develop a multilateral recognition agreement regarding QA and accreditation results. So far only bilateral mutual recognition agreements between accreditation agencies have been signed. Since joint programmes have a wider scope and involve many different countries, multilateral mutual recognition agreements are necessary. Moreover, most of the project partners have not entered yet into mutual recognition agreements of whatever nature. This action line will establish observation missions, including comparisons, between agencies and build up a transferable methodology with the aim to include both the agencies participating in the project as other agencies into a multilateral agreement after the project has ended.

1.2. Establishment of a European Coordination point for external QA and accreditation of joint programmes

Previous projects (TEAM II ,TEEP II) have pointed out that the organisation of an external QA procedure regarding joint programmes can be quite complicated and expensive and that the agencies involved need very specialised information and expertise. The second objective of the project is to establish a Coordination point which will provide information on internal and external quality assurance of joint programmes and information on recognition of degrees awarded from joint programmes. The coordination point gives coordinators of joint programmes the opportunity to consult this specialised information centre when they need to undergo external quality assurance and/or accreditation of their joint programme. The coordination point additionally provides agencies with assistance and specialised expertise on accreditation of joint programmes. This action line will include a feasibility study, pilot procedures and the launch of a knowledge base..

The Coordination point will also coordinate the accreditation of joint programmes at the request of agencies or institutions providing joint programmes. The Coordination point will not carry out accreditation or QA procedures itself but will bring agencies and institutions together, facilitate in planning the procedure and provide a specific methodology for carrying out single accreditation procedures. The coordination point can also give advice to agencies and institutions on how single cross-border QA and accreditation procedures of joint programmes can lead to formal results in the different countries.

By the end of year 3 of the project the Coordination point will have been established.

2. Recognition of degrees awarded by joint programmes.

2.1 Awareness-raising about ENIC-NARICs’ expectations regarding joint programmes, the design of the degree they award and the content of the diploma supplement

The third objective relates to the objective of awareness-raising among higher education institutions and joint programmes about ENIC-NARICs’ expectations regarding joint programmes, the design of the degree they award and the content of the diploma supplement. During a workshop (March 2010), ENIC-NARICs discussed examples of actual degrees and Diploma Supplements awarded by joint programmes. This workshop concluded that acceptable practices are rare and best practices even rarer. This action line should consequently result in published guidelines and good practices for higher education institutions and their joint programmes.

2.2. Establishment of a common ground among ENIC-NARICs regarding the recognition of degrees awarded by joint programmes.

The fourth objective concerns the establishment of a common ground among ENIC-NARICs regarding the recognition of degrees awarded by joint programmes. A survey among ENIC-NARICs (November 2009) revealed that there is currently a recognition discrepancy: degrees awarded by joint programmes could be recognised in one country but not in another, creating uncertainty for graduates. This action line should therefore result in agreed principles regarding the recognition of degrees awarded by joint programmes.

2.3 Transparent information provision regarding Erasmus Mundus programmes via Qrossroads

The fifth objective concerns transparent information provision regarding these programmes. The survey mentioned above brought to light that ENIC-NARICs need a tremendous amount of information when recognising degrees awarded by joint programmes. This is of course the result of the fact that a degree awarded by, for example, an Erasmus Mundus master’s programme is not a simple foreign degree awarded in one specific higher education system. It is also not an entirely foreign degree either if a home institution is involved in the programme. This action line should therefore inform the ENIC-NARICs (and potential students) about all the Erasmus Mundus programmes via Qrossroads. The project will include all the programmes (incl. –where available– learning outcomes) and institutional details into the database, create a special search function to find Erasmus Mundus master’s programmes and to search through consortium web pages and link all this information to a dedicated Erasmus Mundus web page on Qrossroads.