The Netherlands and Flanders each have their own quality assurance system, an integrated system for external quality assurance. A quality assurance system includes the various procedures and conditions for obtaining accreditation. All NVAO procedures are based on assessment frameworks.
As we emerge from this crisis, reflection is still needed. This case example that we wrote for ENQA describes our actions in Flanders to maintain quality assurance during challenging times: from online dialogues and hybrid site visits as an additional tool in our toolkit to accelerating the development of an online training platform.
The graduate programme in shop management of VIVES hogeschool is the first programme in Flanders to have a new style report, tailored to their own needs. The rigid assessment frameworks, detailed checklists and interview style have been replaced by NVAO's Appreciative Approach, open frameworks and ditto exchanges of views. At VIVES, NVAO sounded out the impact of this radically different approach to quality assurance.
NVAO has been paving the way for a European quality assurance framework for years now and is proud to coordinate the EUniQ project on behalf of the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training. It is up to the EUniQ consortium to think ahead and provide the European Universities with the right framework to live up to their European ambitions.
The Committee of Ministers (Dutch and Flemish ministers competent for higher education) has appointed Sander P. van den Eijnden as Chair of the Board of the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO) in The Hague with effect from 1 September 2021, on the recommendation of Minister Van Engelshoven of Education, Culture and Science. He succeeds Anne Flierman, who will step down on 1 May due to reaching the maximum term of office at NVAO.
Read more At the end of 2019, NVAO launched a new quality assurance system in Flanders. Colleges of higher education and universities themselves have to guarantee the quality of their accredited programmes. New programmes and existing programmes that have yet to receive their first accreditation will still be critically assessed by NVAO, albeit under its own direction. The graduate programme in shop management of VIVES University College is now the first to receive such a new-style report. The rigid assessment frameworks, detailed checklists and interview style have been replaced by NVAO's Appreciative Approach, open frameworks and ditto exchanges of views. At VIVES, NVAO sounded out the impact of this radically different approach to quality assurance.
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In a letter to outgoing Minister Van Engelshoven of Education, Culture and Science, NVAO expresses support for the Minister's proposal to further develop the accreditation system in higher education through the ownership of the universities and university colleges at strengthen the system. NVAO is in favor of introducing a system of institutional accreditation for all recognized institutions (public and private) in higher education
The Dutch quality assurance system is ready for the next phase. NVAO is also of the opinion that after the past five assessment cycles since 1990 and the introduction of the accreditation system in 2002, Dutch higher education institutions can be enabled to assess their own programs in accordance with European guidelines (European Standards and Guidelines). In its letter, NVAO makes a number of proposals for further elaboration.