An independent evaluation of the Flemish quality assurance system for higher education has confirmed that the procedures and instruments used by the NVAO enable reliable and valid judgements to be made about the quality of programmes and institutions. The extensive and thoroughly documented study, conducted by IDEA Consult on behalf of the Flemish Government, also concludes that the current system effectively safeguards the quality of higher education and that no major system-level reforms are required.
The evaluation examined the Flemish quality assurance system in its entirety. In addition to analysing procedures, frameworks and assessment reports, the researchers conducted extensive interviews, focus groups and surveys involving a wide range of stakeholders.
Universities, universities of applied sciences and arts, students, academic staff, quality assurance coordinators, panel members, quality assurance agencies and policymakers all contributed to the evaluation. An international expert panel was also consulted throughout the process.
The assessment was based on a comprehensive evaluation framework covering nine quality standards, including quality assurance, reliability and validity, transparency, stakeholder involvement and administrative burden.
The report’s central conclusion is unequivocal: the current quality assurance system enables valid and reliable judgements about the quality of Flemish higher education.
According to the researchers, assessments are conducted by independent and expert panels that bring together a broad range of perspectives, including subject specialists, students, representatives of the professional field and international experts. The combination of documentary analysis, self-reflection, site visits and peer review further strengthens the robustness of the assessment process.
The report highlights the strong coherence between the different NVAO procedures, including initial accreditation of new programmes, programme accreditation and institutional reviews. Together, these form an integrated quality assurance framework that safeguards quality at both programme and institutional level.
The evaluation identifies several notable strengths of the current system.
One of the most significant is NVAO’s Appreciative Approach. This approach promotes open dialogue, reflection and enhancement while maintaining the accountability expected from external quality assurance. According to the researchers, it also reduces incentives for superficial compliance and encourages meaningful discussions about educational quality.
A second strength is the combination of internal and external quality assurance. Institutions retain ownership of the quality of their provision through their own quality assurance systems, while independent external assessments provide verification and public accountability.
The report also emphasises the value of the active involvement of students, professional field representatives and international experts. Their participation enriches assessments and supports well-founded judgements from multiple perspectives.
In addition, the researchers acknowledge the NVAO’s important role in translating Flemish legislation and the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) into clear and workable assessment frameworks.
Although the evaluation is overwhelmingly positive, the report also identifies several opportunities to further strengthen the system.
A key recommendation concerns the reporting of assessment outcomes. In the current system, aspects that meet expectations are often not described in detail in assessment reports. As a result, readers do not always have a clear view of the full scope of what has been examined. More transparent reporting would further strengthen the traceability and accountability of assessment findings.
The researchers also recommend reconsidering the approach to system-wide analyses. While these analyses are intended to facilitate sector-wide learning and the dissemination of good practices, many stakeholders believe that their current design does not yet realise their full potential.
Additional recommendations include improving the accessibility and consistency of published reports, increasing transparency regarding procedures and decision-making processes, and continuing to ensure that the system remains workable for smaller and more specialised institutions.
The overall message of the evaluation is highly positive. The Flemish quality assurance system is functioning effectively and provides a solid basis for confidence in the quality of higher education.
For the NVAO, the findings represent an important external confirmation that its procedures and instruments achieve their intended purpose: enabling independent, expert and reliable judgements about the quality of programmes and institutions. In doing so, the system not only safeguards quality but also supports continuous enhancement across the higher education sector.