Secretary (Netherlands)
The secretary supports the expert panel in various NVAO assessment procedures. Here you can find more information about the role of a secretary within an expert panel. You will also find information on the training and guidelines for becoming and remaining an NVAO secretary. NVAO maintains a Register of Secretaries. For privacy reasons, this Register is not publicly available.
THE ROLE OF THE SECRETARY
General
The secretary supports the expert panel in the assessment procedures for Institutional Quality Assurance Assessment (ITK), Initial Accreditation (TNO), the Three-Year Follow-up Assessment, and Accreditation of Existing Programmes. The secretary is not a member of the panel and remains impartial towards the institution or programme, the panel, and NVAO. The secretary fulfils the following roles:
- Process guardian: the secretary ensures that the panel correctly applies NVAO's procedures and guidelines;
- Panel support: the secretary provides organisational support to the panel; and
- Rapporteur: the secretary records the panel meetings and the site visit, and drafts the advisory or assessment report on the panel's instructions.
HOW DO YOU BECOME A SECretary?
Secretary Training
NVAO organises a Secretary Training course once a year. The training is intended for participants who:- aspire to work as a Secretary within the accreditation system;
- preferably already have experience in writing professional reports;
- are willing and able to devote sufficient time during the training to drafting part of an assessment report.
A maximum of 16 participants can attend each training course. Registration takes place via the NVAO website. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
After successfully completing the training, you will:
- be included in the NVAO Register of Secretaries;
- receive a certificate of participation.
Duration
- Each training course consists of two in-person sessions;
- Online participation is not possible.
Training dates
2026
- Tuesday 6 October 2026, 9.00–16.30
- Tuesday 10 November 2026, 9.00–16.30
2027
- Tuesday 5 October 2027, 9.00–16.30
- Tuesday 16 November 2027, 9.00–16.30
Fee
€1,250
Location
The Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders
Parkstraat 83
2514 JG The Hague
The Netherlands
Apply now!
Would you like to participate as a prospective Secretary? If so, please send us a message outlining your experience in higher education.
How do you remain a secretary?
With the introduction of the Tailored Accreditation Act in 2019, the role of the secretary in the assessment process was further strengthened. To remain registered in the NVAO Register of Secretaries, secretaries must meet the following requirement::
- Preparing advisory and assessment reports. Each secretary must prepare at least three reports within a three-year period (an average of one report per calendar year).
Who are the secretaries
NVAO Register of Secretaries
NVAO maintains a Register of Secretaries containing all Secretaries who have successfully completed the NVAO Secretary Training. They meet the requirements set out in the NVAO Guidelines for Secretaries. For privacy reasons, the Register is no longer publicly available online. It may be requested by sending an email to NVAO.
Panel work in practice
NVAO has published a series of training videos on YouTube for panel members and ABO Secretaries. The videos cover topics including the assessment framework, peer review, interview techniques, judgement formation, and the role of the ABO Secretary. They provide practical guidance to help participants prepare for accreditation procedures and can also be used as a reference.
Watch the complete YouTube playlist (Dutch).
