Quality Assurance in Applied and Professional Higher Education

National trends and European contexts

30-31

Oct 2025

Sofia, Bulgaria

Face-to-face

The EURASHE Quality Assurance Community of Practice (QA CoP) is pleased to invite you to its next meeting, followed by a Conference on the “Quality Assurance in Applied and professional Higher Education: National trends and European contexts”, hosted by EURASHE member University of Telecommunications and Post (UTP).

The meeting will bring together colleagues to exchange on key European and national developments in quality assurance and professional higher education. This year’s focus will be on:

Day 1 (30 October) – QA CoP members’ discussions on ESG revision, ECTS Users’ Guide, potential Erasmus+ project opportunities, and the QA CoP work plan.

Day 2 (31 October) – Conference on “Quality Assurance in Applied and Professional Higher Education – National Trends and European Contexts” with contributions from NEAA, NACID, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Council of Rectors, the European Commission, and EURASHE, as well as the workshop and the world cafe session to exchange with the members.

The meeting also allows showcasing interesting examples from members and participants from the following categories during the open world cafe session:

  • QA of applied vs fundamental research;
  • funding linked to QA criteria;
  • quality cooperation with the world of work;
  • regional impact;
  • quality of lifelong learning and micro-credentials.
Agenda
Day 1 | 30 October (QA CoP members only)
14:30 – 15:00 Arrival of participants, coffee and refreshments
15:00 – 15:45

Session 1

  • ESG revision
  • European Approach for QA of Joint Programmes
  • ECTS Users’ Guide
  • Updates and discussion
15:45 – 16:15 Coffee break
16:15 – 17:00

 Session 2

  • Discussion on planned Blended Intensive Programme (BIP)
  • Brainstorm on Erasmus+ call project opportunities
  • Possible revision of EURASHE proposal
  • QA CoP work plan
17:30 – 19:00

Cultural activity

Guided walking tour of the Sofia city centre

19:30 – 21:00 Dinner 
Day 2 | 31 October (open to all)
9:30 – 10:00 Registration
10:00 – 12:30

Quality Assurance in Bulgaria: Achievements and challenges

with contributions from NEAA, NACID, Ministry of Education, Council of Rectors, European Commission

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch
13:30 – 14:25

World Café: Quality Assurance in professional higher education

with interventions on the following topics:

  • applied vs. fundamental research
  • funding linked to quality assurance criteria
  • business cooperation
  • regional impact
  • lifelong learning and micro-credentials
14:25 – 14:40 Coffee break 
14:40 – 15:40 Reports from World Café and discussion
15:40 – 16:30

Good practices in feedback gathering

Demonstration by Kazvai.bg

16:30 Closing of the event