Quality assurance (QA) is fundamental to maintain trust in higher education institutions (HEI). It can be performed internally to improve the quality of teaching and learning or externally to ensure compliance with national and European standards.
In Poland, the QA mechanisms were put in place in the 90's. In 2001, Poland joined the Bologna process and adapted its structure to develop its national qualification framework (NQF). Academic accreditation is awarded by the University Accreditation Commission (UAC), based on accreditation standards, site visits and reports from the HEI. A new decree is to come into effect in 2011.
The QA procedures are described, and the case study of the Jagiellonian University is presented.