EURASHE is one of the organisers of this year’s European Quality Assurance Forum (EQAF), taking place at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, on 23-25 November. The partnerships developed with the European University Association (EUA), the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), and the European Students’ Union (ESU) have helped to build a pivotal event delving into the intersection of internationalisation and quality assurance in higher education.
This year’s EQAF promises a rich exploration of policies, trends, and practical case examples shaping the future of quality assurance. The overarching theme, “Internationalisation in a changing world. New trends and challenges for QA” underscores the evolving landscape of higher education. For decades, internationalisation has been a driving force, fostering collaboration, mobility, and the exchange of best practices globally. EQAF 2023 recognises the opportunities and challenges this trend presents for quality assurance, from developing innovative approaches for transnational joint degrees to fostering cooperation across diverse education systems.
The Forum will engage participants in discussions on quality assurance policies and practices that support emerging forms of internationalisation. Key questions to be addressed include the role of quality assurance in promoting sustainability in transnational mobility, the adaptability of European tools like the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) for the future, and how the European framework aligns with quality assurance beyond the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Importantly, EQAF 2023 will explore avenues for innovation in quality assurance, reflecting the diverse priorities of stakeholders involved in the internationalisation of higher education.
The University of Aveiro, hosting this year’s EQAF, stands as a testament to internationalisation. As a hub for global collaboration, the university boasts a diverse network of partners and is part of ECIU University, a pioneer in the European Universities Initiative. The university’s commitment to fostering impactful collaborations is reflected in its extensive research network, involving institutions from 140 countries.
Quality assurance agencies, researchers, students and practitioners will certainly enjoy the sessions, workshops and presentations that will set the stage for an in-depth analysis of quality assurance and internationalisation. We do hope that the pleasant campus of the University of Aveiro and the nearby lagoon and canals will help in creating additional opportunities for discussion, outside the formal programme, in a beautiful natural setting.
As the stage is set and participants eagerly anticipate the wealth of insights to be shared, EQAF 2023 promises to be a landmark event shaping the future of quality assurance in international higher education. The full programme of the event has recently been published and is available here. We look forward to welcoming you to Aveiro!
To remain up to date and engage with ongoing conversations, follow @EQAF and #EQAF on Twitter or join the European Quality Assurance Forum (EQAF) LinkedIn group.
