1 The European Standards and Guidelines and Quality Assurance in the SEE region - opportunities and challenges The Case of Cyprus Elpida Heracleous For.

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The European Standards and The European Standards and Guidelines and Quality Assurance Guidelines and Quality Assurance

in the SEE region - opportunities in the SEE region - opportunities and challengesand challenges

The Case of CyprusThe Case of CyprusElpida HeracleousElpida Heracleous

For the Council of Educational Evaluation – For the Council of Educational Evaluation – AccreditationAccreditation

November 2007November 2007

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The Accreditation System in CyprusThe Accreditation System in Cyprus

• A perspectiveA perspective

• Problems, Achievements, ExperienceProblems, Achievements, Experience

• Future ProspectsFuture Prospects

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Cyprus: Characteristics of the local Cyprus: Characteristics of the local environmentenvironment

• A very small country (area: 3.572sqm population : A very small country (area: 3.572sqm population : 788,457 census 2007)788,457 census 2007)

• Most students study abroadMost students study abroad• No tradition to higher education and/or researchNo tradition to higher education and/or research• Aspires to become a regional educational centreAspires to become a regional educational centre• Significant private sector in higher educationSignificant private sector in higher education

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Public and Private Sector in Higher Public and Private Sector in Higher Education (cond.)Education (cond.)

Public UniversitiesPublic Universities• University of Cyprus University of Cyprus

(est. 1989)(est. 1989)• Open University of Open University of

Cyprus (est. 2006)Cyprus (est. 2006)• Cyprus University of Cyprus University of

Technology (est. 2006)Technology (est. 2006)

Private UniversitiesPrivate Universities• European University – European University –

Cyprus (est. 2007)Cyprus (est. 2007)• Frederick University Frederick University

(est. 2007)(est. 2007)• University of Nicosia University of Nicosia

(est. 2007)(est. 2007)

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Public and Private Sector in Higher Public and Private Sector in Higher EducationEducation

Public Institutes of Higher Public Institutes of Higher EducationEducation

• Cyprus Police AcademyCyprus Police Academy• Forestry SchoolForestry School• Mediterranean Institute of Mediterranean Institute of

ManagementManagement• Tourist Guides SchoolTourist Guides School• Public Health Inspectors Public Health Inspectors

SchoolSchool

Private Institutes of Private Institutes of Higher EducationHigher Education

• ……Quite a few(!) 31, out Quite a few(!) 31, out of which 22 have of which 22 have accredited programs (5 accredited programs (5 Masters, 56 Bachelors, Masters, 56 Bachelors, 7 Higher Diplomas, 107 7 Higher Diplomas, 107 Diplomas, 6 Diplomas, 6 Certificates)Certificates)

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Quality Assurance in CyprusQuality Assurance in Cyprus• ProgrammaticProgrammatic • C.E.E.A/SEKAP C.E.E.A/SEKAP

Council of Educational Evaluation Council of Educational Evaluation Accreditation/Accreditation/Συμβούλιο Εκπαιδευτικής Συμβούλιο Εκπαιδευτικής Αξιολόγησης Πιστοποίησης (Αξιολόγησης Πιστοποίησης (est. 1987)est. 1987)

• ECPU/ECPU/ΕΑΙΠ ΕΑΙΠ Evaluation Committee of Private Evaluation Committee of Private Universities/Universities/Επιτροπή Αξιολόγησης Ιδιωτικών Επιτροπή Αξιολόγησης Ιδιωτικών ΠανεπιστημίωνΠανεπιστημίων (est. 2006) (est. 2006)

• KYSATS/KYSATS/ΚΥΣΑΤΣΚΥΣΑΤΣ Cyprus Council for the Cyprus Council for the recognition of Higher Education recognition of Higher Education Qualifications/Qualifications/Κυπριακό Συμβούλιο Κυπριακό Συμβούλιο Αναγνώρισης Τίτλων ΣπουδώνΑναγνώρισης Τίτλων Σπουδών (est.1996) (est.1996)•DegreeDegree

•InstitutionalInstitutional

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BUT…BUT…is applicable only to Private is applicable only to Private

Higher EducationHigher Education

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Council of Educational Evaluation-Council of Educational Evaluation-Accreditation / C.E.E.AAccreditation / C.E.E.A

• Independent body appointed by the Council of Independent body appointed by the Council of MinistersMinisters

• It has an established legal basisIt has an established legal basis• Formally recognized by the competent public Formally recognized by the competent public

authorities to perform programmatic evaluations-authorities to perform programmatic evaluations-accreditations of the Private Institutes of Higher accreditations of the Private Institutes of Higher EducationEducation

• Funded from the budget of the Ministry of Funded from the budget of the Ministry of Education and CultureEducation and Culture

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Composition of the CouncilComposition of the Council

• George Philokyprou, Computer Scientist Ph. D ManchesterGeorge Philokyprou, Computer Scientist Ph. D Manchester• Costas Christou, Mathematician Ph. D OhioCostas Christou, Mathematician Ph. D Ohio• Michalis Haliasos, Economist, Ph. D YaleMichalis Haliasos, Economist, Ph. D Yale• Chrysee Hatzichristou, Psychologist, Ph. D BerkeleyChrysee Hatzichristou, Psychologist, Ph. D Berkeley• Petros Ioannou, Electrical Engineer, Ph. D IllinoisPetros Ioannou, Electrical Engineer, Ph. D Illinois• Leonidas Kyriakides, Mathematician, Ph. D New YorkLeonidas Kyriakides, Mathematician, Ph. D New York• Costas Pantelides, Chemical Engineer, Ph. D Imperial Costas Pantelides, Chemical Engineer, Ph. D Imperial

CollegeCollege

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Process of Evaluation Accreditation (cond.)Process of Evaluation Accreditation (cond.)

• Application from a Private Institute of Tertiary Education (PITE) along Application from a Private Institute of Tertiary Education (PITE) along with the self evaluation reports and all relevant documentswith the self evaluation reports and all relevant documents

• The C.E.E.A examines the application and appoints a relevant The C.E.E.A examines the application and appoints a relevant Visiting Team of Experts (VTE)Visiting Team of Experts (VTE)

• The VTE examines the self evaluation report and all other relevant The VTE examines the self evaluation report and all other relevant documents, performs site visit, and prepares a report which includes documents, performs site visit, and prepares a report which includes its findings, observations and recommendationsits findings, observations and recommendations

• The report is communicated to the concerned institutionThe report is communicated to the concerned institution• The Institution may submit comments relevant to the reportThe Institution may submit comments relevant to the report• The VTE considers the institution’s comments and prepares its final The VTE considers the institution’s comments and prepares its final

report, which is forwarded to the C.E.E.Areport, which is forwarded to the C.E.E.A

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Process of Evaluation Accreditation (cond.)Process of Evaluation Accreditation (cond.)

• The C.E.E.A after considering the final report, first The C.E.E.A after considering the final report, first report and other pertinent evidence can decide report and other pertinent evidence can decide whether to:whether to:

• Approve the programmeApprove the programme• Approve the program on ConditionsApprove the program on Conditions• Defer the decision on the programme till Defer the decision on the programme till

identified weaknesses are remediedidentified weaknesses are remedied• Reject the programmeReject the programme

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Process of Evaluation AccreditationProcess of Evaluation Accreditation

• The C.E.E.A notifies the Minister of Education The C.E.E.A notifies the Minister of Education and Culture of the decision(s) made and the and Culture of the decision(s) made and the Minister notifies the concerned Institution(s)Minister notifies the concerned Institution(s)

• The C.E.E.A has the authority to withdraw The C.E.E.A has the authority to withdraw the accreditation from any programme(s) at the accreditation from any programme(s) at any time, if it judges that the terms and any time, if it judges that the terms and conditions under which it was accredited are conditions under which it was accredited are no longer operativeno longer operative

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Visiting Teams of ExpertsVisiting Teams of Experts

• Size of Team: 3-9 (usually 5 members)Size of Team: 3-9 (usually 5 members)• Caliber: The best possibleCaliber: The best possible• Duration of Visit: 3-7 daysDuration of Visit: 3-7 days

Example: BSc in ArchitectureExample: BSc in Architecture1.1. Loukas Kalisperis Penn State U.S.A, ChairLoukas Kalisperis Penn State U.S.A, Chair2.2. Michael Fifield Oregon University U.S.A, MemberMichael Fifield Oregon University U.S.A, Member3.3. Anastasia Liakata Pechlivanidou NTUA Hellas, MemberAnastasia Liakata Pechlivanidou NTUA Hellas, Member4.4. Marios Phocas, University of Cyprus, MemberMarios Phocas, University of Cyprus, Member5.5. Marinos Ioannides, Higher Technical Institute Cyprus, MemberMarinos Ioannides, Higher Technical Institute Cyprus, Member

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ENQA Standards and Guidelines and the ENQA Standards and Guidelines and the C.E.E.A (cond.)C.E.E.A (cond.)• Official StatusOfficial Status

• ActivitiesActivities

• ResourcesResources

• Established by Law in 1987, it Established by Law in 1987, it is recognized by the competent is recognized by the competent public authorities, and complies public authorities, and complies with the requirements of the with the requirements of the legislative jurisdictions within legislative jurisdictions within which it operateswhich it operates

• Undertakes external quality Undertakes external quality assurance activities at program assurance activities at program levellevel

• Receives both its financial and Receives both its financial and human resources from the human resources from the Ministry of EducationMinistry of Education

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ENQA Standards and Guidelines and the ENQA Standards and Guidelines and the C.E.E.A (cond.)C.E.E.A (cond.)

• Mission Mission StatementStatement

• to build confidence and trust to build confidence and trust among local and foreign students among local and foreign students concerning the quality of the concerning the quality of the offered programs; to establish the offered programs; to establish the minimum possible criteria to be minimum possible criteria to be fulfilled for the award of an fulfilled for the award of an accredited degree from the Cyprus accredited degree from the Cyprus Government; and to provide a Government; and to provide a basis of comparison with degree basis of comparison with degree titles granted from foreign titles granted from foreign institutions of higher educationinstitutions of higher education..

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ENQA Standards and Guidelines and the ENQA Standards and Guidelines and the C.E.E.A (cond.)C.E.E.A (cond.)

• IndependenceIndependence • Appointed by the Council of Appointed by the Council of Ministers. All procedures and Ministers. All procedures and methods of operation are decided methods of operation are decided by the Council. Nomination and by the Council. Nomination and appointment of team of experts is appointment of team of experts is solely done by the Council. solely done by the Council. Decisions are taken by the Council Decisions are taken by the Council and cannot be altered by anyoneand cannot be altered by anyone

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ENQA Standards and ENQA Standards and Guidelines and the C.E.E.AGuidelines and the C.E.E.A• External Quality External Quality

Assurance Criteria Assurance Criteria and Processes used and Processes used by the agenciesby the agencies

• Accountability Accountability ProceduresProcedures

• All processes, criteria and All processes, criteria and procedures are pre-defined procedures are pre-defined and publicly available and publicly available (included in the Law)(included in the Law)

• Internal and external Internal and external feedback, a no conflict of feedback, a no conflict of interest mechanisminterest mechanism

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The Future…The Future…

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Cypriot Quality Assurance Agency for Cypriot Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education/Higher Education/Κυπριακός Φορέας Κυπριακός Φορέας Διασφάλισης και Πιστοποίησης Διασφάλισης και Πιστοποίησης Ποιότητας στην ΕκπαίδευσηΠοιότητας στην Εκπαίδευση

• Established by law on October 5, 2007Established by law on October 5, 2007

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Cypriot Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Cypriot Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education/Education/Κυπριακός Φορέας Διασφάλισης και Κυπριακός Φορέας Διασφάλισης και Πιστοποίησης Ποιότητας στην ΕκπαίδευσηΠιστοποίησης Ποιότητας στην Εκπαίδευση

AdvantagesAdvantagesConcentration under one Concentration under one body of all processes of of all processes of

evaluation and quality assurance, applicable both to evaluation and quality assurance, applicable both to the private and public sector (Private Institutes of the private and public sector (Private Institutes of Higher Education and Universities) avoiding the Higher Education and Universities) avoiding the wastage of human and material resources.wastage of human and material resources.

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Cypriot Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Cypriot Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education/Education/Κυπριακός Φορέας Κυπριακός Φορέας Διασφάλισης και Διασφάλισης και Πιστοποίησης Ποιότητας στην ΕκπαίδευσηΠιστοποίησης Ποιότητας στην ΕκπαίδευσηAdvantagesAdvantagesEstablishment of Internal Evaluation mechanisms by Establishment of Internal Evaluation mechanisms by

all Institutions, faculties and universities, both public all Institutions, faculties and universities, both public and private. Through these mechanisms the and private. Through these mechanisms the Institutions will systematically collect data, enabling Institutions will systematically collect data, enabling them to keep track of their improvement towards them to keep track of their improvement towards quality excellence. This process is expected to quality excellence. This process is expected to mobilise the internal activities of self-monitoring and mobilise the internal activities of self-monitoring and follow-up of the educational quality offered by the follow-up of the educational quality offered by the institutions, aiming towards continuous improvement.institutions, aiming towards continuous improvement.

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Cypriot Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Cypriot Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education/Education/Κυπριακός Φορέας Διασφάλισης και Κυπριακός Φορέας Διασφάλισης και Πιστοποίησης Ποιότητας στην ΕκπαίδευσηΠιστοποίησης Ποιότητας στην Εκπαίδευση

AdvantagesAdvantagesA flexible, modern and pioneering organisation will A flexible, modern and pioneering organisation will

be created which will evaluate, accredit and be created which will evaluate, accredit and safeguard higher education in Cyprus. It will also be safeguard higher education in Cyprus. It will also be compatible with all EU requirements and with the compatible with all EU requirements and with the requirements of other international bodies and requirements of other international bodies and organisations.organisations.

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Cypriot Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Cypriot Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education/Education/Κυπριακός Φορέας Διασφάλισης και Κυπριακός Φορέας Διασφάλισης και Πιστοποίησης Ποιότητας στην ΕκπαίδευσηΠιστοποίησης Ποιότητας στην Εκπαίδευση

AdvantagesAdvantages

It will be possible to act as a regional organisation It will be possible to act as a regional organisation of quality assurance in the Eastern Mediterranean of quality assurance in the Eastern Mediterranean and the wider region.and the wider region.

The status of Higher Education in Cyprus will be The status of Higher Education in Cyprus will be further improved both within Cyprus and abroad.further improved both within Cyprus and abroad.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!ATTENTION!