Agentur für Qualitätssicherung und Akkreditierung AQ Austria

Overview

The Agentur für Qualitätssicherung und Akkreditierung Austria (AQ Austria), Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation, is Austria's national agency responsible for external quality assurance in higher education. Established on March 1, 2012, under the Higher Education Quality Assurance Act (HS-QSG), AQ Austria operates as a public law entity, independent in its decision-making processes. Its primary role is to conduct accreditation procedures and audits for higher education institutions (HEIs) across Austria, excluding teacher education colleges. AQ Austria's mission is to support HEIs in enhancing the quality of their educational offerings, ensuring transparency and fostering continuous improvement in the higher education sector.

History and Legal Framework

AQ Austria was founded through the merger of three predecessor agencies: the Fachhochschulrat, the Accreditation Council for Private Universities and the Österreichische Qualitätssicherungsagentur (AQA). This consolidation aimed to streamline and strengthen the external quality assurance system in Austria. The agency's legal foundation is the Higher Education Quality Assurance Act (HS-QSG), which outlines its responsibilities and operational framework. As a public law entity, AQ Austria is subject to oversight by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, ensuring its accountability and alignment with national educational policies.

Mission, Vision and Objectives in Higher Education

AQ Austria's mission is to support higher education institutions in enhancing the quality of their educational offerings. The agency's vision is to contribute to the development of a high-quality, transparent and internationally competitive higher education system in Austria. Its objectives include:

• Conducting accreditation procedures for study programs and higher education institutions.
• Performing audits to assess and improve quality assurance processes within HEIs.
• Providing guidance and support to HEIs in developing and implementing internal quality assurance systems.
• Ensuring compliance with national and international quality standards and guidelines.

Through these objectives, AQ Austria plays a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of higher education in Austria.

Governance, Structure and Independence

AQ Austria operates with a governance structure designed to ensure independence and transparency in its operations. The agency's key governing bodies include:

• Kuratorium (Board of Trustees): Provides strategic direction and oversight.
• Board: Responsible for the agency's executive functions and decision-making.
• General Assembly: Comprises representatives from various stakeholders in the higher education sector.
• Complaint Commission: Handles grievances and ensures accountability in the agency's processes.

These bodies collectively ensure that AQ Austria operates independently, making decisions based solely on quality criteria without external influence. This structure upholds the agency's commitment to impartiality and integrity in its quality assurance activities.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

AQ Austria's core functions revolve around accreditation and quality evaluation:

• Accreditation Procedures: AQ Austria conducts formal evaluations of higher education institutions and study programs to assess their adherence to established quality standards. Successful accreditation signifies that an institution or program meets the criteria set forth by national and international guidelines.
• Audit Services: The agency performs audits to evaluate the effectiveness of internal quality assurance systems within HEIs, providing recommendations for improvement.
• Certification: AQ Austria offers certification services to document compliance with quality standards, enhancing the credibility of HEIs in the national and international academic community.

These activities ensure that Austrian higher education institutions maintain high standards of quality, fostering trust among students, faculty and the broader educational community.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

AQ Austria actively engages in international cooperation to align its practices with global standards and contribute to the development of quality assurance frameworks worldwide. The agency is a member of several international networks, including:

• European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA): AQ Austria is a full member, participating in collaborative efforts to enhance quality assurance practices across Europe.
• European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR): AQ Austria is listed, demonstrating its commitment to transparency and accountability in quality assurance.
• Central and Eastern European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (CEENQA): AQ Austria collaborates with agencies in the region to share best practices and strengthen quality assurance mechanisms.

These memberships facilitate knowledge exchange, capacity building and the harmonization of quality assurance practices, positioning AQ Austria as a key player in the international higher education landscape.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

Looking ahead, AQ Austria aims to further enhance its impact on Austrian higher education by:

• Adapting to Emerging Trends: The agency plans to address new challenges in higher education, such as digitalization and internationalization, by updating its quality assurance frameworks accordingly.
• Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement: AQ Austria seeks to deepen its collaboration with higher education institutions, students and other stakeholders to ensure that quality assurance processes are responsive to their needs.
• Enhancing Transparency and Accountability: The agency aims to improve the accessibility of its evaluation processes and outcomes, fostering greater trust and confidence in the quality assurance system.

Through these initiatives, AQ Austria endeavors to contribute to the continuous improvement and global competitiveness of Austrian higher education.

Summary

The Agentur für Qualitätssicherung und Akkreditierung Austria (AQ Austria) plays a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of higher education in Austria. Established in 2012, the agency operates as an independent public law entity, conducting accreditation procedures and audits for higher education institutions across the country. Through its adherence to national and international quality standards, AQ Austria supports institutions in their pursuit of excellence, ensuring that Austrian higher education remains robust, transparent and internationally respected.

FAQs

• What is AQ Austria?
  AQ Austria is the national agency responsible for external quality assurance in Austrian higher education, conducting accreditation procedures and audits to ensure adherence to quality standards.
• When was AQ Austria established?
  The agency was founded on March 1, 2012, under the Higher Education Quality Assurance Act (HS-QSG).
• Which institutions does AQ Austria oversee?
  AQ Austria oversees all higher education institutions in Austria, excluding teacher education colleges.
• Is AQ Austria independent?
  Yes, AQ Austria operates independently, making decisions based solely on quality criteria without external influence.
• What international networks is AQ Austria part of?
  AQ Austria is a member of several international networks, including ENQA, EQAR and CEENQA, facilitating collaboration and alignment with global quality assurance standards.

Organization Name

Agentur für Qualitätssicherung und Akkreditierung
Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation

Acronym

AQ Austria

Year of Establishment

1/03/2012

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

International

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA); Central and Eastern European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (CEENQA); International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE); European Association of Institutions in Higher Education (EURASHE); European University Association (EUA)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Franz-Klein-Gasse 5
Vienna
1190 Wien Austria

Phone

+43 1 532 02 20-0

Fax

+43 1 532 02 20-99

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

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X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Agentur für Qualitätssicherung und Akkreditierung's Wikipedia article

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