Agency for the Evaluation of the Quality of Higher Education

Overview

The Agence pour l'Évaluation de la Qualité de l'Enseignement Supérieur (AEQES)or Agency for the Evaluation of the Quality of Higher Education, is an independent public agency established in 2004 by the Ministry of the French Community of Belgium. Operating within the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, AEQES is tasked with the external evaluation of higher education programs, including those offered by universities, university colleges, art academies, conservatories and adult learning institutions. Its primary mission is to assess and enhance the quality of higher education through formative evaluations that foster continuous improvement and dialogue among all stakeholders involved in the educational process. AEQES is a full member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and is listed on the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR), reflecting its adherence to European standards and guidelines for quality assurance in higher education.

History and Legal Framework

In response to the "Quality" objective of the Bologna Process, the Parliament of the French Community of Belgium enacted a decree on November 14, 2002, establishing AEQES. The agency became operational in 2004, developing methodologies to evaluate various higher education programs. Over time, AEQES has refined its evaluation processes to align with evolving educational standards and practices, ensuring its role in quality assurance remains relevant and effective within the Federation Wallonia-Brussels.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

AEQES's mission is to assess the quality of higher education programs and contribute to their continuous improvement. The agency aims to:

• Conduct evaluations of higher education programs to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas for enhancement.
• Promote a culture of quality within institutions by fostering cooperation among all educational stakeholders.
• Provide recommendations to policymakers to inform decisions aimed at improving higher education quality.
• Represent the Federation Wallonia-Brussels in national and international forums related to higher education quality assurance.

AEQES operates within the European context, adhering to the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) and is committed to maintaining high standards of quality assurance in higher education.

Governance, Structure and Independence

AEQES is governed by a Committee of Management, a Bureau and an Executive Cell. The Committee of Management makes decisions regarding the agency's activities, while the Bureau prepares these decisions and oversees their implementation. The Executive Cell is responsible for executing the decisions and ensuring the proper organization of evaluations. All members of these bodies are committed to upholding the agency's code of ethics, ensuring transparency and accountability in its operations. AEQES's independence is crucial to its credibility and effectiveness in conducting impartial evaluations of higher education programs.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role

While AEQES is not an accreditation agency, it plays a vital role in the quality assurance landscape by conducting formative evaluations of higher education programs. These evaluations involve a self-assessment phase by the institution, followed by an external evaluation conducted by a panel of independent experts. The process includes site visits, the publication of evaluation reports and the development of action plans by the institutions. AEQES's evaluations aim to identify areas of improvement and support institutions in enhancing the quality of their educational offerings. The agency's work complements accreditation processes by providing detailed insights into program quality and institutional practices.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

AEQES is actively engaged in international cooperation and is a full member of several key organizations:

• European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA): AEQES has been a member since 2011, demonstrating its commitment to European standards in quality assurance.
• European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR): Listed since 2012, AEQES is recognized for meeting the criteria for quality assurance agencies in Europe.
• Réseau francophone des agences qualité pour l’enseignement supérieur (FrAQ-Sup): AEQES co-founded this network in 2014 to promote quality assurance practices in French-speaking higher education institutions.

Through these memberships, AEQES collaborates with international partners to share best practices, enhance its evaluation methodologies and contribute to the global discourse on higher education quality assurance.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

AEQES continues to influence higher education in the Federation Wallonia-Brussels by:

• Providing institutions with detailed evaluation reports that highlight areas for improvement and facilitate strategic planning.
• Encouraging a culture of self-reflection and continuous improvement among higher education institutions.
• Advising policymakers on effective strategies to enhance the quality of higher education.
• Contributing to the development of quality assurance frameworks at the national and international levels.

Looking ahead, AEQES aims to further strengthen its methodologies, expand its international collaborations and continue its pivotal role in enhancing the quality of higher education in the region.

Summary

The Agence pour l'Évaluation de la Qualité de l'Enseignement Supérieur (AEQES) is a cornerstone institution in the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, dedicated to the external evaluation and continuous improvement of higher education programs. Established in 2004, AEQES operates independently to assess and enhance the quality of educational offerings across various institutions. Through its formative evaluation processes, international collaborations and adherence to European standards, AEQES contributes significantly to the advancement of higher education quality in the region.

FAQs

• What is AEQES? AEQES is the Agency for the Evaluation of the Quality of Higher Education in the Federation Wallonia-Brussels, responsible for conducting external evaluations of higher education programs to ensure and enhance their quality.
• Is AEQES an accreditation agency? No, AEQES is not an accreditation agency. It conducts formative evaluations to provide institutions with insights and recommendations for quality improvement.
• Which institutions are evaluated by AEQES? AEQES evaluates programs offered by universities, university colleges, art academies, conservatories and adult learning institutions within the Federation Wallonia-Brussels.
• What is the evaluation process? The evaluation process involves a self-assessment by the institution, followed by an external evaluation conducted by a panel of independent experts, including site visits and the publication of evaluation reports.
• How does AEQES contribute to quality assurance? AEQES contributes by identifying strengths and areas for improvement in higher education programs, fostering a culture of quality and advising policymakers on strategies to enhance educational quality.

Organization Name

Agency for the Evaluation of the Quality of Higher Education
Agence pour l'Evaluation de la Qualité de l'Enseignement Supérieur

Acronym

AEQES

Year of Establishment

2004

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Avenue du Port, 16
Bruxelles
1080 Brussels Belgium

Phone

+32 (2) 690 8808

Fax

+32 (2) 690 8844

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Not available

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Agency for the Evaluation of the Quality of Higher Education's Wikipedia article

Unlock your University's potential: spotlight your Institution on UniRank for leads, local recognition and branding. Enquiry now to feature your University here.

Explore other Belgian higher education-related organizations and authorities.

Find top-ranked Universities in Belgium.

Search for courses and scholarships with the uniRank World Universities Search Engine.