Φορέας Διασφάλισης και Πιστοποίησης της Ποιότητας της Ανώτερης Εκπαίδευσης

Overview

The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA), established in November 2015, is the national authority responsible for ensuring the quality of higher education in Cyprus. Its mandate encompasses the evaluation and accreditation of higher education institutions (HEIs), departments and programs of study, in alignment with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG). CYQAA operates as an independent and autonomous body, committed to fostering a culture of quality within the Cypriot higher education sector.

History and Legal Framework

CYQAA was founded pursuant to the "Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education and the Establishment and Operation of an Agency on Related Matters Law of 2015." This legislation provided the legal foundation for the agency's establishment and delineated its responsibilities and operational framework. The agency commenced its operations on November 5, 2015, following the appointment of its governing Council by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cyprus. Since its inception, CYQAA has been recognized as the sole national quality assurance agency for higher education in Cyprus.

Mission, Vision and Objectives in Higher Education

CYQAA's mission is to safeguard academic standards and support the continuous improvement and upgrading of HEIs and their programs of study. This is achieved through the implementation of quality assurance procedures that adhere to the principles underlying the European Higher Education Area. The agency's vision is to contribute to the establishment of Cyprus as a regional center of high-quality higher education, promoting transparency and mutual recognition of qualifications. CYQAA aims to cultivate a quality culture within HEIs, fostering self-regulatory policies and shared values among academic institutions.

Governance, Structure and Independence

CYQAA is governed by a Council comprising 11 members, including a President, a Vice-President and nine members with extensive experience in university management and quality assurance. The agency operates independently, with its autonomy safeguarded by law. This independence ensures that CYQAA's decisions and evaluations are free from external influence, allowing for objective and impartial assessments of higher education institutions and programs. The agency is funded by the state budget, with provisions for the collection of fees from institutions for evaluation services.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation in Higher Education

CYQAA is entrusted with the evaluation and accreditation of higher education institutions, departments and programs of study in Cyprus. Its responsibilities include:

• Institutional evaluation and accreditation
• Departmental evaluation and accreditation
• Program evaluation and accreditation
• Evaluation and accreditation of cross-border education offered by local institutions in member states or third countries
• Assessment of the conditions for the provision of cross-border education from foreign institutions in Cyprus
• Assessment of inter-institutional cooperation among higher education institutions
• Provision of information regarding quality assurance in higher education

These activities are conducted in accordance with the ESG and European policies on mobility and mutual recognition of qualifications. Through these procedures, CYQAA supports HEIs in enhancing the quality of their educational offerings and operations.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

CYQAA actively participates in international networks and collaborates with various organizations to promote quality assurance in higher education. The agency is a full member of:

• European Network for Quality Assurance (ENQA)
• European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR)
• International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE)

These memberships facilitate the exchange of best practices and alignment with international standards in quality assurance. Additionally, CYQAA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in the United Kingdom, further strengthening its international collaborations.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

CYQAA's activities have a significant impact on the higher education landscape in Cyprus. By ensuring that HEIs adhere to established quality standards, the agency enhances the credibility and recognition of Cypriot higher education both domestically and internationally. The agency's emphasis on quality assurance contributes to the continuous improvement of educational offerings, better alignment with labor market needs and increased student satisfaction. Looking forward, CYQAA aims to further strengthen its role in promoting a culture of quality and supporting the development of Cyprus as a regional hub for higher education.

Summary

The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education plays a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of higher education in Cyprus. Through its independent and legally mandated operations, CYQAA ensures that higher education institutions meet rigorous standards, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and international recognition. Its active participation in global quality assurance networks underscores its commitment to aligning with international best practices and contributing to the advancement of higher education in Cyprus.

FAQs

• What is CYQAA?
  CYQAA is the national authority responsible for ensuring the quality of higher education in Cyprus, overseeing the evaluation and accreditation of higher education institutions and programs of study.
• When was CYQAA established?
  CYQAA was established in November 2015, following the enactment of the "Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education and the Establishment and Operation of an Agency on Related Matters Law of 2015."
• What are CYQAA's main responsibilities?
  CYQAA's main responsibilities include institutional, departmental and programmatic evaluation and accreditation, quality assurance of cross-border education and the provision of information regarding quality assurance in higher education.
• Is CYQAA an independent agency?
  Yes, CYQAA operates as an independent and autonomous body, with its decisions and evaluations free from external influence, ensuring objective assessments of higher education institutions and programs.
• Which international organizations is CYQAA affiliated with?
  CYQAA is a full member of the European Network for Quality Assurance (ENQA), the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE).

Organization Name

Φορέας Διασφάλισης και Πιστοποίησης της Ποιότητας της Ανώτερης Εκπαίδευσης

Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education

Acronym

CYQAA
ΔΙΠΑΕ

Year of Establishment

2015

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

World Federation for Medical Education;

Affiliations or Memberships

European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR); European Association for Quality Assurance (ENQA); International Network for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Higher Education (INQAAHE); European University Association (EUA); European Distance and E-Learning Network (EDEN); Global Academic Integrity Network (GAIN)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Lemesou Avenue, 5
Lefkosia
2112 Northern Cyprus Cyprus

Phone

+357 (22) 504 340

Fax

+357 (22) 504 392

Higher Education Institutions evaluated/accredited by The Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education

Avgorou

• Public School of Higher Vocational Education and Training - MIEEK (Branch Avgorou)

Frankfurt, Germany

• European University Cyprus - School of Medicine (Branch Frankfurt, Germany)

Larnaca

• Public School of Higher Vocational Education and Training - MIEEK (Branch Larnaca)

Limassol

• Philips University
• University of Limassol
• Public School of Higher Vocational Education and Training - MIEEK (Branch Limassol)

Nicosia

• ACC Akademia College
• Aigaia School of Art and Design
• American University of Cyprus (AUCY)
• ARTE Music Academy
• CBS - College of Business Studies (Nicosia)
• Cosmos Open University
• Cyprus Forestry College
• European Institute of Management and Finance (EIMF)
• European University Cyprus - School of Dentistry
• FreshArt College
• Mediterranean Institute of Management
• Mesoyios College
• Public School of Higher Vocational Education and Training - MIEEK (Branch Nicosia)
• The Philips College
• The Police Academy
• Absolute Institute of Technical Education (ΑΙΤΕ)–(MIEEK)

Pafos

• American University of Beirut Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) Pafos
• Cyprus University of Technology - Faculty of Tourism Management, Hospitality and Entrepreneurship (Branch Paphos)
• Neapolis College
• Pafos Innovation Institute - Ceased Operation 01-09-2022
• Public School of Higher Vocational Education and Training - MIEEK (Branch Pafos)

Paralimni

• Public School of Higher Vocational Education and Training - MIEEK (Branch Paralimni)

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

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X (Twitter)

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LinkedIn

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YouTube

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Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Not available

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