Accreditation Agency for Study Programs in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Overview

The Akkreditierungsagentur für Studiengänge der Ingenieurwissenschaften, der Informatik, der Naturwissenschaften und der Mathematik e.V. (ASIIN) is a non-profit accreditation agency based in Düsseldorf, Germany. Established in July 1999, ASIIN specialises in the accreditation of study programmes in engineering, computer science, natural sciences, mathematics and related fields. It offers both programme and system accreditation services to higher education institutions in Germany and internationally. ASIIN is recognised by the German Accreditation Council (Akkreditierungsrat) and listed in the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR), underscoring its commitment to high-quality standards in higher education.

Historical and Legal Framework

ASIIN was founded in July 1999 as a registered association (eingetragener Verein) under German law. The agency was established to address the need for specialised accreditation in the fields of engineering, computer science, natural sciences and mathematics. Since its founding, ASIIN has been authorised by the German Accreditation Council to conduct accreditation procedures for study programmes and quality management systems in these disciplines. The agency's legal status as a non-profit association allows it to operate independently and focus on its mission to enhance the quality of higher education.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

ASIIN's mission is to ensure and enhance the quality of study programmes in engineering, computer science, natural sciences, mathematics and related fields. The agency aims to:

• Conduct rigorous accreditation procedures for study programmes and quality management systems.
• Promote the international recognition and comparability of academic degrees.
• Support higher education institutions in developing and implementing quality assurance measures.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of teaching and learning in the accredited disciplines.

Through these objectives, ASIIN strives to foster excellence in higher education and meet the evolving needs of students, employers and society.

Governance, Structure and Independence

ASIIN operates as a registered non-profit association, governed by a board elected from its members, which include universities, professional associations and scientific societies. The agency's structure ensures broad representation and stakeholder involvement in decision-making processes. ASIIN maintains strict independence in its accreditation procedures, with decisions made based on objective criteria and expert evaluations. This independence is crucial for upholding the credibility and integrity of the accreditation process.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

ASIIN offers two main types of accreditation services:

• Programme Accreditation: Evaluation of individual study programmes to ensure they meet established quality standards and align with national and international frameworks.
• System Accreditation: Assessment of an institution's internal quality management system, enabling the institution to accredit its own programmes in the future.

These services are designed to support higher education institutions in enhancing the quality of their academic offerings, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring alignment with national and international standards.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

ASIIN is actively involved in several international networks and organisations dedicated to quality assurance in higher education. Its memberships include:

• ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education)
• ECA (European Consortium for Accreditation in Higher Education)
• EQAR (European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education)
• ENAEE (European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education)

These affiliations enable ASIIN to stay abreast of global trends in quality assurance, participate in international dialogues and contribute to the development of best practices in accreditation.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

ASIIN's role in higher education continues to evolve as it adapts to changing educational landscapes. Its impact includes:

• Enhancing the quality and international recognition of German higher education degrees.
• Supporting institutions in aligning their programmes with international standards and expectations.
• Contributing to the development of a more transparent and accountable higher education system.
• Facilitating the international mobility of students and graduates through recognised accreditation.

Looking forward, ASIIN aims to expand its services to include more institutions globally, further strengthening the internationalisation of higher education.

Summary

The Akkreditierungsagentur für Studiengänge der Ingenieurwissenschaften, der Informatik, der Naturwissenschaften und der Mathematik e.V. (ASIIN) is a key player in the German and international higher education landscape. Through its rigorous accreditation processes, it ensures that academic programmes meet high-quality standards, contributing to the continuous improvement of teaching and learning. Its active participation in international networks underscores its commitment to global best practices in quality assurance.

FAQs

• What is ASIIN?
  ASIIN is a non-profit accreditation agency based in Düsseldorf, Germany, authorised to evaluate and accredit higher education programmes and quality management systems.
• When was ASIIN established?
  ASIIN was founded in July 1999 in response to the need for specialised accreditation in engineering, computer science, natural sciences and mathematics.
• What types of accreditation does ASIIN offer?
  ASIIN offers programme accreditation and system accreditation services to higher education institutions.
• Is ASIIN recognised internationally?
  Yes, ASIIN is a member of several international quality assurance networks, including ENQA, ECA, EQAR and ENAEE.
• How does ASIIN ensure the independence of its accreditation processes?
  ASIIN maintains strict independence by ensuring that accreditation decisions are made collectively by a board elected from its diverse membership, with no single institution influencing the outcomes.

Organization Name

Accreditation Agency for Study Programs in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Akkreditierungsagentur für Studiengänge der Ingenieurwissenschaften, der Informatik, der Naturwissenschaften und der Mathematik

Acronym

ASIIN

Year of Establishment

2002

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

International

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Postfact 10 11 39
Dusseldorf
40002 Nordrhein-Westfalen Germany

Phone

+49 (211) 6214 667

Fax

n.a.

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Wikipedia Article

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