Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute

Overview

The Akkreditierungs-, Certifizierungs- und Qualitätssicherungs-Institut e.V. (ACQUIN) is a non-profit accreditation agency based in Bayreuth, Germany. Established in 2001, ACQUIN is authorised by the German Accreditation Council (Akkreditierungsrat) to evaluate and accredit Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes across all disciplines, as well as internal quality assurance systems in higher education institutions. Its mission is to ensure high-quality academic offerings, enhance transparency in the education sector and contribute to the international recognition of German degrees.

Historical and Legal Framework

ACQUIN was founded in response to the Bologna Process and the need for a national accreditation system in Germany. In May 2000, the Bavarian Rectors’ Conference initiated the establishment of an independent accreditation agency, leading to the formation of ACQUIN in January 2001. The agency was accredited by the German Accreditation Council on March 22, 2001 and has since been re-accredited, demonstrating its compliance with national and European quality assurance standards.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

ACQUIN's primary mission is to support the maintenance and enhancement of quality standards in higher education. Its objectives include:

• Conducting nationwide and cross-university accreditations of Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes.
• Evaluating and accrediting internal quality management systems of higher education institutions.
• Promoting transparency and comparability of academic degrees.
• Enhancing the attractiveness of higher education institutions for international students.
• Contributing to the internationalization of German higher education.

Through these objectives, ACQUIN aims to foster continuous improvement in teaching and learning, ensuring that academic programmes meet the evolving needs of students and the labour market.

Governance, Structure and Independence

ACQUIN operates as a registered association (eingetragener Verein) with recognised non-profit status. Its membership comprises over 150 higher education institutions from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, the United States and other countries, as well as professional and trade associations closely related to academia. The agency is governed by a board elected from its members, ensuring that decisions are made collectively and reflect the interests of the higher education community. ACQUIN maintains strict independence in its accreditation processes, with no institutional membership influencing accreditation decisions.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

ACQUIN offers two main types of accreditation services:

• Programme Accreditation: Evaluation of individual degree programmes to ensure they meet established quality standards.
• System Accreditation: Assessment of an institution's internal quality management system, allowing it to accredit its own programmes in the future.

These services are designed to support 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

ACQUIN 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)
• EUA (European University Association)
• INQAAHE (International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education)
• CEENQA (Central and Eastern European Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education)
• ECA (European Consortium for Accreditation in Higher Education)

These affiliations enable ACQUIN 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

ACQUIN'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, ACQUIN aims to expand its services to include more institutions globally, further strengthening the internationalisation of higher education.

Summary

The Akkreditierungs-, Certifizierungs- und Qualitätssicherungs-Institut e.V. (ACQUIN) 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 ACQUIN?
  ACQUIN is a non-profit accreditation agency based in Bayreuth, Germany, authorised to evaluate and accredit higher education programmes and quality management systems.
• When was ACQUIN established?
  ACQUIN was founded in 2001 in response to the need for quality assurance in higher education following the Bologna Process.
• What types of accreditation does ACQUIN offer?
  ACQUIN offers programme accreditation and system accreditation services to higher education institutions.
• Is ACQUIN recognised internationally?
  Yes, ACQUIN is a member of several international quality assurance networks, including ENQA, EUA, INQAAHE, CEENQA and ECA.
• How does ACQUIN ensure the independence of its accreditation processes?
  ACQUIN 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, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute
Akkreditierungs-, Certifizierungs- und Qualitätssicherungsinstitut e.V.

Acronym

ACQUIN

Year of Establishment

2001

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

International

Recognized by

German Accreditation Council

Affiliations or Memberships

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

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Brandenburger Strasse 2
Bayreuth
95448 Bavaria Germany

Phone

+49 (921) 530390-99

Fax

+49 (921) 530390-51

n.a.

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Wikipedia Article

Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute's Wikipedia article

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