Agencia de Calidad y Prospectiva Universitaria de Aragón ACPUA

Overview

The Agencia de Calidad y Prospectiva Universitaria de Aragón (ACPUA)or Aragon Agency for Quality Assurance and Strategic Foresight in Higher Education, is the official regional agency responsible for external evaluation, accreditation and strategic foresight for universities in the Autonomous Community of Aragon, Spain. It is an autonomous public‑law entity with legal personality and financial and administrative autonomy. According to uniRank, the Aragon Agency for Quality Assurance and Strategic Foresight in Higher Education was established in 2005 and operates as an independent non‑profit body overseeing the quality of higher education in Aragon.

History and Legal Framework

ACPUA was formally created by Law 5/2005 (14 June 2005), known as the Aragon Higher Education Act, which introduced Title IV establishing the agency and assigning it responsibilities for guaranteeing the quality of the university system of Aragon. Its internal Statutes were approved by Decree 239/2006 of 4 December 2006. The legal framework positions ACPUA as an autonomous body under Aragon’s Administration law, ensuring independence, impartiality and continuity in its mandate.

Since September 2013 ACPUA has been affiliated with the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and in August 2016 it gained full EQAR listing. Its registration by the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR), valid through mid‑2026, allows it to perform all official evaluation functions under Spanish higher education legislation.

Mission, Vision and Objectives role in higher education

ACPUA’s mission is to guarantee and promote the quality of the university system in Aragon, fostering continuous improvement, accountability and alignment with social and economic needs. Its vision is to position Aragonese higher education as a reference in governance, quality culture, innovation and strategic foresight within both national and European higher education spaces.

Its core objectives include:

• Evaluating and accrediting university centres and official study programmes (Grado, Máster, Doctorado).
• Certifying internal quality assurance systems (e.g. PACE IQAS certification).
• Auditing teaching activity and faculty evaluation processes (e.g. DOCENTIA programme).
• Promoting strategic reflection, thematic research and foresight on higher education trends.
• Engaging stakeholders: academia, students, social agents, employers, government.
• Advancing a culture of quality through seminars, publications and shared best practices.

Governance, Structure and Independence

ACPUA is governed by a Board of Directors, composed of high-level representatives including:

• The Aragon Minister for Employment, Science and Universities (President).
• General Directors of Universities, Science & Research (Vice‑president, Secretary).
• Rector representatives from the University of Zaragoza and Universidad San Jorge.
• Trade‑union, employer and civil‑society appointees.
• Student representatives elected from public Aragonese universities.

Operational and technical execution is overseen by the Committee of Experts (CECA), with subcommittees for accreditation and appeals. The agency is headed by a Director appointed by the Board. Its governance model ensures high representation from the university community and other social actors, underpinned by autonomy, transparency and impartiality guaranteed by law.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation role in higher education

ACPUA conducts a full portfolio of evaluation and accreditation activities:

• Initial institutional accreditation: certification of a university centre’s internal quality assurance system and its programme coverage.
• Institutional reaccreditation: every 6–8 years depending on official status under Royal Decree 640/2021.
• Study programme accreditation: ex‑post evaluation every six years (Grado) or four (Máster), including site visits with external panels in which ≥1 student must participate.
• Follow‑up and modification reviews: assessing compliance with commitments and changes in programme design.
• PACE IQAS certification: auditing of internal quality assurance systems aligned with EQAR standards.
• DOCENTIA audit: review of teaching staff evaluation systems in collaboration with ANECA.
• Prospective and thematic studies: alumni employability, sustainability, programme effectiveness and strategic analysis.

For each formal evaluation ACPUA forms ad‑hoc panels of reviewers external to Aragon’s university system; outcomes are processed through the CECA and can be appealed. Accredited results and monitoring reports are publicly available.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

ACPUA is an active member of leading international quality assurance networks:

• ENQA (European Quality Assurance in Higher Education), as a full member since 2016.
• EQAR registration, enabling agency operations across the European Higher Education Area.
• INQAAHE (International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education), recognised since 2017, aligned with INQAAHE’s Guidelines and Good Practices (“GGP Aligned Member”).
• ECA (European Consortium for Accreditation in Higher Education), collaborating in cross‑border reviews and benchmarking.

ACPUA hosts events—such as ENQA board meetings and REACU gatherings in Zaragoza—and regularly contributes to thematic conferences, Erasmus+ projects and global forums, including seminars co‑organised with UNESCO and HESI on sustainability in quality assurance.

Current or Future Impact on higher education

ACPUA has significantly shaped the higher education system of Aragon through:

• Certification of all public universities in Aragon and pioneering institutional accreditation beyond the public sector.
• Promotion of a quality culture: its monthly seminar series brings together stakeholders for reflection and sharing practices.
• Integration of sustainability and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals via the ALCAEUS certification programme, setting benchmarks for social dimension and gender equality.
• Strategic foresight: thematic research on alumni trajectories, employability, digital transformation and university–society interface.
• Extending its evaluation remit beyond the region to private and new university centres under the Spanish RD 640/2021 framework.
• Continuous adaptation to new ESG (European Standards and Guidelines) in line with ENQA recommendations.

Looking ahead, ACPUA plans to deepen its role in digital assurance, micro‑credentials, transfrontier programme accreditation, enhanced stakeholder dialogue and evidence‑based policymaking aligned with both national reform and European higher education trends.

Summary

The Agencia de Calidad y Prospectiva Universitaria de Aragón (ACPUA) is a legally constituted, autonomous quality assurance body established in 2005 under Aragon regional law. As a recognised European agency (ENQA/EQAR) and member of INQAAHE, it carries out institutional and programme evaluation, certification, audits and strategic studies to promote quality, innovation and social relevance in the university system. With a representative governance structure, expert reviewers and a strong foresight and engagement dimension, ACPUA offers a comprehensive model of regional quality assurance aligned with European standards.

FAQs

• What is ACPUA?
  ACPUA is the official regional agency in Aragon (Spain) for university quality assurance, strategic analysis and accreditation of study programmes and institutional systems.
• Does ACPUA accredit universities or programmes?
  ACPUA awards both institutional accreditation (the entire university centre) and individual degree programme accreditation (Grado, Máster, Doctorado), aligned with Spanish and European legislation.
• Is ACPUA recognised outside Spain?
  Yes. It is fully recognised by ENQA, registered in EQAR and aligned with INQAAHE, enabling it to operate according to the European Standards and Guidelines and collaborate internationally.
• Can ACPUA evaluate private or non-Aragon institutions?
  Under Spanish Royal Decree 640/2021, ACPUA may provide evaluation services to private universities or outside Aragon once those institutions request institutional accreditation.
• How long is programme accreditation valid?
  Accreditation cycles vary: typically 6 years for bachelor’s degrees, 4 years for master’s and institutional re‑accreditation every 6–8 years depending on status.
• Where is ACPUA based?
  ACPUA is headquartered in Zaragoza, Aragon (Avda. de Ranillas 5‑D, 1ª planta), with governing authority under the Government of Aragon’s Department of Employment, Science and Universities.
• How is ACPUA governed?
  By a Board of Directors including government, university, student and social representatives; operational and appeals review is handled by its Committee of Experts and appointed Director.
• What is ALCAEUS certification?
  ALCAEUS is ACPUA’s quality seal for the social dimension and sustainability of university centres aligned with the UN Agenda 2030, awarded to programmes demonstrating excellence in inclusive, equal and sustainable education.

Organization Name

Agencia de Calidad y Prospectiva Universitaria de Aragón
Aragon Agency for Quality Assurance and Strategic Foresight in Higher Education

Acronym

ACPUA

Year of Establishment

1/01/2005

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

Local or Regional

Recognized by

Department of Science, Higher Education and Knowledge Society of the Government of Aragon

Affiliations or Memberships

European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA); International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE); European Consortium for Accreditation in Higher Education (ECA)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Avenida de Ranillas nº 5 D, 1ª Planta
Zaragoza
50018 Aragon Spain

Phone

+34 976 713386

Fax

n.a.

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