Εθνική Αρχή Ανώτατης Εκπαίδευσης

Overview

The Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE) is an independent administrative authority in Greece, established by Law 4653/2020. It succeeded the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQA), which operated from 2006 to 2020. HAHE's primary mission is to ensure high quality in higher education through accreditation, evaluation and strategic oversight, aligning with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

History and Legal Framework

HAHE was established by Law 4653/2020 as the successor to the HQA. The transition aimed to enhance the agency's role in strategic planning and funding decisions within Greek higher education. This legal framework provides HAHE with administrative autonomy while maintaining legal supervision by the Minister of Education, ensuring compliance with national regulations and policies.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

HAHE's mission is to guarantee high-quality higher education in Greece. Its objectives include:

• Conducting external evaluations and accreditation of higher education institutions (HEIs) and their programs.
• Supporting HEIs in developing and implementing internal quality assurance systems.
• Ensuring transparency and accountability in higher education.
• Promoting continuous improvement in educational standards and practices.

According to uniRank, HAHE plays a vital role in monitoring institutions to ensure compliance with national and international standards, taking necessary actions when issues arise.

Governance, Structure and Independence

HAHE is governed by a President and a Supreme Council, comprising experts in various fields of higher education. The agency operates with full administrative and operational autonomy, allowing it to make independent decisions regarding accreditation and quality assurance processes. Despite its independence, HAHE is legally supervised by the Minister of Education, who ensures its activities align with national educational policies.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation

HAHE oversees the accreditation and evaluation processes for HEIs in Greece. This involves:

• Assessing whether HEIs and their programs meet predefined quality criteria.
• Evaluating the internal quality assurance systems of institutions.
• Providing guidelines and support for HEIs to enhance their quality assurance practices.

These activities are conducted in accordance with the ESG, ensuring that evaluations are rigorous, transparent and aligned with European standards.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

HAHE actively engages in international cooperation to enhance the quality of higher education in Greece. It is a member of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and is listed in the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR). Additionally, HAHE collaborates with various international bodies to exchange best practices and stay aligned with global trends in higher education quality assurance.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

HAHE's role is pivotal in shaping the future of higher education in Greece. By ensuring that HEIs meet high-quality standards, HAHE contributes to the development of a competitive and reputable higher education system. The agency's focus on continuous improvement and alignment with European standards positions Greek higher education institutions to better serve students and society, fostering innovation and academic excellence.

Summary

The Hellenic Authority for Higher Education is a cornerstone in Greece's higher education landscape. Through its independent operations, adherence to European quality standards and commitment to continuous improvement, HAHE ensures that Greek higher education institutions provide quality education that meets both national and international expectations.

FAQs

• What is the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education?
  HAHE is an independent administrative authority in Greece responsible for ensuring high-quality higher education through accreditation and evaluation processes.
• When was HAHE established?
  HAHE was established by Law 4653/2020, succeeding the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQA), which operated from 2006 to 2020.
• What is HAHE's mission?
  HAHE's mission is to guarantee high-quality higher education in Greece by conducting evaluations, accrediting programs and supporting institutions in developing internal quality assurance systems.
• Is HAHE independent?
  Yes, HAHE operates with full administrative and operational autonomy, although it is legally supervised by the Minister of Education to ensure compliance with national regulations.
• How does HAHE impact higher education?
  By ensuring that higher education institutions meet predefined quality criteria, HAHE contributes to the development of a competitive and reputable higher education system in Greece.

Organization Name

Εθνική Αρχή Ανώτατης Εκπαίδευσης

Hellenic Authority for Higher Education

Acronym

HAHE

Year of Establishment

2006

Control Type

Private

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

1 Aristidou & 2 Evripidou Str.
Athens
10559 Attica Greece

Phone

+30 (210) 922 0944

Fax

+30 (210) 922 0143

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Hellenic Authority for Higher Education's Facebook page

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Hellenic Authority for Higher Education's LinkedIn profile

YouTube

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Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Not available

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