Akadēmiskās Informācijas Centrs AIC

Overview

The Akadēmiskās Informācijas Centrs (AIC)or Academic Information Centre, is a Latvian public non-profit institution established in 1995. Operating under the Ministry of Education and Science, AIC serves as the national agency for higher education quality assurance and the recognition of foreign qualifications. Its mission encompasses enhancing the quality of Latvian higher education, promoting international recognition and supporting the development of a quality culture in line with European standards.

1. Historical and Legal Framework

Founded in 1995 through a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Science and the University of Latvia's Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science, AIC was initially tasked with providing information on higher education and research. In 2015, following amendments to the Law on Institutions of Higher Education, AIC was authorized to organize external quality assurance for tertiary education in Latvia. This expanded its role to include the accreditation of higher education institutions and study programs, as well as the licensing of study programs.

2. Mission, Vision and Objectives

Mission: AIC's mission is to enhance the quality of Latvian higher education, thereby increasing its international competitiveness. This is achieved by ensuring that Latvia's external quality assurance system aligns with European standards and guidelines and by fostering improvements in internal quality assurance systems within higher education institutions.

Vision: AIC envisions being a trusted and internationally recognized agency that actively contributes to the continuous quality enhancement of higher education in Latvia and participates in quality assurance processes within the European and global higher education areas.

Objectives:

• Promote public awareness of the agency's role and activities in quality assurance.
• Implement quality assurance procedures and organize informative events for higher education stakeholders.
• Engage actively in national higher education and quality assurance policy-making processes.
• Enhance the agency's performance through efficient internal processes.
• Develop international cooperation to promote the quality of Latvian higher education and the agency's recognition.

3. Governance, Structure and Independence

AIC operates as a public non-profit foundation, ensuring its independence in carrying out its functions. The agency is governed by a board responsible for strategic decision-making and oversight. Its structure includes various departments, with the Quality Agency for Higher Education (AIKA) being the primary unit responsible for accreditation and quality assurance activities. AIKA's operations are guided by principles of integrity, competence and cooperation, ensuring transparency and professionalism in its evaluations.

4. Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

AIC, through AIKA, is responsible for the external quality assurance of higher education in Latvia. This includes:

• Licensing of study programs: Assessing and approving new study programs offered by higher education institutions.
• Accreditation of study directions: Evaluating groups of related study programs to ensure they meet quality standards.
• Accreditation of higher education institutions: Conducting comprehensive evaluations of institutions to assess their overall quality.

These evaluations are conducted in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG), ensuring that Latvia's higher education system aligns with European norms and practices.

5. International Cooperation and Network Memberships

AIC is actively involved in international networks and collaborations aimed at enhancing the quality of higher education. Notably, AIC is a member of:

• European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA): AIC's membership signifies its commitment to maintaining high standards in quality assurance.
• European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR): Registration in EQAR demonstrates AIC's adherence to European quality assurance standards.
• National Europass Centre: AIC coordinates the Europass initiative in Latvia, promoting transparency and mobility in education and employment.

These memberships facilitate the exchange of best practices and support AIC's efforts to align Latvia's higher education quality assurance with international standards.

6. Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

AIC's activities have a significant impact on the development and enhancement of higher education in Latvia. By ensuring that higher education institutions and programs meet established quality standards, AIC contributes to:

• Improved educational outcomes and institutional performance.
• Increased international recognition and competitiveness of Latvian higher education.
• Enhanced student mobility and employability through the recognition of qualifications.
• Informed policy-making based on comprehensive evaluations and analyses.

Looking ahead, AIC aims to further strengthen its quality assurance processes, expand international collaborations and continue to support the development of a robust and competitive higher education system in Latvia.

7. Summary

The Akadēmiskās Informācijas Centrs (AIC) plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and international recognition of higher education in Latvia. Through its Quality Agency for Higher Education (AIKA), AIC conducts comprehensive evaluations and accreditations of higher education institutions and programs, aligning with European standards. Its active participation in international networks and commitment to continuous improvement contribute to the development of a high-quality, competitive higher education system in Latvia.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Akadēmiskās Informācijas Centrs?
  AIC is a Latvian public non-profit institution responsible for the recognition of foreign qualifications and the accreditation of higher education institutions and programs.
• When was AIC established?
  AIC was established in 1995 by the Ministry of Education and Science and the University of Latvia's Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science.
• What is the role of AIC in higher education?
  AIC ensures the quality of higher education in Latvia by accrediting institutions and programs and recognizing foreign qualifications.
• Is AIC involved in international quality assurance networks?
  Yes, AIC is a member of ENQA and EQAR and coordinates the Europass initiative in Latvia.
• How can I contact AIC?
  AIC's office is located at Dzirnavu Street 16/k2, Riga, LV-1010, Latvia. More contact information is available on their official website.

Organization Name

Akadēmiskās Informācijas Centrs
Academic Information Centre

Acronym

AIC

Year of Establishment

14/07/1995

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

Central and Eastern European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (CEENQA); Nordic Quality Assurance Network in Higher Education (NOQA); European Consortium for Accreditation (ECA); International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE)

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Dzirnavu Street 16, 3rd floor
Riga
Riga Latvia

Phone

+371 67 225 155

Fax

+371 67 221 006

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Not available

X (Twitter)

Not available

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Not available

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Not available

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