Agenția Română de Asigurare a Calității în Învățământul Superior ARACIS

Overview

The Agenția Română de Asigurare a Calității în Învățământul Superior (ARACIS) is the national quality assurance agency responsible for evaluating and accrediting higher education institutions and study programmes in Romania. Established in 2005, ARACIS operates under the authority of the Ministry of Education and Research and is an autonomous public institution of national interest. The agency's mission is to ensure and enhance the quality of higher education in Romania, aligning with European standards and contributing to the development of a culture of quality within institutions.

1. Historical and Legal Framework

ARACIS was established in 2005 through Government Emergency Ordinance no. 75/2005, approved with modifications by Law no. 87/2006. It succeeded the Romanian National Council for Academic Evaluation and Accreditation, which was founded in 1994. The agency's creation was influenced by Romania's participation in the Bologna Process starting in 1999, which necessitated a new approach to quality evaluation and assurance in higher education. ARACIS operates in compliance with national legislation, including Law no. 199/2023 on higher education and aligns its methodologies with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ESG).

2. Mission, Vision and Objectives

Mission: ARACIS's mission is to carry out the external evaluation of the quality of education provided by higher education institutions and other organizations offering higher education study programmes in Romania. This includes certifying, according to quality standards, the capacity of education-providing organizations to meet the expectations of beneficiaries, contributing to the development of an institutional culture of quality and ensuring the protection of direct beneficiaries through the production and dissemination of systematic, coherent and credible information about the quality of education.

Vision: To be recognized as an independent, credible and internationally engaged agency that fosters continuous improvement and accountability in Romanian higher education.

Objectives:

• Enhance the external evaluation methodology in full compliance with the ESG.
• Increase the involvement of students and employers in the evaluation and assurance of education quality.
• Develop and disseminate good practices in evaluation and quality assurance.
• Collaborate with similar agencies from other countries to develop and apply effective measures for improving the quality of higher education programmes.
• Prepare and publish periodic analyses of the quality of higher education in Romania.

3. Governance, Structure and Independence

ARACIS is governed by a Council, which is the decision-making body responsible for setting the agency's strategic directions and policies. The Council is supported by an Executive Board that oversees the implementation of these policies. The agency's organizational structure includes departments for external quality evaluation and accreditation, as well as permanent working structures such as specialty expert commissions. ARACIS operates with a high degree of autonomy, ensuring that its evaluations and decisions are independent and based on objective criteria. This independence is crucial for maintaining the credibility and integrity of the quality assurance process in Romanian higher education.

4. Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

ARACIS plays a central role in the accreditation and quality evaluation of higher education in Romania. Its responsibilities include:

• Evaluating and accrediting higher education institutions and their study programmes.
• Developing and applying external evaluation methodologies and standards.
• Monitoring the implementation of quality assurance processes within institutions.
• Providing recommendations for the improvement of quality in higher education.
• Publishing evaluation results and reports to ensure transparency and accountability.

The agency's methodologies are regularly updated to align with national and European developments in higher education and quality assurance.

5. International Cooperation and Network Memberships

ARACIS is actively involved in international cooperation and is a member of several key networks in the field of quality assurance in higher education:

• European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA): ARACIS is a full member of ENQA, participating in various activities and initiatives aimed at enhancing quality assurance practices across Europe.
• European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR): ARACIS is listed in EQAR, demonstrating its compliance with European standards for quality assurance agencies.
• Central and Eastern European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (CEENQA): ARACIS is a member of CEENQA, collaborating with agencies from the region to promote quality assurance in higher education.
• Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) International Quality Group (CIQG): As of September 2023, ARACIS became a member of CIQG, engaging in global discussions on quality assurance and accreditation.

Through these memberships, ARACIS participates in international conferences, workshops and training sessions, contributing to the development of global best practices in quality assurance.

6. Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

ARACIS's activities have a significant impact on the quality and development of higher education in Romania. By conducting rigorous evaluations and accrediting institutions and programmes, the agency ensures that higher education offerings meet established standards and respond to the needs of students and society. The agency's work contributes to:

• Enhancing the quality and relevance of higher education programmes.
• Promoting a culture of continuous improvement within institutions.
• Facilitating the international recognition of Romanian higher education qualifications.
• Supporting evidence-based policy-making in the higher education sector.

Looking forward, ARACIS aims to further strengthen its methodologies, increase stakeholder involvement and expand its international collaborations to continue improving the quality of higher education in Romania.

7. Summary

The Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ARACIS) is a pivotal institution in the Romanian higher education landscape. Established in 2005, the agency is responsible for evaluating and accrediting higher education institutions and study programmes, ensuring that they meet national and European quality standards. Through its independent governance, comprehensive evaluation processes and active participation in international networks, ARACIS plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality and international competitiveness of Romanian higher education.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

• What is ARACIS?
  ARACIS is the Romanian national agency responsible for evaluating and accrediting higher education institutions and study programmes to ensure quality assurance in the sector.
• When was ARACIS established?
  ARACIS was established in 2005 through Government Emergency Ordinance no. 75/2005, approved with modifications by Law no. 87/2006.
• Is ARACIS an independent agency?
  Yes, ARACIS is an autonomous public institution of national interest, operating independently to ensure objective and credible evaluations.
• What are ARACIS's main responsibilities?
  ARACIS is responsible for evaluating and accrediting higher education institutions and study programmes, developing and applying quality assurance methodologies and monitoring the implementation of quality assurance processes within institutions.
• Is ARACIS involved in international quality assurance networks?
  Yes, ARACIS is a member of several international networks, including ENQA, EQAR, CEENQA and CIQG, participating in global discussions and initiatives on quality assurance in higher education.
• How does ARACIS impact Romanian higher education?
  ARACIS enhances the quality and relevance of higher education programmes, promotes a culture of continuous improvement within institutions, facilitates the international recognition of Romanian qualifications and supports evidence-based policy-making in the sector.

Organization Name

Agenția Română de Asigurare a Calității în Învățământul Superior
Romanian Agency for Quality Assurance in Higher Education

Acronym

ARACIS

Year of Establishment

1/01/2005

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

12 Spiru Haret Street
Bucharest
010176 Bucharest Romania

Phone

+40 (21) 206 7600

Fax

+40 (21) 312 7135

n.a.

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Wikipedia Article

Agenția Română de Asigurare a Calității în Învățământul Superior's Wikipedia article

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