Precedents database

Application	Renewal
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	12/12/2023
Standard	3.4 Thematic analysis
Keywords	publication, analysis
Panel conclusion	Partial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Partial compliance

“14. In its last decision, the Register Committee welcomed AKAST plans for further development of its thematic analysis after an appropriate number of programme accreditation procedures have been carried out.

15. The Register Committee noted that while AKAST has taken some steps in preparing thematic analysis since its last review, i.e., initiating a process for evaluation of the peer review processes carried out by AKAST, since 2022 at the time of the review, no thematic analysis have been made available nor any kind of such analysis have been published.

16. Considering the limited progress made since the inclusion on the Register and the limited development of thematic analysis, the Register Committee concurred with the panel that AKAST complies only partially with ESG 3.4.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Initial
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	11/10/2024
Standard	3.4 Thematic analysis
Keywords	thematic analysis
Panel conclusion	Compliance
Clarification request(s)	Agency (24/09/2024)
RC decision	Compliance

“59. The Register Committee learned from the report that the agency has conducted only one thematic analysis, focussing on only one standard from

its EQA Audit procedures carried out by the agency as of

2016.

60. The Committee learned that the agency is considering conducting a thematic analysis for the remaining ten standards. The panel, however, was

not provided with further information on the status of the development of this analysis or, in general, MFHEA’s policy on thematic analysis.

61. The Register Committee noted the agency's plans to revisit its policy and enhance its work on the thematic analysis. The Register Committee

found that these plans have yet to materialise in practice.

62. In its additional representation, the agency informed that it was in a process of conducting its latest thematic analysis and the same should be

finalised by the end of

2024.

63. The Register Committee further asked for clarification whether the work on the thematic analysis is ongoing and whether there is a clear

timeframe when the thematic analysis will be published. The agency clarified that the thematic analysis is currently being finalised and will be

published and presented to the public in December 2024 (see minuted clarification of 2024-09-24).

64. The Committee welcomed the work and progress done by the agency in producing thematic analysis and expects that MFHEA will continue

conducting thematic analysis on regular basis. Given the provided information in the additional representation and the further clarification,

the Register Committee could concur with the panel that the agency is in fact compliant with ESG 3.4.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Targeted, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	02/07/2024
Standard	3.4 Thematic analysis
Keywords	Thematic analysis
Panel conclusion	Compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Compliance

“16. In its previous decision of registration on EQAR (of 2020-03-16), the Register Committee found the agency to be partially compliant with the standard, as the publications prepared by the agency did not analyse the outcomes of the review processes.

17. Based on the analysis of the review panel, the Register Committee understood that, since its last review in 2020, the agency published several thematic analyses. Conducting additional studies is also now part of the agency’s strategic documents.

18. The Register Committee was able to follow panel’s conclusion that AHPGS is now compliant with the standard. The Committee, further highlighted the panel’s recommendation that the agency should secure adequate dissemination of its thematic analysis, keeping in mind the various target audiences.

19. For the remaining standards, the Register Committee was able to concur with the review panel's analysis and conclusion without further comments.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Targeted, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	02/07/2024
Standard	3.4 Thematic analysis
Keywords	Inactivity in implementing thematic analyses
Panel conclusion	Partial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Partial compliance

“15. The Register Committee understood from the analysis by the panel that the most recent thematic analysis published by the agency were done in 2017.Furthermore, the Committee, noted that “the agency confirmed to the panel that it does not currently have a systematic approach to conducting thematic analysis but confirmed its commitment to developing this.”

16. The Register Committee concurred with the panel that A3ES only partially complies with ESG 3.4. The Register Committee underlined the panel’s recommendation that the agency should resume conducting and publishing thematic analysis of the outcomes and findings of its external quality assurance activities.

17. For the remaining standards, the Register Committee was able to concur with the review panel's analysis and conclusion without further comments.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Targeted, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	27/11/2024
Standard	3.4 Thematic analysis
Keywords	Thematic analysis
Panel conclusion	Compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Compliance

“13. In its last decision for renewal of registration (of 2020-03-16), the Register Committee found that VLUHR QA only partially fulfilled the requirements of the standard, as the agency did not publish thematic analysis based on the findings of external quality assurance activities.

14. The Register Committee learned from the panel’s analysis that VLUHR QA has completed three thematic analysis reports since their last review and the number of reports aligns with the level of activity of the agency. Additionally, thematic analysis has been integrated into VLUHR QA’s daily work and in the current Policy Plan (2023-2027).

15. Furthermore, the Register Committee understood that VLUHR QA focusses on the thematic analyses being relevant to higher education stakeholders and ministry representatives, rather than solely concentrating on the outcomes of external review results.

16. The Register Committee was able to follow panel’s conclusion that VLUHR QA is now compliant with the standard.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Initial
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	27/11/2024
Standard	3.4 Thematic analysis
Keywords	Thematic analysis
Panel conclusion	Compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Partial compliance

“21. The Register Committee learned from the report that AQUIB has a Thematic Analysis Protocol for a systematic approach to conducting thematic analyses, which was adopted in 2023 and is being implemented for the first time. However, the topic of the only thematic analysis conducted so far does not incorporate the results of its external quality assurance procedures.

22. Considering that the only thematic analysis conducted by AQUIB so far is outside the scope of ESG, the Register Committee was unable to concur with the panel’s conclusion of compliance and found that AQUIB only partially complies with the standard.

23. For the remaining standards, the Register Committee was able to concur with the review panel's analysis and conclusion without further comments.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	27/11/2024
Standard	3.4 Thematic analysis
Keywords	thematic report
Panel conclusion	Partial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Compliance

“20. The Register Committee learned that ACCUA has created a statistical analysis unit and produced five thematic reports since the last external review. However, as noted by the panel, out of the five reports only one can be considered as a thematic analysis in the sense of the standard, since the other four reports provided useful inputs for policy debates with regional stakeholders and for improvements in quality assurance at universities.

21. The Register Committee finds, in line with its interpretation of the standard, that the thematic analysis report in question is sufficient for achieving compliance with the standard and therefore could not follow the panel’s judgement of partial compliance and concluded that ACCUA complies with ESG 3.4.

22. The Register Committee nevertheless underlined the panel’s recommendation that the agency should devise a clear plan for thematic studies and use its evaluation reports to produce these studies.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Targeted, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	25/10/2022
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords	reliance on temporary funding sources, state budget allocations insufficient
Panel conclusion	Partial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Partial compliance

“20. The panel discussed SKVC funding, relying on sources from several channels. In particular, SKVC's activities still partly depended on EU structural funds, which are temporary by nature. The panel further noted that the funding from Lithuania's state budget seemed to be insufficient to support the agency's activities sustainably.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Initial
Review	Focused, coordinated by ECA
Decision of	18/03/2021
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords	volatile resources
Panel conclusion	Substantial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Partial compliance

“28. The 2018 external review discussed that EQ-Arts' financial situation was volatile. While the resources were sufficient to sustain the (currently) small number of reviews, the medium-term perspective was not clear.

29. The panel reported that staff increased to 1.3 FTE in 2019, then fell to 0.5 FTE as result of the Covid-19 pandemic and a drop in activities.

30. While the panel found that the “agile and collaborative approach” assured that workload could be handled, the Register Committee considered that the resources of EQ-Arts remain highly volatile; this has not changed since the initial review.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Initial
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	18/03/2021
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords	Human resources planning and work overload; Staff overturn
Panel conclusion	Full compliance
Clarification request(s)	Panel (15/03/2021)
RC decision	Compliance

“The review panel noted the continuously high workload and turnover of staff. It further elaborated that the staff and the management had different positions in regards to the reasons (p. 19). The review panel informed the Register Committee about several measures that the agency plans to introduce, including replacing site visits by online interviews and deploying a single expert panel to several institutions. The panel considered that these were welcome measures that enhance UKÄ's activities and their efficiency. The panel saw that some improvements have already taken place, resulting in decreased staff overturn.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	19/06/2019
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords	human resources
Panel conclusion	Substantial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Partial compliance

“In its analysis, the review panel commented that, while the situation of resources is acceptable in the short to medium term, some of PKA’s activities “cannot be addressed appropriately due to the lack of resources”. The Panel further expressed concerns with regards to the high turnover of the Bureau staff, who perform the functions of secretaries for the sections Committee. The Register Committee further underlined the review panel’s recommendations on the need to increase the agency’s capacity to perform thematic analysis. The Register Committee was therefore unable to follow the panel’s conclusion of (substantially) compliant but concluded that PKA complies only partially with the standard.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	05/11/2019
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords
Panel conclusion	Substantial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Compliance

“In the last review of the agency the Register Committee expressed concern regarding Unibasq’s capacity to ensure adequate resources for the increasing number of its activities.In the meantime, the agency has received additional funds which have allowed the agency to play a very active role in the international quality assurance community. The panel commended the agency for the achievements and the active role.The Register Committee considered that the flag was addressed and therefore concurred with the panel’s conclusion that Unibasq complies with ESG 3.5.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	03/04/2019
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords	financial sustainability
Panel conclusion	Substantial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Compliance

“When SQAA was admitted to the Register in 2013, the financial sustainability of the agency after the cease of the funding from the European Social Fund (ESF) was flagged for attention. The Register Committee welcomed that the flag was addressed, as already determined in its decision of 18 March 2016”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	06/12/2018
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords	financial sustainability
Panel conclusion	Substantial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Compliance

“[...]The panel, however, added that NEAQA’s predecessor lacked human resources for other tasks which would enhance the agency’s performance. Considering the financial management of the agency, i.e. a bank account managed by the Ministry, the panel found that the planning, management and operational efficiency of the agency were limited due to its dependence on the Ministry’s administrative and financial services. The agency stated in its additional representation that it now has its own accounts and, while it continues to receive financial support from the Republic of Serbia for its initial activities, the agency’s further actions will be financed exclusively from its own funds.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	16/11/2017
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords	financial sustainability
Panel conclusion	Substantial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Partial compliance

“In its decision of inclusion, the Register Committee flagged the financial arrangements and sustainability of SKVC’s overall activity.The panel’s analysis showed that these concerns remain due to a wavering financial situation and decrease of project funds.The Register Committee noted the panel’s analysis that the financial arrangements remain uncertain and have not been adequately addressed within a realistic financial plan”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	03/12/2016
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords	human resources capacities
Panel conclusion	Full compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Compliance

“The Register Committee flagged in its decision of inclusion (ESG 2005: standard ESG 3.4) AI’s capacity to sustain and develop the capacities and qualifications of its professional staff. The panel’s findings showed that human resources have steadily increased and that AI offers seminars and courses for staff members.The panel also commended the yearly individual meetings with staff whereby considerations are given to workload and possible needs for competence development.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	20/06/2017
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords	financial sustainability
Panel conclusion	Partial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Partial compliance

“Apart from the greater autonomy in staff appointments that AEQES gained, the financial resources available to the agency have not changed since

2012. The review panel noted that an increase is not foreseeable in the near future and that AEQES might face a negative financial balance in 2020.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Full, coordinated by GAC
Decision of	03/12/2016
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords	human resources planning and estimation of workload
Panel conclusion	Partial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Compliance

“The review report described that financial losses experienced by ACQUIN have eventually been recovered by reducing activity costs. The Register Committee was able to follow the panel's concerns with regard to human resources planning and estimation of workload. Despite the fact that planning and documentation require improvement, the Register Committee did, however, not understand that the number of accreditation procedures conducted by ACQUIN significantly exceeds its capacity. Moreover, the Register Committee appreciated that an agency operating in a market-based system naturally experiences greater fluctuation than an agency in a monopoly situation”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Renewal
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	20/06/2017
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords	financial sustainability
Panel conclusion	Partial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Compliance

“The panel noted that ECCE’s level of financing was not fully ensured to professionally run external QA and make possible the further development of the organisation. In its additional representation (of 27/03/2017) ECCE informed that the membership fees of the agency have increased, that allowed the agency to improve its financial resources and employ a quality assurance consultant.”

Full decision: see agency register entry

Application	Initial
Review	Full, coordinated by ENQA
Decision of	03/12/2016
Standard	3.5 Resources
Keywords	financial sustainability
Panel conclusion	Substantial compliance
Clarification request(s)	–
RC decision	Partial compliance

“The Register Committee noted that ACPUA’s main funding source comes from the regional government. The panel stated that the agency is considering possibilities to diversify its funding revenues and therefore reduce its financial dependence from the Ministry. While the panel commended the agency on the way it has dealt with its tasks considering its limited human and financial resources, it also expressed concerns regarding the agency’s ability to further sustain these efforts and ensure effectiveness in meeting its strategic goals.”

Full decision: see agency register entry