ENQA members discuss cooperation and upcoming developments
At the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) General Assembly, held in Spain in October 2026, around 150 participants from 50 countries and territories gathered, representing 75 full members and 25 affiliate members.
The main themes of the Assembly were cooperation, learning and innovation. Discussions highlighted that trust in higher education can only be strengthened through close collaboration among quality assurance agencies, higher education institutions and public authorities, supported by transparent communication with society.
Participants reaffirmed that the primary responsibility for the quality of higher education lies with higher education institutions themselves. Institutions are expected to foster a quality culture, systematically collect and analyse data, continuously improve study processes, and actively engage their academic communities in quality assurance activities. Quality assurance agencies, in turn, play a key role by conducting independent external evaluations, applying transparent standards, providing reliable information to the public and strengthening confidence in higher education.
Focus on transnational education and future European developments
A dedicated session addressed cooperation in the quality assurance of transnational education. When ENQA presented results of the ROQA-TNE project, it was noted that many countries still face challenges in ensuring the quality of qualifications delivered abroad, while host countries often lack sufficient powers, resources or information to effectively oversee foreign higher education providers operating within their territories.
The Assembly also discussed the OECD review of the implementation of the Guidelines for Quality Provision in Cross-border Higher Education and referred to the OECD analysis of policies for transnational collaboration and internationalisation in higher education. It was highlighted that the rapid expansion of transnational education increases the need for effective national internationalisation policies that place student experience and study quality at the centre of development.
Participants were also informed about the planned revisions to the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes and the new draft version of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG). Final decisions on these documents are expected at the 2027 EHEA Ministerial Conference.
New ENQA leadership elected and Ms. Aurelija Valeikienė appointed Chair of the Complaints and Appeals Committee
The General Assembly elected Dr Peter Levente Lakatos (MAB, Hungary) as the new ENQA President. Ronny Heintze (AQAS, Germany) and Varduhi Gyulazyan (ANQA, Armenia) were elected to the ENQA Board, while Dr Heli Mattisen (HAKA, Estonia) was appointed Treasurer.
Ms. Aurelija Valeikienė, Deputy Director of SKVC and currently Acting Director, was confirmed for a second term as a member of the ENQA Complaints and Appeals Committee and was appointed Chair of the Committee.