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European Quality Assurance Register in Higher Education

In May 2007 ENQA submitted, on behalf of the E4 Group, a Report to the London Conference of Ministers on a European Register of Quality Assurance Agencies (pdf). Following the ministers endorsement, the European Quality Assurance Register in Higher Education (EQAR) was founded by the representatives of the E4 Group (ENQA, EUA, ESU and EURASHE) on 4 March 2008.

The Objectives of EQAR
The Register is a web-based and publicly accessible tool which aims to provide clear and objective information about trustworthy quality assurance agencies that are operating in Europe. The Register also aims to help improve the quality of European higher education and to promote greater student mobility by increasing trust between higher education institutions. The Register provides a means for HE institutions (where national regulations permit) to choose between the different agencies listed on the register.

Inclusion in the Register
Inclusion in the Register, which is voluntary, is based on compliance with the ESG (pdf). Consequently, full ENQA membership normally constitutes satisfactory evidence for inclusion in the Register. The Register Committee ­ composed of independent experts nominated by the E4 Group, BusinessEurope, Education International, together with five government observers ­ is responsible for admissions to the Register.

The relationship between ENQA and EQAR
EQAR and ENQA are both non-profit associations. EQAR was founded by ENQA and the 3 other members of the E4 Group: EUA, ESU and EURASHE.
ENQA has two representatives in the EQAR Register Committee and one representative in the EQAR Executive Board. Therefore, ENQA is involved in the day-to-day management of EQAR. Both associations use the ESG as their criteria for membership (ENQA) and for inclusion (EQAR) and both share the same review reports on agencies. ENQA Full membership normally constitutes satisfactory evidence for inclusion in the Register.

ENQA is an umbrella organisation for quality assurance agencies, a membership association.
The association organises events, publishes reports, shares and promotes good practice, conducts different (research) projects.
It represents the interests of its members in the EHEA and internationally.
The members of ENQA are quality assurance agencies in the field of higher education from EHEA member states.

EQAR is an information tool on trustworthy agencies, a list on the internet.
EQAR does not organise events, publish reports, share good practice or conduct (research) projects.
The members of EQAR are its four founders (the E4 Group), as well as the social partner organisations represented in the Bologna Follow-Up Group (BFUG) and European governments that have decided to support the operation of EQAR and get involved in its overall governance. Quality assurance agencies are listed in the Register but are not members of EQAR.

For further information, please see an overview on EQAR and visit the EQAR website.