External Evaluation of HAC: Follow-up activities Tibor Szanto Hungarian Accreditation Committee The Hague, 15 June 2009

The Hague, Tibor Szanto2 Overview I. The HAC II. The (second) review of HAC III. HACs reaction to review results

The Hague, Tibor Szanto3 The Hungarian Accreditation Committee Established by HE Act in 1993 National agency, wide scope of activities Accreditation: compulsory (HEA) Accreditation + recommendations (account. + enhanc.) Body (29+non-voting members, 3-year term), Secretariat + disciplinary subcommittees Public service organisation (July 2006 on) Funded from state budget + fees from HEIs (~ %) I.

The Hague, Tibor Szanto4 Activities of the HAC I. Institution New Programme Operating X Shift: institution – QA system (meta-accr.) programme – disciplinary accr. (parallel accr on) + other activities, e.g. giving opinion on professorial appointments

The Hague, Tibor Szanto5 The first external review of HAC HACs own initiation Co-ordinated by CRE (EUA) Selection: short list, according to WB rules Financed from WB grant International review team by CRE (6 +1 PM) Scope of review: a) Operation of HAC b) Hungarian QA system in general Final report published I.

The Hague, Tibor Szanto6 The second external review of HAC HACs initiation, based on ENQA membership Co-ordinated by MoEC + HRC Financed by MoEC International review team (3 foreign + 3 Hung.) Type of review: B a) EMC / ESG b) Operation of HAC in general + follow-up on previous review Final report published II.

The Hague, Tibor Szanto7 The second review – cont. Final report (June 2008), findings Overall substantial compliance Room for improvement in 4 (5) standards (out of 16) follow-up on previous review: most recommendations addressed further work needed in several cases II.

The Hague, Tibor Szanto8 The second review – cont. Final report, recommendations in 5 groups 1.Focus of activities (7) 2.Structure and operations (13) 3.Role of Minister (3) 4.Internal QA of HEIs (5) 5.Financing the HAC (3) Altogether 31 Closely related to ESG 6 II.

The Hague, Tibor Szanto9 Major recommendations more focus on output of programmes move to ex-post institutional evaluations wider view of quality more focus on improvement decreasing the number of HAC members and subcommittees more stakeholders and international experts students need voting rights in HAC greater transparency, better communication more system-wide analyses Minister should not decide against HAC opinion state funding of HAC should be more transparent HEIs should pay for all appeals II.

The Hague, Tibor Szanto10 HACs reaction to review results 1. Comments on the final report (FR), July 2008 issues beyond the power of HAC interpretation of EMC/ESG recommendations appreciated 2. Distribution of FR 3. Discussions (incl. HAB, IAB) 4. Action Plan, December Distribution of AP (website, ENQA Board) III.

The Hague, Tibor Szanto11 HACs Action Plan AP accepted by HAC on 5 Dec recommendations 28 actions planned Scope of actions: proposals for legal changes refinement of HAC operations Responsible persons/bodies: HAC President, HAC members, Secr. Gen. Strategic Comm., Quality Development Comm. Timing: implementation mostly until end 2009 (end of term of current HAC) III.

The Hague, Tibor Szanto12 Implementation of AP Current standing (June 2009) implemented actions: 4 proposals made (HEA) : 7 in progress: 10 later: 7 III.

The Hague, Tibor Szanto13 Implementation of AP – cont. Implemented Bologna transition analysis proposals for refining the system chair of VC reporting to HAC plenary more attention to internat. joint programmes (ongoing) regular formal staff meetings (again) (ongoing) III.

The Hague, Tibor Szanto14 Implementation of AP – cont. Proposals made, HEA amendment in preparation inst. accr. cycle, 8 5 years decreasing the number of HAC members and subcommittees inclusion of a foreign expert as HAC member students to have voting rights in HAC Minister to give reasons when deciding against HAC opinion international advertising of professorships HEIs should pay for all appeals processes III.

The Hague, Tibor Szanto15 Implementation of AP – cont. In progress and later: actions Still quite a lot to do… III.

The Hague, Tibor Szanto16 Thank you for your attention!