1. ENQA – workshop Oslo 14th-15th February 2008 The quality contract: experts and agency rules – how to balance expertise and regulated procedures and standards by Karen Junker

2. Agency regulations Regulations Relating to Standards and Criteria for Accreditation of Programme of Study and Criteria for Accreditation of Institutions in Norwegian Higher Education Issued by the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) 25 January 2006 pursuant to the Regulations concerning accreditation, evaluation and recognition no 1040 issued 8 September 2005 by the Ministry of Education and Research pursuant to the Act relationg to Universities and University Colleges.

3. Expert Panels meet agency regulations Ministerial and agency regulations are necessary for: –Justice (same demands and criteria) –Transparency –Predictability

4. Expert Panels meet agency regulations Necessary requirements for this to happen –The regulations must be accepted and understood by all members of the comittee –An initial discusion of the regulations is needed independet of the experience of the individual panel member

5. Expert Panels meet agency regulations How much room for proper expert knowledge? All institutions are different and offer a unique challenge in the applications of agency regulations. All panels need a thourough discussion of how to apply the general regulations to this specific institution. (like in all other application of a law to a specific case)

6. Expert Panels meet agency regulations Experiences from participating as an expert in four panels: The experts evaluate the regulations to give room for proper expert knowledge Demand for more regulations in certain areas

7. Expert Panels meet agency regulations Need for different panels to apply the agency regulations in a consistent manner. –Create a database consisting of important reccomendations of vital importance ??

8. Expert Panels meet agency regulations Important that all panel members understand and accept their role.