1. I wish to have the most educated country of them all, therefore I have ordered to issue doctoral diploma for all my subjects

2. ACCREDITATION Assoc. Prof. Ivan OSTROVSKÝ, PhD Slovenia November 2007 Slovak experience

3. Thomas Hobbes: Leviathan (1651) “If we acknowledge that universities represent sources of civil and moral teaching for preachers and country nobility to draw their strength from it and then spread it among people, great care should be paid to keeping these sources clean, neither muddied by godless politicians nor bewitched by bad ghosts.”

4. QA Trends Across Europe, the external quality assurance of higher education has two main aims: to contribute to the improvement of higher educationto contribute to the improvement of higher education to provide reliable information on the current quality of activities of higher education institutions in regard to both teaching, and research.to provide reliable information on the current quality of activities of higher education institutions in regard to both teaching, and research. With the move toward a ‘European Higher Education Area’, there is, however, also a drive for greater transparency and comparability of quality and standards across Europe to facilitate the international mobility of workers and the trans-national recognition of qualifications.

5. CONCEPTUAL LINK: EVALUATION AND ACCREDITATION AUTHORITY AND OWNERSHIP, INDEPENDENCE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS ACCREDITATION COUNCIL: TERMS OF APPOINTMENT ACCREDITATION COMMISION VERSUS MINISTRY VISIBILITY OF PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES OUTPUTS/OUTCOMES

6. LegislatioN The accreditation activities of Accreditation Commision of Slovak Republic (ACS) are legitimised by national law No. 131/2002 (novelised by the Law No. 538/2003)The accreditation activities of Accreditation Commision of Slovak Republic (ACS) are legitimised by national law No. 131/2002 (novelised by the Law No. 538/2003) The ACS was established by the government decision 1240/2002 on November 13 th, novelised by the government decree 104/2003The ACS was established by the government decision 1240/2002 on November 13 th, novelised by the government decree 104/2003 Other legislation:Other legislation: –Law No 477/2002 and 445/2003 about the professional qualifications, –Regulation of the Ministry of Education about the academic awards and titles

7. Accreditation Commission Establishment The Accreditation Commission is established by the Govern- ment as its advisory body The Accreditation Commission is established by the Govern- ment as its advisory body

8. Accreditation Commission Membership The Accreditation Commission is composed of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and other members appointed and recalled by the Government at the Minister's proposal after an opinion given by representative bodies of higher education institutions; they are appointed from among distinguished personalities of higher education institutions, professional and scientific establishments. Members of the Accreditation Commission also include foreign experts.

9. Accreditation Commission Composition 21 members21 members 30% external members30% external members –3 of Slovak Academy of Science –2 from another institutions –2 foreigners (1 CZ + 1 HU) The Government shall appoint members of the Accreditation Commission for six years; they may be appointed for not more than two consecutive terms of office.The Government shall appoint members of the Accreditation Commission for six years; they may be appointed for not more than two consecutive terms of office. The function of the member of the Accreditation Commission is incompatible with the post of Rector, Vice-Rector, Dean and Vice-DeanThe function of the member of the Accreditation Commission is incompatible with the post of Rector, Vice-Rector, Dean and Vice-Dean

10. Accreditation Commission Management The method of discussion of the Accreditation Commission and its work teams is regulated by the Statute of the Accreditation Commi- ssion approved by the Government.The method of discussion of the Accreditation Commission and its work teams is regulated by the Statute of the Accreditation Commi- ssion approved by the Government. Activities of the Accreditation Commission are physically and financially provided for by the Ministry.Activities of the Accreditation Commission are physically and financially provided for by the Ministry. Activities of members of the Accreditation Commission and its work teams are acts in the general interest. The employer shall, at the Minister’s proposal, grant them a remuneration and cover their travel expenses in accordance with special regulations.The funds for the remuneration are refunded to the employer by the Ministry.Activities of members of the Accreditation Commission and its work teams are acts in the general interest. The employer shall, at the Minister’s proposal, grant them a remuneration and cover their travel expenses in accordance with special regulations.The funds for the remuneration are refunded to the employer by the Ministry.

11. The Accreditation Commission may establish work teams for professional preparation of its discussions.The Accreditation Commission may establish work teams for professional preparation of its discussions. The Chairman and other members of the work team are appointed and recalled by the Chairman of the Accreditation Commission after the approval of the Accreditation Commission.The Chairman and other members of the work team are appointed and recalled by the Chairman of the Accreditation Commission after the approval of the Accreditation Commission. The Chairman of the work team is appointed from members of the Commission.The Chairman of the work team is appointed from members of the Commission. The work team members must fulfil the criterion of a high professional level and authority. Also foreign experts may become members of the work team.The work team members must fulfil the criterion of a high professional level and authority. Also foreign experts may become members of the work team. Accreditation Commission Management

12. Accreditation Commission Recall The Government may recall a member of the Accreditation Commission at the Minister's proposal after an opinion given by repre- sentative bodies of higher education institu- tions provided the memberThe Government may recall a member of the Accreditation Commission at the Minister's proposal after an opinion given by repre- sentative bodies of higher education institu- tions provided the member –fails to fulfil his/her obligations resulting from the membership; the reason shall be considered by the Accreditation Commi- ssion and the recalling shall be proposed to the Minister by the Chairman of the Ac- creditation Commission, –has been lawfully sentenced for an inten- tional crime or he/she has been sentenced to unconditional imprisonment.

13. DEFINITIONS FOR ACCREDITATION Agency provides the following definition for accreditation that have a set of common features: accreditation is concerned with quality of programmes and/or institutions (objects);accreditation is concerned with quality of programmes and/or institutions (objects); it implies clearly defined consequences (sanctions), and a formal licensing (recognition, right to award degrees), that result from formal decisions;it implies clearly defined consequences (sanctions), and a formal licensing (recognition, right to award degrees), that result from formal decisions; accreditation follows transparent rules and regulations.accreditation follows transparent rules and regulations.

14. Law 131/2002 Section 82 The AC:The AC: –monitors,estimates and independently evaluates the quality of the teaching, research, develop- ment, artistic or other creative activities of higher education institutions –contributes to their improvement –generally assesses conditions under which such activities are carried out at individual institutions of higher education –works out recommendations for improvement of work in higher education institutions –may inform the public about its findings. Accreditation Commission Activities

15. The Accreditation Commission appraises the level of research, development, artistic or other creative activities of higher education institutions. In doing so it considers the results of periodical evaluation of a higher education institution according to special regulations.*The Accreditation Commission appraises the level of research, development, artistic or other creative activities of higher education institutions. In doing so it considers the results of periodical evaluation of a higher education institution according to special regulations.* *) Law No. 132/2002 on Science and Technology, Section 18, Clause 7. The Accreditation Commission also performs complex accreditation of activities of the higher education institutions.The Accreditation Commission also performs complex accreditation of activities of the higher education institutions. Accreditation Commission Activities

16. When fulfilling its tasks pursuant to Law, the Accreditation Commission is entitled to require information, docu- mentation and cooperation, essential for its activities, from central bodies of the State administration, from hig- her education institutions and legal entities carrying out research and development at the territory of the Slovak Republic. Accreditation Commission Activities

17. The AC gives its opinion on the following:The AC gives its opinion on the following: –capacity of the higher education institution to implement the study programme with the right to award to its graduates the academic degree, –capacity of the non-higher education institution to take part in implementation of the PhD study programme, –capacity of the higher education institution to conduct the habilitation procedure and procedure for nomination of ”profesors”, –proposals for establishment, merger, affiliation, split, dissolution, change of name or change of seat of a public higher education institution or a State higher education institution, faculty of a public higher education institution or faculty of a State higher education institution, –proposal for granting the State consent for a legal entity wishing to act as a public higher education institution, –proposal for classification of a higher education institution as referred to under Law 131/2002, Section 2, Clause 13 and 16, –proposal for change in the list of the fields of study, –other proposals with regard to the system of higher education presented by the Minister. Accreditation Commission Outputs/Outcomes

18. The Accreditation Commission gives its opinion on the facts according to Law, not later than within one hundred fifty days from receipt of complete documents.The Accreditation Commission gives its opinion on the facts according to Law, not later than within one hundred fifty days from receipt of complete documents. The statement within the framework of complex accreditation of activities of the higher education institution not later than 10 month from receipt of complete documentsThe statement within the framework of complex accreditation of activities of the higher education institution not later than 10 month from receipt of complete documents Accreditation Commission Outputs/Outcomes

19. VISIBILITY OF PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES ACS assessment criteria and its pro- cesses and procedures are publicly available. This information is published on the website of the SAC and Ministry of EducationACS assessment criteria and its pro- cesses and procedures are publicly available. This information is published on the website of the SAC and Ministry of Education ACS awares that it should provides the documents in English, even if it has not accomplished this yet.ACS awares that it should provides the documents in English, even if it has not accomplished this yet.

20. VISIBILITY OF PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES Record No. 1 (19.4.1999, Bratislava). Record No.34 (26.-28.9.2007, Nový Smokovec). RECORDS

21. Accreditation of Individual Activities of a Higher Education Institution and Granting Rights Accreditation of a study programme is a process within the framework of which the Accreditation Commission shall assess at the request of a higher education institution its capacity to implement the study programme.Accreditation of a study programme is a process within the framework of which the Accreditation Commission shall assess at the request of a higher education institution its capacity to implement the study programme. After the statement of the Accreditation Commission according to Law the Ministry may grant to the higher education institution the right to award for graduates of this study programme the appropriate academic degree.After the statement of the Accreditation Commission according to Law the Ministry may grant to the higher education institution the right to award for graduates of this study programme the appropriate academic degree. The study programme for which the higher education institution achieved the above right, is the accredited study programme.The study programme for which the higher education institution achieved the above right, is the accredited study programme. Accreditation Commission Orientation

22. By assessment of HE institution capacity to provide particular study program is discussedBy assessment of HE institution capacity to provide particular study program is discussed HE Institution and its departments involved in such study program provision,HE Institution and its departments involved in such study program provision, Study program itself.Study program itself. By assessment of HE Institution as the provider of study program are assessed attributes as followsBy assessment of HE Institution as the provider of study program are assessed attributes as follows Level of research,Level of research, Working and technical conditions and resourcesWorking and technical conditions and resources Human resources.Human resources. By assessment of study program are assessed attributes as follows:By assessment of study program are assessed attributes as follows: Curricula contentsCurricula contents Requirements for applicants and entrance examinations requirements,Requirements for applicants and entrance examinations requirements, Requirements for graduates,Requirements for graduates, Level of students and graduates.Level of students and graduates. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS

23. Criterion/attributeCriterion/attribute Level of researchLevel of research –Bc Continuous routine research in the fieldContinuous routine research in the field Implementation of research results into the programImplementation of research results into the program –Ms Continuous research at national/international levelContinuous research at national/international level Implementation of research results into the programImplementation of research results into the program –PhD Continuous research at international levelContinuous research at international level Grants performanceGrants performance

24. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS Criterion/attributeCriterion/attribute Human resources capacityHuman resources capacity –Enough qualified staff (Ms, PhD, +) –Guarrantors BcBc –Assoc.Prof. < 65 MsMs –Prof. < 65 PhDPhD –Prof. < 65

25. Law 131/2002 Chapter Two Granting Rights and Complex Accreditation of Activities of a Higher Education Institution Section 84 “Complex Accreditation of Activities of a Higher Education Institution “Section 84 “Complex Accreditation of Activities of a Higher Education Institution “ Section 85 “Relocation of a Higher Education Institution “Section 85 “Relocation of a Higher Education Institution “ Section 86 “Application of Non-Higher Education Institution for Accreditation and Granting the Right for the Appropriate Field of Study to Participate in Implementation of the PhD Study Programme”Section 86 “Application of Non-Higher Education Institution for Accreditation and Granting the Right for the Appropriate Field of Study to Participate in Implementation of the PhD Study Programme” Section 87 “Activity of a Higher Education Institution during Suspension or after Deprivation of Granted Rights”Section 87 “Activity of a Higher Education Institution during Suspension or after Deprivation of Granted Rights”

26. PROGRAMME ACCREDITATION l PRACTICE l University owner l owner l provider Accreditation l Accreditation Commission Commission Public l Public user/customer l user/customer l political authority l professional body Government l Government DIPLOMA (quality value) DECISION (proposal) l advisory body CRITERIA Working Groups LICENCE (accreditation) PROPOSAL (dossier)

27. PROGRAMME ACCREDITATION l RESULTS l University Public l Public user/customer l user/customer l political authority Government l Government STATE guaranty l STATE guaranty PROFESSIONAL guaranty l PROFESSIONAL guaranty PROPOSAL (dossier) DECISION (proposal ) ≥ 2000 Accredited study programmes Job Licence DIPLOMA (quality value) l OVERBURDENED! LICENCE (accreditation) Accreditation l Accreditation Commission Commission l professional body

28. CREDENTIALS The credentials of completed study programmes within the framework of a field of study are the following:The credentials of completed study programmes within the framework of a field of study are the following: – higher education diploma, – certificate of State examination, – Diploma Supplement.

29. The higher education diploma is a certificate on completion of an accredited study programme in the field of study and on award of academic degree. It is issued by the higher education institution.The higher education diploma is a certificate on completion of an accredited study programme in the field of study and on award of academic degree. It is issued by the higher education institution. The diploma of higher education contains:The diploma of higher education contains: – the graduate's first name and surname, –diploma registration number, –name of the higher education institution, –name of the field of study, –name of the study programme pursued, –name of the faculty if the programme has been carried out at the faculty, –academic degree –other data determined by the higher education institution. CREDENTIALS

30. The certificate of the State examination is a document on the State examination taken, its parts and its result. It is issued by a higher education institution.The certificate of the State examination is a document on the State examination taken, its parts and its result. It is issued by a higher education institution. The Diploma Supplement is a document containing details on the completed study programme. Information to be included in the Diploma Supplement shall be provided for by regulations issued by the Ministry. The Diploma Supplement shall be issued by a higher education institution. The graduate shall receive the Diploma Supplement along with his/her diploma.The Diploma Supplement is a document containing details on the completed study programme. Information to be included in the Diploma Supplement shall be provided for by regulations issued by the Ministry. The Diploma Supplement shall be issued by a higher education institution. The graduate shall receive the Diploma Supplement along with his/her diploma. The higher education institution shall also issue the credentials under Law (Clause 1)in a foreign language at a special request.The higher education institution shall also issue the credentials under Law (Clause 1)in a foreign language at a special request. CREDENTIALS

31. “The reliance on national Portuguese experts poses a problem. The pool of Portuguese experts is limited and, as is generally the case with academic communities in small countries, there is often considerable familiarity between reviewers and the reviewed. This combination potentially compromises the necessary independence and objectivity of the external evaluations. An Assessment of the Existing System and Recommendations for a Future System Report by an ENQA review panel: Quality Assurance of Higher Education in Portugal External Quality Assurance in Small Countries