Candidacy status granted to Maastricht School of Management (MSM)

17-June-2024

ATHEA Quarterly Newsletter - Summer 2024

Word from our Executive Director

Dear ATHEA Community,

“It takes years to become an overnight success!” I was searching on Google to determine who gets credit for this quote. Apparently, many people take credit for this quote: Bill Gates, Prince, Tom Clancy, Eddie Cantor, Ray Kroc… all very successful people in their fields. Now as ATHEA in its 9th year, we are also planning for our coming ‘overnight success’ any moment now.

For almost 10 years, ATHEA has been driven by its volunteers, both institutional and individual. In 2024, we are seeing our activities increase and the involvement of all our stakeholders increasing accordingly. We are excited to share the latest news and information, both from ATHEA itself as well as its members.

We are honored that you and/or your institution are joining us for this exciting journey of developing an independent global institutional accrediting association, grounded in European Standards and Guidelines. We hope the stories and news items below inspire you as much as they have inspired us.

Best regards,

Oliver Olson

Executive Director ATHEA

EQAR registration updates

We communicated earlier this year that ATHEA has taken significant steps forward in our EQAR listing application process. In January 2024, we initiated the project and began preparing our roadmap. In March 2024, we transitioned into a comprehensive analysis of our internal quality assurance processes, reviewed existing documents and procedures, and assessed them against the ESG standards. We created a gap analysis, and we closed this phase of the roadmap this month.

Our next phase in the journey is the implementation of action plans. In parallel, we will mainly focus on drafting the ATHEA self-assessment report in the coming months. Additionally, we will move closer in communication with our EQAR coordinator, ASIIN, as we have officially started initializing the EQAR application process this month.

Strengthening Ties in the European Higher Education Area

We are excited to share significant developments in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). On May 30, 2024, higher education representatives from 47 European countries and the European Commission reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a more interconnected, inclusive, and competitive higher education environment.

During the Ministerial Conference in Tirana, the "Tirana Communiqué" was adopted, highlighting the need for enhanced cooperation and promoting learner mobility across the EHEA. Key EU initiatives such as the European Universities alliances, the European Degree, and the European Student Card Initiative are set to play crucial roles in this progress, reinforcing the Bologna Process and facilitating joint degree programs.

The Communiqué also emphasizes safeguarding fundamental values in higher education, including academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the active participation of students and staff in governance.

For ATHEA and its member institutions, these developments underscore the importance of aligning with European standards and guidelines (ESG) to enhance quality assurance and institutional recognition within the EHEA. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to work towards our goal of being listed on the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR) and contributing to a resilient and inclusive European higher education system.

EUCLID University Participates as Intergovernmental Observer at COP28

We are thrilled to announce that EUCLID University (Euclid) has been officially approved as an intergovernmental observer at COP28. Authorized to send a high-level delegation, EUCLID was represented by Prof. Charalee Graydon, who attended numerous high-level events, enhancing visibility for EUCLID's work in climate change education.

COP28 focused on implementing the Paris Climate Agreement. Key discussions included loss and damage finance facilities and funding for developing countries. The conference, the largest of its kind, saw participation from over 85,000 individuals, including more than 150 Heads of State and Government.

A significant highlight was the networking event hosted by the COP Presidency and UCN, which brought together leaders from global higher education institutions to discuss building capacity and promoting collaboration on climate action across key education pillars and the COP28 thematic agenda.

ATHEA to Participate in ACBSP Conference 2024

We are excited to announce ATHEA's participation in the ACBSP Conference 2024, scheduled from June 27 to 30 in Miami, Florida. As our strategic partner, ACBSP provides a valuable platform for promoting ATHEA's mission and services, enhancing our visibility and branding within the global educational community.

Attending the ACBSP Conference will allow us to expand our network, forging connections, collaborations, and partnerships with educational institutions and professionals worldwide. By engaging with global standards and best practices, we ensure strategic alignment and maintain our commitment to excellence.

Moreover, the conference serves as a platform for knowledge sharing and learning. We look forward to gaining insights into the latest trends and innovations in higher education, which will help us stay at the forefront of the industry. Understanding market needs through these interactions will enable us to better serve our member institutions.

Join us as we engage with thought leaders, educators, and administrators to foster a culture of excellence in higher education. We look forward to building meaningful connections and advancing our mission on a global scale.

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Updates from the ATHEA organization; MOU's signed with MNCEA and EMSS

We are pleased to announce that ATHEA has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mongolian National Council for Education Accreditation (MNCEA). This agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in accreditation and quality assurance in higher education.

MNCEA, an independent external agency established by the Mongolian Government in 1998, aims to enhance the quality of higher and technical-vocational education in Mongolia. It is responsible for policy coherence, quality assurance, accreditation, and recognition of qualifications across various educational levels. This partnership with MNCEA aligns with ATHEA's commitment to promoting high standards in higher education and quality assurance globally.

We are equally pleased to announce that ATHEA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Engaged Management Scholars Society (EMSS). EMSS, a French not-for-profit entity, is dedicated to promoting engaged scholarship in management studies. It focuses on research, education, training, and learning activities that address real-world needs of companies and institutions, emphasizing management practice over theoretical research.

As part of this partnership, EMSS aims to improve the overall quality of graduate education in management. This collaboration aligns with ATHEA's mission to enhance higher education quality assurance globally. We look forward to a fruitful partnership with MNCEA and EMSS, advancing our shared goals

ATHEA's Annual General Assembly 2024 Highlight

TWe are delighted to share highlights from the ATHEA Annual General Assembly 2024, held recently at our member United Institute School in Amsterdam. This year's assembly was again a significant milestone, bringing together thought leaders, educators, and administrators from around the globe to discuss advancements in transnational higher education quality assurance.

During our event our keynote speakers emphasizing the importance of aligning educational standards with global benchmarks. Throughout the assembly, participants shared best practices and innovative approaches to institutional accreditation and quality assurance. The exchange of ideas and experiences was invaluable, fostering an ATHEA community committed to educational excellence.

We also reviewed our progress on strategic initiatives, including our efforts to secure listing on the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR). These discussions underscored our dedication to upholding high standards and supporting our member institutions in their pursuit of excellence. As we move forward, we remain committed to transparency and continuous improvement.

Thank you to all those who attended, physically and online, and contributed to the vibrant discussions! We look forward to seeing you at our next event and continuing our collaborative journey towards educational excellence.

Stay tuned for updates on our General Assembly crossover with our 10-year ATHEA anniversary in 2025!

Introducing Our Newest Board of Commissioner Member: Denver Grigg

We are thrilled to welcome Denver Grigg as the newest member of ATHEA's Board of Commissioners.

Denver currently serves as the Academic Planning and Development Manager within the Academic Planning and Development Unit at Boston City Campus. With a lifelong dedication to higher education in South Africa, Denver has played a variety of roles across multiple managerial layers.

His extensive experience and commitment to academic excellence will be invaluable to ATHEA as we continue to uphold and advance our mission in higher education quality assurance. Join us in congratulating Denver on his new role and welcoming him to our board!

The Board of Commissioners holds a pivotal position within ATHEA, responsible for assessing accreditation candidates and ensuring that institutions meet the highest standards outlined in the European Standards and Guidelines (ESGs).

European Higher Education Area in 2024: Bologna Process Implementation Report

The European Commission, EACEA, and Eurydice have published "The European Higher Education Area in 2024: Bologna Process Implementation Report."

This report, issued by the Publications Office of the European Union, assesses the evolution of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) amid major crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s war against Ukraine, the cost of living crisis, climate emergencies, and the conflict in Israel and Gaza.

These crises have profoundly impacted higher education, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the sector. The 2020 Rome Communiqué envisions an inclusive, innovative, and interconnected EHEA by 2030, aiming to support a sustainable, cohesive, and peaceful Europe.

The report outlines progress and highlights the distance still to travel towards this vision. Divided into six inter-related chapters, the report provides a comprehensive snapshot of the EHEA and evaluates the implementation of policy commitments.

Seeking Passionate Candidates for ATHEA's Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners plays a pivotal role in ATHEA, particularly with the anticipated growth in our membership. We expect the workload for commissioners to increase and are seeking help from our members. While our expert peer reviewers assist with this workload, we need dedicated members to serve as commissioners.

We invite passionate candidates committed to our mission and vision, eager to contribute to ATHEA's development, and dedicated to upholding academic quality and integrity. Eligible candidates must be affiliated with a member school and have their institution's endorsement and support. Ideal candidates should have experience in teaching, academic research, student support, and quality assurance. Please note that individuals currently serving as voting members of the Accreditation Commission cannot concurrently hold positions on the Board of Commissioners.

If you are interested or know someone who would be a good fit, please reach out to us. Your involvement is crucial to maintaining the high standards and continuous improvement of our organization.

For more information, please contact Constantin de Vries and/or Camila Cepeda, Chair of BoC.

Nominations should be sent to boc@athea.org by Friday, April 5th. We encourage all eligible members to seize this opportunity and contribute to advancing higher education accreditation with ATHEA.

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