Trust is built through transparent and collaborative evaluation grounded in joint professional activities. Following this approach, ANQA conducts joint accreditations with European ENQA member agencies, combining the national education context with European QA approaches in a single process.
ENQA regards joint accreditation as an effective model for cross-border QA.
At the ENQA Members’ Forum held in Budapest on April 22–24, ANQA and the German agency AQAS presented this model as a practically tested approach to building trust. The model was shared in a dedicated discussion session held twice, giving participants from different countries the opportunity to ask questions, exchange perspectives and explore the applicability of joint accreditation in different educational contexts.
Why is this approach important?
- Invitation by the state
The European agency is involved at ANQA’s invitation, the state-authorised national QA agency. - Joint review
A single expert panel is formed, bringing together experts from different countries to examine the evidence, analyse the findings, and reach joint conclusions.
- Integration of the national context and European practice
The review takes into consideration the specific features of Armenia’s higher education system and European QA practices, resulting in a more context-sensitive and relevant evaluations.
- Context-specific recommendations
Recommendations are developed based on the specific features of the system, making them more practical and focused on tangible enhancements.
- Interpretation of the ESG in the national context
The ESG are not applied mechanically but are interpreted in light of the specific national higher education context.
The approach has been developed and refined gradually.
- In 2017, the model was piloted jointly with the German quality assurance agency ASIIN.
- In 2023, the model was applied in the joint accreditation of the French University in Armenia, in cooperation with the French agency Hcéres.
- In 2025, the same approach was applied to the joint institutional and programme accreditation of the Armenian State University of Economics, in cooperation with the German quality assurance agency AQAS.
As a result, Armenian HEIs receive an evaluation that is credible both nationally and internationally, contributing to the internationalisation of higher education and strengthening trust.