News and Articles
Launch of QUATRA – TPG A 2 – supporting qualifications frameworks through peer learning
With the kick-off meeting on 20 November 2025 in Riga, Latvia the Erasmus+ project “Qualifications Frameworks for trust, transparency and diversity – TPG A 2” (QUATRA – TPG A 2) was launched. The project builds upon the previous QUATRA – TPG A project (2022-2025), further supporting the TPG A on Qualifications Framework in advancing the implementation of the first Bologna key commitment. Running from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2028, the project aims to create opportunities for TPG A members to exchange experiences and learn from peers in the development of higher education qualifications frameworks, while strengthening consistency, transparency, and compatibility among higher education systems. The meeting brought together all project partners – the Academic Information Centre (Latvia), Malta Further and Higher Education Authority, the Department of Education of the Republic of San Marino, European Association for the Applied Sciences in Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of France and the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement of Georgia. Through a series of peer learning activities, dedicated working groups, and international conference, QUATRA – TPG A 2 will explore priority topics in greater depth, promoting shared understanding and best practices on self-certification, transparency and flexibility of […]
Publication of the National self-certification report of Andorra
Andorra published the self-certification report between the NQF and the EHEA-QF and the referencing report between the NQF and the EQF-LLL on the 16-7-2025 in the Butlletí Oficial del Principat d’Andorra. Andorra is progressing in the first key commitment of the EHEA which lies on building a qualifications framework and ECTS as defined in the 2018 Paris Ministerial Conference. Although Andorra was well informed that the Ministerial Communiqué of Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve of 2009 urged the members to have NQF implemented and prepared for self-certification against the EHA-QF by 2012, it is important to mention that Andorra, from 2010 to 2020 went through a complete transformation of the compulsory educational system. Andorra invested one decade to change the educational approach from content to learning outcomes in primary, secondary and upper secondary level. For the first time, students were placed at the centre of the learning process and assessment was based on competences. Once this new model was regulated and implemented, efforts turned to drafting a NQF based on learning outcomes. The Andorran National Qualifications Framework was finally published by the Law 20/2021 on the 15 July 2021. Taking advantage of the BFUG period 2021-2024 and the opportunity of support offered by […]
Evolution not revolution: Updating the European framework for quality assurance
by the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) The Tirana Ministerial Communiqué (2024) acknowledges that the application of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG) “promotes trust and transparency within and between higher education systems and facilitates accountability and enhancement”. In 2024, the ministers gave the mandate to the ESG authors to revise the document ahead of the next Ministerial conference (to take place in 2027) in order “to keep them in line with ongoing developments, challenges and expectations”, considering that the current version of the document was approved through the Yerevan Communiqué in 2015. One of the success factors for the implementation of the ESG is the high level of stakeholder ownership and acceptance. While the document is approved at the EHEA ministerial level, the authors represent key stakeholder groups in higher education and quality assurance. These include ENQA, ESU, EUA and EURASHE –the E4 Group–, in cooperation with Business Europe, EI and EQAR. In order to gather further input from the sector, a public consultation on the new version of the ESG is open until 9 January 2026. After this, the revision structures will continue to refine the document, with the final version […]
Updating the ECTS User’s Guide: the first draft presented to the BFUG
The European Higher Education Area evolves constantly as part of a dynamic education landscape in Europe. Having the developments of new forms of learning and new educational pathways in mind, the Tirana communiqué mandated a review of the ECTS Users’ Guide to reflect efforts making the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System more accessible, transparent, and flexible for all learners. An Advisory Group, chaired by the European Commission and involving experts from EHEA member countries and key stakeholder organisations, picked up on this work in January 2025. The Advisory Group’s pivotal role was, after assessing the current application and implementation of ECTS, to identify possible weaknesses or impreciseness of the Guide and propose adjustments. Comprehensive research focused on various aspects of the use of ECTS, including study programme design and delivery, mobility, transfer, recognition, and lifelong learning. Through surveys, focus groups, and desk research, a consultant team provided the Advisory Group with groundwork for informed adaptations. As a result, the current draft looks at ways to make the Guide fit for purpose: it proposes the integration of micro-credentials as standard educational opportunities, acknowledging the link to the relevant qualifications framework level for awarded ECTS credits. It equally proposes accommodating lifelong […]
ETUCE Activity Report on higher education and research
The following report is a summary of ETUCE activities on higher education and research between February 2024 and February 2025. Global efforts of protect democracy and academic freedom in higher education and research 10th World Congress of Education International met in Buenos Aires, Argentina between 27 July and 2 August under the theme Growing our unions, elevating our professions, defending democracy. Over 1200 representatives of the education trade unions, including higher education and research staff, from over 150 countries participated. The specific meeting of the trade unions of higher education and research discussed the role of higher education to protect democracy and academic freedom: Joining forces to protect Higher Education: A stand for democracy and rights The congress adopted many resolutions including some on protecting academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and trade union rights: Protecting higher education and research staff from attacks on academic freedom Research and innovation: supporting basic research for resilient societies Organising against the political and ideological attacks on academic freedom and institutional autonomy Technology, artificial intelligence and the future of the teaching profession EI and CAUT (Canadian Union of Teachers) hosted a Conference on Academic Freedom in Calgary, Canada, 7-8 Febr. 2025 for member organisations. More information: Defending academic […]
European Students Union: The State of Belarusian Academia in 2024
The European Students’ Union has published the latest 2024 edition of the Report on the State of Belarusian Academia by the Belarusian Students’ Association (BSA), It provides an overview of the state of Belarusian academia in 2024. It highlights politically motivated repression towards students and faculty members, the increasing ideologisation and militarisation of education, mandatory job placement policies, and the challenges faced by Belarusian students abroad. Additionally, it offers key recommendations for higher education institutions, student unions, policymakers and other actors. On September 5, 2023, Aljaksandr Lukashenka signed a decree restricting a range of services provided by Belarusian embassies and consulates abroad. According to the decree, Belarusian citizens living abroad can only apply for or renew their passports within Belarus. To this day, this decree continues to be in effect, imposing significant restrictions on Belarusians abroad in general and students in particular, especially affecting student mobility. The decree also creates obstacles to obtaining legal residency status in the host country, potentially exposing individuals to legal proceedings or deportation. Furthermore, the process of obtaining apostilles for educational documents for those wishing to continue their studies abroad became significantly more complicated. The Ministry of Education of Belarus introduced new bureaucratic barriers, making the procedure […]
Newsletter - December 2025
