Participation of External Stakeholders in On-site Visits

The CYQAA agency informs higher education institutions that according to the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG, 2015, 1.1-1.9), external stakeholders are expected to participate in on-site visits (such as representatives of relevant professions and/or employers, as well as external social and cultural partners of the institution) related to the evaluated study program or department.

This addition to the agenda of the on-site visit is guided by the accreditation of programs that take into account, in their design, the needs of the local and European society, as well as the interests of students and graduates who seek to enroll in professional bodies, regardless of whether this is required by legislation for regulated professions. External stakeholders for programs determined by legislation for regulated professions are invited by the CYQAA.

For this purpose, the agenda of the EUAA's on-site visit has been appropriately structured to include meetings with these external stakeholders, who will be invited by the institution.

During the meeting(s), in accordance to the European Standards and Guidelines in the European Higher Education Area (ESG, 2015) 1.1, 1.2, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, the EEC will examine and evaluate the involvement and contribution of external stakeholders in regard to the following:

• the institution's internal quality processes development
• design and development of study programs and their continuous monitoring and revision
• periodic evaluation to ensure continuous alignment with labor market requirements
• review and update of information provided to ensure accuracy
• program alignment with the European Qualifications Framework and assessment  of its efficiency
• providing the institution with,
  • industry/market trends’ analysis
  • data through professional networks
  • information from employers regarding the graduates’ readiness to enter the labor market
  • information on employment prospects of program and/or department graduates