How to build resilient quality assurance practices, especially for university alliances? This was the main topic of the workshop that the inter-alliance working group on quality assurance organised at this years’ European Quality Assurance Forum (EQAF).
Together with the other facilitators of the workshop, the chairing team and members of the working group, Alexandre Wipf, Secretary General of EUPeace, moderated a session. Participants could exchange in-depth on scenarios related to the alignment of internal quality assurance systems, the development of joint programmes (a key priority for EUPeace), the design of micro-credentials, or the quality of virtual and blended mobility.
Joint programmes and cross-border cooperation
The groups concentrating on joint programmes exchanged experience, benefited from the diversity of the participants, debated the use of the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes (EA) and the criteria of the European Degree (Label). Together they discussed the unique factors linked to cross-border cooperation, which strategies and decisions should be taken to pro-actively address potential challenges and successfully offer new formats to students.
Following a first assessment of risks and possible conflicts, they were asked to respond to an unexpected change. The participants emphasised proper and full planning as well as a clear needs analysis prior to starting the development of a joint programme: only by ensuring that the intended joint programme offers added value for the students, can you build enough resilience towards sudden changes – and cope with the additional workload and complexities of designing and accrediting a joint programme. One should not be afraid to have the difficult discussions in setting up a joint programme to avoid surprises in the future.
Contact
© privateSharing insights and looking ahead
All the discussions as well as identified good practices from this community of practice will be summarised by the inter-alliance working group and shared with the wider community. The workshop presentation along with the entire material of the forum is available on the event’s website.
This year’s EQAF, titled “QA in times of crises – Ensuring stability, autonomy and international cooperation in higher education”, reflected among others on the role of quality assurance in upholding public education as a shared societal asset and promoting academic values to ensure higher education continues to be a foundation for progress and development – these are at the core of our own Alliance.
All these reflections and insights from the development of joint programmes by other alliances to the role of quality assurance in uncertain times and the subtle balance between trust and accountability will inform our continued work for the students of EUPeace.
The participants, students, higher education institutions, quality assurance agencies, university alliances, policy-makers, as well as national authorities gathered on 12-14 November 2025 in Budapest (Hungary) at Corvinus University. The European Quality Assurance Forum is the premier event for quality assurance professionals in higher education, gathering annually over 400 experts, and is organised by EUA, ENQA, EURASHE, and ESU.
