EURACE SPREAD

Abstract

The EUR-ACE Framework Standards, maintained by the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE), provide the basis for the award of a common quality label (EURACE® label) to accredited engineering programmes. Accrediting Agencies with accreditation criteria and procedures which comply with the EUR-ACE Standards (that include strict Quality Assurance rules) are authorized by ENAEE to award the EUR-ACE label to First and/or Second Cycle engineering programmes. This system was set up with the support of three projects financed by the European Commission (DG Education and Culture): EUR-ACE (2004-2006), PRO-EAST (2006-2007) and EUR-ACE IMPLEMENTATION (2006-2008). Initially, six accreditation agencies in six countries (France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, Russia, UK) were authorized and started awarding EUR-ACE® labels in 2007: however these countries, although a significant and varied sample, are only a fraction of the 46 countries of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The EUR-ACE SPREAD project (2008-2010) is aimed at spreading the EUR-ACE system into other EHEA countries: its first success has been the addition of Turkey into the system in January 2009. The project's further efforts will be directed in particular towards Italy, Lithuania, Romania, and Switzerland, but not excluding other countries, and follow either of two basic alternatives: 1. In countries where a national Accrediting Agency which accredits engineering programmes already exists, the project will assist this Accreditation Agency in meeting the requirements set down by the EUR-ACE Standards, so that ENAEE can authorize it to award the EUR-ACE® label. 2. In countries where such an Agency does not exist, the project will facilitate the establishment of an Accreditation Agency who can eventually be included in the EUR-ACE System; in the meantime, EUR-ACE® labels can be awarded by an Agency already in the system. The project will also assist the promotion of the EUR-ACE Label among Higher Education Institutions throughout the EHEA countries. The project will also collaborate with ENAEE in updating the EUR-ACE Framework Standards and in investigating the possibility of formulating explicit provisions for the accreditation of continuing education programmes.