RAPORTI VJETOR 2013aaal.edu.al/.../en/anual_report/Annual_Report_2013.docx · Web viewExternal evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of SHLUP “Gjon Buzuku”

ANNUAL REPORT 2013

JANUARY 2014

Public Agency for Higher Education Accreditation

Pg. 1 Raporti vjetor 2013

APAALTel 04 2 266302Fax 04 2 266302

Rruga e Durrësit, Pranë Gjimnazit Qemal Stafa, Tiranë

www.aaal.edu.al, www.albranking.com, E-Mail: [email protected], [email protected]



Content

PAAHE_______________________________________________________________31. Public Agency for Higher Education Accreditation_________________32. Accreditation Council____________________________________________33. PAAHE organisation______________________________________________34. Experts of external evaluation___________________________________35. HEIs and programs licensing _____________________________________36. HEIs and study programs accreditation __________________________37. Analyses in HE and data management system___________________38. Activity of Accreditation Council and external Experts ----- 39. National and International Activities in HE________________________310. Financial Activity in 2013______________________________________311. System of information storage and archiving, informing and publication____________________________________________________________12. Self-evaluation of PAAHE performance for 2013_________________313. PAAHE and CA Activity Plan for 2014__________________________4214. Annex of the Report__________________________________________59Contact information ______________________________________________63Public Agency for Higher Education Accreditation___________________63


PAAHEMain Focus The primary mission of PAAHE is the promotion and quality assurance in higher education. Based on the primary belief that "the main responsible actors for quality assurance in higher education are the Higher Education Institutions themselves", the agency bases its activity on some fundamental principles in order to accomplish its mission in a qualitative way, such as respect for institutional autonomy and academic freedom of Institutions of Higher Education, transparency and information in every step of the process, the internal mechanisms of quality assurance in higher education, objectivity and professionalism in all the processes performed only in respect of the state quality standards and criteria, European quality standards and academic standards in higher education.

Activities carried out in 2013The main activities carried out in 2013 were mostly focused on the assessment processes in the framework of licensing and accreditation, on cooperation with institutions of higher education, training workshops and participation in national and international activities etc..

Accreditation CouncilAccreditation Council is a collegial body that performs its activity at the Public Agency for Higher Education Accreditation and is organized as defined in the Law 9741, dated 21.05.2007, "On Higher Education in the Republic of Albania", amended.

The public Agency for Accreditation of Higher Education (PAAHE) , as a public institution , part of the External Quality Assurance System in Higher Education, writes its annual report which succinctly presents the main activities. This is done in compliance with the legal obligation to inform the public and also to conduct an analysis of its performance during 2013.

This intense activity focused on many directions such as reviews of new programs of study, reviews of PS in the context of accreditation, informative and awareness- raising activities with stakeholders of higher education as well as many other national and international events.

More detailed information and data have been published on the official website of PAAHE

PAAHE


Director: Prof.PhD. Avni MeshiJanuary 25, 2014


1. Public Agency for Accreditaion of Higher Education

The Public Agency for Accreditation of Higher Education (PAAHE) is a state and public institution , part of the Quality Assurance System in Higher Education in Albania, dependent administratively on the Ministry of Education and Sport, established by CoM decision No.303, dated 01.07.1999 "On establishment of the accreditation system in higher education." PAAHE has as its primary mission the promotion of quality and quality assurance in higher education. Based on the principal belief that "the main responsible actors for quality assurance in higher education are the Higher Education Institutions themselves", the Agency bases its activity on some fundamental principles in order to accomplish its mission in a qualitative way: respect for institutional autonomy and academic freedom of Institutions of Higher Education, transparency and information in every step of the process, the internal mechanisms of quality assurance in higher education, objectivity and professionalism in all the processes performed , which are in compliance with the criteria and state quality standards, European quality standards and academic standards in higher education. Some of the main functions of PAAHE in higher education are : Promotion and external quality assessment in public and private

higher education institutions, autonomous conduction of quality assurance procedures, selection of assessment methods and instruments, setting up assessment expert groups, as well as writing the final reports and evaluation results in accordance with laws and regulations in force.

PAAHE is the institution that records HEIs requirements for evaluation and accreditation. It prepares the annual calendar of assessments and submits it for approval to the Minister of Education and Sport. This calendar is made public to all public and private HEIs. In addition, the agency organizes the assessment of technical and content indicators of the higher education system

PAAHE

Mission Objectives

Main functions


PAAHE conducts activities of external quality assessment in order to accredit the program / s of study or (public and private) institutions and makes the reports and the results of performed assessments public. It establishes criteria and procedures for the selection of assessment experts or consultants, local or foreign ones, which are made public, after taking the approval of the Ministry of Education and Sports. Their selection is carried out through a public competition. The list of experts is updated annually.

PAAHE is responsible for carrying out the processes of ranking and rating of programs, fields of study and institutions of higher education. PAAHE in cooperation with AC carries out and publicizes the ranking of the HEIs or similar degrees in accordance with these results. The frequency of ranking processes and its criteria are approved by the Minister of Education and Sport.

The agency is responsible for the implementation of the indicators for measuring quality. In this regard, PAAHE cooperates with expert groups and institutions of higher education.

In function of higher education policy, the agency conducts analytical and / or comparative evaluations of institutions , programs and areas of higher education, according to certain indicators and in relation to existing standards, both national and international ones.

Based on clear criteria, accurate and reliable data and evaluation results, PAAHE writes analytical reports on higher education system according to one or more aspects or indicators.

The Agency cooperates with public and private institutions of higher education for the establishment and functioning of the internal quality assurance by recommending criteria, methods and general indicators as well as criteria and appropriate methods for periodic self-assessment of the system. It instructs and trains the units of internal quality assurance and maintains continuous contacts with these units


The Public Agency for Accreditation of Higher Education cooperates with networks of quality assurance agencies across the European Higher Education Area and those that operate internationally.

The Public Agency for Accreditation of Higher Education collaborates with higher education institutions at home and institutions related to them, professional organizations, institutions related to labor market in order to exchange information and expertise actively involving them in the process of external evaluation.

PAAHE also cooperates with student councils including these actors both in the process of external evaluation and in information and data collection , which serve the evaluation and quality assurance in HE in general.

In collaboration with CA, PAAHE writes a report of its activities at the end of each year, which is sent to the Minister of Education and Sport and later it is made public within the first four months of the following year.

PAAHE provides, through its official website, updated public information on the status of the HEI / programs regarding assessment and accreditation, results of ranking and of the analyses in HE.

PAAHE issues the final Certificate of accreditation on HEI receiving accreditation.


2. Accreditation Council

The Accreditation Council is a collegial body that carries out its activity at the Public Agency for Higher Education Accreditation and is organised according to the definitions in the law no 9741, dated 21.5.2007, "On higher education in the Republic of Albania", as amended. The Council of Accreditation is made up of 11 (eleven) members, five of whom are nominated by institutions of higher education, 3 (three) are field experts, two of whom are foreigners, proposed by international accreditation agencies, an expert, representative of the private sector, a representative from the Ministry of Education and Sport, a representative from the Council of Higher Education and Sport, and a student proposed by the National Council of students. The Minister of Education and Sport appoints the members of the Accreditation Council from the candidates proposed by the parties represented. The chairman of the Accreditation Council is selected from the candidates proposed by this council. He is appointed and dismissed by the Prime Minister on the proposal of the Minister of Education and Sport. The Council carries out its activities independently and in accordance with its regulation, which is approved by the Minister of Education and Sport. When there are issues that are not covered by the expertise of the members of the council or when deemed necessary, the Council may ask experts or external consultants to assist in formulating decisions. The Council meet no more than 9 (nine) times a year. The AC member who is absent in 1/3 of the meetings is substituted.The Accreditation Council carries out its activity near PAAHE.

The Accreditation Council's main activities are defined in the regulation of external quality assurance system. Its main activities are numerous and the most important ones are:

Approves evaluation procedures and methodology, as well as the main general and specific documents for external evaluation and accreditation of study programs and higher education institutions, proposed by the Public Agency for Accreditation of Higher Education, based on legal acts in force, and taking into consideration the guidelines and the relevant European models.

Writes the reports of activities conducted at the end of each year in collaboration with the Public Agency for Accreditation of Higher Education, which is sent to the Minister of Education and Sport and made public.

Accreditation Council

Mission

Objektives

Main functions


Reviews and approves the composition of expert groups for each external evaluation proposed by the agency, after the experts selection from the general list of experts according to their field expertise.

Based on the the legislation in force it reviews the evaluations carried out by PAAHE and recommends or does not recommend to the Minister the opening of new programs of study in the public and private higher education institutions.

Reviews the final report of an external evaluation and provides the proper recommendations for accreditation, which are submitted to the Minister of Education and Sport

Reviews complaints or claims about the external evaluation report of the institution concerned. The Council evaluates the materials submitted as well as the party claims and decides to take them or not into consideration, or decides to send another group of assessors for assessment in the institution. In all cases, the conclusions of experts / council members are expressed in the assessment minutes and the final decision must be substantiated. The opinions against the decision are attached to the recommendation decision. In the course of decision-making process, the Accreditation Council may require additional information or corrections from the agency or the institutions under review.

The director of Public Agency for Accreditation of Higher Education attends the meetings of Accreditation Council without the right to vote.

AC formulates its judgement , based on the results of the evaluation carried out by other agencies part of ENQA.

Defines principles, criteria and procedures, for mutual recognition of accreditation given by other agencies, and accreditation procedures of joint programs between two or more Albanian institutions of higher education, or in cooperation with a foreign institution of higher education. This is done in support by the Public Agency for Accreditation of Higher Education and on the basis of relevant European recommendations .


3. PAAHE Organisation

Based on the decision of CoM, No. 424, dated 02.06.2010 "On the approval of the structure of the Public Agency for Higher Education Accreditation," PAAHE is reorganized into three sectors currently consisting of 15 employees.

Sector of Promotion and Quality Assessment , SPQA

SPQA consists of the head of the sector and five specialists who are graduates in certain fields of study. One of the main duties of this sector is the organization and monitoring of the process of the accreditation of the institutions and programs of study offered by these (public and private) institutions. It is also in charge of drafting technical reports of new programs of study, as part of the evaluation report written by the external experts( in the process of licensing ). Besides, it conducts training of internal assessment groups , set up by HEIs involved in the accreditation process; it provides templates of the internal assessment reports , external evaluation reports , technical reports within licensing , etc. , for all programs of study , in all cycles ( Bsc , Msc , PM , PhD , 2-year long non - university programs ) . Based on PAAHE procedures for the assessment in the framework of licensing and accreditation , this sector engages external experts from various academic fields, who compile evaluation reports , which go to the Accreditation Council where the proper decisions are taken . The training of these external experts is done by the specialists of the sector. Given that foreign members participate in AC the sector translates SWOT analyses and External Evaluation Reports. Sector of Statistics and Analyses, SSA SSA is a new structure created in 2010, with the approval of the new regulation of the system of accreditation and quality assurance. This sector has a special and very important role in the structure of PAAHE and higher education system in general. The fundamental tasks of this sector are: ranking of higher education institutions and study programs; qualitative and comparative analyses in higher education on institutions, programs or specific aspects of theirs as

Organigram

PAAHE sectors

Duties

Staff


academic staff, research, facilities, etc.; collecting data for all institutions of higher education and the creation of national database for all HEIs. These data are used by other decision and policy making institutions in designing the policy in higher education in order to improve the quality of higher education in the country. An important part in the activity of this sector is drawing up materials, reports and data for publication and information. The sector staff also participate in all activities and working processes that PAAHE conducts in the field of higher education.

Sector of Services and Publications, SSP

This sector is composed of three employees and the head of the sector. Finance and record / archives of PAAHE are part of this sector. Its main activity is focused on financial and logistical support of PAAHE, AC and local and foreign experts. This sector also performs the publication of materials and editions of PAAHE/CA in the context of public information.

In addition, an important duty of the sector is the support for the organization of training and promotional activities for the quality in Higher Education, in collaboration with all stakeholders .

Composition of the Accreditation CouncilThe Accreditation Council currently is made up of 11 members, known personalities in the field of higher education. Two of its members are foreign experts, well known in the field of higher eduacation and quality assurance.

AC cooperates with the Council of Higher Education and Sport in order to formulate recommendations to the Minister of Education and Sport on quality assurance in the field of higher education and scientific research. All AC activity, including the financial one, is supported and managed by PAAHE staff


4. External Evaluation Experts

In the process of conducting evaluations, the Public Agency for Accreditation of Higher Education and Accreditation Council cooperate with external evaluation experts and / or consultants, who must have the appropriate qualifications for the type of evaluation to perform and must be independent to give a fair and impartial judgement, avoiding any potential conflict of interest.

PAAHE and AC update the database of foreign and local external evaluation experts and consultants. The main eligibility criteria that local or foreign experts should meet to participate in the evaluation and accreditation processes are: the relevant qualifications for the type of assessment they will perform; independence to give a fair and objective judgement, avoiding any potential conflict of interest; to be a known figure in the relevant field of science; to have at least 5 (five) years experience in teaching and research in the corresponding field of study; to hold at least the PhD scientific degree ; previous experience in the field of quality assurance in higher education institutions ; high personal and professional integrity; international experience acquired through postgraduate studies, or scientific qualification in Western universities or research centers. The external expert should sign a statement guaranteeing the independence in his operations and the absence of conflicts of interest and treat all materials and assessment results as strictly confidential.After being accepted as external experts , the experts are provided with the necessary legal and academic documents of the relevant institutions they are chosen to assess. The experts draw up the external quality assessment report on the entire procedure, the activity shown in the self-assessment report, and on-site visits, which is submitted for further proceedings to the Public Agency for Accreditation of Higher Education.

Evaluation Experts

Selection Procedures

On line application


Foreign experts take part in the evaluation groups, too. PAAHE and AC may invite external experts / consultants to help with ideas and proposals for evaluation criteria and methods, ways and forms to improve the quality of higher education, as well as with the drafting of documents to assist the process as a whole. The expertise given in the process of ranking is one of their contributions.


5. Licensing of institutions and programs

Up to now there are 59 licensed Higher Education Institutions in our country that offer programs in many fields of study. In detail, in the following table is included information for the HEI, their programs and status:

HEI and their actual status Public HEI Private HEI

Universities 12 7 Higher Schools 0 26 Akademy 2 6 Professional Colleges 0 5

University Centers 1 0 Total 15 44

Programs offered in public and private institutions

Public HEI Private HEI TOTAL

2 year Diploma 9 4 13

BSc 240 317 557

MP 128 145 273

MSc 174 196 370

SPA 23 2 25

DR 96 20 116

Public HEI licensed in 2010 -2013

Informations

HEI

Programs in the Public HEI

Programs in the Private HEI


2010 2011 2012 2013 TOTAL 0 0 1 1 2

Private HEI licensed in 2010 -2013

2010 2011 2012 2013 TOTAL

4 7 2 0 13

The number of evaluations in HEI licensing/New Programs, is relatively smaller compared to the previous years (look at the following tables). In Public HEI ther are evaluated altogether 50 programs, the first,

second and third cycle of studies; more precisely: 20 Bachelor (Bsc), 15 Professional Master (Mp), 11 Master of Science (Msc) and 4 (Doctorates) Dr.

In Private HEI there are evaluated in total 71 programs, of the first, second and third cycle of studies; more precisely: 17 Bsc. 18Mp, 33 Msc and 3 Dr

There have been 14 reports of institutional organization of private and public HEI.

For the year 2013, with the decision No. 48, date 23.1.2013, of the Council of Ministers, “For the creation of the Medical University of Tirana, Tirana (UMT), two faculties of the University of Tirana were riorganized in the Medical University of Tirana that at present has

General information

Evaluations 2010 - 2013

Licensing application

Evaluation


five faculties. PAAHE has reviewed the institutional riorganization documents and has prepared dhe report for the Accreditation Council. The number of evaluations reviewed by the Accreditation Council is given in a comparative way for the last three years in the tables and graphs below. This number of evaluation reviewed by AC is smaller than the evaluations carried out by the PAAHE because some of these evaluations did not pass for review in the AC. There are realized 121 reviews of technical evaluation for the first, second and third cycle of study. For the year 2013, the number of applications reviewed in the context of evaluation was:

Evaluations held out in Public HEI

2010 2011 2012 2013 Total

2 year Diploma 0 0 0 1 1

Bsc 15 1 4 8 28

MP 8 8 9 2 27

MSc 17 8 0 1 26

PhD 17 4 0 0 21

SPA - - - - -

Evaluations held out in Private HEI

2 year Diploma 2010 2011 2012 2013 Total

Bsc 2 2 0 0 4

MP 29 65 43 8 145


MSc 11 30 29 13 83

PhD 28 33 36 20 117 SPA 0 3 12 4 19

2 year Diploma 0 0 0 2 2

The Evaluation Procedures are reviewed in the meeting of the AC and are posted in the official PAAHE web page (go to

Detailed Evaluations in 2010 - 2013

Evaluations 2010 - 2013


www.aaal.edu.al). Meanwhile a part of the evaluations will be reviewed by the AC during 2014.

http://www.aaal.edu.al/


6. Program and Institution Accreditation

In 2013, PAAHE conducted the Accreditation process in 18 Private HEI, for the accreditation of different programs of the three study cycles and the institutional accreditation or their units. This year, PAAHE continued the institutional evaluation with foreign experts, a process that began in 2011, when PAAHE and MES, gave an official announcement for foreign experts application . Each study program is evaluated by at least two field experts. Also, the Minister of Education , ordered the accreditation of the third cycle programs or Doctoral schools offered in public institutions but that hasn’t been followed by the application for the initiation of the accreditation process. From the public HEI there was no new initiative (except for UPT and The Defense Academy) for the beginning of the process of institutional accreditation or study programs. Meanwhile, the Polytechnic University of Tirana and the Defense Academy “Spiro Moisiu” are in the process of institutional accreditation and of the study programs accreditation.

In a comparative we present the period 2010-2013: Public Institutions Accredited 0, in process 2

Privat Institutions Accredited 34, in process 3

Number of Accredited Programs 320 out of 1300 in total

Informtions

Application for Accreditation

HEI and Accreditation status

Accreditations2010 - 2013


In details, in a comparative way, the number of accreditation in public-private institutions for the years 2010-2013 was:

Programs accredited by PAAHE in 2010 - 2013

Public HEI Private HEI2010

2011

2012

2013

Total

2010

2011

2012

2013

Total

2 year Diplom

- - - - 0 0 0 2 2

Bsc 7 33 24 57 121 MP 2 - - - 2 7 10 20 27 64 MSc - - - - - 6 17 23 36 82 PhD - - - - - - - - - - SPA - - - - - - - - - -

In 2013 the following procedures were undertaken: External evaluation process, HEI accreditation of “European

University” for the second cycle study programs Monitoring the external evaluation, for the second cycle study

programs in the context of accreditation of “Polis University”

Processes of external evaluation in HEI

RVB & RVJ


External evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation, of 18 study programs of the first and second cycle in SHLUP “Beder”

External evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of SHLUP “Kristal” for programs of the first and second study cycle.

External evaluation process in the context of Institution accreditation of SHLUP “Planetar University of Tirana” for programs of the second study cycle.

External evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of SHLUP “Illyria” for programs of the first and second study cycle.

External evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of “Albanian University” for programs of the first and second study cycle. (Berat branch)

External evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of SHLUP “TBU”, for programs of the first and second study cycle.

External evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of “UNYT” for programs of the first and second study cycle and re accreditation since some programs were accredited 6 years ago.

External evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of SHLUP “UNT” for programs of the first and second study cycle.

External evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of SHLUP “Luarasi” for programs of the second study cycle.

External evaluation process, in the prospect of Institution accreditation HEI SHLUP “Reald” for programs of the first study cycle.

External evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of SHLUP “Argent” for programs of the first study cycle.

External evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of SHLUP “Gjon Buzuku” for programs of the first study cycle.


External evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of KPP “New Generation” for programs of the first study cycle.

External evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of KPP “Ivoclar & Vivadent” for programs of the first study cycle.

Control of the accreditation reports for the Catholic University “Zoja e Këshillit të Mirë”.

from the information PAAHE has, there are no public institutions in the process of evaluation from foreign agencies members of ENQA as the law for higher education states, except for the private institution “Nehemia”, which underwent the accreditation process, with the German agency “FIBAA”. The foreign evaluation report has been sent to PAAHE and the AC and has taken the accreditation decision. The organization of meetings with public and private institutions, discussion for the mechanisms of increasing quality and quality evaluation, the correct orientation of teaching programs in accordance with the market needs, has been a continuous part of all the accreditation processes held so far. Only during 2013, PAAHE did in total 15 group trainings (abouit 93 persons) for the insurance of quality for the institutions that are in the accreditation process. The current situation of institutional accreditation for every institution of higher education, is shown in the following table:

NoHEI

Institutional Accreditation

Unit Accreditation

(faculty/center)

AccreditationIn Process

Insitutions within the

legal deadlines for accreditation

1 New York University Tirana

2 SHLUP "Luarasi"

3 Private University "Albanian University"

4 Catholic University "Zoja e Këshillit të Mirë"


5 Movie and Multimedia academy "Marubi"

6 SHLUP "Marin Barleti" University

7 SHLUP " Kristal University "

8 SHLUP "Justiniani I" Law Faculty9 SHLUP "Sevasti dhe

Parashqevi Qiriazi"10 European University

Tirana11 SHLUP "Justicia" Law

Faculty12 SHLUP "Aldent"

13 SHLUP "Medikadent"

14 SHLUP "Wisdom University"

15 Polis University

16 Epoka University

17 SHLUP "Higher American school of Tirana"

18 SHLUP "ISSAT"

19 SHLUP " Higher school Nehemia"

20 SHLUP " Higher school Nëna Mbretëreshë, Geraldinë"

21 SHLUP " Higher school ILLYRIA"

Law Faculty

22 Higher Mediterranean Private school of Albania

23 Private Professional College “Ivoclar Vivadent&Partners"

24 SHLUP "Pavarësia"

25 SHLUP " Higher International school of Tirana


26 Private Professional College "New Generation”

27 SHLUP "Vitrina"

28 Private Professional Colleges “Medicom”

29 Higher Education Private school

30 SHLUP " Planetar University Tirana"

31 SHLUP "Logos"

32 SHLUP "Gjon Buzuku"

33 SHLUP "Universiteti Metropolitan Tirana"

34 SHLUP "Universiteti Elite"

35 SHLUP “Tirana Business University”

36 SHLUP “Hëna e plotë” (BEDËR)

37 Business Professional Academy

38 Academy of applied studies, Durrës

39 Academy of applied studies "REALD"

40 SHLUP "Canadian Institute of Technology"

41 Teaching Academy

42 Construction academy of Tirana

43 Professional College “ARGENT”

44 Professional Sports College, Fier

45 University of Tirana46 Politechnic University

of Tirana47 Agriculture University

of Tirana48 University

“Aleksandër Xhuvani”49 University “Luigj

Gurakuqi”50 University “Eqerem


Çabej”51 University “Fan S.

Noli”52 University “Ismail

Qemali”53 Center for

Albanologic Studies54 University“Aleksandë

r Moisiu”55 Defense Academy

"Spiro Moisiu"56 Arts University57 Sports University of

Tirana58 Arts Academy,

Shkodër59 Professional Sports

College, Fier60 University of

Medicine, Tirana

The accreditation process is continuous and needs improving. In line with this, in 2013, after some analysis and the feedback given, some procedures were improved.

Some of the improvements made to the accreditation process are: For the institutional evaluation, at least one expert was foreign The evaluation of the third cycle programs is done only by

foreign experts. PAAHE engaged about 120 internal experts and 20 foreign

ones during 2013 and the database is being enriched continuously with new online applications.

There have been done 14 institutional accreditations by foreign experts.

All the reports of the external evaluation during the period 2012-2013 were published.

It was made possible to give online call for application for international experts through the official web page PAAHE and through ENQA.

The internal and external institutional evaluation report is delivered in English at PAAHE. For every external evaluation report the PAAHE


staff has given the foreign experts of the AC the SWOT analysis translated in English.By the order of the Director of head of the institution, all external evaluation reports compiled during 2013 are published in the official page of PAAHE. This helps in increasing transparency towards evaluations in accreditation process and also increases the quality of the processes carried out by PAAHE and evaluation experts. PAAHE has continuously improved the documentations for evaluation and accreditation. The formats of internal and external evaluations report were reviewed, including all the standards and criteria of the three study cycles, and also the European quality standards.


7. Analyses in Higher Education and data Management System

In 2013 PAAHE finished reorganizing and structuring the model of university ranking, carried out during 2011 in cooperation with the German company CHE (Center for Higher Education).One of the biggest problems, encountered in the first process, was the credibility of the data taken from the questionnaires and students in particular. Some of the questioners were modified and some new questions were in the questionnaires used in 2011. The staff of Statistical and Analysis sector further developed this model by finalizing the new version of university ranking in Albania. These results were presented in the Forum for university ranking from IREG in Poland, in May 2013. At the same time there has been constant work to adapt the necessary infrastructure for further processes developed. In 2013, the management system of PAAHE has been completed. In September 2013, SSA started filling in the system’s central database reliable data from all the HEIs in the country, a process that will continue during 2014. The basis of these data collected during the ranking process, is reviewed, added and corrected the missing or mistaken data for different HEI. It was carried out the analysis of HEI information systems. The problems identified range from the lack of information infrastructure to the missing information or false one given to students and public by the institutions. Some analysis and statistical analysis have been carried out in function of the different institutions that have asked for data in connection with the HEI and their programs, for example. for the General Prosecution Office , Tirana Police, University of Medicine etc.Most statistical data are already published in the official web page, giving detailed information for every institution or program in the country.For further improvement of the ranking and analysis process, PAAHE, has been in contact with international associates who have given their experience in creating the management system of questionnaires and personalized ranking. The PAAHE staff has taken

Statistical analysis


part in U-Multirank forums, initiated from the European Commission in June 2009 and also held this year in Brussels. The process of gathering data from HEI has been continuous and on the institutions themselves and the programs offered, the processes of evaluation, accreditation, ranking and analysis of higher education, statistics for students, academic staffs, scientific research, facilities etc.This database included in the informatics system for the PAAHE management makes it possible to do some important procedures/activities for the evaluation, accreditation and ranking of programs/institutions of higher education like: evaluation of programs/institutions in the prospect of their licensing/opening; institutional evaluation and new programs in the existing institutions, evaluations in the prospect of new and periodic accreditations in HEI, programs and HEI analysis in higher education, postal and electronic communication management, application management, performance in time of processes in different steps, real time reliable information, ranking processes management, accreditation classification, analyses, communication between employees, task management, communication with the institutions and communication with experts. Many new dedicated portals and modules have been created in this page, giving detailed information for all the processes performed by PAAHE.Nevertheless, still exist some problems that need addressing in order to create and meet the criteria of international institutions that operate in this direction.

In detail:

The absence of by laws and legal acts that regulate the analysis and ranking process.

It has not been defined in the law how PAAHE will find the financial support needed. In the yearly budget of PAAHE it is not included the financial budget needed to carry out a ranking process.

Also the secondary income from the accreditation process can’t be used for processes other than accreditation.


The division of the ranking process from the accreditation one. Accreditation and ranking are two quality ensuring processes in HE. CHE has proposed for them to be separate processes and as a result the ranking process will be done by different and independent organs from all the institutions and other mechanisms of higher education, so that the credibility of the interested parts and of the public cal be higher. The primary recommendation is the division of SSA from the structures of PAAHE, as a unique unit focused completely in ranking and analysis of higher education, which hasn’t been done so far. This recommendation has not been fulfilled because it is not in the competences of PAAHE.

Infrastructure development for the management of ranking and analysis processes. This recommendation made by CHE in July 2011, is based on the visit of German experts in PAAHE and on the fact that these two processes are realized online with the data self declared by the institutions. Up to now PAAHE has taken positive steps in infrastructure improvement. PAAHE has finished the electronic System of process management “PAAHE Management System”, a project started in 2011 and finished in June 2013. It has been built the database that will help these processes and especially the ranking one. As for the information systems PAAHE has created the necessary infrastructure for the information and publication of the results. PAAHE has a dedicated official web page for the publication of the results of university ranking. (www.albranking.com)

Improvement of the legal groundRegarding the procedures and methodology that will be followed for ranking/rating/analysis in the future there are no legal act to regulate this process. The Accreditation Council as a decision and political making institution has not taken steps for the improvement of the legal background in function of the ranking process.

http://www.albranking.com/


For a better training of the PAAHE staff, every year it has been possible for the staff to attend the annual Symposium for university ranking, held in Brussels, in the framework of the project “University Multirank”. In May 2013, PAAHE took part in the activity: IREG Forum on University Rankings: Methodology under scrutiny, by presenting the work done by PAAHE during the period 2011-2013, “Improving the ranking model of the Albanian higher educatiozsn institutions”, http://www.ireg-observatory.org

http://www.ireg-observatory.org/


8. Activity of the Accreditation Council and External Experts

The Accreditation Council operates at the premises of PAAHE. The AC meetings are organized on the basis of a schedule drawn up in accordance with the number of applications that are to be considered. Regarding AC performance some of its main activities conducted during 2013 are:

Approval of the assessment procedures and methodology, as well as key general and specific documents for the external evaluation and accreditation of study programs and higher education institutions , documents proposed by PAAHE, based on legal acts and relevant guidelines and European models. The documents to be pointed out are the evaluation reports formats for the three cycles of study in accordance with the national standards of quality.

During this period the AC has reviewed and approved the composition of the expert groups of external evaluation proposed by PAAHE for each and every case. Experts are selected in compliance with their field of expertise from the general list of approved experts.AC has also reviewed the evaluations carried out by PAAHE and experts and recommended to the Minister opening or not opening of new programs of study in public/ private higher education institution taking the appropriate decisions which are published on the PAAHE official webpage on AC activity.

The Accreditation Council has had 4 meetings where there have been taken 127 decisions for licensing, accreditation and follow-up. AC has carried out 190 accreditations.

Decisions of AC

Activity of CA 2013

AC meetings

AC decisions

Fig.8: Evaluations in public and private HEIs


AC meetings in 2013

11 J

anar

03 M

ay

03 J

une

18 J

uly

Private HEI 14 31 6 11 62

Public HEI 4 10 5 5 24Accreditation

/Follow Up

9 14 5 13 41

Total 27 55 16 29

127

Accreditations according to cycles of study

11 January 2013

03 May 2013 03 June 2013 18 July 2013

Kind of PS Private Higher

Education Institutions

Private Higher


Private Higher Education Institutions

Private Higher


Pozi

tve

Tota

l

Pozi

tive

Tota

l

Pozi

tive

Tota

l

Pozi

tive

Tota

lBSC 14 32 11 5 MP 4 13 2 8 MSC 4 23 3 4 MSL 2 3 Institutional 2 2 2 1 PhD 2 Total 24 72 21 20

Kind of PS Public Higher Education Public Higher Education


Institutions Institutions

Pozi

tive

Pozi

tive

on

cond

ition

Neg

ativ

e

Reo

rgan

isat

ion

Tota

l

Pozi

tive

Pozi

tive

on

cond

ition

Neg

ativ

e

Reo

rgan

isat

ion

Stat

ud c

hang

e

Tota

l

BSC 7 6 3 16 21 9 3 5 38 54

MP 7 8 2 17 23 8 7 1 39 56

MSC 9 3 2 14 28 11 2 41 55

Ma

Non University Program

Professional Diploma

1 1 1 1 2

PhD 2 2 4 3 3 7

SPA 1 1 1

Opening of Faculty

1 1 3 3 4

Faculty 10 10 10

HEI 1 1 1

Total 53 137

190

The English version of SWOT analysis of all the reports of external evaluation in the context of accreditation was put at AC disposal, which was a great important support to them.


Accreditation Council has had the financial and logistical support of PAAHE for any event. One of the specialists of the agency plays the role of the secretary of the AC and performs the following functions: preparation and approval of the agenda of their meetings, notification of AC members (of the agenda of the relevant meeting and the material to be dealt with etc. ), preparation of files and drafts for decisions for private and public institutions /programs , preparation of files and drafts decisions and other official documents of AC, information of the Council of Accreditation of the new requirements for accreditation, submission of the lists of experts, proposed by PAAHE director, communication with other institutions on behalf of the AC, etc. The AC financial activity is provided by PAAHE from the revenues of the evaluation and accreditation process. Logistical assistance as stationery, printer, photocopy, computers, etc., are provided by PAAHE, too.

PAAHE is the main organ that coordinates the activity of AC and the experts and also puts at their disposal all the necessary facilities for the normal development of their working process. During the on site visits one of the specialists of the agency helps communication by translating for the foreign external experts. The agency organizes the meetings of the Accreditation Council, prepares the agenda for the meetings, programs of the meetings, prepares and delivers information to Council members and prepares the final document on behalf of the Council before it is reviewed and approved. The Agency also performs all correspondence with other institutions on behalf of the Council of Accreditation and publishes all its official documents on the website.

In compliance with the law of higher education and with the aim of enhancing quality of evaluation, PAAHE collaborates with external experts for evaluation and accreditation of higher education institutions/programs. PAAHE cooperates with local and foreign experts from various fields. The list of experts is enriched with new names each year. Besides sending request to HEIs for experts in various fields, PAAHE has given opportunity to all interested local and foreign experts to apply on line. PAAHE and the foreign experts have


provided continuous training to experts, old and new ones, especially about getting acquainted with evaluation and accreditation procedures and the new state standards of quality. Trainings have been conducted on the premises of PAAHE. All the necessary materials and the Agency's publications related to key processes of accreditation were made available to them.

PAAHE financially supports the activities of external experts regarding payment based on laws and rules in force. Throughout the assessment / accreditation / ranking processes PAAHE has constantly paid attention to avoiding conflict of interest between the experts and various HEIs. For these reasons, the expert declares his position in relation to the HEI. Also the new contract includes an article which requires the expert to sign a declaration related to the conflict of interest. However, it has not always been possible to avoid such phenomenon completely. In specific fields the number of experts is relatively small so the engagement of foreign experts has not only increased the quality of evaluation but has also made the whole process more reliable. PAAHE puts at the disposal of the two foreign AC members the English versions of the evaluation reports for the three study cycles and institutional evaluation in the context of accreditation. In addition, many PAAHE documents, state quality standards, higher education law, procedures, etc., have been translated in English by PAAHE. There have also been translated the summaries of the expert evaluations of study programs of public / private HEIs applying for licensing (45 summaries), the translation of SWOT analyses of expert evaluations and external evaluation to serve the foreign members of the Accreditation Council (10 SWOT analyses), and the translation of specific parts of HEIs reports and documents etc.

PAAHE has informed the institutions about how to write the internal evaluation report in two languages. Furthermore, HEIs have been informed to prepare many other documents, as the statute, regulations, curricula, etc., in English, in order for these documents to be in function of evaluation by foreign experts or AC. Detailed


information for AC and evaluation experts has been published in PAAHE web pages and published brochures.


9. National and International Activities in Higher Education

The Public Accreditation Agency for Higher Education has direct and continuous contact with the Ministry of Education and Sport (MES), Institutions of Higher Education at home (HEIs) and other stakeholders. Some of the activities in which PAAHE has participated are:

Participation in the "Platform for monitoring private higher education institutions" focused on " Assessment of the quality of teaching and administrative service of private higher education institutions for the implementation of the standards and obligations they have under the Higher Education Law and regulations adopted for its implementation.” Almost the entire staff of PAAHE was engaged in work groups set up by the MES. At the end of the process, reports for each HEI were written and help was given in drafting the final report of the process.

Participation in work groups to see the implementation of State Matura exams.All PAAHE staff was engaged as supervisors in defferent schools in the country.

PAAHE cooperation with HEIs has been continuous. Alongside

ongoing contacts with HEIs PAAHE has focused its technical assistance on information about every document produced, changes or updating; various trainings for internal evaluation units in HEI; training for drafting internal assessment reports in accordance with new quality standards.

PAAHE is a member with full rights in EENQA, INQAHE, EAIE, and since 2010 has been an associate member of ENQA (the European Organization for Quality Assurance). The Agency has been part of all activities organized by these networks, especially of the activities of ENQA

Activities in Higher Education

International Activities

Recommendations


The Agency staff was involved in many international activities conducted during 2013 among which we highlight:

Participation in the 5th Annual Symposium "On universities ranking and quality assurance in Europe, 2012" organized by the Centre for Parliamentary Studies, in cooperation with the European Commission and the CHE, in Brussels, Belgium.

Participation in the 6th Forum of IREG Oservatory for universities ranking methodologies on 16-17 May 2013 , in Warsaw, Poland. PAAHE presented the Albanian experience in ranking universities, problems and improvements made to the model applied in 2011 by CHE - PAAHE . The work presented in this event was" Improving the ranking model of the Albanian Higher Education Institutions"

The conference " Quality Assurance and Development in Europe " . This conference was organized by DAAD , the National Agency for cooperation in higher education in Europe and was held in Berlin , Germany on 21 & 22 March 2013 .

The Third Forum of ENQA members held on 25-26 April 2013 in Prague , Czech Republic . This forum was organized by ENQA in cooperation with the Czech Accreditation Commission , AcCCR. Part of the forum was the General Assembly in which it was discussed and approved :

- Protocol to the previous meeting of the General Assembly- The list of candidates to the Board of ENQA- Audit Report- Financial Report August 2011 - December 2012Throughout these events , PAAHE introduced , presented and

informed its associates about the activities it performs and its aims for the future. The conclusions drawn from these activities have been the subject of discussion in PAAHE and have been reflected in the agency's performance.


The focus of work for 2013 was membership in ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education ) and the European Registry Agencies ( EQAR ).

Regarding its membership with full rights in ENQA , PAAHE has written a self-evaluation report in the context of external evaluation and on 8 November 2012 a formal request for PAAHE external assessment was made to the Board of ENQA . Following the procedures , on 28 August 2013 the contract between PAAHE and ENQA was signed . Attached to the contract are the terms of reference and a list of five experts consisting of : 1.Rafael Van Grieken , director of the Spanish agency ( chairman of the evaluation group ) ; 2.Tibor Szanto , general secretary of the Hungarian Accreditation Committee ( evaluation group secretary ) 3 . Sofia Pekic Quarrie , Professor of Agricultural University , Belgrade ; 4 . Jethro Newton Professor Emeritus at the University of Chester , England ( nominated by the Union of European Universities ) 5. Karl Agius nominated by the European Student Union .

18,19,20 November 2013 were scheduled for the visit of the group of external evaluation in PAAHE . This visit was postponed due to the institution reorganization process by MES . The external evaluation group received the PAAHE self-evaluation report and is awaiting for our notification to continue with the procedures and the visit.

As a member of ENQA group on Quality Assurance in Lifelong Learning PAAHE continued cooperation in designing standards for LLL until their reviewed by the Board of ENQA in September 2013.

PAAHE has been a partner in several projects designed and funded by Tempus as " Improvement of Quality Assurance System in


Higher Education in Albania " , the application of the process and results-based methodology , in cooperation with the University of Koblenz - Landau , Germany . This project is ongoing.

Based on the recommendations of our associates which have come up in various discussions and the activities conducted in 2013 PAAHE must focus on some directions so as to increase its capacity and performance : Improvement of infrastructure, organization and management of

data to anticipate new developments related to linking our national data base with other international systems

Increasing contacts with institutions of higher education, getting acquainted with new global developments in higher education, promoting ranking as an important tool that will benefit all, raising the HEI awareness of the reliability of the process, ensuring their participation in regional and international initiatives related to ranking processes or other relevant activities.

Development of public information system as a whole using all capacities offered by technology as websites, magazine for higher education published by PAAHE as one of the major recommendation, written and visual media, the publication of any information, activities results of different processes, analyses and national and international activities in the field of higher education.

Improvement these aspects makes PAAHE a reliable partner and collaborator in different ranking processes that will be carried out in the future.


10. Financial Activity during 2013

The Public Agency of Accreditation in Higher Education carried out and supported its financial activity in compliance with the state budget of 2013. In accordance with the law No.9936 dated 26.06.2008 “On the management of the budget system in the Republic of Albania”, the law 119/2012 dated 17.12.2012 “On the budget of 2013”, the document of the Ministry of Finance N0. 20413/97, dated 14.01.2013 “ It is sent the datailed budget of 2013” PAAHE was allocated an annual budget of about 16 690 000 ALL ( salary, it.600, social insurance, it. 601, operative expenses, it. 602 ). The data given sho that the budget was realized in 94,2 %.

Expenses from the budget

Name Plan Fact

Salary 13.200.000 12.280.937

Social insurance 1.990.000 1.943.275

Operative expenses(Stationery, printer ink, photocopies, electrical energy, phones, internet , mail, fuel, travel , painting of the server room etc.)

1.500.000 1.492.649

The project “Implementation of an information system for PAAHE Management”, which was as part of CBA, was paid off.

Expenses from World BankName Plan Fact

The project “Implementation of an information system for PAAHE Management”

12.208.350 12.208.350

Use of the institution revenues in opperative expenses is given in the following table:

financial activity

Paymenmt to CA and experts

Secondary revenues


Operative expenses from the revenues

Name Plan Fact

Operative expenses 113.001.813 40.674.862

Electrical energy, water, internet, phone, mail, bank commissions, security guards

996.500

Expenses for honorary payment to the Accreditation Council ( local and foreign) and experts ( local and foreign)

33.516.579

Expenses for travel and per diems abroad for PAAHEE staff, foreign experts and foreign members of CA

3.742.633

Expenses for travel and per diems in the

country of PAAHE staff.

40.150

Fund return to HEIs which did not receive PAAHE service.

2.379.000

In addition, membership fees in international organisations (ENQA, INQAE, EENQA) were paid during 2013 as follows:

Expenses from revenues

Name Plan Fact

Expenses for fees and membership in international organizations.

987.740 481.931

The income from the evaluation and accreditation processes are used by PAAHE based on the Instruction 29/1, dated 16.08.2011, “On defining fees for services done by PAAHE”, amended. The approval of the MES has been obtained for cases, which require the use of revenues and which are not provided for in the instruction.During 2013, the total revenue from the assessment processes performed by PAAHE based on DCM 424 dated 02.06.2010 "On approval of the regulation for the accreditation system, organization


and operation of institutions of external quality assurance", amended and Instruction no. 29/1, dated 16.08.2011 ", “On defining fees for services done by PAAHE”, amended, was: ALL 77,310,300, of which 10% is paid to the state budget and 90% is incomeof the Agency. From the income remaining in the agency's budget, ALL 1,000,000 is authorized increase in expenses and ALL 69,029,270 is transferred to 2014.


11. Archiving, Informing and Informatioon publication system

PAAHE currently has a

consolidated archive and material basis. The new institution archive saves on paper any information that comes from any institution, organization, HEI, individuals, etc., and registers each official document. All application files submitted by HEIs, program files, folders with all accreditation procedures, reports of internal and external evaluation, orders, decisions, CVs etc. are found in PAAHE. At the same time, most of this information is saved in the electronic version in the created database.

PAAHE started setting up its datasbase in an electronic version first in 2012. With the completion of the management system, most of the documents will be stored in the electronic version. All HEIs in the country have been informed of these changes. Now, along with the printed file the HEIs submit its electronic version to PAAHE. In addition, all official documents are stored in the electronic version, too.

In terms of logistical capacity and material basis, PAAHE has some drawbacks. Although in October 2011 PAAHE moved to another building, consisting of 9 office rooms and working environments, they are old and do not meet the standards of an agency that aspires

Aktiviteti finaciar

Pagesa për KA, ekspertët

Të ardhurat dytësore


to become a member of ENQA. There is a shortage of new computers, black and white and colour printers etc.

The 2014 plan, in addition to PAAHE annual activity, foresees the improvement of the material basis of PAAHE /AC and the reconstruction of the offices and the work environments. The evaluation to be performed by ENQA experts in the context of ENQA membership is also focused on the financial and logistical capacities of PAAHE, and as such it is a very important indicator for receiving a positive evaluation from this organism.

Regarding the information system the Public Agency of Accreditation for Higher Education has actually a consolidated system of public information. PAAHE uses various forms of information but mostly uses electronic versions as website , emails , printed material etc.. Some of the information is published in the form of brochures, which are mainly official documents as procedures , standards etc. .PAAHE has designed two webpages which have been made available to institutions of higher education, associates and the public. These webpages are in dynamic version , with very detailed information and are updated daily with the latest and most reliable information. Thanks to this information , these pages were visited by a large number of readers during 2013 .Some new modules and new and updated portals became part of these pages during 2013 , as : The module of the accreditation process with detailed information

about each process developed by each HEI , whether public or private.

The module of personalized research of information, which enables any user to easily find the needed information about institutions or programs at home.


The module of statistical data provides detailed information about all institutions and programs and performs automatically graphical and comparative presentation for each program and HEI

The module of publication of any official document of HEIs is created in order to publish all official documents such as decisions of CM and CA , Orders of the Minister of Education and Sports , evaluation reports of external experts , etc.

Also in these pages there are other dedicated portals and modules in order to give clear and detailed information to the public . The main advantage of this model is the public communication and interaction with the website , creating the possibility of them obtaining the desired information.Some other applications and portals are accreditation , online applications , information about HEIs , statistical data in real time etc. Readers may post questions and ask for information in real time from PAAHE staff . One page is dedicated entirely to the ranking process , analysis and publication of the findings obtained . The statistical information published is quite diversified . All official and legal documents on which PAAHE operates have been published. PAAHE , also, publishes in real-time the ongoing procedures, staff works and CA decisions .One of the most important achievements that will greatly improve the PAAHE functioning is the completion of the project " PAAHE management" designed by the PAAHE staff , supported by the MES and financially supported by the WB . During 2013 most of the project was finished so that it can be put in service op PAAHE / AC.A very important aspect is the information of institutions of higher education of any basic document which has been drafted / amended / updated by PAAHE . These documents are published in


Albanian and English in the official webpage. The state quality standards of the three cycles of study are in electronic and printed version and continuously submitted to HEIs in the process of evaluation


12. SELF EVALUATION OF PAAHE PERFORMANCE in 2013

In conclusion, the Public Agency for Accreditation of Higher Education, has successfully met most of the objectives set for 2013. The key PAAHE processes as assessment, evaluation, accreditation and ranking, have taken up most part of PAAHE work. There are assessed and reassessed programs of study that have been submitted to the agency associated with the individual reports of expert and technical assessment. Scheduled accreditation processes were performed in time, including training of HEI units of internal evaluation, visits on site, reports submitted by experts and making all documents available to the Council of Accreditation. One of the main achievements is the performance of external evaluation by foreign experts. Logistical preparation for this purpose was a major commitment for APAAL.

The work groups set up in PAAHE have reviewed the formats of program evaluation reports in compliance with the new state standards of quality. The Accreditation Council and external evaluation experts have had at their disposal all the assistance and facilities required for the successful performance of their activities.

In line with the ongoing communications with HEIs, the agency has had steady contacts with these institutions. They have had at their disposal materials and agency publications and have been given the appropriate explaination on different processes. All external evaluation groups for the HEIs which underwent an accreditation process in 2013 were trained. At present, the information and informing system in PAAHE meets all the standards and legal obligations in this regard. The dynamic versions of PAAHE web pages not only meet these requirements but also provide detailed


information on each activity and process carried out by PAAHE. Stakeholders have also been given the required information by PAAHE office.


13. Plan of PAAHE-AC Activities for 2014The Public Agency for Higher Education Accreditation (PAAHE), is a public institution, part of the

system of external quality assurance in higher education. Part of this system is the Accreditation Council, as well.

Based on the regulation of external quality assurance, amended, each year these institutions present the plan of activities for the period January to December. During 2014 PAAHE / KA will focus their activities in four main directions: licensing, accreditation, listing / ranking and analyses in higher education. Important activities planned to take place during this period will be collaborations with national and international organizations operating in the field of quality assurance, and consolidation of information transparency for associates and the collaborators.

According to these directions, the detailed activities scheduled for 2014 for each sector will be:

1. WORK PLAN 2014 – SECTOR OF QUALITY PROMOTION AND EVALUATION


Sector objectives Activities Time Institucional cooperation Reference Result Description

1

Periodical evaluation in the framework of accreditation of institutiona and HEI programs of study

1.1 Training of IEG

All year round

Public and private HEIs Law of Higher education no 9741/2007, amended, bylaws

Writing report of internal evaluation RIE by trained institutions in accordance with state standards of quality assurance.

Respect of time table,training according to the method ‘fit for purpose’

1.2 Training of EEG

All year round

External experts by academic fields

Law of Higher

education no

9741/2007,

amended,

bylaws

Writing report of externalevaluation by trained institutions in accordance with state standards of quality assurance

Respect of time table,training according to the method ‘fit for purpose’

1.3 Follow-up for accreditation on condition

All year round

Public and private HEIs External experts by academic fields

Law of Higher

education no

9741/2007,

amended,

bylaws

Writing of RIE on conditions by the institutions and writing of REE by experts

Improvement of weaknesses seen in HEIs in the process of accreditation

1.4 Feedback from All year Academic staff, students, external Law of Higher Improvement of Design of the


procedures carried out in HEI accreditation processes.

round experts,,sector specialists, etc.. education no

9741/2007,

amended,

bylaws

accreditation procedures

relevant questionaires. Work improvement based on results

2 Evaluation in the framework of licensing of institutionsand HEI programs of studies.

1.1 Draft of technical reports that are in compliance with the state standards, and laws and by laws in the field of higher education.

All year round

Public and private HEIs, MES Law of Higher

education no

9741/2007,

amended,

bylaws

Technical reports for every study program

Respecting time tables

2.2 Training of external experts and drafting of the report contents, which reflect compliance with academic standards

All year

round

External experts by academic fields

Law of Higher

education no

9741/2007,

amended,

bylaws

Content reports for every study program


2.3 Following up and cooperation with external experts for the assessment and evaluation of the lab basis on site for medicine and

All year

round

External experts by academic fields of medicine and engineering.

Law of Higher

education no

9741/2007,

amended,

bylaws

Content reports for every study program



engineering programs of study .

3 Improvement of quality insuarance system in Higher Education Albania

3.1 Workshop in cooperation with with HEIs to increase / improve the Units of Internal Quality Assurance in HEIs

October 2014

Public and private HEIs, MES Law of Higher education no 9741/2007, amended, bylaws

Setting up and improvement of Internal Units of Quality assuarance

Presentation; fokus-group; conclusions

3.2 Improvement of the Quality Assurance System in Higher Education in Albania, application of the process and methodology based on results in the framework of the TEMPUS project : "ENCHASE"

3 years2014-2016

International partners (from EU): University of Koblenz-

Landau; Gjermani, (koordinator dhe kontraktor)

Quality Assurance Netherlands Universities (QANU), (Utrecht, Hollandë)

Université du Maine – Le Mans; (Francë).

Centro Studi ed iniziative Europeo (CSIE); Itali.

College of Information Management, Business Administration and Laë Vltavska (Republika Çeke)

Partners from Albania: Ministry of Education and

Sport (MES)

EU legislature A general, national legal framework for quality assurance.

Methodology for internal evaluation closely connected with external evaluation

Professionally prepared actors from all partners.

Steady support to creating a trend in involving students

Workshops, training,study visits, infrastructure improvement, etj


Public Agency for Accreditation in Higher Education (PAAHE), (Local coordinator)

University ‘F. S. Noli’, Korçë Law Faculty, UT, Tiranë University ‘A. Xhuvani’,

Elbasan University ‘A. Moisiu’,

Durrës PrivateUniversity

‘Universiteti Europian i Tiranës’

Private University Higher School ‘Pavarësia’, Vlorë

Private University Higher School ‘Universiteti Amerikan i Tiranës’

and academic staff in this process.

3.3 Organization of a Regional Workshop with the participation of the Region Accreditation Agencies in order to detail the European Standards for Internal Quality

November 2014

Public and private HEIs, MES Law of Higher education no 9741/2007, amended, bylaws

Agency and sector capacity raising in implementation of European evaluation standards



Assurance in Agencies , and to increase cooperation for mutual accreditation.

3.4 SQPE will continue to work on self-evaluation of the sector and PAAHEt in the context of membership in ENQA

All year

round

PAAHE sectors Law of Higher education no 9741/2007, amended,bylaws European Legislature

Updating of report of inner evaluation in cooperation with foreign experts.

Keeping a complete data base of the work in PAAHE Intra sector cooperation

4 Performance of promotion activities on Accreditaion System in HEIs and stakeholders

4.1 Continuous provisions of the t PAAHE webpage with new information, publication of evaluation reports, analytical reports, data of higher schools, procedures, requirements for

All year

round

PAAHE sectors Law of Higher

education no

9741/2007,

amended,

bylaws

Website updated with all data according to ENQA standards.

Intra sector cooperation


assessment, etc..4.2 Organization of a

seminar with the participation of HEIs and stakeholders (students, professionals associations, representatives of the labor market, etc.)

September 2014

Students, professionals associations, representatives of the labor market, etc

Law of Higher

education no

9741/2007,

amended,

bylaws

Actror awareness regarding their role in improving quality in higher education.


5 Improvement and updating of the sector performance

5.1 Improvement of report templates that are written in the context of evaluation for accreditation/licensing (Bsc, MP, MSc, PhD,)

All year round

Sector of quality promotion and evaluation

Law of Higher

education no

9741/2007,

amended,

bylaws

Improved and updated models of reports.

5.2 Establishment of the work group for the implementation of recommendations made by foreign experts about the

March-April 2014


Law of Higher education no 9741/2007, amended, bylaws

Improved procedures and documents based on recommendations

Focus group set up, defining work methodology, feedback etc


sector work.

5.3 Improved performance of the sector through feedback from HEI, external experts, stakeholders, etc.

All year round



Continuous improvement of work in PAAHE

Design of the relevant questioners. Work improvement based on results

2. WORK PLAN 2014 – SECTOR OF STATISTICS AND ANALYSES


Sector objectives Activities Time Institucional cooperation

Reference Result Description

1

Rranking of institutions and programs of higher education

1.1 Preliminary analysis of the current situation in higher education at home.

January-February

Ministry of Education and Sport, PAAHE, International experts in the context of evaluation/accreditation/ranking.

Quality state standards.External regulation of quality assurance in higher education. European quality standards.

Detailed information on the current situation in higher education

There will be analyses and discussions with the stakeholders, further objectives will be presented.

1.2 Notification of institutions, presenting the criteria for the process, discussions.

January-March

MES, external experts, PAAHE, public and private HEIs.

External regulation of quality assurance in higher education. European quality standards.

Indicators, approved criteria and standards to carry on with the process.

Respecting the time table, Defining the methodology to follow.

1.3 Data collection, on site visits in higher education institutions, discussions.

March-May MES, external experts, PAAHE, public and private HEIs.

Procedures and documents of international associates.

Updated data form all public and private institutions at home.

Conclusions on the data and their analyses. Comparison to criteria set.

1.4 Analyses, data processing

May-June MES, external experts, PAAHE, public and private HEIs.

Quality state standards.External regulation of quality assurance in higher education. European quality standards.

Comparative results for HEIs.Curriculums

Data processing, discussions, summary of the final results

1.5 Result publication July MES, external experts, PAAHE, public and

Quality state standards.External regulation of

Ranking final results.

Publication of the results of the new


private HEIs. quality assurance in higher education. European quality standards.

Module for personalized research.

students and publication in general.Final Results.

2Analysis of compatibility of study programs offered by public and private HEIs with the labor market and the real capacities of employment

2.1 Draft of technical reports that reflect compliance with state standards and legal acts in the field of higher education

January-December

Public and private HEIs, MES, INSTAT, work offices.


Final report for study program orientation nationally.Recommendations for study improvement and reorganization

- Programs by fields of study - Analysis of labor market- Data basis for each HEI

3

The analysis of electronic information systems for public information and transparency from HEIs.

3.1 Data collection from official web sites, print and visual media for any HEI in connection with the information published and its accuracy

January-December

PAAHE, public and private HEIs.

Higher Education Law no. 9741/2007/i amended, No. 8503, dated 30.6.1999, for the right to information on official documents

Final report on the methodology for each institution and the information provided to the public and its accuracy. All the results obtained from the above analysis will be published in the

Data collection throughout 2014 on procedures followed by higher education institutions for public information. Transparency of activities developed by them.


two PAAHE websites.

4

Updating the database in the management system "PAAHE Management”

4.1 Updating in electronic data base and making it available to the panel of international experts in the context of evaluation / accreditation / ranking to be held by MES.

All year round

PAAHE sectors Regulation of external quality assurance for Higher Education, as amended

Reliable electronic data for all public and private institutions of higher education

The use of electronic management system "PAAHE Management”

5 Cntinuous public information through both official websites of PAAHE

5.1 Public information, as a legal obligation, with new information, brochures publication of evaluation reports, analytical reports, data of higher schools, procedures, requirements for assessment, etc.

All year round

PAAHE sectors Law of Higher education no 9741/2007, amended, bylaws

Real time and reliable information. Transparency about the activities of PAAHE, AC, experts and PAAHE associates

Updating web pages constantly. Publications of PAAHE activities and procedures. AC decisions publications

6 Aplication for PAAHE international

6.1 PAAHE will apply to join the IREG (IREG

July-December

Sector of Statistics and analyses

Standards and criteria of IREG,

Performing external audit by the IREG

Application for membership


recognition by IREG Observatory on Academic Ranking and Excellence), initially passing the evaluation procedure of this organism

External regulation of quality assurance in higher education.

and PAAHE international recognition as a body which performs ranking processes.

Following up procedures, Developing documentation to IREG standards, cooperation in activities in the field of analysis / ranking.

3. WORK PLAN 2014 – SECTOR OF SERVICES AND PUBLICATIONS

Sector objectives Activities Time Institucional cooperation Reference Result Description

1 Conducting financial transactions HEI, external evaluation experts and AC associates

Payment and social insurance fees.Membership fees, operative expenses Financial transactions with third parties

All year round

PAAHE, AC, experts, HEI, state and private institutions and international organizations operating in the field of quality assurance .

Law of Higher education no 9741/2007, amended, Regulation of external system of quality assurance

Performing finacila activity of PAAHE and AC

-


Mutual instruction No. 29/1, dated 16.08.2011 (MF & MES)

2 Continuation of external evaluation procedure within the PAAHE for membership with full rights in ENQA

2.1 Visit to PAAHE by the group of international experts of external evaluation

January-March 2014

PAAHE, ENQA Law of Higher education no 9741/2007, amended, Regulation of external system of quality assurance Statute of ENQA

The final report of the external evaluation designed by the expert group. Continuation of procedures for membership with full rights.

The final report of the external evaluation of PAAHE is available for review by the board of directors of ENQA in the context of membership with full rights in this organization as well as PAAHE listing in EQAR

3 Full reconstruction of facilities of PAAHE and logistical infrastructure improvement

3.1 Full reconstruction of facilities of PAAHE including the part of corridors belonging to

July -September

PAAHE Law of Higher education no 9741/2007, amended,

Suitable working environments for PAAHE staff, experts and AC

-


PAAHE.

Buying new electronic equipment.

4 Publication of main PAAHE documents

4.1 Manuals, procedures and other official documents by PAAHE, AC will be published.

.

All year round

PAAHE, AC Law of Higher education no 9741/2007, amended, Regulation of external system of quality assurance

Transparency and information on PAAHE and AC procedures and documents

-

5 Support the activity of the Accreditation Council (AC)

Five AC meetings are planned to be held:

11 February 2014;

13 May 2014;

15 July 2014;

16 September 2014;

16 December 2014;

- PAAHE, HEI, AC Law of Higher education no 9741/2007, amended, Regulation of external system of quality assurance

AC decisions


14. Report IndexActivity:

Training of the Internal Evaluation Group of HEI for the report of the Institutional Evaluation and the study programs.

Compiling of Standard-Evaluation, designed in compliance of the directions given in the private HEI monitoring platform.

Compiling of “Booklet for internal evaluation of programs and Doctorate schools”

Writing the relation on the arguments for accreditation tariffs for Doctorates school and third cycle study.

Monitoring visits to private HEI, in the framework of the Monitoring Group, raised by the Ministry of Education and Science , under direct order from the Minister of Education, dating 04.01.2013.

Translation from Albanian to English of SWOT analysis of the programs in the process of accreditation and lincensing of public Institutions.

Report completion on “The Mechanisms of conflict of interest control” for the High Inspectorate for Control and Declaration of Wealth

Filling of final charts for Institutions and programs in the accreditation process. Filling of the final charts according to the timelines planned by the Accreditation Council, for private Institutions and their programs.

Updating of the database hardcopy with VKM/U-MASH opened for public and private HEI.

Taking part in the work group for creating the Regulation of Inspection and Supervision of Institutions of Higher Education, with the order no. 499, dated 04.12.2013 of the Minister of Education and Sports.


Statistical data




Contact Information Drejtori Prof.Dr Avni MeshiTel 04 2 257954E-mail: [email protected]

Sektori i Promocionit dhe vlerësimitTel 04 2 266302

Sektori i Statistikave dhe AnalizaveTel 04 2 243423

Sektori i Shërbimeve dhe PublikimitTel 04 2 243423

Agjencia Publike e Akreditimit të Arsimit të LartëPublic Accreditation Agency for Higher Education, PAAHE

APAALRruga e Durrësit, Pranë Gjimnazit Qemal Stafa, TiranëTel 04 2 266302Fax 04 2 266302ëëë.aaal.edu.al, ëëë.albranking.com, E-Mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Janar 2014

Documents

RAPORTI VJETOR 2013aaal.edu.al/.../en/anual_report/Annual_Report_2013.docx · Web viewExternal evaluation process, in the context of Institution accreditation of SHLUP “Gjon Buzuku”