Quality and Qualifications Ireland

Quality and Qualifications Ireland is a state agency responsible for promoting quality assurance and accreditation of further education and training and higher education institutions in Ireland, working closely with University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, and Dublin City University. The agency was established to ensure the maintenance of high standards in education and training, and to provide a framework for the recognition of qualifications awarded by institutions such as University of Limerick, National University of Ireland, Galway, and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Quality and Qualifications Ireland works in partnership with National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, Higher Education Authority, and Further Education and Training Awards Council to achieve its objectives, and is recognized by European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education and European University Association. The agency's work is also informed by the Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area.

● Introduction to

Quality and Qualifications Ireland Quality and Qualifications Ireland is an independent state agency, established by the Oireachtas under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, with the goal of promoting excellence in education and training in Ireland, and working with institutions such as Institute of Technology, Sligo, Dundalk Institute of Technology, and Cork Institute of Technology. The agency is responsible for quality assurance and accreditation of programmes and qualifications awarded by higher education institutions such as University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and Dublin Institute of Technology, as well as further education and training providers like Solas and Education and Training Boards Ireland. Quality and Qualifications Ireland also works closely with State Examinations Commission, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, and Teaching Council of Ireland to ensure the maintenance of high standards in education and training. The agency's work is recognized by International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education and European Association of Institutions in Higher Education.

● Role and Responsibilities

The role of Quality and Qualifications Ireland is to promote quality assurance and accreditation of education and training institutions in Ireland, and to provide a framework for the recognition of qualifications awarded by institutions such as Griffith College, Dublin Business School, and National College of Ireland. The agency is responsible for evaluation and validation of programmes and qualifications offered by higher education institutions such as Royal Irish Academy, National University of Ireland, and University of Dublin, as well as further education and training providers like City of Dublin Education and Training Board and Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. Quality and Qualifications Ireland also provides advice and guidance to institutions on quality assurance and accreditation matters, and works closely with Higher Education Authority, Further Education and Training Awards Council, and National Qualifications Authority of Ireland to achieve its objectives. The agency's work is informed by the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area and the Dublin Descriptors.

● History and Establishment

Quality and Qualifications Ireland was established in 2012, under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, which was passed by the Oireachtas and signed into law by the President of Ireland. The agency was formed through the merger of several existing agencies, including the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, Higher Education and Training Awards Council, and Further Education and Training Awards Council, and works closely with Department of Education and Skills, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, and Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The establishment of Quality and Qualifications Ireland was a key component of the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, which was published by the Department of Education and Skills in 2011, and was recognized by European University Association and European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education. The agency's work is also informed by the Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area.

● Quality Assurance and Accreditation

Quality and Qualifications Ireland is responsible for quality assurance and accreditation of education and training institutions in Ireland, and works closely with institutions such as University of Limerick, National University of Ireland, Galway, and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. The agency uses a range of methods and instruments to evaluate the quality of programmes and qualifications offered by higher education institutions such as Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and Dublin City University, as well as further education and training providers like Solas and Education and Training Boards Ireland. Quality and Qualifications Ireland also provides advice and guidance to institutions on quality assurance and accreditation matters, and works closely with Higher Education Authority, Further Education and Training Awards Council, and National Qualifications Authority of Ireland to achieve its objectives. The agency's work is recognized by International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education and European Association of Institutions in Higher Education.

● Qualifications and Awards

Quality and Qualifications Ireland is responsible for the recognition of qualifications awarded by education and training institutions in Ireland, and works closely with institutions such as Griffith College, Dublin Business School, and National College of Ireland. The agency maintains a register of recognized qualifications, which includes awards made by higher education institutions such as University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and Dublin Institute of Technology, as well as further education and training providers like City of Dublin Education and Training Board and Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. Quality and Qualifications Ireland also provides advice and guidance to institutions on qualifications and awards matters, and works closely with State Examinations Commission, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, and Teaching Council of Ireland to ensure the maintenance of high standards in education and training. The agency's work is informed by the European Qualifications Framework and the National Framework of Qualifications.

● International Cooperation and Recognition

Quality and Qualifications Ireland works closely with international organizations such as European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education, European University Association, and International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education to promote quality assurance and accreditation of education and training institutions in Ireland. The agency is also a member of the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education, which is a register of quality assurance agencies that have been recognized as meeting the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area. Quality and Qualifications Ireland works closely with institutions such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London to promote international cooperation and recognition of qualifications awarded by education and training institutions in Ireland. The agency's work is recognized by UNESCO, OECD, and European Commission, and is informed by the Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area. Category:Education in Ireland