A representative of NEAQA participated in the final, third seminar of the ENQA Leadership Development Programme 2024, organized by ENQA in collaboration with the Center for Higher Education Policy Studies (CHEPS) at the University of Twente, Netherlands. This program is designed for staff in leadership positions within quality assurance agencies in higher education and provides a unique opportunity for professional development in an international setting.
The third seminar was held from November 27 to 29, 2024, in Cologne, Germany, organized by the German agency AQAS and the Technical University of Applied Sciences in Cologne (TH Köln). During the three-day seminar, participants engaged in interactive sessions, discussions, and group activities. A particularly significant part of the program was the presentation of final group projects.
Over the course of the seminar, participants were involved in interactive sessions, discussions, and group activities covering topics such as leadership skill development, managing organizational changes, and strategies for effective team leadership. These sessions also included analyses of specific practical examples, interactive games on the future of quality assurance, and experience-sharing between participants and alumni of the program.
A key component of the program was the presentation of final group projects, where participants worked in teams to address challenges such as digitalization, cross-border quality assurance, and workforce development in agencies. These were multi-month projects led by international experts and aimed to promote collaboration, the application of innovative approaches, and the exchange of best practices within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
The NEAQA representative was part of a project group mentored by Mr. Axel Erden from the Dutch agency NVAO. The group worked on the topic: “Use of Digital Tools (including AI) in Higher Education and External Quality Assurance”. The group, comprising representatives from agencies in Serbia, Norway, Lithuania, Armenia, and Italy, presented an analysis of current practices in digitalization and AI in these processes. Special attention was given to the challenges and opportunities of applying AI in analyzing reports and assessing the work of expert panels. The work of this group received praise from the mentor and other participants, with their recommendations considered a valuable contribution to the future development of digital tools in quality assurance.
The ENQA Leadership Development Programme 2024 provided participants with opportunities to exchange experiences, acquire new knowledge, and enhance their leadership skills while contributing to the strengthening of cooperation among European quality assurance agencies in higher education.
