A New Turn in University Accreditation: Fewer Checks, but Rectors are Against It

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Until now, separate accreditation was required for each field of study in higher schools and colleges. The new model proposes an evaluation of the educational institution as a whole, which will reduce the administrative and financial burden on universities and focus attention on improving the quality of education, writes Diena.

At a government meeting where amendments to the law on higher education institutions, promoted by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), were approved, the main debates focused on the terms of accreditation and the tightening of rules in case of violations of administrative acts. The bill will be further submitted to the Saeima.

Under the new system, a university or college will be evaluated as a whole: its management, resources, qualifications of teachers, internal quality processes, and support mechanisms for students. This means one accreditation procedure for the entire institution, rather than several separate assessments for each field of study.

Minister of Education and Science Dace Melbarde emphasized the financial benefits of the new model at the government meeting - universities will significantly reduce their expenses. For example, the previous accreditation costs for the University of Latvia were 100,000 euros, but under the new system, they will be reduced to 20,000 euros.

Melbarde noted that a general agreement has already been reached with the involved parties regarding the amendments to the law; however, some provisions remain unresolved. This concerns the terms of accreditation: if a university meets the requirements, accreditation is granted for seven years, while for institutions needing improvements, it is for three years. If a university receives a three-year accreditation twice in a row, at the next review it will either receive full accreditation or will not be accredited at all.

The MES believes that this approach should motivate universities and colleges to independently improve the quality of education and management. However, the Council of Rectors opposes this. The new model will also give educational institutions greater autonomy in ensuring quality while simultaneously strengthening the role of the state in oversight. The ministry will have the right to initiate an extraordinary accreditation in case of violations of regulations by the university - previously this was only possible in cases of significant violations.