Mission
The mission of the Quality Assurance Agency in Higher Education (ASCAL) is to assure the quality of higher education in the Republic of Albania through objective and independent external evaluation, the maintenance of quality standards, and the promotion and continuous enhancement of the quality of higher education institutions and the study programmes they offer.
ASCAL fulfils its mission through external evaluation for initial and periodic accreditation, quality monitoring, and cooperation with institutions to establish and operate internal quality assurance systems. Its activities are based on the Higher Education Quality Code, the relevant guidelines, and the European standards and guidelines for quality assurance, while respecting institutional autonomy and institutions’ primary responsibility for the quality of their activities.
Through professional, impartial, transparent and evidence-based processes, ASCAL contributes to safeguarding the interests of the public and students and strengthening confidence in higher education. Stakeholder involvement, the analysis of results and the publication of reliable information support accountability, informed choices and the development of a sustainable quality culture.
Vision
ASCAL’s vision is to be a trusted and professional agency, independent in carrying out its quality evaluation functions and recognised at European and international levels, contributing to the development of a high-quality, inclusive higher education system integrated into the European Higher Education Area.
ASCAL aims to serve as a national reference point for external quality assurance, promoting continuous improvement, stronger internal quality assurance mechanisms and institutional accountability. Central to this vision are the quality of the student experience, public trust and institutions’ capacity to respond to academic developments and societal needs.
Through cooperation with institutions, students, experts, and national and international partners, ASCAL seeks to promote good practice and support sustainable improvements in higher education. Professional development, the use of data and analysis, innovation, and the continuous evaluation of its own activities guide the agency’s development and strengthen its contribution to quality enhancement.
ASCAL’s Activities
- Conducting external quality evaluations for the initial and periodic accreditation of higher education institutions and their study programmes.
- Monitoring and assessing academic quality and compliance with quality standards of institutions and the programs they offer, prior to the initial accreditation assessment and thereafter.
- Conducting preliminary evaluations for the establishment and/or reorganisation of higher education institutions and study programmes, at the request of the ministry responsible for education.
- Preliminary assessment and recognition of study programs offered at accredited Albanian higher education institutions by foreign higher education institutions from one of the European Union member states, the United States of America, Canada, or Australia.
- Periodic assessment, every three years, of the quality of teaching in higher education institutions and its continuous monitoring through the National Student Survey, in accordance with its guidelines.
- Assessment of internal quality assurance systems (auditing) in higher education institutions, in accordance with its guidelines and the standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area.
- Thematic, analytical, and comparative assessments of higher education institutions and/or study programs, in support of higher education policies, either autonomously or at the request of the ministry responsible for education.
ASCAL is actively involved in the European and international quality assurance community and cooperates with relevant stakeholders in the field. The Agency is an affiliate member of ENQA and a full member of CEENQA and INQAAHE. ASCAL also maintains cooperation with the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and the Centre for Higher Education (CHE).