The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland is currently acting as secretary to the Irish Higher Education Quality Network, and has agreed to make information about the network available on its website.

Introduction

The Irish Higher Education Quality Network originated in a discussion amongst higher education and training stakeholders at a National Conference on the Bologna Process, held under the aegis of the Department of Education and Science on 23 July 2003. During the conference, it was generally agreed that it would be helpful if the main organisations with a role or significant interest in quality assurance in higher and education and training in Ireland were to meet to discuss quality in a national context, with a view to working towards the development of a common national position on key quality assurance issues, in order to inform the debate on those same issues at the European level.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Universities Quality Board agreed to convene a meeting of such organisations, which was held on 9 October 2003. At the latter meeting, it was agreed that it would be desirable for the group to become a formal network with the designation Irish Higher Education Quality Network.

The membership consists of the principle stakeholders - practitioners, policy makers and students - involved in quality assurance in Irish higher education and training.

The Irish Higher Education Quality Network provides a forum for discussion of quality assurance issues, and for the dissemination of best practice, amongst the principal national stakeholders involved in the quality assurance of higher education and training in Ireland.

Members

Role, Membership and Operating Principles of the Irish Higher Education Quality Network

In May 2004 the Network agreed the following document setting out it's role, membership and operating principles. (Please click here to view the document in word format) (Please click here to view the document in pdf format)

Principles of Good Practice in Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement for Irish Higher Education and Training

In May 2004 the Network agreed the following principles of good practice for quality assurance/quality improvement in Irish higher education and training. (Please click here to view the document in word format) (Please click here to view the document in pdf format)