AQUA, following European standards and guidelines (ESG), incorporates external evaluators in all its evaluation processes, individuals with recognized prestige in academic and professional fields, as well as students, considering criteria of independence, objectivity, and absence of conflicts of interest.
According to the standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG), external quality assurance processes must be carried out by groups of external evaluators.
The members of the expert panels accredit their technical capacity to act as external evaluators through their experience and training. In addition, AQUA completes their training in those specific aspects necessary for the development of evaluations.
The external evaluators who participate in the external expert panels evaluate the different state qualifications of Andorra (advanced professional diplomas, specialization bachelors, bachelors, masters and doctorates).
For each evaluation process, a specific panel of external evaluators is constituted that incorporates specialists in the specific area of the qualification being evaluated.
PhD academic staff, with academic experience, research and/or teaching experience, and/or management in the field of the evaluation subject.
Students with a higher education degree related to the field of the evaluation subject.
Professionals with extensive experience in the field of knowledge of the evaluation subject.
External evaluatos will be part of a panel to evaluate a specific study plan and will have to:
Participate in a paid training session.
Contribute knowledge and personal experience in a field of knowledge to assess the achievement of the evaluation standards and criteria.
If applicable, visit the facilities of higher education institutions and/or interview with the involved agents, in person or virtually.
Write the expert reports.
Coordinate with the rest of the members of the expert panel, in person or virtually.
The task of the expert panel is punctual, that is, it is carried out for a specific service.
External experts who are part of a panel of experts will be compensated for their participation in an evaluation process.
The amounts of the remuneration are detailed here.
To become a member of an external expert panel, you need to register on the expert profile recruitment form.
When AQUA receives a request to evaluate a study plan, it will contact the evaluators in that thematic area to appoint the panel.
Regulation In Chapter 6 “Working groups or expert panels” of Decree 63/2021, of 24-2-2021, which approves the Regulation of the Quality Agency for Higher Education of Andorra (AQUA), the management of expert panels is regulated.