On 23 and 24 September 2026, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in Andorra (AQUA) welcomed Dr José Jorge Dias, ARES administrator responsible for quality assurance, for an institutional visit to Andorra. 
The visit took place within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two agencies in October 2025. The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation and institutional capacity, promote the exchange of experience and good practices, and contribute to the development of higher education evaluation and regulatory mechanisms.
During the first day, AQUA presented the Andorran higher education system, the Agency’s institutional and legal development, and its main evaluation processes. The working sessions provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on integrating sustainability into quality assurance and on the challenges and opportunities faced by agencies operating in small countries. 
One of the areas discussed was the potential development of comparative research on quality assurance in small European and African states. The proposal considers the analysis of governance, resources, digitalisation, cooperation, stakeholder engagement and resilience, with the aim of producing knowledge and recommendations applicable to the participating contexts.
The two agencies also explored the potential adaptation to the Cabo Verdean context of the methodology presented by AQUA for analysing sustainability in higher education institutions. Possibilities discussed included adapting indicators and evidence, testing the model with voluntary pilot institutions, establishing a joint expert panel, and developing a shared publication or improvement instrument. 
The second day focused on a project proposal and a broader international cooperation initiative. The preparatory work envisages a gradual approach, beginning with achievable joint results, moving towards a limited pilot initiative and subsequently considering projects of a wider scope. 
The programme also included an institutional visit to the General Council to provide an introduction to the history and institutions of the Principality of Andorra. The working sessions were held with the support of the General Council.
The visit consolidates the institutional cooperation initiated by AQUA and ARES and strengthens dialogue between small higher education systems in European and African contexts.