As part of an international collaboration strategy, AQUA is actively involved in creating a small European states quality assurance agencies’ network.

Thus, on Friday, AQUA’s director, Dr. Isaac Galobardes, met with representatives from counterpart agencies from Cyprus (CYQAA), Iceland (IAQA), Malta (MFHEA), and Montenegro (ACQAHE).

This initiative stems from the cooperation agreement signed during the General Assembly of the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), held in Malta in October 2024. 

The aim is to strengthen cooperation between agencies, encourage the exchange of good practices, and improve quality of higher education, while enhancing the participating institutions' international visibility.

During the meeting, the following topics were addressed:

• Propose a name for the future network.

• Review and discussion of the draft statutes prepared by AQUA.

• Plan the schedule of upcoming meetings.

• Proposal to hold a gathering in the Principality of Andorra.

Initiatives like this help to reinforce collaboration among agencies with similar contexts and strengthen the presence and recognition of small states within the European quality assurance system for higher education.