The University of Athens achieves full compliance with all evaluation principles

The Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (HAHE) has accredited the Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens as fully compliant with all seven individual quality principles. That is an amazing accomplishment for our Institution and clear proof of the outstanding work in teaching, research, and administrative affairs at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

It is important to note that this was the first time our University has achieved full compliance with all the principles that constitute the evaluation framework for quality assurance, specifically:  

1. The strategy, quality policy, and target setting of the Institution,
2. The programming and allocation of material and human resources,
3. The structure, organization, and operation of the Quality Assurance Unit and the Internal Quality Assurance System,
4. The implementation of internal evaluation procedures in all of the Institution’s Study Programmes,
5. The procedures and tools for collecting, measuring, and analyzing information and quality data used by the Institution for decision-making and continuous improvement,
6. The media and procedures used for making information public (web pages, social media, etc.), and
7. The extent to which the Institution has made use of the findings and recommendations from the most recent External Evaluation and Accreditation of the Internal Quality Assurance System.

The first step in the accreditation process was an external evaluation of the Institution carried out during an on-site visit by a five-member Panel of external evaluators and experts appointed by HAHE. From 26 May to 1 June 2024, the Panel held working meetings and conducted interviews with the Central Administration of our University, Chairs and other academics-members of the Departments’ Internal Evaluation Groups, representatives of undergraduate, postgraduate students and PhD candidates, Heads of Sections and Administrative Units, graduates of the University, and external stakeholders. In addition, the Panel visited teaching, research, and other facilities at our University to assess their quantitative and qualitative adequacy.

The Panel’s on-site visit was preceded by months of work by our University, which involved, among other things, preparing and submitting a comprehensive accreditation portfolio to HAHE. Coordinating the entire procedure was the Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs, International Relations, and Extroversion, Professor Sophia Papaioannou.

Following the visit, the External Evaluation Panel compiled their Report and Recommendations, which they submitted to HAHE for our University’s consideration. HAHE’s competent Council approved the Report and published the Accreditation Decision. Based on the above Report and the decision issued by HAHE, the Internal Quality Assurance System of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has been accredited as compliant with the principles outlined in HAHE’s Accreditation Standards and the Principles and Guidelines for Quality Assurance of the European Area of Higher Education (ESG).

In his letter to the University, Professor Pericles Mitkas, President of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education, congratulated the University of Athens on its excellent performance in the accreditation process and expressed confidence that NKUA will take into account and make optimal use of all recommendations of the Accreditation Panel, with the goal of continuous improvement—following HAHE’s Guidelines for Accreditation.

Accordingly, the Rector of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, made the following statement: ‘Our country’s oldest and biggest public University effectively works to provide high-quality services to Greek society and beyond, achieving new heights once more. The accreditation of the NKUA’s Internal Quality Assurance System by the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education—and, in fact, as fully compliant with all evaluation principles—is proof of our dedication to constantly improving the quality of our academic and administrative procedures on the one hand, and our commitment to implementing a quality assurance strategy on the other, which is not just empty words but enters into practice with visible results for our Institution and the society at large. The evaluation’s findings provide more evidence of our Institution’s outstanding performance across all global University rankings. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of our staff, as this was the first time our University achieved full compliance with all seven evaluation principles. We will not settle for anything less than high quality’.

The links below (NKUA’s Quality Assurance Unit web page) provide access to the Accreditation Decision and the External Evaluation and Accreditation Panel Report for the Internal Quality Assurance System of NKUA.

Accreditation Decision IQAS_NKUA

External Evaluation & Accreditation Panel Report

HAHE Information Letter