POLIS University achieves global quality accreditation

POLIS University has successfully completed its International Quality Review (IQR) and been awarded global quality accreditation by QAA.

IQR is a rigorous process which benchmarks international higher education institutions against international quality assurance standards set out in Part 1 of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

The review was performed between 2 and 4 May 2023 by three reviewers appointed by QAA who found that POLIS University had met 9 of the 10 ESG Standards and Guidelines. Following further submissions by POLIS University in November 2023, the review team concluded that all 10 of the European Standards and Guidelines were met.

QAA identified the following areas of good practice for the University:

• The involvement of students in programme design.
• The approach taken by the University to nurture student progression through the maintenance of a culture of student and teacher partnership.
• The participatory approach that aligns research objectives and institutional objectives.
• The extensive range of learning resources that support learning, in particular the special IT facilities to enhance the learning opportunities for students with disabilities.
• The comprehensive range of specialist facilities on offer which enhance the professional learning opportunities for students.

Chris Bland, QAA’s Head of Accreditation and Consultancy, said: ‘It is with great pleasure that we can announce that POLIS University has achieved its global quality accreditation. We enjoyed working with the University throughout the process and look forward to collaborating again in future.’

Professor Dr Besnik Aliaj, Rector of POLIS University, said: ‘The decision to opt for an international accreditation by a leading international agency was informed by the value we see not only in the final outcome (a quality seal of international scale) but also in the process, which is an institutional learning and positive transformation opportunity for us. We can, upon the completion of such a process, confirm that this was very much the case and we have benefited a great deal from the insights that the experts have shared with us.’

POLIS University’s IQR accreditation will be valid for five years and subject to a satisfactory mid-cycle review. The University can now display QAA’s Accreditation Badge, showing that their quality assurance processes are comparable with international best practice. The institution is now eligible to become a QAA International Member (full QAA Membership).

By securing global accreditation from QAA, international institutions can clearly spotlight their quality standards internationally, and more easily start a dialogue with institutions outside their own country.

You can read POLIS University's full IQR report on our website. You can also find out more about the IQR process and QAA International Membership. If you are interested in your institution signing up and wish to discuss this further, contact the QAA Global team at accreditation@qaa.ac.uk