QAHE and NAKVIS Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Global Quality Assurance Collaboration
The International Association for Quality Assurance in Pre‑Tertiary and Higher Education (QAHE) is pleased to announce the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (NAKVIS). The agreement, signed on 9 March 2026, establishes a cooperative framework designed to enhance collaboration in accreditation, quality assurance, professional development, and the exchange of expertise between the two organizations.
The National Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Quality in Higher Education (NAKVIS), also known internationally as the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency (SQAA), is the central authority responsible for maintaining and improving educational standards in Slovenia. Established on 5 March 2010, it replaced the former Council for Higher Education as an independent public body. Its primary mission is to ensure that Slovenian higher education and vocational colleges meet rigorous national and international criteria through consistent accreditation and evaluation processes.
Under the terms of the MOU, QAHE and NAKVIS have agreed to work together across several key areas. These include mutual recognition of standards, where each party acknowledges and respects the accreditation decisions made by the other, while maintaining the requirement that institutions must apply separately if they seek accreditation from both bodies. The document clarifies that this recognition “does not replace or guarantee automatic accreditation by either Party.”
The agreement also outlines plans for joint promotion of events and activities, enabling both organizations to support each other’s initiatives through their respective communication platforms. Another important component of the partnership is the exchange of expertise and best practices, with both parties agreeing to share experts, consultants, reviewers, and specialists in quality assurance, as well as exchange research, policy updates, publications, and sector trends.
QAHE welcomes this significant step forward in strengthening international cooperation and promoting excellence in education. The organization looks forward to a productive and impactful partnership with NAKVIS, one that will benefit institutions, quality assurance professionals, and learners worldwide.
