1. Quality Assurance in Egypt and the European Standards and Guidelines
Mostafa Mohsen Radwan
Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Fayoum University, Egypt
Previously, Director for Program of Continuous Improvement and Qualifying for Accreditation (PCIQA), Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education

2. Phases of Establishing Quality Assurance System in Egypt
First Phase
- MHE Quality Assurance and Accreditation Project (QAAP)
Second Phase
- Independent National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education (NAQAAE)
- MHE Program of Continuous Improvement and Qualifying for Accreditation (PCIQA)
Third Phase …..
- Sustainability and Development

3. First Phase 2002-2007: Quality Assurance and Accreditation Project (QAAP)
One of the HE Strategic Reform Priority Projects
1. Reform of Faculties of Education Project (FOEP)
2. Restructuring Middle Technical Institutes Project (ETCP)
3. Faculty Development and Leadership Development Project (FLDP)
4. Information & Communication Technology related projects (ICTP)
5. Higher Education Enhancement Project Fund (HEEPF)
6. Quality Assurance and Accreditation Project (QAAP)

4. First Phase 2002-2007: Quality Assurance and Accreditation Project (QAAP)
Objectives and Achievements
Dissemination of the quality culture in the academic community
Training – Workshops – Publications – Conferences - Website…..
Enables HEIs to establish internal quality systems
157 Quality Assurance Units in HE Institutions
Establishing of Centers to ensure quality in public universities & Formulating Strategic Plan for QA in each University
Quality Assurance Centers & QA Strategic Plans in 16 Universities
Preparing for the establishment of National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education “NAQAAE”
Bylaws – Reviewers – Trainers – Academic Reference Standards - Developmental Engagement Visits

5. Second Phase : National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education (NAQAAE)
By the end of 2007, an independent National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Education (NAQAAE) was established as an accrediting body for all Egyptian educational institutions (higher education which embrace faculties, academies, in addition to higher, middle institutes and technological faculties, pre- university, and Al-Azhar education) according to law No. 82 for year 2006.
In year 2007, the Presidential decree number (25) was issued to declare NAQAAE's executive bylaws.

6. Second Phase 2007-2013: (NAQAAE)
NAQAAE is an independent governmental entity under the Prime Minister’s governance and not affiliated to any ministry, which assures impartiality of its decisions; its board involves selected members from educational experts, businessmen and entrepreneurs.
NAQAAE main role in the evaluation and accreditation of higher education institutions is to verify their fulfilment of criteria covering various areas of the activities of HE institutions, including teaching and learning, research and community service.
This assessment is based on institutional mission within Two main areas: Institutional Capacity and Educational Effectiveness against pre-set of standards.
These standards allow for the comprehensive self-evaluation of the educational institution.

7. Second Phase 2007-2013: (NAQAAE)
Standards of Institutional Accreditation 1-
Institutional Capacity
1-Strategic Planning
2-Organizational Structure
3-Leadership &
Governance
4-Creditability &
Ethics
5-Administratiion
6-Resources
7-Community Participation
8-Quality systems management

8. Second Phase 2007-2013: (NAQAAE)
Standards of Educational Effectiveness 2-
Educational Effectiveness
1-Students
&
Graduates
2- Academic Standards
3-Educational Programs
4- Teaching, Learning,
Resources
5- Academic Staff
6-Scientific Research
7- Post-Graduate Studies
8- Continuous Assessment

9. Second Phase 2007-2013: (NAQAAE)
The evaluation process depends on documents and evidences. Surveys are also conducted to recognize the opinions of students, teaching staff, employees, and community parties are a fundamental part of the evaluation process.
NAQAAE shows interest in the sustainability of evaluation process during the accreditation validity period through the annual reports of institutions and monitoring visits to assure the sustainability of the institutions' right to gain the society's trust.

10. NAQAAE Development
Till July 2016 more than 90 higher education institutions were accredited by NAQAAE
Currently NAQAAE is engaged in preparing the Egyptian National Qualifications Framework
In 2015, the third version of NAQAAE accreditation standards were published to be implemented starting of 2016
The third version is based on only 12 standards
In development of its activities and standards, NAQAAE is benefiting of all International experience
TWINNING Project is one example of cooperation

11. EU project supports Egypt's Education Quality Assurance and Accreditation Authority In July 2015, The EU Delegation to Egypt and the National Authority for Quality Assurance and Accreditation (NAQAAE) have celebrated the closure of the EU-funded twinning project "Strengthening NAQAAE institutional capacity with a view to improving accreditation and quality assurance education system". Project started in 2013 and sought to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of the NAQAAE

12. The knowledge exchange between Egyptian, Finnish, and German experts aimed at: (i) Reviewing the operational functioning and the management structure of NAQAAE (ii) Aligning NAQAAE quality assurance processes and accreditation procedures with international standards. (iii) Assessing the regulatory framework of NAQAAE and drafting a strategy to further link it to European standards and best practices.

13. Comparison of ESG and Egyptian Quality Assurance Standards
ESG: principles for quality assurance in the EHEA
Satisfaction in the Egyptian System
Higher education institutions have primary responsibility for the quality of their provision and its assurance √
Quality assurance responds to the diversity of higher education systems, institutions, programmes and students
Quality assurance supports the development of a quality culture
Quality assurance takes into account the needs and expectations of students, all other stakeholders and society

14. Comparison of ESG and Egyptian Quality Assurance Standards
ESG: Standards for external quality assurance
Satisfaction in the Egyptian System
2.1 Consideration of internal quality assurance √
2.2 Designing methodologies fit for purpose
2.3 Implementing processes

15. Comparison of ESG and Egyptian Quality Assurance Standards
ESG: Standards for external quality assurance
Satisfaction in the Egyptian System
2.4 Peer-review experts
External quality assurance should be carried out by groups of external experts that include (a) student member(s). X
2.5 Criteria for outcomes √
2.6 Reporting
2.7 Complaints and appeals

16. SUMMARY
Egyptian Higher Education Quality Assurance system is one of the most established in the region.
Higher education institutions have primary responsibility for the quality of their provision and its assurance
Internal QA is administered by Institutions QA Units and University QA Centers
The independent National Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Education (NAQAAE) established in 2007 is accrediting body for all Egyptian educational institutions
The 2015 edition of NAQAAE standards is in great alignment with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG)
The exchange of experience about QA standards and its implementation would be very useful for all parties

17. THANK YOU