69

November 2013

ARTICLES

New INQAAHE Secretariat

Editorial board - AQU Catalunya

In July AQU Catalunya was chosen by the Board of INQAAHE (the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education) to host the Secretariat for the organisation between 2013 and 2015.

INQAAHEINQAAHE is a world-wide network formed by more than 200 institutions in the field of higher education and its goal is to improve the quality of higher education internationally. Moreover, in line with this goal, it aims to serve as a source of support and integration by compiling and disseminating information on new and current theories and practices in higher education. AQU Catalunya has been a member of the network since 1998 and indeed shares the same goals as the international association.

From 2013 until December 2015, AQU Catalunya will form the nerve centre for the INQAAHE’s management and coordination activities, receiving the baton from the Dutch agency NVAO.

Secretariat appointment procedure

Only full members can provide the Secretariat for INQAAHE. The Secretariat is appointed for a term of two and a half years. In order to carry out the administration and management tasks for the network, the Secretariat receives a flat fee of $50,000 /year for the services provided.

At least six months before the end of the first term of the Secretariat, the Board will decide whether the Secretariat – if interested – may continue for a second term of two and a half years. If it does, the existing contract will be renewed for another two-and-a-half-year term without re-tender. An open call is published for candidates to host the INQAAHE Secretariat either if the first term contract is not automatically renewed or after any second term.

The call, assessment and decision procedure must be finalised before the General Assembly takes place during the year when the appointment of the Secretariat ends. The INQAAHE Board will set up an assessment committee to evaluate applications and to advise the Board on which applicants are eligible for a vote. A secret vote is organised among Board members to decide on the new Secretariat.

An overlap of two months, in which both Secretariats are paid, is foreseen for the old and the new Secretariat in order to guarantee a smooth transfer.

Responsibilities of the Secretariat

The Secretariat is responsible for the administration and management of the network as specified in general terms in article 39 of the Constitution.

Specifically, the Secretariat bears the following responsibilities:

Members

  • Responding to queries from potential members.
  • Serving the Membership Committee.
  • Notifying membership applicants of the decisions of the Membership Committee.
  • Invoicing members for their fees each year, handling receipts and following up on late subscribers.
  • Keeping membership registers.
  • Responding to members’ queries and giving advice.

Board matters

  • Conducting affairs relating to the election of Board members.
  • Notifying nominees and members of the results of elections.
  • Liaising with Board members on routine matters.
  • Organising Board meetings, including preparation of the agenda and supporting documents and logistical aspects of face-to-face meetings.
  • Drafting and distributing minutes.
  • Engaging in follow-up actions, including correspondence arising from Board decisions.
  • Liaising with regional and other networks.
  • Liaising with and assisting working groups.

Events

  • Organising conference and forum bids.
  • Liaising with local and programme committees.
  • Liaising throughout conferences and forums.
  • Organising network meetings.

Publications

  • Drafting, designing, producing and issuing reports and promotional material.
  • Preparing and distributing member bulletins.
  • Updating the INQAAHE website.
  • Liaising with publishers of the QA Journal for circulation to INQAAHE members.

Finances

  • Keeping financial records.
  • Maintaining bank records.
  • Preparing material for budgets, and quarterly and annual financial reports for the treasurer.
  • Handling Board and General Assembly queries on financial matters.
  • Handling the INQAAHE development fund, applications for support and decisions on recipients.

Public relations

  • Liaising with UNESCO, the World Bank and other bodies.
  • Running the INQAAHE general information centre.
  • Receiving delegations at the INQAAHE Secretariat.
ENQA EQAR ISO

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© 2013 AQU Catalunya - Legal number B-21.910-2008