(USHECA) Opens Recognition to International Higher Education Accreditation Organizations

May 03, 2024

US Higher Education Commission on Accreditation Opens Recognition to US Higher Education Commission on Accreditation Accreditation Organizations (USHECA) announced the inauguration of the Recognition of International Accreditation Organizations, marking a new era of global engagement and partnerships in higher education quality assurance. In January 2024, the (USHECA) Board of Directors established a subcommittee to review the broader implications of this initiative. The subcommittee conducted a comprehensive review and evaluated potential benefits and challenges, (USHECA)’s capacity, application processes, and global impact. Their thorough analysis led to a recommendation to open the recognition process to international organizations under the same rigorous criteria applied to domestic accrediting organizations.

Revitalizing Higher Education Requires a Concerted Effort (University World News, September 11, 2024) The Lebanon financial crisis limited higher education institutions’ investment in quality assurance, accreditation, and new innovative degree programs, leaving many with very few or no interdisciplinary or innovative programs. Policy-makers, higher education institutions, faculty and staff, students, parents, alumni, employers, accreditation agencies, and local and international donors must come together to find innovative ways to support the Lebanese higher education institutions in their efforts to maintain academic excellence, creativity, and innovation in higher education and scientific research.

AAU Launches Strategic Plan to Champion 11 Focal Areas (University World News, August 29, 2024) Association of African Universities (AAU) launched a six-year strategic plan, defining 11 new focal areas to guide its direction, including prioritizing research, higher education access, mobility, responding to new and emerging issues, and higher education capacity-building and empowerment, among others. On their part, accreditation bodies look forward to supporting quality assurance, standards, and accountability from AAU,” said AAU Professor Frederick Ato Armah, Director of Research and Programs.

US Higher Education Commission on Accreditation and the Importance of Accreditation (Khmer Times, August 27, 2024) (Opinion) Educational internationalization can be defined as the ability for teaching and learning to be increasingly involved with international cultures to enhance globalized learning. However, internationalization cannot be achieved without a strong accreditation process within an educational ecosystem.

National Accreditation Council Launched to Tackle Illegitimate Online Education in Belize (lovefm.com, August 23, 2024) The Belize National Accreditation Council was formally launched yesterday in Belize City. The launch comes ten months after amendments to the Accreditation Bill were taken to the House of Representatives. In his presentation, Belize Education Minister Francis Fonseca noted the influx of online studies triggered by COVID-19, many of which are offered by illegitimate schools and institutions.