In Mid February, more exactly 15-16 February 2018, I was invited as keynote speaker to the Regional Consultation Meeting on Quality Assurance in Higher Education for the Western European Region, The role of Quality Assurance in Higher Education: challenges, developments and trendsThe role of Quality Assurance in Higher Education: challenges, developments and trends, Geneva, CICG, organized by UNESCO, and AAQ Schwitzerland. The event was part of the Regional Consultaton Meeetings aroud teh globe.

My presentation was in the session: 

11:00-13:10 Session 1 - Quality Assurance and the Diversification of Provision in Higher Education

Ebba Ossiannilsson, Swedish Association for Distance Education, Leader of EDEN SIG for QE in TEL, ICDE Focal Points on Quality, Sweden - "Quality models in online and open education around the globe: State of the art and recommendations"

Facilitator: Padraig Walsh, Chief executive, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), Ireland; Advisory Council Member, CHEA International Quality Group

My presentation had its point of departure from the ICDE research study Global overview of quality models: State of the art and recommendations. The study was carried out on behalf of the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) by a team coordinated by the European Association for Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU) is for:

• institutional leaders responsible for quality in online, open and flexible higher education
• faculty wanting to have an overview of the field
• newcomers that want to develop quality schemes
• policy makers in governments, agencies and organisations
• major educational stakeholders in the international community  

The report provides the first global overview of quality models in online and open education, an overview which is very timely, delivered as it is for Global Education 2030, the new global educational agenda which replaces Education For All, EFA. The report is available in three parts, the Summary, the Complete report, and its Appendices.

The reflections from the Geneva Consultation Meeting, Europe exchanged on the challenges, developments and trends within Quality Assurance in Higher Education witness the great interest aroused among the 135 participants.The first positive echoes received were a great result already. The speakers’ presentations. They are now available for download on the event’s website. Some highlights are to be discovered on the photo gallery of the event.

The parallel event for the Eastern European region will be held in Moscow on 23-24 April 2018. 
> More information 

Results of the 6 regional meetings will be brought to the Unesco Global Conference on Quality Assurance in Higher Education, to be held in Paris on 21-23 November 2018.