The Aragonese agency has also improved on the results achieved in previous evaluations. The final reports found that Acpua fully complies with 13 of the 14 European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG 2015), and substantially complies with the remaining one. The results represent significant progress compared with the evaluation carried out in 2021 and confirm the agency’s full alignment with European guidelines for quality assurance.
The Directorate-General for Universities of the Government of Aragon stressed that the decision consolidates the recognition and international standing of the Aragonese university system at European level. Renewal in EQAR guarantees that accreditation, certification and institutional evaluation in the autonomous community continue to comply with the most demanding European guidelines.
MORE THAN 50 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
The process to renew these certifications took place between 2025 and 2026 and included the preparation of a self-evaluation report and a documentary review conducted by an international panel of experts. The procedure was completed with a three-day on-site visit to Zaragoza.
Group photo with members of the Acpua team and ENQA evaluators. Photo: Government of Aragon
During their stay, the evaluators interviewed more than 50 representatives and stakeholders from the university system, including the governing teams of Aragon’s two universities, the University of Zaragoza and San Jorge University, the Defence Delegation in Aragon, student representatives from both universities and several members of external evaluation committees.
Among the aspects most praised by the evaluation panel was student participation in Acpua’s activities, as well as in evaluation processes and committees. ENQA also highly valued the introduction of meta-evaluation as a tool for continuous improvement, the promotion of the social dimension and sustainability through initiatives such as the Alcaeus programme, international collaboration, particularly through its participation in the European Unita alliance as a member of the Quality Evaluation Board, and the prospective approach developed by the Aragonese agency.
450 REPORTS ADDED TO THE DEQAR EUROPEAN DATABASE
In addition, since joining the European register in 2016, Acpua has added a total of 450 evaluation reports concerning 20 university institutions to the European Deaqar database, strengthening transparency and encouraging the international reach and outlook of higher education in the three provinces.
With this ENQA decision, which will remain in force for the next five years, Acpua strengthens its position within the European Higher Education Area and consolidates its status as a fully trusted benchmark for higher education in Aragon.
