Malta's Education Authority Visits Andorra to Study AQUA Quality Model

A delegation from Malta's Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) visited Andorra on 23 and 24 July to examine the AQUA higher education quality agency's model under the EU-funded SIQA project within the Erasmus+ programme.

The visit allowed the Maltese team to explore AQUA's processes and best practices firsthand. Discussions focused on governance and institutional independence, evaluation procedures and criteria, expert selection and training, internal quality controls, and ties with higher education stakeholders. It formed part of MFHEA's reforms in response to recommendations from its recent European external review.

MFHEA executive director James Perry Maia and head of higher education, continuous training and validation Michelle Calleja Gafa participated in the two-day programme. They welcomed the chance to share experiences.

AQUA director Isaac Galobardes viewed the interest from the Maltese agency as validation of Andorra's efforts. He highlighted AQUA's success in its European external evaluation, full ENQA membership, and EQAR registration, establishing it as a reference for small states implementing European quality standards. Galobardes also identified potential lessons from Malta's adaptation that Andorra could adopt, emphasising the need for ongoing commitment to quality and European norms to advance the Principat's higher education.

The delegates concluded their trip with an institutional tour of Casa de la Vall, facilitated by Consell General support, to understand Andorra's historical and governmental framework.

This Andorra-led initiative strengthens collaboration among quality agencies in small European states by fostering experience exchange, addressing shared challenges, and raising the profile of compact higher education systems in the European Higher Education Area.