Demòcrates Tables 20 Amendments to Andorra Higher Education Law

The Demòcrata parliamentary group has tabled around twenty amendments to the bill amending Andorra's Higher Education Law, seeking to reinforce oversight of universities and establish new guarantees on the quality of qualifications as the sector expands, including into online provision.

The proposals focus on academic supervision, transparency obligations for institutions, conditions for teaching staff and student protection. A significant share of the amendments is aimed at strengthening the independence and competences of AQUA, the Andorran Agency for Quality in Higher Education.

Under the proposed changes, every higher education institution would have to operate an internal quality system and undergo regular external evaluations. The Government would verify compliance with legal obligations and apply the corresponding administrative measures with guarantees and proportionality, without substituting the agency's technical judgment.

Institutions would also be required to report enrolment and credit data for state programmes, identify teaching teams and their responsibilities, and submit an annual report on their activities and on implementation of their strategic plan.

On academic staff, the amendments clarify the duties and qualifications required and reinforce the need for sufficient, stable teaching teams. Each programme would have to have a responsible person employed by the institution, while the National Higher Education Strategy (ENES) would set indicators for dedication, stability and critical mass, taking into account the characteristics of each institution and mode of teaching.

International cooperation is maintained as an opportunity, but with tighter safeguards. Double or multiple degrees would have to demonstrate a genuine academic contribution, with the aim of favouring mobility and employability and preventing the multiplication of qualifications not backed by effective training. For international double or multiple degrees, the University of Andorra would have to give prior notification, while private universities would require Government authorisation, a favourable AQUA report and an assessment of the benefit they bring to the Andorran system. Each university would be responsible for ensuring the required competences are achieved.

The amendments also propose limiting new affiliations of centres to the existing legal framework. Certain existing international activities linked to own degrees would be allowed to continue under conditions, subject to verification of the activity and express authorisation, without the possibility of expanding their scope. At the same time, the group wants to strengthen the information universities provide so that state and own degrees are clearly distinguished and students are not confused.

On language, Demòcrates proposes that institutional websites be available entirely in Catalan, and that academic content in state degrees be offered in Catalan where the nature of the studies allows, with minimums set by ENES. Students would be able to choose those courses, preserving teaching in other languages and university autonomy.

The amendments provide for gradual adaptation of the changes, with differentiated deadlines and safeguards for existing employment situations. The five-year period for institutions covered by Law 22/2025 to adapt to ENES would be preserved.