Strengthening academic excellence: Dr. Anca Prisacariu at the quality assurance event in Prague

At the end of March, AUS took part in an important two-day event in Prague focused on quality assurance in higher education. Representing the American Institute of Applied Sciences in Switzerland was Dr. Anca Prisacariu, our director of quality assurance, who joined academic leaders and experts from across Europe to exchange ideas and shape the future of professional tertiary education in Europe.

Quality assurance (QA) is more than just a regulatory requirement. It’s a long-term commitment to delivering meaningful, high-standard education.

In higher education, QA ensures that programs are relevant, teaching is effective, and institutions are continuously improving. At AUS, it means we’re always working to provide our students with an internationally recognized education that’s practical, rigorous, and future-focused.

Whether it's reviewing course content, listening to student feedback, or collaborating with international partners, QA touches every part of our academic journey.

The event opened with a dedicated session for the quality assurance community of practice (QA CoP), a group established by the European Association of Institutions in Higher Education (EURASHE). As a full member, AUS contributes to this community by sharing knowledge and aligning with best practices across Europe.

This session focused on key developments in the field, including:

• the ongoing revision of the European standards and guidelines for quality assurance in higher education (ESG)
• the roadmap for the European quality assurance forum (EQAF)
• preparations for the upcoming EURASHE conference
• potential new projects between member institutions

It was a day of strategy, insight, and collaboration, and a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility institutions have in shaping a high-quality learning experience for students across Europe.

The second day was dedicated to a conference titled “Current challenges in quality assurance in professional tertiary education,” organized in partnership with the Czech Association of Professional Higher Education, Newton College, and the EURASHE QA CoP, and supported by the Erasmus+ IMAP4U project.

The agenda tackled the pressing issues facing modern higher education. How can institutions set and achieve strategic goals while staying agile? What does external evaluation look like in today’s diverse academic environment? And how do we ensure education systems stay aligned with the broader goals of the European higher education area (EHEA)?

The day featured interactive workshops, expert talks, and practical case studies, all focused on finding answers to these important questions.