NVAO
IntroductionOrganisationInternal quality assuranceLegal frameworkHigher education systemsContact usThe legal framework
Treaty between the Netherlands and Flanders
In 2000, the Netherlands and Flanders expressed the intention to establish a joint accreditation organisation. This organisation would be charged with the accreditation of higher education programmes in both the Netherlands and Flanders. Both parties were endeavouring to implement the Bologna Declaration and deemed a well-functioning and internationally acceptable accreditation system a precondition for furthering international comparability of higher education programmes. Accreditation would be the keystone of the already existing external review system.
In 2001, tentative talks took place between the competent Dutch and Flemish ministers about the establishment of an international accreditation organisation. In April 2003, the then Dutch and Flemish Education ministers initiated talks on the content of what was to become the Treaty by which NVAO would be established as a bi-national organisation. On 3 September 2003, the Treaty for the establishment of a bi-national accreditation organisation was signed by the competent ministers of the Netherlands and Flanders. Hence, the NVAO (in formation) was a fact. The Treaty assigns the tasks of NVAO, its form of administration and its supervision. On 1 February 2005, all legal formalities regarding the establishment of NVAO had been concluded and NVAO was formally established.The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, the tasks of NVAO are based on the Law regarding Higher Education and Research ("Wet op het hoger onderwijs en wetenschappelijk onderzoek") which, in short, comes down to the accreditation of higher education programmes that are already offered in the Netherlands, initial accreditation of new programmes and giving advise on other matters concerning higher education policies.
Flanders
In Flanders, the operation of NVAO is established by the Law regarding the Higher Education Structure ("Structuurdecreet"). This provides the legal basis for an international treaty that appoints the body that grants accreditations and carries out initial accreditation procedures. It stipulates that bachelor and master’s programmes can only be offered by recognised institutions and if they have been (initially) accredited.