The EUA Institutional Evaluation Programme: an account of institutional best practices

Abstract

When evaluating the EUA Institutional Evaluation Programme (IEP), Nilsson et al. emphasised the interest in creating a data bank on good practices derived from its reports that would contribute to disseminating examples of effective quality management practices and to supporting mutual learning among universities. In IEP, evaluated institutions present a SWOT analysis that is examined by the external reviewers. This article identifies and systematises the strengths identified by external evaluators, related to good management practices, which may contribute to the data bank. The paper also suggests that the IEP reports present a set of strengths that define a certain type of university, namely a centralised institution, with strong leadership, well-defined strategic management practices, capacity to change and an institutional identity and culture promoting its worldwide competitiveness. Along with other prioritised characteristics the IEP process potentially contributes to convergence towards a more uniform European higher education model. The analysis of the strengths identified by reviewers does not show a significant regional influence.