Official press release by Malta Quality Education

Independent network of experts in the field of quality assurance in higher education

In light of recent media coverage regarding the non-inclusion of the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR), not least the article published in Time of Malta entitled: “Malta’s higher education regulator rejected by European quality register”, the Malta Quality Education network considers it necessary to offer a technical and institutional clarification aimed at correctly contextualizing the fact and protecting the international reputation of the entire Maltese education system.

The role of EQAR in the European context

EQAR is an independent and transparent register that lists quality assurance agencies operating in line with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) adopted within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). It does not directly accredit courses or institutions, nor does it have the task or legal competence to determine whether a qualification can be recognised in another European state.

EQAR is not a European Union body or a supranational regulatory body. Its function is to promote trust between national systems, fostering cooperation between agencies of academic quality. Including an agency in the register is a reputational guarantee, not a legal condition for the validity of qualifications issued in a state.

It is important to underline that inclusion in the register is voluntary, as is also expressly stated in the Terms and Conditions published on the official EQAR website, where it is stated that:
“Application for inclusion on the register is voluntary. The fact that an agency is not included on the register shall therefore not constitute any statement concerning the quality of its work, its credibility or legitimacy.”
This statement confirms that the absence of an agency from the register does not imply any negative judgement on its work, nor does it affect its institutional legitimacy or the validity of the processes it oversees.

The autonomy of states and the recognition of educational qualifications.

The recognition of academic qualifications is the exclusive responsibility of the individual Member States. Art. 165 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) clearly establishes that education remains under national sovereignty. It follows that:

• There is no mechanism for the automatic recognition of qualifications at European level.
• Each education system, including Malta, can legitimately regulate the methods of accreditation of its institutions and the validity of the qualifications awarded.
• Universities, public authorities and regulated professions apply national laws and practices to assess the equivalence or suitability of qualifications.

In this regard, the European Commission has presented a proposal for a Council Recommendation to promote the automatic mutual recognition of higher education and upper secondary education diplomas and the results of study periods abroad. The recommendation was adopted by the Council in December 2018.

Improving procedures for the mutual recognition of qualifications in EU Member States is one of the pillars of the creation of a European Education Area by 2025.

The case of Italy: an emblematic precedent

A useful reference to fully understand the scope and limitations of the EQAR register is represented by the Italian case. The National Agency for the Evaluation of the University and Research System (ANVUR), which today represents the reference body for quality assurance in the Italian university system, was admitted to the EQAR register only in 2024, more than ten years after its establishment.

Despite this, throughout the previous period, the qualifications issued by Italian universities and institutes continued to be regularly recognized internationally. Neither the academic nor professional mobility of Italian citizens has ever been limited in Europe, and the reputation of the Italian university system has always remained solid and credible, thanks to an accreditation structure that complies with European standards and is strictly regulated by national legislation.

This precedent clearly demonstrates that membership of EQAR represents an element of quality and transparency but is in no way a prerequisite for the legitimacy or recognition of academic qualifications awarded by a member country of the European Higher Education Area.

Continuous quality improvement as a necessary goal

While acknowledging that the failure of MFHEA to be included in EQAR highlights the need to strengthen the independence and operational efficiency of the regulatory body, Malta Quality Education stresses that the quality of higher education must remain a strategic priority for the country. The adoption of improvement plans, transparency in procedures and progressive alignment with ESG are essential elements to consolidate international trust.

However, this path of improvement cannot be instrumentalized to delegitimize the entire Maltese education system, much less to question the intrinsic validity of academic degrees issued by institutions legally recognized and accredited by MFHEA.

The economic and reputational risk of distorted communication

The higher education sector represents a strategic socio-economic asset for Malta, capable of attracting investment, international students and academic know-how. Damaging the credibility of the Maltese system through a simplified or misleading narrative involves a real risk of loss of attractiveness for foreign students, as well as economic damage for accredited private institutions with a consequent impact on educational tourism and related employment.

The press and institutional stakeholders have a duty to promote communication based on reliable sources, avoiding alarmism or undue associations between adherence to EQAR and the legitimacy of qualifications.

Malta Quality Education calls on the Government, MFHEA and the Maltese academic community to continue with determination in the process of strengthening the quality assurance system, with the aim of being enrolled in EQAR in the future as a goal for continuous improvement and not as a prerequisite for validity.

At the same time, we appeal to collective responsibility in protecting the international image of the national education system, avoiding simplifications that risk compromising a sector that can and must be one of the pillars of Malta’s sustainable growth.