Objectives
The EQAS Food Quality Label is awarded to degree programmes at Bachelor’s and Master’s level that comply with the EQAS Food Award Procedures, Criteria and Standards.
The objectives of the EQAS Food Quality Label are
- To enhance quality and transparency of educational programmes in food science and technology;
- To provide information on study programmes across Europe through an appropriate label for accredited educational programmes in food science and technology;
- To facilitate mutual transnational recognition of qualifications
- To increase mobility of students
Accreditation of food science and technology degree programmes
The quality of food science and technology degree programmes, according to the ISEKI Food Association (IFA), derives from a functioning qualification process, the interaction of its elements and the level of achievement of objectives – i.e. the attainment of the intended learning outcomes by the graduates of a programme.
Accreditation with EQAS Food aims to review the logics and efficacy of a qualification process within a degree programme in the field of food science and technology. Central to the overall assessment is the effective attainment of the educational objectives set by the institution applying for the EQAS Food Quality Label.
The basis for accreditation with EQAS Food are the EQAS Food Award Procedures, Criteria and Standards in conjunction with the European guidelines (European Standards and Guidelines of ENQA). The key element of the EQAS Food Framework are its learning outcomes statements at Bachelor's and Master's level (p. 8-11).
The EQAS Food learning outcomes statements were developed and refined in the context of the Food3 Project 2008-2011. They reflect the expectations of the European labour market and required entrance qualifications for entering higher levels of studies in the field of food science and technology.
EQAS Food Award Procedures, Criteria and Standards
Procedures
Individual procedure
This procedure is conducted for individual Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programmes and/or consecutive Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes (i.e. Bachelor and Master programme in Food Science).
The EQAS Food Quality Label is awarded to the individual degree programme. A final individual decision takes place for each degree programme.
Cluster procedure
The procedure is conducted for a cluster of degree programmes of related disciplines. An Audit Team evaluates several degree programmes within the same procedure. The accreditation certificate applies to one degree programme. A final individual decision takes place for each degree programme. Whether or which degree programmes are joined in one procedure is applied for by the HEI and evaluated in each individual case by the Accreditation Commission of EQAS.
First Steps
As a first step, the applicant institution should submit a request for accreditation including a curriculum overview on each programme to the EQAS Food Secretariat. The request form includes some essential information on the degree programmes for which accreditation is requested, such as
- contact details of programme coordinators
- academic level / study cycle
- Standard period of studies in semesters
- ECTS-credit points awarded
- subject areas / areas of competence that should be represented in the review team
- envisaged date of submission of the self-assessment report.
The curriculum overview is intended to help the EQAS Accreditation Commission to gain a first overview on the subjects covered.
Preparation of the Self-Assessment Report
The preparation of the self-assessment report is usually initiated at the latest after the accreditation contract has been signed. As a rule of thumb, the period between the date of submission of the self-assessment report and the date of the accreditation decision is about six months. All necessary information on the preparation of the self-assessment report is contained in the Procedural Principles for the Accreditation of Degree Programmes. Additional helpful information may be found in the Frequently Asked Questions that are regularly updated.
How to apply
The first contact from interested Higher Education Institutions in the EQAS accreditation should be done to ASIIN
| Sascha Warnke, M.A. |
warnke@asiin.de
Additional information or if you cannot reach ASIIN can also be obtained at eqas@iseki-food.net
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