Responsible bodies

Quality assurance of higher education is regulated by the Law on Higher Education and the relevant by-laws. Pursuant to the Law, the tasks of quality assurance in higher education are performed by the Agency for Control and Quality Assurance of Higher Education (hereinafter the Agency). The agency was established by the Government in 2017 and started to operate at full capacity in 2018.

Prior to the establishment of the Agency, quality assurance activities were performed by the Council for Higher Education. The aim of establishing the Agency, according to the EU recommendations, was to improve the quality assurance system in accordance with European standards and guidelines in the European Higher Education Area (hereinafter ESG). The agency is an affiliate member of the European Association of Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) since 2019 and a full member of the Central and Eastern European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (CEENQA) since 2020.

The Agency is responsible for the following activities:

1. conducts the procedure of accreditation of the study program and issues a certificate of accreditation of the study program;
2. conducts the procedure of re-accreditation of the higher education institution and issues a certificate on re-accreditation of the higher education institution on the basis of the re-accreditation report;
3. adopts standards for evaluation in accordance with the standards in the European Higher Education Area;
4. conducts periodic assessment of the quality of work of licensed higher education institutions at the request of the authorized body of the institution or the Ministry;
5. determines the list of experts for accreditation of study programs, ie re-accreditation of institutions on the basis of a public invitation;
6. cooperates with higher education institutions in ensuring and improving quality;
7. analyze reports on self-evaluation of institutions and reports on external evaluation of institutions;
8. propose measures for improving the quality of higher education on the basis of recommendations from the report on re-accreditation of higher education institutions and submit them to the Ministry and the Government;
9. keep a register of accredited study programs and re-accredited institutions.
10. determines the methodology of ranking institutions and performs the ranking of institutions of higher education.

Mission: The Agency contributes to the quality improvement of higher education in Montenegro by implementing the European Standards and Guidelines through the evaluation of higher education institutions, their study programmes and lifelong study programmes to ensure the integration of the Montenegrin system of quality assurance of higher education into the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

Objectives: There are two primary objectives of the Agency. The first one is to improve the quality of higher education institutions in Montenegro, by implementing of ESGs within the external evaluation procedures. The second objective is to become a full member of The European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA). 

The bodies of the Agency are:

The Steering Committee has a President and two members. Steering Committee is composed of: two representatives of Founders (Government) and one representative of the state administration authority competent for educational affairs (hereinafter referred to as: Ministry).

The Director is the legal representative of the Agency. The Director proposes the annual work programme, as well as the annual financial plan, and is responsible for its realization. The Director submits the Agency's annual reports to the Ministry, executes the decisions of the Steering Committee, proposes the Statute, the Act on the internal organization and systematization of the Agency, and passes other acts from the scope of work of the Agency. Additionally, the Director concludes contracts and cooperation agreements, publishes a public call for the list of Experts for evaluation procedures, forms commissions for implementing the external evaluation procedures, and signs the final decisions. The Director is proposed by the Ministry based on a public competition and is appointed by the Government of Montenegro.

The Ministry in charge of higher education supervises the work of the Agency.

The Agency currently employs 15 people and has 20 systematized job positions.

The Agency has two departments and the Secretariat:

The Department for Quality Control conducts accreditation procedures for study programs and lifelong learning programs, re-accreditation of higher education institutions, as well as periodic and follow-up controls, cooperating with institutions in all phases of the accreditation or re-accreditation and proposes measures for quality improvement.

The Department for Quality Assurance and Research is in charge of compliance with European standards and guidelines (ESG), cooperates with international organizations and associations in the field of quality assurance, cooperates with quality assurance agencies within EHEA, coordinates EU-funded projects, participates in Bologna structures, manages databases on higher education institutions and study programmes, conducts research on quality assurance policies and prepares thematic analyses.

Coordinators for evaluation procedures are employees from both sectors.

Secretariat takes care of exercising labour rights, does financial activities, public procurement, preparation of financial and performance reports and takes care of bookkeeping and office operations. 
 

Approaches and methods for quality assurance

Quality assurance is conducted through self-evaluation of HE institutions and through external evaluation in accordance with the Law on Higher Education. External quality assurance procedures include:
1. accreditation of study programs, 
2. reaccreditation of higher education institutions, 
3. accreditation of lifelong learning programmes, 
4. as well as periodic quality assessment.

The Agency conducts external evaluation procedures in accordance with the bylaws:

• Standards and guidelines for accreditation of study programs (prepared and adopted by the Agency);

• Standards and guidelines for re-accreditation of higher education institutions (prepared and adopted by the Agency);

• Rulebook on accreditation of study programs (prepared by the Agency, adopted by the Ministry);

• Rules on re-accreditation of higher education institutions (prepared and adopted by the Agency);

• Rules of Procedure for the work of the commission for accreditation of study programme of expert commissions for accreditation of study programs (prepared and adopted by the Agency); 

• Rules on accreditation of lifelong learning programs in higher education.
   

Accreditation of study programs 

The accreditation procedure is the responsibility of the Agency. The institution is obliged to submit a Request for accreditation of the study program to the Agency, at least six months before submitting the Request for licensing. In the process of accreditation of the study program, the quality of the study program and its compliance with standards and criteria is assessed. Accreditation of the study program is issued for a maximum period of five years. Exceptionally, accreditation for study programs lasting more than five years is issued for the period of the duration of that study program.

The accreditation procedure is realized through the following phases:

1. The institution submits a Request for accreditation of study programme with accompanying documentation(Application form for accreditation of basic and master studies | Application form for accreditation of doctoral studies | Application form for accreditation of studies in English language Application form for accreditation of distance learning studies).
2. The Agency appoints a Coordinator (employee from the Agency) to verify the formal fulfillment of the  Request (within 5 days from the day of submission).
3. The institution submits a Request for Accreditation, positive opinion from the Qualification Council, and proof of payment of the administration tax. If the institution has not submitted a complete  Request, the coordinator asks for a supplement or elimination of deficiencies (within 8 days).
4. Once the application is complete, an Expert Commission is formed to evaluate the Accreditation  Request.
5. The act on the appointment of the Commission regulates the more detailed composition, tasks and other issues that are of significance for the work of the Commission. The more detailed manner of work and decision-making of the Commission is regulated by the Rules of Procedure of the Commission for accreditation of study programmes.
6. Before the beginning of the work of the Commission, the coordinator informs the President and members of the Commission about procedures, deadlines and preparation of reports on the accreditation of the study programme.
7. The Commission, on the basis of the  Request for Accreditation and other submitted documentation, prepares a Accreditation Report with a proposition that the study programme shall be accredited / not accredited and sends it to the Agency (within 30/60 days since the formation of the Commission, depending on the number of study programmes which are the subject of accreditation). (Report form for accreditation of basic and master studies | Report form for accreditation of doctoral studies | Report form for accreditation of studies in english language | Report form for accreditation of distance learning studies).
8. The Coordinator monitors if all members of the Commission assessed all accreditation standards in the Accreditation Report (within 5 days). The Agency may return the Accreditation Report to the Commission for improvement.
9. The Commission is obliged to improve and submit to the Agency the final Accreditation Report with the accreditation proposition (within 7 days).
10. The Agency sends the final Report to the institution (within 7 days).
11. The institution is obliged to declare about the data stated in the Report (within 15 days).
12. The Agency sends to the Commission the institution's declaration (within 3 days). 
13. The Commission is obliged to respond to any objections of the institution (within 7 days). 
14. Based on the Accreditation Report of the study programme, the Agency (Director) issues a Certificate of Accreditation of the study programme, i.e. brings Decision to reject the Request for Accreditation (within 8 days). Along with the Certificate of Accreditation, i.e. the Decision to reject the request for accreditation, the Agency sends to the institution a Report on the accreditation of the study programme.

The costs of accreditation of study programs are financed by the institution and defined according to the Law on Tax Administration. Currently, 278 study programs are conducted at higher education institutions in Montenegro according to the new model of study 3 + 2 + 3. 

Self-evaluation

The institution conducts a procedure of self-evaluation of the quality of study programs, teaching and working conditions at the end of each study year, in accordance with the statute of the institution. In the process of self-evaluation, students are surveyed at all levels, at least once a year about study programs, classes, conditions and work of academic staff. Student participation in the survey is mandatory. The survey is anonymous. Reports on the self-evaluation of the institution are adopted by the governing body of the institution.

Also, the institution is obliged to conduct research on the applicability of acquired knowledge and competencies on the labor market at least once every five years, and the findings are considered when compiling a self-evaluation report in the re-accreditation process and published on the institution's website.

Reaccreditation of Higher Education Institutions

Reaccreditation of the institution is performed by the Agency. Reaccreditation of the institution is carried out every five years. The Agency evaluates the institution in accordance with the standards and criteria for the evaluation of institutions, in accordance with the Law. In the process of re-accreditation, the institution prepares a self-evaluation report for a maximum period of five years.

The re-accreditation procedure is realized through the following stages:

1. The institution submits a Request for re-accreditation of higher education institution along with the accompanying documentation (Form of a self-evaluation report with criteria).
2. The Agency appoints a Coordinator (employee from the Agency) to verify the formal fulfillment of the  Request (within 10 days from the day of submission). If the institution has not submitted a complete. Request with proof of payment of administrative tax, the coordinator  Requests a supplement or elimination of deficiencies (within 8 days).
3. Once the application is complete, an Expert Commission is formed to evaluate the Reaccreditation  Request (on coordinator’s proposal, within 5 days). The Commission is formed by the Director of the Agency (min 5 experts for the reaccreditation of the university and min 3 experts for the reaccreditation of other institutions).
4. The Agency submits to the institution a Decision on the appointment of members of the commission, for the purpose of giving opinions. The institution is obliged to submit an opinion on the Decision on the formation of the commission (within 3 days). If the institution submits a negative opinion and the Agency deems it justified, the Agency will appoint a new Reaccreditation Commission.
5. The Commission, based on the Rules on the procedure of reaccreditation of higher education institution, assesses the  Request for Reaccreditation, prepares a preliminary report –Form for the reaccreditation report with instructions and (together with the Coordinator) visits the institution.
6. After reviewing all the documents and a direct inspection of the work of the institution during the visit, the Commission prepares a draft Reaccreditation Report of the institution and sends it to the institution. The institution can submit comments and suggestions on the draft (within eight days).
7. The Commission prepares and submits a final Report (signed by all members) with a recommendation that the institution shall be reaccredited / not reaccredited to the Agency (within 30 days from the visit).
8. The Agency sends the final Reaccreditation Report with reaccreditation stance to the institution to give their comments and suggestions (within 8 days).
9. The Agency may return the Reaccreditation Report to the Commission for improvement or make a Decision on reaccreditation.
10. The Commission is obliged to improve and submit to the Agency the final Reaccreditation Report with the reaccreditation proposition (within 8 days).
11. The Agency (Director) makes a Decision regarding the  Request for Reaccreditation on the basis of the final Reaccreditation Report (within 8 days). The Agency informs the institution about the Decision on Reaccreditation.
12. The Agency issues a Reaccreditation Certificate to the institution based on the Reaccreditation Decision.

After two years, the Agency performs the procedure of subsequent control of the fulfilment of the recommendations from the Reaccreditation Report. The costs of evaluation are financed by the institution, and defined according to the Law on Tax Administration. If the institution does not receive a certificate of re-accreditation, the license is valid for a maximum period of one year, without the possibility of enrolling students in that year. If the institution does not receive a re-accreditation certificate after the expiration of this period, the Ministry revokes the institution's license by Decision. An administrative dispute can be initiated against the adopted decisions. 
The Agency, from its establishment, reaccredited 13 higher education institutions.

Accreditation of the Lifelong Learning Program in Higher Education 

The Lifelong Learning Program is a part of the study program, ie a module, with a defined structure that provides learning outcomes for acquiring competencies and issuing certificates for performing related tasks in areas of higher education defined in the national qualifications framework. The procedure of accreditation of lifelong learning programs is realized through several phases, in accordance with a special act:

1. The institution submits a Request for Accreditation of a Lifelong Learning Program with supporting documentation. Along with the Request for Accreditation of a Lifelong Learning Program, an elaborate of a special training program (Rules on the procedure for accreditation of a lifelong learning program) shall be submitted.
2. The Agency appoints a Coordinator (employee from the Agency) to check the formal fulfillment of the  Request (within 8 days from the day of submitting the  Request).
3. If the  Request is not complete, after receiving the notification, the institution is obliged to eliminate the deficiencies (within 15 days).
4. If the institution eliminates the identified deficiencies within the deadline, it shall be considered that the  Request has been correct from the day of submission. If the institution does not eliminate the identified deficiencies within the deadline, the Agency will issue a Decision rejecting the  Request. At the  Request of the institution, the deadline may be extended by a maximum of 15 days, after which it is considered, in case of failure to submit a proper  Request, that the institution has given up on the same.
5. The Agency shall establish a special Commission as an expert body to evaluate the submitted Application. The Commission shall consist of at least three members, selected from a list of experts by the Agency.
6. The Commission has the task to make and submit to the coordinator the Report on accreditation of the special training program (within 15 days).
7.Based on the proposal of the expert Commission, the Agency shall, no later than three months from the day of submitting a valid application, make a Decision on accreditation of a special training program based on which it issues a certificate or a Decision rejecting the application for accreditation.
8. The Agency submits the Decision to the institution with the Report on accreditation of the special training program.
9. Based on the positive Decision on accreditation of the special training program, the Agency shall issue an accreditation certificate to the institution for a period of maximum five years.

By the end of 2021, the Agency had accredited four lifelong learning programs.

Periodic control of the implementation of study programs or the work of institutions
Periodic control of the implementation of study programs and the work of higher education institutions is an ad hoc procedure that is carried out at the initiative of the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation or institutions.

Licensing of Higher Education Institutions

The establishment of higher education institutions and the licensing process are regulated by the Law on Higher Education. An institution can perform its activity and admit students after the Ministry identifies that the institution has met the requirements prescribed by this Law and renders a decision on licensing. The license determines the type of institution, accredited study programmes, maximum number of students that can be admitted to certain study programmes, levels of education and degrees that can be obtained at the institution. The decision on licensing is passed by the Ministry and published in the Official Gazette of Montenegro. The Licensing procedure is performed in accordance with the Rulebook on more detailed Conditions for the Establishment, Performance of Activities, Licensing Procedure and the Manner of Keeping a Register of Higher Education Institutions. During the accreditation or re-accreditation validity period, a licensed institution can make changes to the study programmes of undergraduate studies up to 30 ECTS credits without undertaking the accreditation and licensing procedures.