MASA is concerned about meeting the standards that would allow the lifting of the suspension of the National Accreditation Body (NAT) within the European Higher Education Association (ENQA). NAT is a key body in the Serbian higher education system, because it monitors the quality of studies and approves study programs at all faculties and higher schools.
In 2012, this body received the status of a full member of ENQA, thus Serbia received confirmation that the accreditation system is in accordance with European standards. Unfortunately, at the beginning of 2018, the membership of NAT was suspended and placed under observation. ENQA has informed the management of NAT that it is not satisfied with the way in which it awards accreditations to Serbian faculties and higher schools.
The main objection raised is that the same people do the evaluation and make decisions about accreditations. Another complaint is the excessive number of local reviewers compared to external reviewers. The third is that evaluation reports do not reflect the teamwork of reviewers. ENQA gave NAT a two-year deadline to correct the perceived failings and placed it under observation. That deadline expires on March 22, 2020.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development informed the public that all observed deficiencies have been eliminated and that NAT will once again become a full member of ENQA. It is in the interest of the entire academic community that this process ends successfully and that all doubts about the accreditation process are removed. MASA asks the Ministry to inform the public about concrete steps taken in accordance with ENQA's objections.
