From September 30 to October 2, 2026, the first study visit took place in Heidelberg, Germany, as part of the international project “Institutional Accreditation for Sustainable Progress, Innovation, and Excellence of the Ukrainian Higher Education System on the Path to European Integration” (INSPIRE), implemented with the support of the Erasmus+ program (ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE-STRAND-3).
Sumy National Agrarian University was represented at the study visit by Margarita Lyshenko, Vice-Rector for Academic and Educational Work, and Olena Rybina, Head of the Educational-Methodological Department for Education Quality Assurance.
The study visit, organized by the Evaluation Agency Baden-Württemberg (EVALAG), focused on examining the German and European systems of higher education quality assurance. Participants gained insight into the specifics of the German model, the roles of state authorities, the German Accreditation Council, and quality assurance agencies, as well as the principles and practical application of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).
Particular attention was paid to internal university quality assurance systems, covering the organization of relevant structures, annual monitoring, data utilization, reporting, and the development of a quality culture. During a dedicated workshop, participants compared Ukrainian and European approaches to quality assurance, identifying commonalities, differences, and potential avenues for the further development of the higher education quality assurance system in Ukraine.
A key aspect of the visit was examining the German experience with system accreditation. Concrete examples were used to review the transition from program to system accreditation, as well as approaches to self-assessment, the formation of expert panels, site visits, report preparation, and the making of accreditation decisions. A dedicated meeting with a representative of the German Accreditation Council provided an opportunity to gain deeper insight into modern approaches to accreditation procedures and trends in the development of system accreditation.
Particular attention was paid to the potential for applying European experience within the Ukrainian context. Through group work, participants focused on specific components of the future Ukrainian model for institutional accreditation, including criteria, procedures, and mechanisms for stakeholder engagement.
The study visit to Heidelberg served as a significant platform for professional exchange between Ukrainian and European partners. For SNAU, participation in the INSPIRE project opens up opportunities to further enhance its internal education quality assurance system and to contribute to shaping modern approaches to institutional accreditation in Ukraine.
