The Internal Quality Assurance System (IQAS) of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens has been certified by the National Authority for Higher Education (NAHE) with the highest score across all seven individual quality criteria.

This is a significant achievement for the institution and a confirmation of the exceptional work being done at all levels of educational, research, and administrative activities at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

It is worth noting that this is the first time our university has been certified with “Excellent” in all criteria that constitute the evaluation framework for obtaining quality certification, specifically in:

• The Institution’s Strategy, Planning, Implementation of Policies, and Quality Targeting
• The processes for the Planning and Allocation of material and human resources
• The Structure, Organization, and Operation of the Quality Assurance Unit of the Institution and the Internal Quality Assurance System of NKUA
• The Application of Internal Evaluation Procedures across all Academic Programs of the Institution
• The processes and tools for collecting, measuring, and analyzing quality data and information aimed at decision-making that leads to changes and improvements
• The methods and processes used for disseminating information (websites, social media, etc.)
• The extent of utilizing the observations and suggestions that arose from the previous External Evaluation and Certification of the IQAS that took place in November 2018.

As part of the certification process, an external evaluation of the institution was conducted with an on-site visit by a five-member committee of external evaluators and experts appointed by NAHE. This committee visited our institution during the week of June 26 to July 1, 2024, conducting working meetings and interviews with the university’s central administration, department heads and professors involved in the External Evaluation Groups (EEGs), representatives of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, as well as department directors and administrative services, and university alumni, along with representatives from social partners. The committee also visited teaching and research facilities to assess their quantitative and qualitative adequacy.

It should be emphasized that a lengthy preparation period preceded the committee’s visit, which included compiling and submitting a comprehensive certification file to NAHE. The entire process was coordinated by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, International Relations, and Outreach, Professor Sophia Papayiannou.

The External Evaluation Committee subsequently prepared and submitted its Report and Recommendation for the institution to NAHE, which accepted it and issued the Certification decision. Based on this Report and the decision issued by NAHE, the Internal Quality Assurance System of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens complies with the principles of the Quality Standard of NAHE and the Principles and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

The President of the National Authority for Higher Education, Professor Periklis Mitkas, congratulated the University of Athens in a letter for its excellent response to the certification process and expressed confidence that the institution will take into account and make the best use of all the recommendations of the Certification Committee for its continuous improvement, by the provisions of the Certification Guide.

The Rector of the University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siasos, made the following statement: “The first and largest public university in the country is successfully striving to achieve high-quality services for Greek society and beyond, reaching new heights. The Certification of the Quality System of the University of Athens by the National Authority for Higher Education, and with the highest score, demonstrates both our commitment to the continuous improvement of academic and administrative processes and the leadership’s dedication to implementing a quality strategy that is not merely rhetorical but translates into tangible results. The evaluation results confirm our university’s top position in all international rankings. Warm congratulations are due to all the institution’s staff, as for the first time our university has been evaluated with EXCELLENT in all criteria. We will not settle for anything less than high quality.”