Promoting knowledge exchange on doctoral training quality assurance
Representatives from universities, quality assurance agencies and higher education authorities from Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal took part in a study visit to Spain and France, focused on the exchange of practices related to external and internal evaluation of doctoral training.
The visit brought together 24 participants from ministries, national quality assurance agencies and partner universities, providing a space for peer learning and dialogue between African and European institutions. The programme was jointly designed and facilitated by Obreal, AQU Catalunya, Rovira i Virgili University (URV) and the University of Montpellier.
Universities and agencies sharing evaluation practices
The programme started in Barcelona, where participants were introduced to approaches to external evaluation of doctoral training and research, with contributions from AQU Catalunya and institutional perspectives from the University of Barcelona. Discussions continued at Rovira i Virgili University (URV) in Tarragona, focusing on internal quality assurance processes and preparation for accreditation visits, followed by a final session at the University of Montpellier devoted to institutional self-assessment and quality assurance tools.
The exchanges were further enriched by the participation of Sarah Lang, representative of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). As one of the world’s leading organisations promoting international academic mobility and cooperation, DAAD plays a key role in connecting universities, supporting researcher and student exchanges, and fostering long-term institutional partnerships. Its presence in these discussions highlighted the importance of linking quality assurance practices to broader international mobility and cooperation frameworks.
Through initiatives such as this, Obreal supports structured dialogue and knowledge exchange between universities and quality assurance bodies, contributing to strengthened cooperation in higher education across regions.