The Agency for Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska (the Agency – AHERS) received the final version of the report on the Agency's external review by the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) on 18 September 2026. All 14 standards assessed received the highest ratings. This is relatively uncommon and indicates that the quality assurance system in the Republic of Srpska is operating at a high level. This marks the successful completion of a key stage in the process of joining the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and being listed on the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR).
The external review of the Agency was conducted by a panel of independent experts, with the panel's visit to the Agency taking place from 13 to 15 May 2026. During the visit, the panel met with a number of the Agency's key stakeholders, including the Minister of Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska, the rectors of the two public universities, a representative of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, and a representative of the Union of Students of the Republic of Srpska. The panel also met with employees in key positions and individuals serving on the Agency's governing bodies and committees. Following the adoption by the ENQA Agency Review Committee (ARC) of the report prepared by the expert panel, the final version of the report was submitted to the Agency. This process represents a strategic step towards strengthening the higher education system of the Republic of Srpska and bringing it fully into line with the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The Agency's membership of ENQA and inclusion in EQAR are of particular importance for the Republic of Srpska, as they will increase the recognition and visibility of the higher education system of the Republic of Srpska within the EHEA. This also strengthens the institutional position of the Republic of Srpska, positioning it as an independent and relevant actor in the field of quality assurance in higher education. The Agency's membership of ENQA and inclusion in EQAR are particularly significant in terms of the international recognition of degrees, as degrees awarded by institutions accredited by agencies that are members of ENQA and EQAR are recognised within the EHEA. Key findings of the report:
The ENQA expert panel that conducted the external review of the Agency for Higher Education of the Republic of Srpska (AHERS) found that AHERS complies with all ESG standards set out in Parts 2 and 3. The panel noted the significant progress made by AHERS since its previous external review, as well as the impact of the SEQA-ESG 2 project.
The panel's report contains a number of positive observations regarding the Agency's work, including its strong and consistent focus on AHERS's independence. Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, and there is a shared understanding of the importance of safeguarding autonomy in decision-making.
AHERS has demonstrated its ability to take and uphold difficult accreditation decisions, including decisions with significant consequences for higher education institutions. All stakeholders regard AHERS as an essential component of the higher education quality assurance system. Stakeholder representatives pointed to the positive impact of accreditation and the Agency's practical work, as well as improvements to the system. The panel found that student involvement is embedded in several aspects of AHERS's work. Students actively contribute to discussions, meaning that their participation is not merely symbolic.
The panel made several key recommendations for the further development of the Agency, including aligning strategic objectives, annual work plans and available resources. Certain resource constraints under which AHERS operates were identified, alongside the efforts being made to prioritise key functions. The panel also identified opportunities to strengthen planning, internal monitoring and thematic analysis, as well as the use of findings from thematic analyses to inform future development.
Based on the evidence reviewed and its assessment of compliance with all 14 standards against which quality assurance agencies are evaluated, the ENQA expert panel concluded that AHERS is fully compliant with the ESG standards. The final report on the Agency's external review is available on the Agency's website at the following link.