EKPA received yet another distinction. Specifically, the Internal Quality Assurance System (IAS) of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA), was certified by the National Authority of Higher Education (ETHAAE), receiving the highest grade in all seven individual quality criteria,

This is a very important success for the Foundation but also a confirmation of the excellent work carried out at all levels of the educational, research and administrative work that takes place at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

The first time that EKPA is certified with “Excellent”

It should be noted that this is the first time that EKPA has been certified with “Excellent” in all the criteria that constitute the evaluation framework for receiving the quality certification, namely:

1. In the Foundation’s Strategy, the Planning and Implementation of Quality Policy and Targeting

2. In the procedures of Planning and Distribution of material and human resources

3. In the Structure, Organization and Operation of the Institution’s Quality Assurance Unit and the Internal Quality Assurance System of EKPA

4. In the Application of Internal Evaluation Procedures in all the Study Programs of the Institution

5. In the processes and tools for collecting, measuring, analyzing data and quality data with the aim of making decisions that lead to changes and improvements

6. In the media and procedures it uses to publicize information (websites, social media, etc.)

7. To the extent of utilizing the observations and proposals that emerged from the previous External Evaluation and Certification of the ESDP that took place in November 2018.

As part of the certification process, an external evaluation of the Foundation was preceded by a live on-site visit, by a five-member committee of external evaluators and experts appointed by ETHAAE, which visited our Foundation during the week of 26/6 – 1/7/2024, and held working meetings and interviews with the Institution’s Central Administration, Presidents and Professors who are members of the External Evaluation Teams (OMEA) of the Departments, representatives of Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral Students, Directors of Departments and Administrative Services, Alumni of the University and also representatives of Social Partners. At the same time, the Committee visited the teaching, research and other infrastructures of the Foundation to ascertain their quantitative and qualitative adequacy.

It should be emphasized that the committee’s visit was preceded by many months of preparation by our University, which, among other things, included the preparation and submission of a complete certification file to ETHAAE. The entire process was coordinated by the Vice Chancellor of Academics, International Relations and Outreach, Professor Ms. Sofia Papaioannou.

The External Evaluation Committee then drafted and submitted its Report and Recommendation for the Foundation to ETHAAE with the competent Council of the Authority to accept it and issue the Certification decision. Based on the said Report and the decision issued by the ETHAEE, the Internal Quality Assurance System of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens complies with the principles of the ETHAEE Quality Standard and the Principles and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

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

What the Rector of the University of Athens said

The Rector of the University of Athens, Professor Gerasimos Siassos, made the following statement: “The first and largest public University of the country, is fighting with exceptional success the struggle of achieving high quality services provided to the Greek Society and beyond, conquering “peaks” here as well. The Certification of the Quality System of the University of Athens by the National Authority of Higher Education, and in fact with the highest degree, proves on the one hand our dedication to the continuous improvement of academic and administrative processes, on the other hand the commitment of the Leadership to the implementation of a strategy for Quality, which does not it stays in words but it becomes action with visible results. The results of the evaluation confirm the first place of our University in all international rankings. Warm congratulations are due to all the staff of the Foundation as for the first time our University is rated EXCELLENT in all criteria. We don’t settle for anything less than high quality.”