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The 2024 European Quality Assurance Forum (EQAF) will be hosted from 14 to 16 November 2024 by University of Twente, Netherlands.
The Forum, entitled “Enhancing education, research and societal engagement through quality assurance”, will combine sessions about policies and trends, research, and practical case examples related to the Forum theme and more generally about current developments in quality assurance.
Connecting quality assurance efforts across teaching, research, and the third mission is crucial for universities to achieve their strategic objectives. This integrated approach can foster a well-rounded and impactful educational experience for students while advancing research and contributing meaningfully to society. However, addressing the interconnectedness of the three missions is becoming more challenging both for internal and external QA systems due to the wide variety of new developments and trends in higher education. These range from the need to base learning and teaching on research, to technological advancements including artificial intelligence, and the rise of projects envisaging the cooperation of different actors including non-academic stakeholders.
EQAF 2024 will explore new policies, innovative methodologies and tools that can ensure a holistic approach to quality and quality assurance. It will also invite the audience to reflect on how quality assurance can meet needs and challenges arising at the interconnection of the three missions. In addition to researchers, practitioners and policy makers in quality assurance, this year’s event will be of special interest to professionals responsible for quality of research and outreach functions at universities, and to staff with project management functions.
This year’s Forum will take place on-site and will provide participants with opportunities for discussion, debates and networking, also outside the formal programme. The sessions will facilitate audience interaction to allow participants to gain the most from the event.
For updates, please follow @EQAF and #EQAF on Twitter and/or join the LinkedIn group “European Quality Assurance Forum (EQAF)”.
Dear guests,
It is my privilege to welcome you all to the vibrant and innovative community of the University of Twente, where curiosity meets creativity!
What sets the University of Twente apart is its unique blend of academic excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and societal relevance.
As a leading research university, we are at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries and innovations that address some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity. From sustainable energy solutions to cutting-edge healthcare technologies. Our interdisciplinary approach fosters collaboration across disciplines, driving forward progress and innovation. What this illustrates is our new Master Humanitarian Engineering that got recently approved by our government and that will start upcoming academic year.
In an era marked by rapid advancements and evolving challenges, the role of quality assurance in education and research has never been more crucial. Quality assurance serves as the cornerstone upon which we build trust, credibility, and innovation. For this we work with a developmental approach for our internal quality assurance on education that supports the open entrepreneurial mindset we need to build the required trust, credibility, and innovation.
Crucially, our endeavours in education and research do not exist in isolation; they are intricately intertwined with the fabric of society. Across our campus you can find the business & science park where many spin-offs of our university are situated. Hence, the nexus between academia and society underscores the significance of societal engagement. Quality assurance in societal engagement ensures that our outreach efforts are inclusive, impactful, and responsive to the needs of diverse communities. This is reflected in the collaborations we have. For example, in our region with Saxion University for Applied Sciences, the University of Münster and ROC van Twente, and a bit further with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) and technical universities in the Netherlands and around the world. From these we catalyse positive social change. With VU Amsterdam we started branch offices of our technical degrees Mechanical Engineering and Creative Technology to make an impact by bringing the much-needed engineering and technical talent to society.
In the spirit of collaboration and collective action, let us for the upcoming days seize this opportunity to exchange insights, best practices, and innovative strategies for enhancing quality assurance in education, research, and societal engagement.
Prof. dr. ir. Tom Veldkamp, Rector Magnificus
The venue for EQAF 2024 is the University of Twente Campus, situated in a picturesque setting close to the cities of Enschede and Hengelo.
The University of Twente offers a wide range of highly rated, innovative study programmes. With three powerful research institutes and around 400 labs, we have access to a first-class research and learning environment. All of our education and research is aimed at coming up with solutions for today’s challenges. Whether it’s about improving food security in Africa, devising a smart app that can support patients with diabetes, or realising the transition to electric vehicles. One of our University's crown jewels is undoubtedly our campus. Our campus is the only all-in campus in the Netherlands. It has as many activities to offer as a small city with 3,000 student houses and apartments. There are plenty of facilities, such as a grocery store, a bar, a gym, a laundromat, healthcare facilities, and even a hairdresser. A green and lively environment that covers 146 hectares – approximately 200 football fields. Here, you can find everything you need to learn, work and live. A campus with the hustle and bustle of a small metropolis and a dynamic, international community to live and work in. The city centre of Enschede is only a 10-minute bike ride away!
Education at UT is interactive, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and independent, proactive thinking. Students work together in teams on challenging real-world projects. By working together, they develop academic knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship, research and design, and discover which role suits them best. Great value is placed on interdisciplinary collaboration. This allows students to collaborate in a project with students from different backgrounds! In Twente urban dynamics go hand in hand with serenity and nature. Twente is a high end technological, enterprising and innovative ‘knowledge region’.
This results in a huge diversity of ground breaking high-tech companies situated next to the campus area.
Registration details
We have now reached full capacity for EQAF2024. If you wish to be added to a waiting list, please email us at eqaf@eua.eu
The event organisers aim to ensure that all members who desire to attend EQAF can participate. However, in order to guarantee a balance between country and institution representations, the organisers may have to restrict attendance. Priority will be given to those who register early. Additional registrations will not be accepted once the event is full, even if this occurs before the registration deadline.
REGISTRATION FEES
To check whether your institution is a member, please consult the corresponding directories below:
EUA members ENQA members and affiliates EURASHE members ESU members
DETAILS ABOUT UNIQUE FEES:
Student fee: To benefit from this fee, please download our ''EUA Student Certificate'' (found under downloads) which must be signed and stamped by your institution’s secretariat and sent back to eqaf@eua
Paper/workshop presenters fee: This is only applicable to those whose papers/workshops are selected by the EQAF Programme Committee. Please note that this category does not apply to the practice presenters.
DETAILS ABOUT GROUP REGISTRATIONS:
When members of ENQA, ESU, EURASHE, or EUA register four participants, they can avail of a 15% discount and 1 free spot for a student. This offer only applies if you bring a student.
A maximum of 5 registrants (including the free student) will be accepted per institution.
To register as a group, select the organisation you are a member of (ENQA, ESU, EURASHE, or EUA) and proceed by filling in the information of your group.
A separate registration link will be sent to the student via email, so please add the their name and email address in the registration form. The EQAF Student Certificate must be signed and stamped by your institution’s secretariat and sent back to eqaf@eua.eu.
*EUA reserves the right to refuse the free student's entry and adjust any registration fees accordingly if the Student Certificate is not provided. This offer only applies if you bring a student.
The Optional Forum Dinner which will take place on Friday 15 November is now fully booked.
Registration fees paid by participants do not cover travel and accommodation expenses.
Confirmation: Please note that by filling in the registration form for the event you agree to the full payment of registration fees. Your registration will be confirmed by email.
Payment: Payment must be made upon receipt of confirmation and prior to the Forum, either by bank transfer or credit card. The participant assumes full responsibility for paying all bank charges associated with the payment.
The registration fee includes attendance at the Forum, access to the event app, admission to coffee breaks and lunches at the Forum, and to the networking reception. The name badge issued to you on registration is required for admission to the sessions, lunches and coffee breaks, as well as the social programme. You are kindly requested to wear your name badge at all times.
CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION
Participants who cancel after 17 October 2024 or fail to attend, will be liable to pay the entire registration fee. Substitutes will be accepted at any time provided that EUA is informed of the change. Cancellations or changes must be sent in writing to the following email address: eqaf@eua.eu
Contact EUA EQAF Coordination Team For enquiries regarding the programme, please contact: Cecilia Biaggi Policy and Project Officer Tel: +32 2 230 55 44 Email: eqaf@eua.eu
For enquiries regarding registrations and general information, please contact: Gemma Fagan Events Officer Tel: +32 2 230 55 44 Email: eqaf@eua.eu
To contact the host (for invoices and credit card payments) please contact: eqaf-sp@utwente.nl
Tineke van der Wal-Zoer Project Officer QA-team UT +31534891831 Email: t.zoer@utwente.nl
Lucienne Dado Eventcoordinator +31643716144 Email: l.dado@utwente.nl
ADDRESS OF THE CONFERENCE VENUE:
University of Twente Drienerlolaan 5 7522 NB Enschede Entrance Hal B
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel Restaurant De Broeierd, Hengelosestraat 725, 7521 PA Enschede
A 10 minute walk from the campus of University Twente. A reservation can be made by sending an email to kantoor@fletcherhotelenschede.nl and using the booking reference: 105-GFC3881. The booking code is valid until 12/10/2024.
Standard room for single use excluding breakfast and city tax - €96,50 /night
Intercity hotel Enschede, Willem Wilminkplein 5, 7511 PG Enschede
Located in Enschede city centre, 200 meters from the central train station in Enschede. You can make a reservation directly on the hotel website using the booking reference: *UNI241113. The booking reference is valid until 01/10/2024.
Standard room, single use including breakfast €129,50 /night or Standard room for double use including breakfast €152,50 per room /night
Hotel Moloko, Cooperatie 19, 7514 JK Enschede
Located in the city centre of Enschede. The booking link is valid until 01/10/2024
Standard room single use excluding breakfast €110,00 per night or Standard room double use excluding breakfast € 150,00 /night ***There are no breakfast facilities in this hotel (there is a supermarket next door)
Cityhotel Hengelo, B.P. Hofstedestraat 50, 7551 DG Hengelo
In the of Hengelo, nearby Hengelo train station. A reservation can be made by sending an email to reservations.cityhengelo@edenhotels.nl with reference EQAF2024 before 12/10/2024.
Standard twin room, including breakfast & excluding tourist tax €119,50 per room/night. Standard King room including breakfast & excluding tourist tax €124,50 per room/night.
Van der Valk Enschede, Zuiderval 140, 7543 EZ Enschede
This hotel is located outside of Enschede centre. Travel time from this hotel to the University is approximately 45 minutes. You can rent a bike (travel time 25 minutes). Price indication: €149 euro per room/night
Van der Valk Hengelo, Bornsestraat 400 , 7556 BN Hengelo
This hotel is located outside of Hengelo city centre. Travel time from this hotel to the University is approximately 60 minutes by public transport. You can rent a bike (travel time 30 minutes). Price indication: €119 euro per room/night
Hotels a bit further away:
Boutique Hotel ’t Lansink, Storkstraat 18, 7553 AR Hengelo
This hotel is located outside Hengelo city centre. Travel time from this hotel to the University is approximately 40 minutes by public transport. Price indication: €151 euro per room/night, excluding breakfast
Stravinsky slapen, Burgemeester Jansenplein 20, 7551 ED Hengelo
This hotel is located in the centre of Hengelo. Travel time from this hotel to the University is approximately 30 minutes by public transport. Price indication: €82 euro per room/night, excluding breakfast
Wapen van Hengelo, Parallelweg Ls 2a, 7553 LG Hengelo
This hotel is located in the centre of Hengelo. Travel time from this hotel to the University is approximately 25 minutes by public transport.
Price indication: €163 euro per room/night, excluding breakfast
Aparthotel Delden, Sportlaan 7, 7491 DG Delden
This hotel is situated just outside the centre of Delden. Travel time from this hotel to the University is approximately 50 minutes. (including 30 minutes walking) Price indication: € 131 euro per room/night, excluding breakfast
Theaterhotel Almelo, Schouwburgplein 1, 7607 AE Almelo
This hotel is located in the centre of Almelo. Travel time from this hotel to the University is approximately 60-75 minutes. Price indication: € 129 euro per room/night, excluding breakfast
For more information on how to get to the venue and practicalities for the forum, please check the Getting Around & Good to know document in the downloads section.
