Continuous Improvement at Ede Christian University of Applied Sciences (CHE)
For years, the Ede Christian University of Applied Sciences (CHE) has been a top performer in the 'Keuzegids hbo,' a national ranking of Universities of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, thanks to CHE’s commitment to high-quality education and a robust culture of continuous improvement. The university's mission is to develop value-driven professionals equipped to serve society. In fulfilling this mission, CHE places great emphasis on ongoing reflection and dialogue with stakeholders to ensure the quality of education remains at the forefront of its work. With a focus on maintaining consistency in educational excellence, CHE upholds a strong quality assurance culture and an effective quality management system. The institution uses various tools and systems to monitor, evaluate, and improve its performance, channeling insights into strategic improvement and annual plans.
Understanding Quality Assurance
In the Netherlands, all programmes offered by Universities of Applied Sciences and Universities, including its international programmes, must undergo accreditation every six years. This process, vital to ensuring academic quality, evaluates programmes based on several criteria, including feasibility, curriculum design, and assessment standards. Accreditation is not only important for students, ensuring the value and recognition of their degrees, but also for the institutions themselves, as it enables them to receive government funding and award legally recognized degrees.
At CHE, this process applies to all bachelor's and master's programmes, including its international programmes. Accreditation also allows programmes to be compared across higher education institutions, helping maintain a consistent level of academic integrity. However, accreditation is not conducted internally; it is overseen by an independent body, the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organization (NVAO). The NVAO assigns independent panels to assess the quality of programmes and recommend accreditation based on their findings.
The Instellingstoets Kwaliteitszorg (ITK) and CHE’s Commitment
In addition to programme accreditation, Dutch institutions can opt for the Instellingstoets Kwaliteitszorg (ITK), a voluntary institutional quality assurance test. The ITK evaluates whether an institution's internal quality assurance systems are robust. For institutions like CHE, obtaining ITK recognition ensures that their individual programmes are assessed using a more streamlined framework. This is particularly valuable for institutions committed to maintaining high standards across their entire organization. CHE is currently preparing for its third round of the ITK, known as ITK 3.0, which must be completed by June 2026, when its current accreditation expires.
Mid-Term Reviews
In addition to the six-year accreditation cycle, each programme undergoes a mid-term review halfway through this period. The mid-term review involves another external assessment, which provides constructive feedback on educational quality and the programme's development progress. CHE maximizes efficiency during these reviews by utilizing existing documentation, allowing external experts to provide thorough feedback based on the programme’s existing data and materials. This ongoing cycle of evaluation and feedback is key to sustaining and enhancing the university's commitment to academic excellence.