The Higher Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (HCERES)
The High Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher education (Hcéres) is in France the independent public authority that evaluates the higher education and research bodies in France (universities, schools, research units, programmes, etc.). Hcéres also validates the evaluation procedures designed by other bodies and evaluates, when they wish to do so, the higher education institutions of other countries. As part of its missions, it provides analyses and indicators both on the domestic and international levels through the Observatory of Science and Technology. Finally, the French office of scientific integrity of the Hcéres defines a national policy on scientific integrity.
Hcéres worldwide
By setting its action within the Bologna process, the Hcéres participates in building the European higher education area, and establishes its action on the basis of the best international and European practices in terms of quality assurance. For that matter, ENQA (the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education) has confirmed the full membership of Hcéres, which EQAR-register agency (European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education).
As part of its responsibilities, the High Council is called on by international organisations to evaluate foreign institutions, training programmes and research bodies; or to collaborate on international projects. After completion of the evaluation report (of the institution, study programme, research unit or research body), at the request of the entity, accreditation can take place. The evaluation report is submitted to the accreditation commission, and the accreditation leads to the award of the Hcéres label.
Since 2016, Hcéres has carried out international evaluations of more than 100 programmes, 15 higher education institutions and one research body, in the European higher education area, Latin America, Africa, and Vietnam.
Hcéres in Nigeria
Hcéres has been active in Nigeria since 2019 and has evaluated 48 courses in 10 public universities, representing more than 60% of its activity in Africa. These evaluations were carried out in collaboration with the National Universities Commission as part of the ACE Impact project funded by the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD). The reports on the 14 programmes evaluated between August 2023 and January 2024 will be submitted to the Hcéres accreditation commission in 2024.
Through its missions in Nigeria, in collaboration with the NUC and the French Embassy, Hcéres aims to arise knowledge about the Nigerian higher education and research context in France and to promote French higher education and research institutions in Nigeria.
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