Press release

Tuesday 23 August 2005

QAA and the Institution of Electrical Engineers link up

Today, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) and the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) are signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

The agreement will see QAA and the IEE exchange information and expertise on accreditation, audit and review reports, and programmes of study and institutions in which both organisations have an interest.

Peter Williams, Chief Executive of QAA, and Dr Alf Roberts, Chief Executive of IEE, will sign the Memorandum at a ceremony at the IEE.

Both QAA and IEE recognise the importance of reducing the burden of review on higher education institutions and the potential for using each other’s accreditation and review processes and reports. This development is in line with the recommendations of the Higher Education Regulatory Review Group which reported recently.

Peter Williams says: 'Today's signing will establish closer relations with the IEE and means that we can work not only for the mutual benefit of both organisations but also to reduce the demands placed on higher education institutions. We very much look forward to cooperating with the IEE'.

Alf Roberts says: ‘It is essential that the QAA and the IEE work together to lessen the burden of work on HEIs without compromising the high quality and standards of degree programmes for which the UK has built an enviable reputation.’

The Memorandum will take effect from 1 September 2005.

Ends

For further information please contact:

QAA – Communications, tel: 01452 557073/4

IEE – Jamie Majid, tel: 020 7344 5445

Notes to editors

QAA was established in 1997 and is responsible for safeguarding the public interest in sound standards of higher education qualifications and encouraging continuous improvement in the management of the quality of higher education in the UK.

For more information about QAA please visit About us

The IEE is one of the largest engineering and technology institutions in the world. Members range from students to leading figures in industry, research and development and education. They work in a variety of fields including IT, communications technology, electronics, electrical, power engineering, software, control, informatics and manufacturing. With a membership of over 120,000, the IEE aims to lead in the advancement of engineering and technology and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practice, ensuring that its members are thoroughly equipped to meet the needs of today's rapidly changing technological world.

For more information about the IEE please visit www.iee.org