Accreditation

Institutional accreditation is an official recognition confirming that a higher education institution meets the quality requirements established at national level. It certifies that the institution has sound governance, an effective quality assurance system, and that it sustainably fulfils its missions in teaching, research, and services to society.

In Switzerland, any higher education institution wishing to bear the designation of university, university institute, or university of applied sciences must hold institutional accreditation.

This procedure is provided for in the HFKG, which entered into force on 1 January 2015. It ensures that all Swiss higher education institutions are evaluated according to common quality standards that are recognised nationally and comply with the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG). Accreditation is granted for a period of eight years.

Accreditation is awarded by the Swiss Accreditation Council on the basis of an evaluation conducted by the Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance (AAQ) and by an international panel of independent experts.

For UniDistance Suisse, this accreditation represents far more than a legal obligation: it constitutes an essential milestone in its development and on its path towards the status of a cantonal university.

Institutional accreditation follows a rigorous procedure that extends over several months.

1. Self-evaluation

   The institution carries out an in-depth review of its operations against the quality standards defined by the HFKG.

   This step results in a self-evaluation report, prepared with the participation of all university constituent groups (academic staff, administrative staff, students, partners, etc.). At UniDistance Suisse, this process draws in particular on participatory workshops and on a working group responsible for drafting the report.

2. External evaluation

   The self-evaluation report is then analysed by an international panel of experts commissioned by the AAQ.

   This panel of experts carries out several on-site visits in order to meet the institution's various stakeholders through interviews and round-table discussions. It evaluates, in particular, governance, strategy, teaching, research, the quality assurance system, and support services.

3. Expert report

   On the basis of the report of the panel of experts, the AAQ submits a proposal to the Swiss Accreditation Council.

4. Accreditation decision

   On the basis of the AAQ's accreditation proposal, which is itself founded on the report of the panel of experts, the Swiss Accreditation Council reaches its decision. Accreditation may be granted, granted subject to conditions, or refused.

In June 2020, UniDistance Suisse obtained its accreditation as a university institute, a major milestone in its development.

The next accreditation procedure, which will conclude in 2027, is of particular importance. It will accompany the transformation of UniDistance Suisse into a cantonal university, in line with the draft of the new Act on the University of Valais (LUVa).

The evaluation will be based on the same quality standards as those applied to all Swiss universities, as provided for in the HFKG. Beyond the renewal of accreditation, this procedure will constitute a decisive element for the award of the official designation of university and will mark a major milestone in the institution's development. The attainment of university status will recognise the academic maturity of UniDistance Suisse and its continuous development in the fields of teaching, research, governance, and quality assurance. It will also enable the institution to consolidate its positioning within the Swiss higher education landscape, while strengthening its visibility and attractiveness to students, researchers, staff, and institutional partners in Switzerland and internationally.

For students, this development will entail no changes to their ongoing programmes of study. It will, however, strengthen the institutional recognition of their institution and confirm that they are studying at a university that meets the same quality requirements as other Swiss universities. This new stage will also provide a favourable framework for the future development of the range of programmes offered, of research, and of national and international collaborations.

Re-accreditation is a collective project that involves the entire institution.

Teaching, research, and service activities are in no way affected by the accreditation procedure. Programmes of study continue as normal throughout the duration of the process.

This process runs in parallel with the development of Strategy 2035 and the establishment of the foundations of the future cantonal university.