An Updated National Framework
Adopted by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the RNAQ-ESRS provided the basis for the national self-evaluation campaign conducted in 2017 and the first external institutional evaluations carried out in 2018.
The 2023 version incorporates lessons learned from these experiences, regulatory developments and Algeria’s new higher education priorities. It also takes into account the African Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education — ASG-QA — as well as issues relating to innovation, entrepreneurship, internationalisation and sustainable development.
The framework is intended for universities, university centres, higher education schools, higher teacher-training schools and research centres. Each institution may adapt it to its specific missions and context.
A Tool for Institutional Management and Continuous Improvement
The RNAQ-ESRS is more than a compliance checklist. It enables institutions to:
formalise their policies and objectives;
organise and monitor their activities;
identify strengths and areas for improvement;
document their results;
prepare for self-evaluation or external evaluation;
develop an improvement plan supported by indicators.
The framework follows a progressive structure:
Domain → Field → Reference → Criterion → Evidence
Evidence may include decisions, procedures, action plans, dashboards, agreements, statistics, reports, satisfaction surveys and activity reviews.
RNAQ-ESRS 2023 in Figures
8 domains – 31 fields – 102 references – 307 criteria – 1,035 possible items of evidence
Eight Complementary Domains
The framework covers the main missions of higher education and research institutions:
Education and training: academic programmes, student support, course evaluation and graduate employability.
Research and innovation: research organisation, partnerships, knowledge transfer and innovation.
Governance: institutional policies, organisation, management, information systems and quality assurance.
Campus life: reception services, quality of life, and cultural and sporting activities.
Infrastructure: facilities, maintenance, hygiene, safety and environmental management.
Relations with the socioeconomic environment: cooperation with businesses, continuing education, entrepreneurship and applied research.
International cooperation: partnerships, mobility, international visibility, monitoring and participation in networks.
University social responsibility and sustainable development: ethics, inclusion, equal opportunities, societal engagement and the Sustainable Development Goals.
A Stronger Focus on Internationalisation
The 2023 version recognises internationalisation as a genuine institutional policy. It is no longer limited to signing agreements or organising occasional mobility activities.
Institutions are encouraged to define an internationalisation strategy, develop active partnerships, monitor mobility flows, improve the reception of international students and researchers, strengthen multilingual communication, and participate in networks and consortia.
This approach helps institutions move from isolated initiatives to structured international cooperation supported by clear objectives, data and performance indicators.
Connection with the IPTICAR Initiative
The tools developed through IPTICAR can facilitate the operational implementation of the RNAQ-ESRS, particularly in the areas of governance, internationalisation and relations with the socioeconomic environment.
The National Unit, local units, the NCP DZ Network and the IPTICAR WebApp can notably help institutions to:
organise monitoring of international programmes and opportunities;
inform and guide project applicants;
monitor projects under development, submitted or funded;
centralise data on partnerships and mobility;
produce indicators and institutional dashboards;
capitalise on experience and disseminate good practices.
The RNAQ-ESRS therefore provides the national reference framework, while the IPTICAR initiative supports its practical implementation in the field of internationalisation.
From Self-Evaluation to Action
The framework can be implemented through five main steps: selecting the relevant references, conducting a participatory review of the current situation, collecting evidence, identifying gaps and developing an improvement plan with clearly defined responsibilities, deadlines and monitoring indicators.
The ultimate objective is to foster a shared culture of quality, accountability and continuous improvement across Algerian higher education and research institutions.