In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan No. PD–76 dated 5 May 2025, "On Additional Measures to Improve the System of Quality Assurance in Education and the Provision of Educational Services," the National Quality Assurance Agency for Education under the Administration of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been assigned the tasks of expanding international cooperation in the field of quality assurance in education, joining international organizations in the field of quality assessment, and ensuring the international recognition of the national accreditation system.
To implement these tasks and further strengthen the international integration of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the field of higher education quality assurance while aligning the national accreditation system with international standards and best practices, the Agency conducted negotiations with the Central and Eastern European Network of Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (CEENQA). As a result, on 10 June 2026, the Agency officially obtained Full Membership in the network.
CEENQA was established on 13 October 2001 in Kraków, Poland, following the inaugural meeting held one year earlier in Budapest, Hungary, to initiate the creation of the network. In 2011, the organization officially adopted the acronym CEENQA and was registered as a non-profit association in Düsseldorf, Germany. CEENQA is an independent, non-governmental and non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening cooperation among quality assurance agencies, promoting harmonized quality assurance practices, and contributing to the development of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).
Today, CEENQA brings together 46 member organizations from 28 countries, including 44 Full Members and 2 Observer Members. The network serves as one of the leading regional platforms for strengthening cooperation among quality assurance agencies, facilitating the exchange of best practices, harmonizing external quality assurance approaches, and promoting continuous enhancement of higher education quality.
Obtaining Full Membership in CEENQA represents a significant milestone in Uzbekistan's integration into the international higher education community. It strengthens the country's position within the global academic landscape while enhancing the international recognition, credibility, and competitiveness of the national quality assurance and accreditation system.
CEENQA's primary mission is to strengthen cooperation among quality assurance agencies in Central and Eastern Europe, promote the exchange of best practices, support the harmonization of external quality assurance approaches, and contribute to the continuous improvement of higher education quality across the European Higher Education Area. Through conferences, seminars, professional development activities, and collaborative initiatives, the network fosters innovation and capacity building among its members.
Full Members — National external quality assurance agencies.
Intermediate Members — Sub-national or newly established quality assurance agencies.
Associate Members — Quality assurance-related networks and professional organizations.
Institutional Members — Higher education institutions committed to strengthening their internal quality assurance systems.