Reforms in Quality Assurance: A Response to Recent Challenges in a Transforming Higher Education Sector

Abstract

Higher education has been acknowledged by the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals as one of the drivers of change in a knowledge society. Yet, the sector is undergoing unprecedented changes and faces serious challenges. The chapter addresses these challenges in Europe and beyond: increasing demand (and inequality); different forms of diversification; digitalization and flexible learning pathways; internationalization in a world of growing populism; a return to basic values of higher education and, more recently, how to adapt to a global pandemic. The central role of quality assurance is emphasized and innovative developments in quality assurance in Europe and beyond are reviewed as a response to the demands of these increasing challenges.