AQUA's functions are:

• Evaluation, accreditation, and certification of the quality of learning and teaching leading to the obtaining of official degrees and of the different processes that may affect higher education institutions, with special attention to the framework of the European quality space.
• Evaluation, accreditation, and certification of basic and applied research activity of higher education institutions.
• Definition of guidelines, criteria, and indicators for the evaluation of quality in the fields of higher education and research in line with European and international standards.
• Development of studies for the improvement and innovation of the evaluation, certification, and accreditation processes of the higher education system.
• Issuance of evaluation reports addressed to higher education institutions, educational administration, social agents, and society in general.
• Advisory role for the educational administration, higher education institutions, and other institutions in the scope of its functions.*
• Establishment of cooperation links and collaboration protocols with other foreign agencies entrusted with evaluation, accreditation, and certification functions.
• Creation, modification, or elimination of fees and public prices, as well as their management and collection, by what is established by regulation.
• Any other functions derived from its activity or delegated to it by law.

* AQUA provides guidance that is exclusively advisory and educational in nature, always ensuring its independence and impartiality in evaluation and accreditation processes, in accordance with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is the collegial governing body of AQUA. It is composed of:

• Mrs Susanna Vela, President of the Legislative Committee on Education, Research, Culture, and Sports of the Andorran Parliament. She acts as the President of the Steering Committee.

• Mr Marc Magallón, Vice President of the Legislative Committee on Education, Research, Culture, and Sports of the Andorran Parliament.

• Mr Ladislau Baró, Minister of Institutional Relations, Education, and Universities.

• Mr Francesc Xavier Campuzano, Director of the Department of Higher Education, Research, and Technological Innovation of the Ministry of Institutional Relations, Education, and Universities.

• Dr Juli Minoves, Rector of Universitat d'Andorra.

• Dr Helena Prieto, Rector of Universitat Carlemany.

• Mr Joel A. Castillo, student at Universitat d'Andorra.

• Mr Jordi García, student at Universitas Europaea IMF.

• Mrs Mercè Arderiu, Representative of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services of Andorra.

• Dr José Ángel Domínguez, Professor at Universitat de Salamanca.

• Dr Isaac Galobardes, Director of AQUA. He acts as the secretary of the Steering Committee.

Management

The management function coordinates the development of actions proposed by the Steering Committee to achieve the policies and strategic objectives.

Dr Isaac Galobardes is the director of AQUA.  

Technical Team

The technical team consists of quality assurance technicians and junior quality assurance technicians. Their function is to carry out the tasks of the agency.

Evaluation Committee

The Evaluation Committee is responsible for issuing evaluation and accreditation reports for study programs and teaching staff. The functions of the Evaluation Committee are:

• Issuing and signing evaluation reports and accreditations.

• Proposing improvements to evaluation guidelines, criteria, and protocols for consideration by the Board Committee.

• Performing tasks assigned by the Board Committee.

The Evaluation Committee is composed of:

• Dr Carles Solà, professor of chemical engineering at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

• Dr Albert Sangrà, professor of education at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.

• Mr Gerard Esteruelas, representative of PhD candidates at the University of Barcelona.

• Dr Isaac Galobardes, president (director of AQUA).

Appeals Committee

The functions of the Appeals Committee are:

• Resolve appeals filed against the Evaluation Committee's resolutions or other resolutions AQUA issued.

• Issue review reports of appeals filed against resolutions of the Evaluation Committee or other resolutions issued by AQUA.

• Perform other functions assigned by the Steering Committee.

The Appeals Committee is composed of:

• Dr José Ángel Domínguez, Professor at the University of Salamanca and President of the Appeals Commission of AQUA.

• Ms Sandra Marcos, Deputy to the Rector for Quality at the Pontifical University of Salamanca.

• Mr Patrick Heinzer, Head of Quality at the University of Bonn (Germany).

• Ms Núria Comet, Head of Internal Quality and Project Coordinator at AQU Catalunya.

• Mr Alejandro Caravaca, PhD candidate in Educational Sciences at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

• Dr Mar Campins, Professor at the University of Barcelona.

AQUA  developed a strategic plan in 2023 for the three years.

You can consult the strategic plan here.

AQUA is governed by the following regulations:

• Decree 63/2021, of February 24, approving the Regulations of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in Andorra (AQUA)

• Law 23/2021, of October 14, on fees of the Agency for Quality in Higher Education of Andorra

• Decree 68/2022, of February 23, approving the modification of the Regulations of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in Andorra (AQUA)

• Law 1/2023, of January 19, amending Law 23/2021, of October 14, on fees of the Agency for Quality in Higher Education of Andorra

• Law 3/2025, of January 30, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education in Andorra (AQUA)