Institutional Governance
Governance built on independence, accountability, and professional judgment. Effective quality assurance depends on the integrity of the body responsible for administering it.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is responsible for institutional direction, policy approval, financial oversight, and the long-term sustainability of the organization.
The Board provides strategic leadership while safeguarding the independence and integrity of the Council’s accreditation activities.
Principal responsibilities
- 01Establish the Council’s strategic direction and institutional priorities.
- 02Approve accreditation standards, major policies, and governance arrangements.
- 03Oversee institutional finances, financial accountability, and organizational sustainability.
- 04Safeguard the independence and credibility of accreditation activities.
- 05Authorize appropriate institutional partnerships and external engagements.
- 06Evaluate executive leadership and monitor organizational performance.
- 07Ensure the Council’s activities remain consistent with its mission and applicable legal obligations.
Accreditation Commission
The professional body responsible for overseeing institutional accreditation evaluation and making accreditation decisions under the Council’s approved standards and procedures.
The Commission operates with appropriate independence from institutional applicants, commercial influence, and administrative interference.
Principal responsibilities
- 01Review and recommend improvements to accreditation criteria.
- 02Oversee institutional evaluation procedures.
- 03Appoint or authorize qualified institutional review teams.
- 04Review self-study reports, evaluation findings, and institutional responses.
- 05Make accreditation decisions within its formally delegated authority.
- 06Determine applicable conditions and monitoring requirements.
- 07Review institutional compliance and accreditation renewal matters.
- 08Authorize appropriate public disclosure of accreditation outcomes.
Decision-making procedures provide for reviewer independence, conflict-of-interest management, documented deliberations, and clear institutional notification.
Standards & Ethics Committee
Responsible for promoting ethical conduct, procedural fairness, and integrity in the Council’s activities.
Principal responsibilities
- 01Maintain and recommend updates to the Council’s Code of Ethics.
- 02Oversee conflict-of-interest requirements.
- 03Review allegations of ethical misconduct.
- 04Examine complaints and appeals within its delegated jurisdiction.
- 05Recommend corrective measures when ethical breaches are established.
- 06Promote transparency and procedural consistency.
- 07Prepare periodic ethics and compliance reports for the appropriate governing authority.
Regional Councils
Regional Councils support the Council’s engagement with institutions across different regions, within the policies approved by the Board of Trustees.
They are not decision-making bodies for accreditation; formal decisions remain with the Accreditation Commission.
Principal responsibilities
- 01Support awareness of the Council’s standards and procedures within their regions.
- 02Advise on regional higher education contexts and national regulatory environments.
- 03Facilitate professional learning and the exchange of quality assurance practice.
- 04Support approved international and regional partnerships.
- 05Refer complaints and concerns to the appropriate Council body.
- 06Report on regional activities to the Executive Secretariat.
Academic Advisory Council
Provides professional guidance on higher education quality, academic standards, curriculum relevance, and emerging educational developments.
Its role is advisory, not a substitute for the Accreditation Commission’s formal decision-making responsibilities.
Principal responsibilities
- 01Advise on academic standards and educational quality.
- 02Recommend improvements to curriculum evaluation criteria.
- 03Examine developments in higher education and professional practice.
- 04Support appropriate alignment between education and workforce needs.
- 05Provide guidance on faith and values integration.
- 06Contribute to professional learning and institutional development initiatives.
Executive structure
Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer
Provides executive leadership, manages institutional operations, implements approved policies, and reports to the Board of Trustees.
Deputy Director, Accreditation
Coordinates accreditation applications, institutional evaluation procedures, reviewer administration, and accreditation records.
Deputy Director, Research and Quality Assurance
Supports standards development, institutional research, quality assurance publications, and professional development activities.
Deputy Director, International Relations
Coordinates approved international engagement, institutional partnerships, and regional relations.
Program Officers
Support membership administration, institutional communications, events, reporting, and compliance monitoring.
Administrative and Communications Personnel
Maintain institutional records, official correspondence, publications, and operational support services.