STAR recently joined the European Quality Assurance Forum (EQAF), jointly organised each November by ENQA, EUA, EURASHE and ESU, took place this year under the theme “QA in times of crises – Ensuring stability, autonomy and international cooperation in higher education” on 12-14 November 2025 in Hungary.

Representing STAR, Prof. Dr. Hasan Ali Bıçak, Chair of the STAR Internationalization Committee, attended the keynote sessions and parallel presentations from Wednesday to Friday. STAR also joined the networking sessions together with the Turkish Higher Education Quality Council (THEQC–YÖKAK). The event provided a valuable platform for observing policy trends and developments shaping the European QA landscape.

Throughout the Forum, discussions focused on how quality assurance can act as a stabilising force during periods of political, economic and technological disruption. Sessions highlighted the need for flexible, agile and forward-looking QA systems capable of preserving academic autonomy, safeguarding educational quality and sustaining international cooperation even under challenging national circumstances.

During the Forum, STAR had the opportunity to expand its international network, including engagement with the National Committee for Qualifications and Academic Accreditation (NCQAA) and the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR). In addition, discussions were held with the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA) and the Hungarian Accreditation Committee (MAB) regarding STAR’s planned Staff Exchange Programme, expected to take place soon. As part of this initiative, the teams will meet online to share institutional practices on programme evaluation and QA processes.

EQAF 2025 once again demonstrated the importance of international dialogue, cooperation and shared learning in strengthening quality assurance frameworks across diverse higher education systems. STAR’s active participation contributed to both its visibility and its expanding network of global partnerships.