CNA - Agreement 01 - 2020

1

AGREEMENT No.01 DE 2020

(July 01, 2020)

Whereby the regulations, functions and integration of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) are defined

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF HIGHER EDUCATION

(CESU)

Pursuant to its legal powers, especially those set out in Article 54 of Law 30/1992 "Whereby the public service of Higher Education is organized".

IT IS HEREBY AGREED:

CHAPTER I

NATURE, MISSION AND FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL

ACCREDITATION COUNCIL

Article 1. Nature. The National Accreditation Council (CNA, for the Spanish original) is a sectoral advisory and coordinating body created by Article 54 of Law 30/1992, of an academic nature, with the functions of coordination, planning, recommendation and advice on the accreditation of higher education institutions and academic programs in Colombia. Article 2. Mission. The mission of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) is to lead the development and conceptual enrichment of the National Accreditation System, through the development of theoretical documents and guidelines, in close collaboration with the country's academic and scientific communities, with the endorsement of the National Council of Higher Education (CESU, for the Spanish original). It will also ensure society that the institutions that are part of the National2

Accreditation System provided for in Article 53 of Law 30/1992, comply with the requirements of high quality while fulfilling their purposes and objectives in accordance with their legal nature, identity, mission and type. Article 3. Functions. The functions of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) are as follows: a) Promote the accreditation processes of higher education institutions and academic programs in Colombia. To this end, t he National Accreditation Council (CNA) will provide technical assistance, support and training to promote the consolidation and permanent strengthening of excellence.

as follows: a) Promote the accreditation processes of higher education institutions and academic programs in Colombia. To this end, t he National Accreditation Council (CNA) will provide technical assistance, support and training to promote the consolidation and permanent strengthening of excellence. b) Follow up and periodically assess the High Quality Accreditation Model, and submit reports to the National Council of Higher Education (CESU), giving an account of its implementation and evolution. c) Develop and periodically update guidelines for the accreditation of higher education institutions and academic programs, in response to social, lo cal, regional, and national dynamics, as well as international trends. The guidelines will be submitted to the National Council of Higher Education (CESU) for review and approval. d) Recommend to the Ministry of National Education the accreditation of Colombian higher education institutions and academic programs that have successfully passed the assessment process, in accordance with the guidelines and procedures that make up the High Quality Accreditation Model. e) Provide the institutions, within a framework of confidentiality, with the relevant recommendations for improvement when, as a result of the comprehensive assessment, it considers that the high quality conditions for achieving the accreditation of the institution or academic program have not been achieved. f) Promote the culture of self -assessment and continuous improvement, as an ongoing task of the country's institutions and as an integral part of the high quality accreditation process. g) Promote the cooperation and exchange of information, resources and go od practices between Colombian and foreign institutions. h) Promote the transfer of knowledge and information of different accreditation systems around the world, to enrich the activities of encouragement and qualification of the processes of self -assessment, external assessment and continuous improvement of higher education institutions and academic3

programs in Colombia. i) Promote and contribute to the interconnection of the different accreditation systems so that they support topics such as: international accreditations and certifications, student and professor mobility, recognition of qualifications, validation of credits, recognition of levels of study and academic programs.

programs in Colombia. i) Promote and contribute to the interconnection of the different accreditation systems so that they support topics such as: international accreditations and certifications, student and professor mobility, recognition of qualifications, validation of credits, recognition of levels of study and academic programs. j) Encourage and promote research, reflection and analysis of the current dynamics of hi gher education from the perspective of assessment and accreditation. k) Promote and support the conclusion of multilateral agreements with international accreditation agencies, for the benefit of advancing the excellence of higher education in Colombia. l) Promote and conduct studies on the quality of higher education, good practices, experiences, trends and perspectives of higher education and accreditation, to provide feedback to the academic community. m) Promote processes of ongoing improvement and qualification of academic programs of higher education at the international level. n) Any others that defined by the National Council of Higher Education (CESU), in accordance with its competencies and the provisions established by law. Paragraph. For the purposes of this resolution, the term "institutions" means higher education institutions and all those authorized by law to offer and develop academic programs of higher education.

CHAPTER II

COMPOSITION, REQUIREMENTS AND ORGANIZATION

Article 4. Composition. The National Accreditation Council (CNA) will be comprised of nine (9) academics of the highest scientific, academic and professional qualities, of national and international distinction, belonging to the Colombian academic community, who wil l be appointed by the National Council of Higher Education (CESU) as a result of public calls for applications, in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 hereof.4

The National Council of Higher Education (CESU) will make its best efforts to integrate t he National Accreditation Council (CNA) with experts from different regions of the country, who are or have been working with institutions of different

provisions of Article 8 hereof.4

The National Council of Higher Education (CESU) will make its best efforts to integrate t he National Accreditation Council (CNA) with experts from different regions of the country, who are or have been working with institutions of different legal nature, identity, mission and type, without being able to appoint two (2) or more persons working with the same institution. In any case, it will be ensured that each of the areas of knowledge established in the National Information System for Higher Education (SNIES, for the Spanish original) are represented and that at least one (1) of the members has experience in academic and assessment processes of quality at the professional technical and technological levels and one (1) member has experience in academic and assessment processes in distance, virtual, hybrid modalities or the combinations thereof. Paragraph 1. Individuals holding the permanent or temporary position of President, Director, Registered Agent, Vice President or Registrar of an institution cannot apply to become a member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). Paragraph 2. None of the Council members will act on behalf on any institution or association. Article 5. Council Member profile. Being appointed as a member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) is a great honor and responsibility that the Colombian higher educ ation system confers upon those who, based on their academic performance, in -depth knowledge, holistic understanding of higher education and because of their ethics, have achieved the national and international recognition of academic and scientific communities. This status requires the commitment of time and dedication to the purposes of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) and in general to the National Accreditation System, which must be fulfilled through collaborative work with the other members of the Council, maintaining the absolute confidentiality of the information learned through high quality accreditation processes and acting without bias prejudice and particular interests, thus enabling members to recognize and value the diversity of academic programs and institutions. The members of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) must have skills and

of the Council, maintaining the absolute confidentiality of the information learned through high quality accreditation processes and acting without bias prejudice and particular interests, thus enabling members to recognize and value the diversity of academic programs and institutions. The members of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) must have skills and abilities in the areas of leadership, listening and verbal fluency, argumentative and reflective capacity, and the aptitudes of analysis and integratio n of knowledge acquired in different fields of study. Article 6. Requirements to be a member of the National Accreditation Council5

(CNA). To be a member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA), the following requirements must be met: a) Having an academic qualification at the doctoral level or a medical/surgical specialization. b) Being of having been a full time professor at institutions for at least ten (10) years or part time with a workload equivalent to ten (10) years as a full time professor. c) Accrediting experience in academic administration positions in institutions for at least seven (7) years. d) Demonstrating a track record in research, technological development or innovation and projects in groups recognized or classified by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. e) Demonstrating knowledge of the National Higher Education Quality Assurance System, its components, bodies, regul ations, processes, projection and mechanisms of articulation with the National Accreditation System. f) Demonstrating participation in the implementation and execution of at least one higher education institution or academic program accreditation process with the National Accreditation Council (CNA) in the last five (5) years. g) Accrediting experience in quality assessment processes of higher education at the national or international level. h) Not being under any of the grounds of disqualification, ineligibility, incompatibility or conflict of interest established in the Political Constitution and the law. i) Not having any current criminal, disciplinary, fiscal or administrative penalties.

at the national or international level. h) Not being under any of the grounds of disqualification, ineligibility, incompatibility or conflict of interest established in the Political Constitution and the law. i) Not having any current criminal, disciplinary, fiscal or administrative penalties.

Paragraph 1. In accordance with the provisions of Article 8 hereof, in the instructions for each call for applications, the Ministry of National Education provide information on how candidates must accredit each of the requirements established therein. Paragraph 2. When necessary, experience in the production sector will be required, in accordance with the area of knowledge and the profile set out in the call for applications. Article 7. Selection of the members of the National Accreditation Council6

(CNA). The National Council of Higher Education (CESU), with the support of its Technical Secretariat, is the body responsible for selecting the members of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). This process will be carried out by the Ministry of National Education through public calls for applications, in accordance with the requirements of Article 6, in compliance with the stages and activities established in Article 8 hereof and the merit-based assessment procedures. Article 8. Process to select the members of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). The process to select the member s of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) will be carried out in accordance with the following stages and activities:

Stage I: Publication of the call for applications, registration and verification of requirements

Stage I activities

1. Publication of the call for applications and its instructions.

2. Submission of requests for clarification regarding the instructions.

3. Response to the requests for clarification.

4. Registration to participate in the selection process.

5. Verification of requirements to become a member of the National Accreditation Council and grounds for exclusion.

6. Publication of the list of eligible and excluded candidates.

7. Term for rectification.

8. Verification of documents provided during the term for rectification.

9. Publication of the preliminary list of eligible candidates to participate in the

Accreditation Council and grounds for exclusion.

6. Publication of the list of eligible and excluded candidates.

7. Term for rectification.

8. Verification of documents provided during the term for rectification.

9. Publication of the preliminary list of eligible candidates to participate in the selection process.

10. Receipt of requests, complaints or claims regarding the preliminary list of eligible candidates to participate in the selection process.

11. Response to the requests, complaints or claims regarding the preliminary list of eligible candidates to participate in the selection process.

12. Publication of the final list of eligible candidates to take the knowledge and psychometric tests.

13. Call to take knowledge tests.7

14. Administration of knowledge tests.

15. Publication of the results on the knowledge tests.

16. Term to file requests, complaints or claims regarding the results on the knowledge tests.

17. Response to the requests, complaints or claims regarding the results on the knowledge tests.

18. Call to take psychometric tests.

19. Administration of psychometric tests.

Stage II - Interviews, selection and appointment Stage II activities

1. Publication of the shortlist of candidates and call to interview

2. Interviews

3. Selection of the new Council member

4. Notice of appointment of the selected candidate

5. Appointment of the new member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) before the National Council of Higher Education (CESU).

The Ministry of National Education will give the respective instructions to carry out the stages and activities of the call for applications in each selection process. Paragraph. If the provisions of Article 10 (a) of this Agreement are met, the selection process must begin at least six (6) months prior to the end of the Council member's term. For the situations described in the other items of said Article, the selection process of the new member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) must begin within two (2) months following the date on which the National Cou ncil of Higher Education (CESU) became aware of the occurrence of the respective grounds.

term. For the situations described in the other items of said Article, the selection process of the new member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) must begin within two (2) months following the date on which the National Cou ncil of Higher Education (CESU) became aware of the occurrence of the respective grounds. Article 9. Term of the Council members. The members of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) will have a term of five (5) years and may not be reelected. The appoi ntment as a member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) is nondelegable. Paragraph. If a replacement has not been appointed by the end of the term of a member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA), it will be understood that8

his/her term has been extended until the appointment of the new Council member. In any case, the extension may not exceed three (3) months, during which time the new Council member must be appointed through the process set out in Article 8 hereof. Article 10. Loss of member ship on the National Accreditation Council. Membership on the National Accreditation Council (CNA) is lost upon: a) Termination of the term for which the member was appointed. b) Death. c) Permanent disability preventing the member from carrying out his/her functions. Resignation as a member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) accepted by the National Council of Higher Education (CESU) d) Judgment or decision of a competent body declaring the corresponding liability e) and/or ineligibility of the member due to act s committed before or during his/her term or situations occurred during the practice of his/her profession. f) Being the subject of criminal, disciplinary, fiscal or administrative penalties while serving as a member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA).

Article 11. Ad hoc Council member. An ad hoc Council member shall be appointed in the following situations:

f) Being the subject of criminal, disciplinary, fiscal or administrative penalties while serving as a member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA).

Article 11. Ad hoc Council member. An ad hoc Council member shall be appointed in the following situations: a) When any of the grounds under Article 10 (b) through (f) hereof is incurred, the National Council of Higher Education (CESU) shall appoint an ac ademic who has been a member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) on a previous occasion, as an ad hoc Council member. The ad hoc Council member shall comply with the profile defined herein and represent the missing area of knowledge. The appointmen t shall be made for a maximum term of three (3) months, and may be extended once for an equal term. b) When a member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) must be absent from his/her functions as a Council member for a term of three (3) months or more, as a result of medical disability or leave of absence duly granted by the National Council of Higher Education (CESU). In this case, the appointment shall be made in accordance with the provisions set forth in the preceding item.9

Article 12. Organization. The National Accreditation Council (CNA) shall be organized and composed as follows: a) General Accreditation Chamber: Comprised of the nine (9) members referred to in Article 4 hereof.

b) Coordination of the CNA: The National Accreditation Council (CNA) shall elect a Coordinator from among the Council members of the General Chamber, who will chair the sessions and act as a spokesperson before the Ministry of National Education, the CESU and other bodies of the educational sector. The Coordinator shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of Article 13 hereof. c) Special Temporary Chambers: The National Council of Higher Education (CESU) may authorize the creation of special temporary chambers with the required number of members, in accordance with the specific assessment

sector. The Coordinator shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of Article 13 hereof. c) Special Temporary Chambers: The National Council of Higher Education (CESU) may authorize the creation of special temporary chambers with the required number of members, in accordance with the specific assessment needs of the academic programs or institutions. The minutes of authorization shall define the integration mechanism and shall in any case be subject to the provisions of Article 17 hereof. d) Technical Commissions: The National Accreditation Council (CNA) shall have a technical commission that may be composed of academic experts who have been members of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) in previous terms, Colombian or foreign academic experts, representatives of the Colombian Institute for the Promotion of Higher Education, heads of the Colombian Institute for Educational Credit and Technical Studies Abroad founded by Mariano Ospina Pérez(ICETEX, for the Spanish original), the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, the academic and scientific communities in general, the advisory bodies of the National Government, the associations involved in the development of higher education and the productive sector. This commission will meet when called by the Coordinator of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) and at least once per semester. Participation in these sessions will not entail the payment of any fees. In any case, the National Accreditation Council may propose the creation of transitory advisory or technical commissions to study and provide specific support in matters related to its functions. These commissions will require prior approval by the National Council of Higher Education (CESU) and their composition will be defined by the National Accreditation Council (CNA).10

e) Technical Secretariat: For its operation, the National Accreditation Council (CNA) will have a Technical Secretariat comprised by personnel of the Accreditation Group of the Higher Education Quality Assurance Subdivision appointed by the Ministry of National Education, who will fulfill the duties set out in Article 18 hereof. Whoever ho lds the position of Coordinator of the

(CNA) will have a Technical Secretariat comprised by personnel of the Accreditation Group of the Higher Education Quality Assurance Subdivision appointed by the Ministry of National Education, who will fulfill the duties set out in Article 18 hereof. Whoever ho lds the position of Coordinator of the Accreditation Group shall also play the role of Technical Secretary of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). f) Academic peers: The external assessment stage of the accreditation process shall be carried out with the support of academic peers appointed by the National Accreditation Council (CNA) from the peer database who shall fulfill the duties set out in Article 19 hereof.

Article 13. Coordinator of the National Accreditation Council - Election and periodicity. The Coordinator of the National Accreditation Council (CNA), who shall fulfill the duties set out in Article 16 hereof, shall be chosen through an election, which shall be held in an ordinary session and shall require a simple majority of the votes of the members of this body. The term of the Coordinator will be one (1) year and he/she may be re-elected for the same term, just once, as long as his/her term as member of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) is in force.

CHAPTER III

FUNCTIONS AND RIGHTS

Article 14. Functions of the members of the National Accreditation Council. The functions of the members of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) are as follows: a) Conduct visits to review the initial conditions of academic programs and institutions, the support visits requested by the institutions and follow-up and assessment visits. b) Review external assessment reports submitted by academic peers and request any adjustments necessary. c) Select the academic peers to conduct the external assessment visits of academic programs and institutions.11

d) Study the documents of the accreditation processes submitted for their consideration, and prior to each session, prepare the presentations for examination and approval at the plenary session of the National Accreditation Council (CNA).

academic programs and institutions.11

d) Study the documents of the accreditation processes submitted for their consideration, and prior to each session, prepare the presentations for examination and approval at the plenary session of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). e) Attend the ordinary and extraordinary sessions, abstaining from participating in the discussions and votes that refer to the institution or institutions with which they have a legal, regulatory, labor or civil relationship or have had such a relationship during the last five (5) years. f) Participate in the examination and assessment of the accreditation processes and in the other decisions and issues on the agendas of each session. g) Present reports at the sessions of the General Chamber, regarding the results of the processes assigned, visits carried out and reports requested by the Coordinator or the Technical Secretariat of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). h) Sign the concepts, recommendations, reports and other documents issued by the National Accreditation Council (CNA). i) Participate in meetings and events convened by the Ministry of National Education related to accreditation, quality assurance and other topics. j) By delegation of the National Council of Higher Education (CESU), represent the National Accreditation Council (CNA) before national and international organizations in which it serves or to which it is invited as an accrediting institution. k) Attend the calls or summonses of the National Council of Higher Education (CESU). l) Any others assigned by the National Council of Higher Education (CESU).

Article 15. Duties of the members of the National Accreditation Council. The duties of the members of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) are as follows: a) Refrain from giving advice to institutions. b) Examine the matters assigned with rigor, diligence and impartiality. c) Report to the plenary session any ethical or contractual situations that would prevent them from participating in dealing with the matters assigned.12

d) Comply with the provis ions regarding ineligibilities and incompatibilities,

c) Report to the plenary session any ethical or contractual situations that would prevent them from participating in dealing with the matters assigned.12

d) Comply with the provis ions regarding ineligibilities and incompatibilities, conflict of interest and prohibitions established in the Constitution and the law. e) Maintain the absolute confidentiality of the information known on the occasion of their condition as Council members. f) When representing the National Accreditation Council (CNA) as delegates on boards of directors or in national and international academic events, provide an oral and written report in the session after the event, to the General Chamber of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). The written report will be the requirement to legalize the commission and must contain information on the date, objectives of the event, steps taken, conclusions and commitments agreed. g) Request the authorization of the National Council of Higher Education (CESU) for the temporary separation from their exercise as Council members due to medical disability or the fulfillment of commissions to study abroad. h) Be familiar with, observe and comply with this Agreement and the complementary rules. i) Act with transparency, integrity and honesty in the performance of their duties. j) Any others assigned by the National Council of Higher Education (CESU).

Article 16. Rights of the members of the National Accreditation Council. The rights of the members of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) are as follows: a) Participate in the sessions of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) with a say and voting rights. b) Attend national and international events delegated to them as representatives of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). c) Be excused for up to two (2) consecutive absences from the sessions of the National Accreditation Council (CNA), as long as they are duly justified to the Coordinator and the Technical Secretariat. d) Disagree with the position adopted by other members of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) in cases where they so determine and justify their disagreement to the Chamber.

National Accreditation Council (CNA), as long as they are duly justified to the Coordinator and the Technical Secretariat. d) Disagree with the position adopted by other members of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) in cases where they so determine and justify their disagreement to the Chamber. e) Justifiably request extensions from the Coordinator of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) for the sub mission of their reports or13

presentations. Said extension are granted one time only and for the term established by the General Chamber or the Coordinator, which may be no longer than the term initially granted. f) Punctually receive the fees established for their activities, following submission of the invoice or bill as applicable, along with any other documents and requirements established in the current regulations. Article 17. Duties of the Coordinator of the National Accreditation Council. The duties of the Coordinator of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) are as follows: a) Call for and chair the ordinary and extraordinary sessions of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). b) Coordinate the agenda of activities for each session of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). c) Establish efficient mechanisms to respond to the academic community that submits questions or queries regarding the processes and functions of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). d) To guide the plans, programs , activities and projects carried out by the National Accreditation Council (CNA), in accordance with its functions. e) As defined by the National Council of Higher Education (CESU), represent the National Accreditation Council (CNA) before national and inter national organizations in which it serves or the scenarios in which it is invited as an accrediting institution. f) Submit a quarterly management report to the National Council of Higher Education (CESU), in order to ensure the fulfillment of the goals of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). g) Submit the annual action plan of the National Accreditation Council (CNA) to the National Council of Higher Education (CESU).

f) Submit a quarterly management report to the National Council of Higher Education (CESU), in order to ensure the fulfillment of the goals of the National Accreditation Council (CNA). g) Submit the a