Malta Education Regulator Faces Setback After EQAR Rejection

Malta’s national body responsible for accrediting universities and higher education institutions has suffered a major blow after twice failing to secure membership in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR). The Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) saw both its original application and its appeal rejected — a significant development that the Education Ministry, led by Minister Clifton Grima, did not make public.

This dual rejection by EQAR casts serious doubt over the integrity and standards of Malta’s educational accreditation processes, raising alarms about transparency, independence, and effective governance within the sector.

EQAR’s critical findings on MFHEA operations

The European Quality Assurance Register’s evaluation was the result of a detailed examination of the MFHEA’s procedures and practices. Its conclusions were highly critical. The review determined that Malta’s regulatory agency failed to meet the rigorous criteria expected of European accreditation bodies, seriously undermining confidence in its operations.

Key deficiencies identified included:

• Transparency issues: The accreditation process lacked clarity, leaving stakeholders uncertain about how decisions were reached.
• Excessive political interference: EQAR highlighted that the MFHEA operated under significant governmental influence, raising questions about its independence.
• Weak oversight mechanisms: Once institutions were accredited, there were few effective measures to ensure they continued to meet required standards.

The evaluation also found that the MFHEA frequently relied on “desktop reviews” rather than undertaking robust, in-person evaluations through external experts — a practice well below European expectations, where site visits and thorough evidence-gathering are standard.

Accreditation procedures under scrutiny

The EQAR review identified systemic flaws in how Malta’s education regulator handled accreditation. Instead of demanding detailed self-assessment reports from applicants, the MFHEA often accepted brief application forms. Moreover, there was little to no structured follow-up after accreditation was granted, putting the ongoing quality of Malta’s higher education institutions into question.

The absence of site inspections and the overreliance on documentation meant that the MFHEA was approving institutions without properly verifying key aspects such as campus facilities, teaching quality, and governance standards.

As the EQAR report stated:

“The committee noted the panel’s concerns on a number of shortcomings related to the programme and provider accreditation procedures, such as short application forms instead of self-evaluation reports for some procedures, no site visits and lack of consistent follow-up.”

Concerns over MFHEA’s autonomy

Perhaps the most damaging aspect of the review was the conclusion that the MFHEA lacked true independence from the Maltese government. The governance structure of the authority, where all board members are appointed directly by the Prime Minister or the Education Minister, was cited as a significant concern.

Further exacerbating the issue was the lack of clear boundaries between the Quality Assurance Committee and the MFHEA board, a structural weakness that undermined impartiality.

As the EQAR committee put it:

“The Register Committee expressed concerns that the agency’s organisational independence is limited due to its strong ties and dependency on the government. This issue is exacerbated by the small size of the higher education system.”

Silence from MFHEA leadership amid growing criticism

According to information obtained by The Shift, the rejection by EQAR came as an unexpected blow to the MFHEA. Sources indicate that CEO Rose Anne Cuschieri personally championed the EQAR application. In efforts to improve her own and the authority’s image, she reportedly spent public funds on paid features in both local and international publications.

However, Cuschieri has refused to respond to media inquiries regarding her role in the failed application and whether she plans to accept responsibility for the outcome, adding to the growing perception of opacity at the top levels of the MFHEA.

Track record of controversial decisions

The failures outlined by EQAR are not isolated incidents. Over the years, several controversial decisions by the MFHEA have attracted criticism and may have contributed to its damaged international reputation.

One notable case involves the accreditation of the American University of Malta (AUM). Despite widespread doubts about AUM’s academic standing and facilities, the MFHEA granted it accreditation, raising serious concerns both locally and abroad.

Another controversy involved the International European University (IEU), a Ukrainian institution operating in Gzira. Even after receiving numerous student complaints describing the university as a scam, the MFHEA renewed its temporary license, prompting further questions about its commitment to protecting students and upholding academic quality.

Leadership under increasing pressure

Edward Woods, a lawyer, currently chairs the MFHEA following his appointment in February 2023. However, neither Woods nor the MFHEA leadership has publicly addressed the criticisms raised by EQAR or announced any concrete steps toward reform.

Calls for change are growing louder within the academic community. Without decisive leadership and meaningful reforms, experts warn that the MFHEA risks further eroding confidence in Malta’s higher education sector.

Wider repercussions for Malta’s education system

The implications of MFHEA’s failure to secure EQAR membership extend beyond the authority itself. Maltese universities and higher education institutions may struggle to establish collaborations with European counterparts, participate in student exchange programs, or have their degrees recognized across Europe.

For students, the consequences could be even more personal and profound. Degrees from institutions in a country whose regulator is not listed with EQAR may be perceived as inferior, limiting job prospects and opportunities for further education abroad.

At a time when Malta seeks to bolster its reputation as an attractive destination for international students and researchers, the credibility of its entire educational framework has been severely compromised.

Urgent need for comprehensive reform

There is growing consensus among stakeholders that immediate and fundamental reforms are necessary to restore faith in Malta’s higher education system. Key demands include:

• A complete overhaul of the accreditation process to ensure greater transparency
• Stronger safeguards to guarantee the regulator’s independence from political influence
• Mandatory site visits and evaluations by external academic experts
• Clear accountability mechanisms for leadership failings
• Full disclosure of accreditation application processes and outcomes

Without these changes, Malta risks isolating itself academically and economically within the European higher education community.

Conclusion

The Malta Further and Higher Education Authority’s failure to attain membership in the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education represents a major setback for the nation’s academic ambitions. The EQAR’s critical findings exposed significant flaws in Malta’s accreditation processes, from compromised independence and transparency to inadequate quality assurance mechanisms.

As Malta seeks to position itself as a leader in the international education sector, the credibility of its regulatory institutions must be above reproach. Unless immediate reforms are enacted to restore independence, transparency, and rigor, Malta’s educational institutions — and the students who depend on them — will continue to suffer the consequences. The time for decisive action is now if Malta wishes to rebuild its reputation and secure a competitive future in European and global academia.

FAQs

What is EQAR and why is it important?
The European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) is a registry that lists reliable quality assurance agencies operating in line with European standards.

Why did Malta’s MFHEA fail to join EQAR?
The MFHEA failed due to shortcomings in transparency, independence from government, and inadequate accreditation procedures.

What are the consequences for Malta’s universities?
Without EQAR recognition, Maltese universities may struggle with international partnerships and degree recognition across Europe.

Who leads the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority?
The MFHEA is chaired by lawyer Edward Woods and led operationally by CEO Rose Anne Cuschieri.

What were the main criticisms of the MFHEA by EQAR?
The main criticisms included lack of transparency, excessive government control, no site visits during accreditation, and poor follow-up.

What controversial decisions has MFHEA made?
Controversial decisions include accrediting the American University of Malta and renewing a licence for the International European University despite complaints.

Why is independence from government important for accreditation bodies?
Independence ensures that accreditation decisions are based on academic merit and standards rather than political influence.

What steps are being called for to reform MFHEA?
Calls for reform include ensuring transparency, operational independence, rigorous assessments, and leadership accountability.

How did the Education Ministry respond to the EQAR rejection?
The Education Ministry did not publicly disclose the failure, leading to criticism about lack of transparency.

What is the risk for Maltese students studying locally?
Students risk having their degrees devalued internationally due to Malta’s regulator failing to meet recognized European quality standards.