Since October 2022, the Code of Conduct regarding International Students in Higher Education (hereinafter: the Code of Conduct) has included a new provision requiring the National Commission to review all the institutions included in the register once every six years in light of specific articles. The review concerns Article 1 (definition of educational institution), Article 2.1(h) (information provision about the Code of Conduct), Article 5.2 (determination and application of minimum language requirements) and Article 6.2 (accreditation requirements for the study programmes offered). The review has been given the name Register Survey.
The main purpose of the survey is to determine whether educational institutions continue to comply with the Code of Conduct with regard to the aspects being reviewed. The results of the survey are intended to enable the National Commission to determine whether action is needed. The results will not be published, but rather will be used to highlight to institutions where improvement is needed in relation to certain aspects. In preparation for this survey, an inclusive and transparent approach, aligning with various stakeholders, was adopted. The resulting survey questions are in line with those used when an educational institution submits an initial request for inclusion in the Code of Conduct register.
The National Commission sees several positive outcomes from the initial edition of this Register Survey (2023/2024). Ten educational institutions were approached in 2023 and all agreed to take part. The survey did not reveal any findings that cast doubt on the institutions’ proper compliance with the Code of Conduct. Some information on this was already shared in the newsletter of June 2024.
In early 2025, the National Commission will again ask another 10 educational institutions to take part in the Register Survey. Before commencing the survey, further information will be provided in an online meeting. The educational institutions in question will be informed about this in a timely fashion.