The UK ENIC Quality and Standards Group (NQSG) came into effect on February 1st 2014, an amalgamation of the former UK ENIC Quality Standards and Core Service Monitoring Groups. The establishment of the NQSG is reflective of the evolving demands placed on UK ENIC and recognises the need for increased engagement and participation from UK ENIC stakeholders and members.

The principal function of the NQSG is to support UK ENIC in safeguarding its standards through the effective delivery of its services whilst maintaining high quality service provision. The group provides feedback and advice to UK ENIC operational units. Group membership is diverse and provides for a broad representation of experience and professional expertise that supports the development of UK ENIC services and methodological work.

In accordance with the UK ENIC contract with the Department for Education (DfE), the NQSG is specifically tasked to support UK ENIC in:

• Assuring the quality of information provision and the recognition process and procedures in place, having regard to the Lisbon Recognition Convention, the ENIC-ENIC service requirements and the UK ENIC Code of Practice for the Recognition of International Qualifications;
• Monitoring the quality and delivery of the ENIC Services according to the conditions set out in the ENIC contract;
• Advising on the direction and the organisation of the information development programmes;
• Advising on the content and presentation of the principal ENIC databases and relevant information provision;
• Assisting in the validation of recommendations and statements accorded to international qualifications;
• Advising on the UK ENIC Evaluation Criteria;
• Advising on the UK ENIC process and procedures, including the consideration of appeal cases against UK ENIC decisions, both formally and on a case-by-case basis;
• Providing advice on the range and appropriateness of ENIC services.

The NQSG meets twice a year. The basis of its work is the consideration of ENIC progress reports, which includes reporting on work programmes, performance indicators and statistical analyses.

The NQSG reports annually on its recommendations and offers a view on the ENIC service to the UK ENIC Council, which is responsible for the overall strategy and direction of the ENIC function, providing professional advice and guidance.

The work of the QSG requires the support of the stakeholders of UK ENIC services from higher and further education sectors, employment advisory services, the quality and accreditation sector, UK qualifications and awarding bodies, the professional / regulatory sector, education statutory bodies and national agencies. The membership of the Group should be proposed by UK ENIC based on its knowledge and experience and be approved by the contract authority.

The current representatives who sit on the QSG are:

• Chris Lyons - UK ENIC (chair)
• Ben Adams - Ofqual
• Alex Bols - GuildHE
• John Bramwell - Independent
• Richard Budd - Lancaster University
• Bella Malins - Russell Group & University College London
• Ann Lamb - Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
• Emma Meredith - Association of Colleges (AOC)
• Petra Olsson - Cambridge Assessment International Education
• Frances Rowan - Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)
• Andy Smith - Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)
• Ula Tang-Plowman - British Universities' International Liaison Association (BUILA)
• Katy Turff - Engineering Council
• Stephen Vickers - Independent
• Lawrence Watson - Independent
• Pamela Wilkinson - Department for Education