CHEA and ANQAHE Establish the CHEA–ANQAHE Gateway to Advance Quality and Recognition in Higher Education
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHEA and ANQAHE Establish the CHEA–ANQAHE Gateway to Advance Quality and Recognition in Higher Education
New partnership enhances collaboration on higher education quality assurance between CHEA and ANQAHE
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia / Washington, D.C. — November 16, 2025
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ANQAHE) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the CHEA–ANQAHE Gateway, a strategic platform to strengthen collaboration in higher education quality assurance, recognition, and institutional engagement across the Arab region.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Nasser H. Paydar, President of CHEA, and Dr. Nadia Badrawi, President of ANQAHE, during the 6th ANQAHE Conference in Riyadh, under the theme “Engaging Stakeholders to Ensure Quality and Continuous Improvement.”
The CHEA–ANQAHE Gateway aims to promote cooperation between regional and global quality assurance communities through shared research, policy dialogue, and capacity-building activities. Under the MOU, CHEA will continue its leadership in recognition and institutional membership development, while ANQAHE will lead regional implementation and outreach.
“This partnership is built on trust, respect, and a shared commitment to the continuous improvement of higher education,” said Dr. Nasser Paydar, President of CHEA. “The Gateway allows us to connect CHEA’s recognition framework and institutional network with ANQAHE’s deep regional expertise, helping quality assurance bodies and universities learn from one another.”
Dr. Nadia Badrawi, President of ANQAHE, stated, “The Gateway reflects our shared vision for collaboration among regional and international partners. It creates meaningful opportunities for Arab universities and quality assurance agencies to engage with CHEA’s recognition and membership programs, contributing to the global dialogue on academic quality.”
Through the Gateway, CHEA and ANQAHE will jointly organize events, co-author policy briefs in Arabic and English, and promote professional exchange on issues such as recognition, student protection, and institutional autonomy. All activities will be co-branded and jointly managed by both organizations through a Joint Steering Committee.
# # #
About CHEA
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization representing colleges and universities and recognizing institutional and programmatic accreditors. Through the CHEA International Quality Group (CIQG), CHEA promotes global cooperation and quality assurance rooted in institutional integrity, academic freedom, and student success.
About ANQAHE
The Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ANQAHE) is a regional organization that brings together quality assurance agencies across the Arab region to advance educational quality, support regional collaboration, and align with global developments in higher education.
Media Contacts:
Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) – Washington, D.C.
Email: [email protected] | Website: www.chea.org
Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ANQAHE) – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Email: i[email protected] | Website: www.anqahe.org