Our Team of Experts

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Eltjo Bazen

Nationality

Dutch

Institution

HU UAS Utrecht

Department

Academic Affairs / Quality Assurance

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• Other: engagement of stakeholders (f.i. students, world of work)

Professional history

• Senior QA Advisor
• Self-employed Auditor / Trainer / Advisor QA & Bologna Tools
• Manager Strategic Change Program QA
• Team Coach

Profile will be available shortly.

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Dr Cathal de Paor

Nationality

Irish

Institution

Mary Immaculate College

Department

Faculty of Education

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Micro-Credentials
• Other: Curriculum design & learning outcomes

Professional history

Cathal de Paor is Associate Professor and Director of Continuing Professional Development in the Faculty of Education, Mary Immaculate College (MIC), University of Limerick. He has carried out research for the Irish ministry of education and served as a panel member for various European QA agencies in programme review. He has worked on various Erasmus + projects (KA2 and KA3) in Europe and Asia. He holds a PhD in Education from the University of Nantes.  Prior to moving to MIC in 2006, he worked as Education Officer in the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, and before that as a primary teacher.

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Lore Demedts

Nationality

Belgian

Institution

Artevelde University of Applied Sciences

Department

Educational Development

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS (including level 5 Associate Degree)
• AI in Learning & Teaching (Developing expertise in Ai in learning and teaching, with a focus on informed, responsible, and pedagogically grounded use in higher education)
• Micro-Credentials
• European Degree
• Digitalisation & Sustainability
• Other: Curriculum Development

Professional history

• Responsible Educational Development Artevelde University of Applied Sciences
• Education development expert with 20 years experience in higher education policy, curriculum design and institution-wide curriculum innovation with a strong focus on  21st century curriculum
• Chair of the Scientific Committee at Leerpunt, overseeing research priorities and peer review processes
• Bologna Expert (DAAD), contributing to Bologna Hub Peer Support
• Project lead for Cost-Aware Curriculum Design, Responsible Living for the Next Generations (Up University, Seal of Excellence)
• Active member of Flemish Working Groups and steering committees on learning outcomes, professional masters’s programmes and student-centered curricula

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Anja Dieters

Nationality

Dutch

Institution

NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences

Department

Education, Research, and International Affairs

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• European University Alliances & European Degree

Professional history

• 2016-now Sr. Policy Advisor International Affairs, NHL Stenden UAS
  Policy writing and implementation, quality assurance of transnational education, overseeing implementation of ECHE, enhance internationalisation of programmes, CeQuInt, Joint Programme development within the European University Alliance RUN-EU and the development of the RUN-EU Quality Framework.
• 2019-2024 Bologna Expert for National Agency Erasmus, Netherlands
  Supporting the implementation of Bologna tools in the Dutch Higher Education landscape through institutional visits and providing input on European policy.
• 2005-2016 Educational Specialist, NHL Stenden UAS
  Quality assurance, student evaluations, curriculum design and development, and accreditation preparations, member of assessment committee and programme committee

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Fernando Galán

Nationality

Spanish

Institution

EU-CONEXUS European University Alliance

Department

Executive Director, Secretariat

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Recognition of Qualifications
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• Micro-Credentials
• European University Alliances & European Degree
• Automatic Recognition & Digital Tools
• Mobility Targets
• Digitalisation & Sustainability
• Other: Joint Programmes; European Approach for QA of Joint Programmes

Professional history

• Executive Director, EU‑CONEXUS European University Alliance (aisbl, Brussels) (2025–present).
• Former Secretary‑General, Arqus European University Alliance (2019–2025).
• Member/Contributor, European Commission DG EAC Policy Lab on the European Degree & Joint European Degree label (2024–present).
• International expert, external evaluator, QA assessment panels (incl. ENQA, EUA-IEP, QQI, ANECA, AVAP, EACEA) (2010–present).
• Contributor to European higher education policy and quality assurance work, including the 2015 revision of the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG).
• Alliance-level QA and governance: design/implementation of QA frameworks and management toolboxes for joint programmes and micro‑credentials (Arqus; EU‑CONEXUS).
• Expertise in Bologna tool implementation: ECTS/learning outcomes, recognition, European Approach for joint programmes, and Digital interoperability supporting transnational collaboration.

©Copyright © private

Name

Irma Grdzelidze

Nationality

Georgian

Institution

Institution ALTE University

Department

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Recognition of Qualifications
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• Mobility Targets
• Digitalisation & Sustainability

Professional history

Irma Grdzelidze is Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research at ALTE University and Associate Professor at Tbilisi State University, with over 20 years of experience in higher education reform and quality assurance. Her work connects policy and practice, advancing quality, mobility, and internationalization within the European Higher Education Area. She is a member of the Steering Committee of the EUA CDE. She has served as Chair of the Erasmus+ HERE team in Georgia. She is a Fulbright Program Scholar (University of Arkansas, 2021). Her experience includes leading and contributing to international capacity-building projects supporting doctoral education and institutional development.

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Prof. Dr. Eglantina Hysa

Nationality

Albanian (based in Belgium)

Institution

Independent Researcher

Department

N/A

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Recognition of Qualifications
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• Digitalisation & Sustainability

Professional history

• Principal Project Manager (Digitalization, Innovation & Sustainability) | NATO NCIA | Jan 2025 – Present
• Vice-Chair & Expert Evaluator | European Commission (Horizon Europe, MSCA, Erasmus+) | Jul 2018 – Present
• International Bologna System Expert | DAAD & European Higher Education Area | Jul 2016 – Present
  External Expert | International Higher Education Accreditation Agencies (EU & Beyond) | Jul 2016 – Present
• Adjunct Lecturer & PhD Co-Supervisor | University of Salento, Italy | Oct 2022 – Present
  Head of Economics Department & Senior Lecturer | Epoka University, Tirana | Sept 2009 – Feb 2024
• Project Manager and Project Lead | EU COST Actions, CEEPUS, and Erasmus+ Mobility Projects | 2016 – Present

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Fred Jonker

Nationality

Dutch / The Netherlands

Institution

Wageningen University

Department

Education & Student Affairs, Section Quality and Strategic Information

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Micro-Credentials
• Other: ECTS Userguide, Diploma Supplement and Grading

Professional history

• Senior Policy advisor Student information, Scheduling and Study Handbook
• Bologna Expert, expertise on technical parts like ECTS Userguide, DS, grading and Micro credentials.
• Member (since 2009) of Dutch team of Bologna Experts participating in multiple projects, like FaBoTo 1, 2 and 3 coordinated by the Nuffic.
• Advised SURF (cooperation for all kind of technical services in the NL) about Bologna related topics in Open Education API and micro credentials.
• Implemented ECTS at Wageningen University
• Presented multiple presentations on Bologna related topics in the Netherlands and Abroad.

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Antonis Katsouros

Nationality

Hellenic / Greek

Institution

Hellenic Naric / DOATAP

Department

External Affairs

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Recognition of Qualifications
• Micro-Credential

Professional history

• Credential Evaluator in the External Affairs Department at the Interdisciplinary Organization for the Recognition of Foreign Qualifications (DOATAP),
• A member of the Adjunct Academic Staff of the Hellenic Open University for more than five (5) academic semesters (MSc Applied Developmental Psychology)
• Academic Leader of the Psychology Program and Module Leader of the Social Psychology, Biopsychology and Individual Differences Course at the Metropolitan College Athens (Marussi Campus).

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Name

Melita Kovacevic

Nationality

Croatian

Institution

University of Zagreb

Department

Speech and Language Pathology

Thematic Expertise

• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• AI in Learning & Teaching
• European University Alliances & European Degree
• Mobility Targets
• Digitalisation & Sustainability
• Other: Doctoral Education

Professional history

• Professor emerita
• Member of various international boards related to higher education, science, QA (e.g. Technical University of Munich, EUA IEP, Hungarian Accreditation Committee)
• Vice-President of the PRIDE network (Network of Professionals in Doctoral Education)
• Chair of the Advisory Committee Chair, LEAD academic network for academic leadership and internationalisation
• Steering Committee former Chair EUA CDE
• Former Vice-Rector for Research and Technology, University of Zagreb

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Name

Agnes Kriz

Nationality

Austrian

Institution

Fachhochschule Technikum Wien

Department

International Office

Thematic Expertise

• Mobility Targets

Professional history

• Head of International Office Fachhochschule Technikum Wien
• National Expert for the European Higher Education Area

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Susanne Linhofer

Nationality

Austria

Institution

Pädagogische Hochschule Steiermark – University

Department

Institute for Diversity Studies and international Relations

Thematic Expertise

• Mobility Targets
• Other: Internationalisation of Teacher Education

Professional history

• Head of Institute for Diversity Studies and International Relations
• National Expert for the European Higher Education Area
• Speaker of “Forum International” for 14 University Colleges of Teacher Education in Austria
• Lecturer of English

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Raimonda Markeviciene

Nationality

Lithuanian

Institution

Vilnius University

Department

International Relations Office

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Recognition of Qualifications
• Micro-Credentials
• European University Alliances & European Degree
• Mobility Targets
• Other: Internationalisation in a broader sense and internationalisation of curricula

Professional history

• Advisor for International Relations at Vilnius University, Lithuania.
• Head of the University’s International Relations Office for over 20 years.
• A national ECTS/DS coordinator at the national and European levels since 1999, and a national Bologna expert since 2004.
• A member of the European working groups that developed the „ECTS Users‘ Guide“ and the Erasmus University Charter, and a member of the Tuning management committee.
• Participated in the national working groups, developing implementation strategies for Diploma Supplement, recognition, and internationalisation policies in the country.

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Name

Dr. Jörg Maria Ortwein

Nationality

Deutschland

Institution

Stella Vorarlberg Privathochschule für Musik

Department

Rektorat

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Other: Learning Outcomes and Curriculum Design in HE in Music

Professional history

• Rector – Stella Vorarlberg Privathochschule für Musik (since 2022)
• The transformation of a conservatoire into a music university (2019 – 2022)
• Director: Vorarlberger Landeskonservatorium (2006 – 2022)
• Head of Intenational Office Vorarlberger Landeskonservatorium (2004 – 2006)

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Dr. Milica Popović

Nationality

Republic of Serbia

Institution

Austrian Academy of Sciences

Department

Institute of Culture Studies

Thematic Expertise

• Recognition of Qualification
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• Other: Fundamental Values

Professional history

• December 2024-present Senior Postdoctoral Researcher and Project Lead, Institute of Culture Studies, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria (full-time)
• 10/2024 – 04/2025
  Freelance Researcher, Department for Higher Education Research, Faculty of Education, Arts and Architecture, University for Continuing Education, Krems, Austria (part-time)
• 09/2023-02/2024
  Researcher at Centre Grande Europe, Institut Jacques Delors, Paris, France (part-time)
• 08/2021-07/2023
  Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Project Lead, Global Observatory on Academic Freedom, The Yehuda Elkana Center for Teaching, Learning, and Higher Education, Central European University, Vienna, Austria (full-time)
• 03/2021-07/2021
  Junior Visiting Researcher at Global Observatory on Academic Freedom, The Yehuda Elkana Center for Teaching, Learning, and Higher Education, Central European University, Vienna, Austria (full-time)
• Specific higher education policy expertise, most notably in the field of the European Higher Education Area and the Bologna Process (Academic Freedom; Quality Assurance; Recognition of Qualifications and Previous Learning; Student and Staff Participation in Higher Education Governance). Since 2008, she has worked as an independent researcher and consultant for numerous clients including the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research of the Republic of Austria; DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service); Eurydice; the European Commission; UEFISCDI of Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Romania; Council of Europe; Regional Cooperation Council etc. In 2010, Popović was employed as Higher Education Programme Assistant at Education International in Brussels. From 2004 to 2006 Popović was an elected representative in the Students’ Union of Serbia, and from 2006 to 2008 in the European Students’ Union in Brussels.

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Name

Mag. Christina Raab

Nationality

Austria

Institution

University of Innsbruck (Public University, Austria)

Department

Teaching Development, Learning- and Teaching Formats, Office for the Bologna Process, Office of the Vice Rector for Teaching & Students

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Recognition
• Al in Learning and Teaching: Joint education (from courses – micro-credentials to joint programs)
• European University Alliances § European Degree
• Recognition & Digital Tools
• Mobility Targets
• Digitalization & Sustainability
• other: Curriculum flexibilisation, validation & internationalisation

Professional history

• Team Leader Learning- and Teaching Formats, University of Innsbruck
• Bologna Coordinator, Office for the Bologna Process & Teaching Development
• National Expert for the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)
• Since 2025: Project Coordinator EURIDICE/ DIGISOC at UIBK
• Since 2019: involved in Aurora, European Universities Alliance and EURIDICEon innovative teaching and learning formats incl. joint programs, micro-credentials, co-leading/leading different Task Teams/Work Packages)
• Since 2008: developing flexible, individualised and internationalised curriculum-structures

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Name

Jelena Starčević

Nationality

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Institution

Ministry for Scientific and Technological Development and Higher Education

Department

Department for Higher Education

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Recognition of Qualifications
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• Mobility Targets

Professional history

• Assistant Minister for Higher Education
• Assistant Professor (Docent)
• Expert Advisor for Higher Education
• Secretary of the Commission for Information and Recognition
• Inspector for Educational Sector
• General Secretary of the University

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Colin Tück

Nationality

German

Institution

Knowledge Innovation Centre (KIC)

Department

N/A

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• Micro-Credentials
• European University Alliances & European Degree
• Automatic Recognition & Digital Tools
• Digitalisation & Sustainability
• Other: Interoperability

Professional history

• Senior expert for digitalisation and innovation & director Benelux, KIC
• Director, European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR)
• Bologna Process Committee, European Students’ Union (ESU)
• Executive Board member, National Union of Students in Germany (fzs)

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Name

Oliver Vettori

Nationality

Austria

Institution

WU Vienna (Vienna University of Economics & Business)

Department

Program Management & Teaching and Learning (Administrative); Management (Academic)

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• AI in Learning & Teaching
• European University Alliances & European Degree
• Digitalisation & Sustainabilit

Professional history

• Director, Global Sustainability Joint Programme, ENGAGE.EU University Alliance (since 2024)
• Co-Lead Academic Programmes & Academic Affairs, ENGAGE.EU University Alliance (since 2021)
• Dean, Accreditations & Quality Management WU Vienna (since 2015)
• Research Associate, Department of Management, WU Vienna (since 2013)
• Director, Programme Management & Teaching and Learning, WU Vienna (since 2012)
• University Lecturer (on Research Methodology, Academic Writing, Organisational Behaviour and Global Sustainability Management) (since 2007)

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Tatjana Volkova

Nationality

Latvian

Institution

BA School of Business and Finance of the University of Latvia

Department

Management

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• Digitalisation & Sustainability
• Other: Institutional evaluation and accreditation, programs/study fields evaluation and accreditation, Institutional governance and management, Employability of graduates, Strategic management of HEIs and University alliances.

Professional history

• Professor in Strategic management and Innovation Management BA School of Business and Finance of the University of Latvia (since 1998 – currently)
• Head of Studies Quality Commission, Academic Information Centre, Latvia (since 2015- currently)
• Member, Higher Education Council of Latvia (since 2016- currently)
• Member, Swiss Accreditation Council (2015 – 2022)
• Rector, BA School of Business and Finance, Latvia (2004 – 2011)
• Member of European University Association Council (EUA), Brussels (2006 -2010)

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Prof. Dr. Robert Wagenaar

Nationality

Netherlands

Institution

University of Groningen

Department

International Strategy and Relations

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Recognition of Qualifications
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• Micro-Credentials
• European University Alliances & European Degree
• Automatic Recognition & Digital Tools
• Digitalisation & Sustainability

Professional history

• Member Board of Directors European University Alliance ENLIGHT (representing the University of Groningen)
• Senior Advisor for Internationalisation University of Groningen
• Professor of History and Politics of Higher Education University of Groningen
• Director International Tuning Academy Groningen
• Dean of Studies Faculty of Arts University of Groningen
• Secretary General Faculty of Arts University of Groningen

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Name

Günter Wageneder

Nationality

Austria

Institution

University of Salzburg

Department

Quality Management

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• AI in Learning & Teaching
• European University Alliances & European Degree

Professional history

• Head of Quality Management at the University of Salzburg (since 2010)
• Member of various evaluation panels (Quality Audits)
• Experience with various European Approach accreditations
• Member of the Austrian national Bologna Follow-Up Group (since 2015)
• Quality Manager of the Joint Master’s Programme in Political Science Integration and Governance with currently 12 partners in the Balkans and in the Caucasus (since 2015)

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Prof. Dr. Elke Katharina Wittich

Nationality

German

Institution

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hanover

Department

Centre of Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning

Thematic Expertise

• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• Micro-Credentials
• European University Alliances & European Degree
• Digitalisation & Sustainability

Professional history

Elke Katharina Wittich is the Executive Director of the Centre for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning at Leibniz University Hannover. In this role, she is particularly committed to promoting lifelong learning through tailored additional qualifications for students, alumni and external stakeholders, as well as to reforms in the education sector. Ms Wittich has over 20 years’ experience in higher education management, particularly in the areas of programme development, quality assurance and accreditation. She is an expert on micro-credentials as a flexible format. She is also a member of the Leibniz AI Academy at Leibniz University.

• Executive Director of the Centre for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning at Leibniz University Hannover
• lifelong learning
• reforms in the education sector
• programme development
• quality assurance
• micro-credentials
• member of Leibniz AI Academy

©Copyright © Martin Magunia / DAAD

Name

Iryna Zolotaryova

Nationality

Ukraine

Institution

Simon Kuznets Kharkiv National University of Economics

Department

Information Systems

Thematic Expertise

• Three-Cycle System & ECTS
• Quality Assurance (ESG)
• AI in Learning & Teaching
• Micro-Credentials
• Digitalisation & Sustainability

Professional history

• Member of the National Agency for Higher Education Quality Assurance
• Member of the Ukraine National Team of Higher Education Reforms Experts (HEREs)
• European University Association Learning & Teaching Groups, expert
• Representative of Ukraine in Bologna Follow-up Group (BFUG) (2016-2019)
• Member of the “IT Cluster Kharkiv”
• International expert of the Independent Agency for Accreditation and Rating (IAAR), Kazakhstan