MFHEA contributes to European discussions on institutional autonomy

Institutional autonomy is one of the six fundamental values of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). It refers to the capacity of higher education institutions to make meaningful decisions about their internal organisation and academic, administrative and financial affairs, within the relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.

Against this background, a Peer Learning Activity (PLA) on Institutional Autonomy will take place on 13 October 2026 in St Julian’s, Malta, in a hybrid format. The activity is being organised alongside the 5th meeting of the Working Group on Fundamental Values (WG FV).

The PLA forms part of the New building blocks of the Bologna Process: implementing a common understanding of fundamental values (NewFAV2) project. The project supports the implementation of Bologna Process commitments set out in the Tirana and Rome Communiqués and contributes to the work of the 2024–2027 Bologna Follow-Up Group (BFUG) Working Group on Fundamental Values.

Building a common understanding of fundamental values

Through the NewFAV2 project, work is underway to support the implementation and monitoring of fundamental values across the EHEA. This includes developing a Technical Implementation Methodology for the monitoring framework, as well as strengthening awareness and understanding of fundamental values among stakeholders across the European higher education sector.

The PLA on Institutional Autonomy forms part of this wider work. It will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share experiences and reflect on how institutional autonomy can be understood, supported and monitored.

MFHEA’s role

The Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) is a participant in the NewFAV2 project and serves as Co-Chair of the Working Group on Fundamental Values. Through this role, MFHEA contributes to European-level discussions on fundamental values and activities supporting their implementation across the EHEA.

Exploring institutional autonomy from different perspectives

The programme brings together contributions from higher education institutions, student representatives, , European-level bodies and the NewFAV 2 project team. The discussions will explore the conceptualisation and practical application of institutional autonomy, approaches to understanding and measuring university autonomy, the perspective of the University of Malta, the relationship between institutional autonomy and quality assurance, and the initial results of the monitoring of institutional autonomy as a fundamental value in the EHEA, drawing on findings from the NewFav2 project.

Supporting dialogue and peer learning

The PLA will bring together stakeholders with different responsibilities and perspectives within higher education, providing an opportunity to discuss institutional autonomy in the context of the wider European Higher Education Area.

Find out more about the NewFAV2 project and its work on fundamental values at fundamentalvalues.info.


Disclaimer: The event is part of the “New building blocks of the Bologna Process: implementing a common understanding of fundamental values – NewFAV 2” project, coordinated by UEFISCDI in cooperation with the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) and European Students’ Union (ESU), co-funded by the European Union. The project is further supported by the European University Association (EUA) as an associated partner.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author (s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.