As country after country decrees partial or total lockdowns from the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of universities and colleges closing and switching to e-learning has soared. However, few of these institutions are well prepared for this sudden, disruptive move.

The first DEQAR CONNECT event took place on 11 May in the form of a webinar. DEQAR CONNECT project is coordinated by EQAR and is financially supported by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. Its main aim is to develop the database of programmes accredited by agencies, recognized at the European level. It is expected that this information will be further used for mutual recognition of diplomas inside EHEA.

On May 20, 2020 an online QAA International Partners’ Forum (Great Britain) was held. More than 60 representatives of quality assurance agencies from all over the world took part in the Forum to share experiences and ideas about the current challenges facing higher education globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On May 20, 2020 the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) held a webinar for heads of quality assurance agencies on strategic response to COVID-19. The webinar was aimed at discussing strategic aspects of how to deal with the negative impact of the pandemic on HEIs, agencies and education quality assurance system.