Dr Alexander Mikroyannidis, Senior Research Fellow at the Knowledge Media Institute (KMi), The Open University, UK, has been appointed International Expert in Distance Learning by the Agency for the Assessment and Accreditation of Higher Education (A3ES), Portugal’s national authority for quality assurance in higher education. 

The mission of the A3ES is to improve the quality of Portuguese higher education, through the assessment and accreditation of higher education institutions and their study programmes, and to ensure the integration of Portugal in the European quality assurance system of higher education. A3ES plays a vital role in maintaining the quality and international credibility of higher education in Portugal, with a growing focus on innovative and remote learning models.

In this role, Dr Mikroyannidis will contribute to the assessment of distance learning programmes across Portuguese universities. He will also advise A3ES on best practices in distance learning, including the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Commenting on this appointment, Dr Mikroyannidis said:

“It is a great honour to support the A3ES in ensuring the quality of distance learning programmes. As higher education institutions pivot to flexible and remote modes of learning, it is important to establish robust and forward-looking assessment and quality assurance practices.”

This appointment highlights and promotes KMi’s international research and teaching profile in technology-enhanced learning and innovation in education.