In the evolving landscape of higher and vocational education across Central Asia, independent quality assurance has become increasingly important for institutions seeking credibility both at home and abroad. One organisation that has positioned itself at the centre of this development is the Independent Institute of Accreditation, Rating and Certification (IARC), also known as NIARS, based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Founded in 2019, IARC describes itself as the leading accreditation agency of the Kyrgyz Republic for quality assurance in education. Operating as an independent non-profit institute, it conducts institutional and programmatic accreditation for higher professional education institutions, secondary vocational education, non-governmental organisations, and public organisations. Its work is grounded in the legal framework of the Kyrgyz Republic, including the Constitution, Civil Code, and relevant laws on education, science, and non-profit organisations. In 2021, the Institute obtained a licence from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic to offer specialised programmes for experts in education, IT, and automated control systems.
Beyond accreditation, IARC provides training for experts and reviewers, delivers professional development courses, and conducts national ranking research for higher education institutions and colleges. It has developed methodologies for institutional and programme ratings that have been registered in the country’s intellectual property registers. In 2023, IARC became a full member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), joining a global network of more than 300 organisations involved in quality assurance practice and policy.
A significant aspect of IARC’s recent development has been its engagement with international partners. Among the organisations it has established formal collaboration with is the International Association for Quality Assurance in Pre-Tertiary and Higher Education (QAHE). The partnership, formalised through a memorandum of understanding, enables institutions to pursue dual institutional accreditation. Under this arrangement, QAHE-accredited institutions may apply for coordinated review with IARC, allowing them to obtain recognition from both bodies through a streamlined process. QAHE has publicly listed IARC/NIARS among its quality assurance partners, and the collaboration has been referenced in several announcements concerning dual accreditation outcomes.
The dual accreditation pathway is designed to support institutions that wish to demonstrate compliance with both international and nationally grounded standards. For providers operating online or serving students across borders, the arrangement offers an additional layer of external validation. IARC has published listings of institutions that have successfully completed this process, including examples of online universities that applied under the memorandum framework with QAHE.
IARC’s services extend beyond the review of institutions. The Institute offers capacity-building activities aimed at strengthening quality culture within the Kyrgyz education sector. These include training programmes for accreditation experts and workshops on quality assurance systems. Its ranking activities contribute to public information about institutional performance at both the higher education and college levels.
Located at Kurmanzhan Datka Street 207 in Bishkek, IARC maintains an active online presence at iarc.kg, where it publishes news of completed accreditations, rating results, and institutional updates. The organisation positions itself as an independent body focused on the recognition of quality in educational organisations and programmes according to established standards.
As cross-border education continues to expand, agencies such as IARC illustrate how national accreditation bodies are increasingly linking their work with international networks. The partnership with QAHE is one visible example of this trend, providing a practical mechanism for institutions to obtain dual recognition while supporting the broader circulation of quality assurance practices across regions. For institutions considering external review, the publicly available information on both the IARC and QAHE websites offers a starting point for understanding the scope and requirements of the dual accreditation option.
