Abstract
The paper explores Joint Accreditation（ JA） as a quality assurance（ QA） instrument that involves collaboration between two or more organisations in different countries, joining their resources and expertise to evaluate study programmes and higher education institutions （HEIs） against international standards. This paper particularly focuses on the cases of joint accreditation carried out jointly by domestic and foreign QA agencies and addresses the growing complexity of modern higher education, which increasingly features cultural, transnational, and multi-institutional initiatives. A significant part of the study is dedicated to a mixed-methods analysis of JA’s practical value. We present the findings of an original survey distributed to QA agencies and HEIs’ representatives globally, investigating their perceptions, perceived benefits, and operational hurdles related to JA. These survey results are critically examined alongside the documented experience of the National Centre for Public Accreditation（ NCPA）, offering a grounded and practical perspective on JA implementation.
