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About the ECOO Accreditation Agency
The ECOO accreditation team started its practical work in the year 2008 following the establishment of the European Diploma in Optometry. After piloting the Accreditation process and application of a competency framework with a number of University institutions the Accreditation system was established in 2015. This was built on with the development of the European Qualifications in Optics in 2017.
In 2020, the ECOO Accreditation Agency was formally established as a separate but linked entity to ECOO, solidifying its structure and organisation.
The ECOO Accreditation Agency is led by two co-chairs: Professor Julie-Anne Little and Professor Brendan Barrett. They are supported by a strong team of Education visitors who have been carefully selected based on their academic track record and experience in the field. ECOO is also delighted to invite student representatives onto their visitor panel to ensure their perspective is taken into consideration.
What are the benefits of accreditation?
- All European Optometry/Optics programmes can be compared against an agreed international standard, the European Diploma in Optometry and the European Qualification in Optics.
- It allows for accreditation against the knowledge base, competencies and portfolio of the European Diploma in Optometry or Qualifications in Optics.
- Training Institutions will be encouraged to match their programmes to all or part of the competency-based European Diploma in Optometry or European Qualification in Optics – this will help to harmonise Optometry and Optics within Europe.
- It may help training institutions, in the course of their national academic accreditation, if they can demonstrate that all or part of their programme meets the European standard.
- National “competent authorities” will find it easier to evaluate the training of applicants from another EU country – this will help to facilitate free movement of professionals.
- The accreditation also enhances networking amongst higher education institutions who can exchange on their practices through ECOO.
- Being able to demonstrate the standard of the education in a country thanks to the European Diploma in Optometry can inform and, in some instances, has already informed legislation governing the scope of practice
Hear more about the accreditation and the European Diploma in Optometry from our accredited universities and students:
To view this video with French subtitles, please click here
Contact
For any questions on the work of the Accreditation Agency, please contact our Accreditation Officer Jennifer Rasteiro: accreditation@ecoo.info