A. The process by which a (non-)governmental or private body evaluates the quality of higher education institution as a whole or of a specific educational programme in order to formally recognize it as having met certain pre-determined minimal criteria or standards.

B. The instrument by which one institution, without its own degree awarding powers or choosing not to use its awarding powers, gains authority to award, and/or gains recognition of its qualifications from another competent authority (the State, a government agency, or another domestic or foreign higher education institution) and the assuming of rights and responsibilities for academic provisions.