Higher Education Colleges Association
The Higher Education Colleges Association (HECA) is a representative body of independent third level colleges in Ireland, formed in 1991 to represent the interests of its member colleges and their students.
The Higher Education Colleges Association (HECA) is an association of fifteen privately funded higher education colleges, providing programmes at higher education levels (between Levels 6-10 on the National framework of Qualifications) which are accredited and awarded by QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland). In 2018, HECA members provided higher education for approximately 21,000 students.
Membership and lobbying
HECA providers consist of approximately 10% of the higher education population in Ireland. HECA act as a lobby and support group to serve common academic and commercial interests. HECA lobbies its members interests in government and legislative circles and seeks representation on government committees and boards.
HECA has made submissions to bodies such as QQI, HETAC, NQAI, DES, and the HEA and has had inputs into the development of independent third level education in Ireland. HECA also represents the independent education sector on a number of national and international educational bodies, such as QQI, the Bologna Process, International Education Board of Ireland, and The Irish Higher Education Quality Network.
Teaching and learning
The mission of the HECA "Teaching & Learning Committee" and the "HECA Quality Enhancement Forum" is to "promote the enhancement and quality of teaching and learning within HECA colleges". According to Dr Teresa Whitaker, author of A Handbook And Tool Kit For Teaching, Learning And Assessment In Independent Higher Education Institutions In Ireland, the "mission of the HECA Teaching & Learning Committee is to promote the enhancement of teaching and learning within HECA colleges, such that it has tangible effects in the classroom, effectively enabling people to learn".[1]