Upholding its values
Independence without conflicts of interest
The status of Hcéres as an independent administrative authority ensures that it can perform its missions without any pressures from government, the evaluated entities themselves or any other stakeholders. Thanks to the independence of Hcéres, French and foreign experts can define the strengths and weaknesses of the institutions in a clear and fair manner, in compliance with the Hcéres ethical rules and more particularly with those on conflicts of interest. The evaluated organisation and Hcéres have a duty to inform each other mutually of any situations that might imply a risk affecting the objective nature of the evaluation.
The conflict of interests
Conflicts of interest
Avoiding conflicts of interest is a key concern for society and an ethical rule that is central to the activities of Hcéres.
Transparency
Hcéres ensures that it operates in total transparency, in accordance with the national and European requirements of higher education and research. From the methodology it uses through to its internal organisation and ethical rules, the High Council makes everything it does public. All the evaluation reports it produces are published on its website, including the comments of the evaluated institutions.
Fairness Forme
Hcéres designs and conducts its evaluations in total fairness. The evaluations are collegial and impartial, guaranteeing equal treatment for each evaluated institution, whatever and wherever it is. The High Council forms multidisciplinary panels of experts with complementary competencies, calling on peers (researchers and professors) and experts from other backgrounds (students, professionals from the private or public sectors, etc.).