ACCUA unveils its own brand to strengthen its identity in scientific and university quality assurance

The new brand highlights the Agency’s autonomy and independence in carrying out its evaluation and accreditation functions

The Agency for Scientific and University Quality of Andalusia (ACCUA) has unveiled its own brand identity within the framework of the corporate identity of the Regional Government of Andalusia. This initiative reinforces ACCUA’s institutional positioning as a public body while making visible its autonomy and independence in performing quality assurance activities in the fields of higher education and scientific research. The new visual identity responds to the need to provide the Agency with a differentiated image that facilitates recognition of its role within the Andalusian, national, and international higher education systems.

In this way, ACCUA joins the eleven other quality assurance agencies operating in Spain—namely, the national agency ANECA and ten regional agencies—by adopting a distinct brand separate from that of the public authorities to which they are attached. This visual distinction helps to clearly delineate the respective competences of governments and quality assurance agencies. While governments are responsible for regulatory development, scientific policy, and higher education planning, among other functions, quality assurance agencies are tasked with designing and implementing evaluation procedures in line with applicable regulations and, in particular, with European standards that enable the international recognition of university qualifications and scientific activity carried out in Andalusia.

A design with meaning

The new brand is built around a simple and recognisable concept derived from the acronym ACCUA and supported by key symbolic elements. The letter “A”—standing for both “Agency” and “Andalusia”— is reinterpreted and simplified in alignment with the generic brand of the Regional Government of Andalusia. A graphic element evoking a “check mark” or validation symbol has been incorporated, reflecting the verification and accreditation processes associated with quality assurance. The Gotham Black typeface is used, offering a distinctive yet coherent visual identity consistent with the institutional image of the Regional Government. The primary colour is blue, conveying trust and stability, complemented by the institutional green.

This new identity will enable ACCUA to project its role more clearly within national and international networks, such as the Spanish Network of University Quality Assurance Agencies (REACU), and in its interactions with peer organisations within the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR) and the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA). It will also strengthen its visibility in relation to Andalusian universities and other stakeholders within the Andalusian Knowledge System.

Brand rollout

The new brand will be progressively implemented across ACCUA’s institutional channels and materials, including its corporate website, social media platforms, and the websites of the networks and associations in which it participates. It will also be incorporated into evaluation reports issued by ACCUA, institutional presentations, videoconferencing backgrounds, and other graphic elements used in institutional relations. At the same time, the Agency will continue to use the standard graphic elements established in the Corporate Identity Manual of the Regional Government of Andalusia for other materials, particularly for internal communications.

The different versions of ACCUA’s new brand are presented below.