President of ACCUA Governing Board José Carlos Gómez Villamandos passes away

The acting Regional Minister for Universities, Research and Innovation, former Chancellor of the University of Córdoba and former President of CRUE, promoted the effective establishment of ACCUA and was a advocate of its commitment to quality assurance in higher education



The staff of the Andalusian Agency for Scientific and University Quality (ACCUA) express their deep sorrow at the passing of José Carlos Gómez Villamandos, who had served as Chair of its Governing Board since the Agency's establishment in March 2023. They extend their heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Andalusian university community.

The Regional Ministry of Universities, Research and Innovation has outlined Gómez Villamandos’ distinguished career in higher education and science in a public statement. At ACCUA, we wish to highlight his decisive role in the creation and launch of the Agency. As Regional Minister, he promoted the approval of ACCUA’s Statutes and its effective establishment, thereby helping to consolidate an institution designed to strengthen confidence in Andalusia’s university and scientific system.

As Chair of the Governing Board, he maintained a strong commitment to ACCUA’s mission, objectives, and guiding principles. He paid particular attention to safeguarding the independent exercise of its functions and ensuring its alignment with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ESG).

His support proved especially significant during the external review undertaken by the Agency in 2024 for the renewal of its registration on the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR), a recognition that is essential for the international standing of the Andalusian university system and for the recognition of the official degrees awarded by its universities.

The close institutional cooperation between the Regional Ministry and ACCUA since the Agency’s inception has enabled significant progress in evaluation and quality assurance activities. These include the accreditation of new university degree programmes, the assessment of research funding calls and research staff recruitment schemes, as well as the evaluation of university teaching staff and the regional performance-related salary supplements for academic and research personnel.

Those of us who are part of ACCUA will remember José Carlos Gómez Villamandos for the role he played in the creation and consolidation of this Agency, but also for his warmth, his institutional vision, and his unwavering commitment to the continuous improvement of higher education and scientific research in Andalusia.