Performance evaluation is a tool that enables the analysis and improvement of the effectiveness and efficiency of activities carried out by public administrations. It ensures that resources and processes are aligned with institutional objectives by identifying areas for improvement and fostering organizational change.

In the higher education sector, this evaluation applies not only to teaching and research, but also to administrative management, to ensure that the activities of academic institutions and research bodies meet quality standards. Performance evaluation is not merely a bureaucratic requirement, but a strategic tool to optimize services and enhance the quality of education and research. It also allows for more efficient services for students, faculty, and administrative staff, by valuing internal expertise and facilitating the achievement of institutional goals.

Article 74 of Legislative Decree 150/2009 establishes that the rules for evaluating the performance of AFAM teaching staff must be defined through a Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers (dPCM), developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). The dPCM of 26 January 2011 assigned ANVUR the task of identifying, in agreement with the Commission for the Evaluation, Transparency and Integrity of Public Administrations (later replaced by the National Anti-Corruption Authority – ANAC), specific objectives, indicators, and standards to define operational methods for ensuring a performance management cycle consistent with the mission of these institutions.

ANVUR is responsible for evaluating not only the quality of teaching and research, but also administrative and managerial efficiency. Since 2013, following the expansion of its mandate, the Agency has formally assumed responsibility for assessing the administrative and technical activities of:

• Universities
• AFAM Institutions (Higher Education in the Arts, Music, and Dance)
• Public Research Institutions (EPRs)

ANVUR’S COORDINATING ROLE

Performance evaluation requires tailored approaches based on the type of institution: universities, AFAM institutions, and research bodies have distinct missions and characteristics, making it necessary to adopt assessment methods suited to their specific nature. Detailed information for each category is available in dedicated sections of the website.

ANVUR ensures that performance evaluation is conducted in line with the principles of transparency, effectiveness, and continuous improvement, thereby contributing to the development of an increasingly competitive and high-quality higher education and research system.