Institutions
One channel to notify programs under Section 55, follow reviews and submit program results under Clause 8.
ABOUT CISA
About CISA
The Curriculum Information System for Higher Education Accreditation: the national tool for reviewing, accrediting and following up higher education programs.
- 25 Jun 2025Official launch
- 90 daysTo complete review and accreditation after notification
- 5 yearsAccreditation period
- 172Institutions inside and outside MHESI asked to use the system
WHAT IS CISA
What CISA is and what it does
CISA, the Curriculum Information System for Higher Education Accreditation, is the central system through which Thai higher education programs are reviewed and accredited under the Higher Education Act B.E. 2562 (2019) and the notifications of the Higher Education Standards Committee. It was developed by the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (OPS MHESI), through its Higher Education Quality Enhancement Division.
Institutions use CISA to notify OPS MHESI of programs approved by their university council, upload program documents, follow the review and report on program results. Artificial intelligence helps analyse program documents and prepares findings for the Committee, which decides on accreditation.
CISA opened to institutions on 25 June 2025. It makes reviews systematic, transparent and faster, removes duplicate data entry and paperwork, and forms the national database of higher education programs.
OPS MHESI and the Committee
AI-assisted review alongside human reviewers, recorded findings and recommendations, status tracking and reports for policy decisions.
The public and students
A source of information on accredited programs, for transparency and to protect students and stakeholders.
Related government agencies
Program data shared with agencies such as the OCSC, the Teacher Civil Service Commission, the Student Loan Fund and professional councils.
LEGAL BASIS
Legal basis
Higher Education Act B.E. 2562 (2019), Sections 55, 56 and 60
Institutions must notify OPS MHESI of council-approved programs before teaching them. The Committee reviews programs and their delivery, and accredits them when there is evidence they meet the standards.
Higher Education Act B.E. 2562 (2019), Section 61
OPS MHESI shares program information with central civil service bodies, such as the OCSC and the Teacher Civil Service Commission, for qualification recognition and appointments.
MHESI Administration Act B.E. 2562 (2019), Sections 11 and 26(4)
OPS MHESI maintains the higher education database and analyses it to support oversight against the standards, with the Committee guiding and monitoring this work.
Ministerial Regulations on Higher Education Curriculum Standards and Qualification Standards B.E. 2565 (2022)
The criteria used to check programs and their learning outcomes.
Committee notification on accreditation of higher education programs, B.E. 2568 (2025)
Sets out how programs are reviewed, accredited and followed up through CISA.
BACKGROUND
Background
2020
The Committee adopts a policy for an up-to-date higher education database, including data on compliance with the standards.
2021
A subcommittee on the higher education standards database is appointed.
The Committee approves a five-part plan for standards databases, including a system for checking programs.
2022
The Ministerial Regulation on Curriculum Standards 2022 is published, taking effect on 27 September 2022.
A new notification on reviewers and review procedures changes how programs are checked and recorded, creating the need for a new system.
2023
OPS MHESI starts CISA phase 1 (program review).
2025
Public hearing on the draft notification, presenting AI-assisted review through CISA.
The Committee chair signs the 2025 accreditation notification.
CISA goes live.
2026
CISA phase 2 begins: following up accredited programs.
OBJECTIVES
Objectives
Support program accreditation under the Higher Education Act 2019, from program review to follow-up of delivery.
Provide a complete, accurate and current database of higher education programs for the Committee and related agencies.
Use AI to support review and analysis, making it faster, more accurate and more consistent.
Produce reports for management and policy decisions, and publish key information openly.
Help institutions design, develop and manage programs with fewer steps, less duplication and less paper.
ACCREDITATION PROCESS
How a program is accredited
- 1
University council approves
A new or revised program is approved by the university council.
- 2
Notify through CISA
The institution enters the program, attaches documents mapped to each review area, and the responsible (vice) president submits it to OPS MHESI (notification under Section 55).
- 3
AI-assisted and expert review
AI analyses the documents in all three areas; reviewers and OPS MHESI staff record findings. If changes are needed the program returns to the institution to revise and resubmit, with every round kept on record.
- 4
The Committee decides
The Committee decides within 90 days and the result is sent through the system.
- 5
Follow-up
Once the first cohort graduates, the institution reports program results under Clause 8 to show the program still meets the standards.
CHECO & CISA
Submitting programs: CHECO and CISA
Programs entered in CHECO before CISA opened
- No need to re-enter them in CISA.
- OPS MHESI reviews them under the new notification (Clauses 5.1–5.3) with AI support, and records the result in CHECO.
- Any revisions continue in CHECO until accredited.
- To move a program to CISA, ask in writing for it to be removed from CHECO and state the original submission date in the CISA documents.
Accredited CHECO programs with minor changes
- Keep updating them in CHECO until the next scheduled revision or a substantive change.
- At the next scheduled revision, move to CISA.
New programs and scheduled revisions after CISA opened
- Must be entered in CISA; CHECO is no longer accepted.
- Revised programs can pick their existing CHECO program code, which CISA links automatically.
- CHECO stays available for reference.
USER ROLES
Users within an institution
- 1
Institution administrator
Manages the institution’s CISA accounts and access rights.
- 2
Campus administrator
Administrator for a campus, where applicable.
- 3
Program registrar
Manages program data within the institution for executives to review.
- 4
University staff
Handles program work at university level.
- 5
President / vice president
Responsible for programs; approves programs for submission to OPS MHESI.
- 6
Dean / associate dean
Responsible for the faculty’s programs.
- 7
Faculty staff
Handles program work at faculty level.
- 8
Program lead lecturer
Prepares and maintains the program’s information.
- 9
Department staff
Staff at program or department level.
HELP CENTER & RESOURCES
Have questions? We're here to help
Guides, standards documents and answers for using CISA, all in one place.