AAQ
AAQ is an acronym with several meanings.Aviation
Anapa Airport
Anapa Airport, officially known as Anapa International Airport (IATA: AAQ, ICAO: URKA), is a federal international airport serving the resort town of Anapa and surrounding areas in Russia's Krasnodar Krai region along the Black Sea coast. Located approximately 5 km west of Anapa near the village of Vityazevo, it primarily caters to tourists visiting the popular Black Sea resorts, with additional connectivity to nearby cities like Novorossiysk and Temryuk. The airport spans about 450 hectares and functions as a key gateway for seasonal leisure travel, handling both domestic and international flights.[1] The airfield near Vityazevo was constructed in the late 1960s as a military facility and opened for civilian operations in the 1980s. Significant development occurred in the 2010s, including management by Basel Aero (a subsidiary of Basic Element) starting in 2012 and major infrastructure upgrades. A new passenger terminal, constructed starting in March 2016 by Basel Aero, was commissioned in 2017, expanding the facility's area from 5,000 m² to include an 11,800 m² two-story structure equipped with retail outlets, cafes, a children's playground, and a business lounge. These enhancements tripled hourly passenger processing capacity from 400 to 600 individuals and incorporated energy-efficient features like solar batteries, preparing the airport for increased demand during peak seasons. Further modernizations, including terminal upgrades, were aligned with preparations for heightened tourism around the 2018 FIFA World Cup, though Anapa itself was not a host venue. The airport's two passenger terminals are capable of handling up to 3 million passengers annually.[1][2][3] The airport's infrastructure includes a single 2,500 m long by 45 m wide concrete runway (04/22), certified to accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 767. It features modern navigation aids including Instrument Landing System (ILS) Category II for improved low-visibility operations. Cargo facilities support approximately 5,000 tons per year, while environmental initiatives focus on noise reduction through optimized flight paths and equipment upgrades. The total investment in the 2016-2017 terminal project exceeded $22 million, including a RUR800 million loan from Sberbank for construction and utilities.[1][4] Civilian flight operations at Anapa Airport have been suspended since February 2022 due to the Russo-Ukrainian War. As of November 2025, preparations are underway for potential reopening by the end of the year. Prior to the suspension, the airport served around 25 airlines operating to 36 destinations, including major domestic routes within Russia and international flights to Europe, Turkey, and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. Key carriers included Aeroflot, Pegasus Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, with traffic peaking in summer due to Black Sea tourism. In 2015, the airport recorded 1.18 million passengers, reflecting a 17% year-over-year increase and ranking it among Russia's top regional facilities; passenger volume reached a peak of approximately 2.9 million in 2021. The airport maintains 24-hour operations with an information service hotline and emphasizes safety through regular emergency facility updates, such as the 2014 specialty services building.[1][5]AN/AAQ-series
The AN/AAQ-series is a designation under the U.S. Department of Defense's Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS) for advanced electro-optical and infrared systems installed on piloted aircraft. The nomenclature breaks down as follows: "AN" indicates the system's origin in the Army-Navy joint designation framework, now simply a JETDS prefix; the first "A" specifies installation on piloted aircraft; the second "A" denotes equipment utilizing invisible light or heat radiation, primarily infrared; and "Q" signifies special or combination applications, such as targeting, navigation, or situational awareness pods.[6][7] Development of the AN/AAQ-series traces back to the 1970s, when U.S. military efforts focused on infrared navigation and targeting to enable low-altitude night operations for fighter aircraft. Early systems like the AN/AAQ-13/14 LANTIRN pods, introduced in the 1980s, built on this foundation by integrating forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors and terrain-following radar for precision strikes. By the 1990s and 2000s, the series evolved into pod-based systems for broader integration, with digital upgrades in the 2010s enhancing image processing, data links, and compatibility with network-centric warfare through high-definition sensors and modular designs. These pods have been deployed on platforms including the F-15, F-16, A-10, and F-35, with exports to over 25 countries supporting allied operations.[8][9] Key examples include the AN/AAQ-28 Litening pod, developed by Northrop Grumman in collaboration with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and achieving initial operational capability around 1999. This pod features a third-generation FLIR for night targeting, a laser designator/rangefinder for guiding precision munitions, and a charge-coupled device (CCD) television sensor for daytime identification, enabling day/night all-weather operations on aircraft like the F-16, F-15, and A-10. The AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod, produced by Lockheed Martin since 2001, incorporates advanced image processing algorithms for automatic target tracking and GPS integration for generating precise coordinates, supporting reconnaissance, surveillance, and strikes on platforms such as the F-16, F/A-18, and Eurofighter Typhoon across 27 nations. Another prominent system is the AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS), developed by Northrop Grumman in the early 2000s for the F-35 Lightning II, which uses six infrared sensors to provide 360-degree spherical coverage for missile warning, fire control, and enhanced situational awareness, delivering real-time imagery to the pilot's helmet-mounted display.[9][10][11][12][13] Technical specifications for AN/AAQ pods typically include weights of 200-250 kg to minimize aircraft drag and balance impacts, with operational ranges extending to approximately 40-50 km for target detection and designation under optimal conditions. Upgrades since the 2010s have emphasized digital enhancements, such as high-resolution mid-wave infrared sensors and plug-and-play data links for real-time sharing in joint operations.[14][11][15]Organizations
Swiss Agency of Accreditation and Quality Assurance
The Swiss Agency for Accreditation and Quality Assurance (AAQ) is the national body responsible for external quality assurance in Swiss higher education. Established in 2015 under the Federal Act on Funding and Coordination of the Higher Education Sector (HEdA), it succeeded the Swiss Center of Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education (OAQ), which had been founded in 2001 to conduct quality audits.[16][17] As an independent foundation headquartered in Bern, the AAQ's mandate is to safeguard and promote the quality of teaching and research at higher education institutions, including cantonal universities, universities of applied sciences, universities of teacher education, and select private providers.[18][19] It operates under the oversight of the Swiss Accreditation Council, ensuring alignment with national and international standards. The AAQ's accreditation process emphasizes cyclic institutional reviews conducted every seven years for public higher education institutions, as required by HEdA, with accreditation valid for that duration.[20][21] These procedures begin with a comprehensive self-assessment by the institution, followed by an external peer review involving international and national experts, and culminate in on-site visits to evaluate implementation. Key criteria encompass the quality of teaching and learning, research performance and societal impact, institutional governance and resources, and comparability with international benchmarks, all guided by the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG).[22] By 2025, the AAQ has accredited over 50 higher education institutions and numerous programs, covering the majority of Switzerland's public university sector and contributing to the recognition of Swiss degrees abroad.[23][24] In addition to institutional accreditation, the AAQ conducts program-specific evaluations, particularly in fields such as medicine, engineering, and psychotherapy, often on mandate from federal authorities like the Federal Department of Public Health.[16] It publishes annual reports detailing higher education quality trends and has handled multiple accreditation procedures annually, including several institutional and programmatic reviews in 2024. Internationally, the AAQ collaborates with the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA), of which it is a full member, and is registered in the European Quality Assurance Register (EQAR), supporting Switzerland's alignment with the Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area.[19][25] Governance of the AAQ is directed by the Swiss Accreditation Council, a body comprising 18 independent members drawn from academia, industry, student representatives, and non-academic higher education sectors, ensuring balanced decision-making on accreditation awards.[19] The agency is funded primarily through contributions from the Swiss Confederation and cantonal governments, supplemented by fees from accredited institutions and procedural mandates.[19] Through these mechanisms, the AAQ not only enforces quality standards but also fosters continuous improvement and international mobility in Swiss higher education.Association des Anesthésiologistes du Québec
The Association des Anesthésiologistes du Québec (AAQ) was founded on July 4, 1965, as a professional syndicate under Quebec's professional unions law, bringing together certified anesthesiologists to address the growing needs of the specialty in the province.[26][27] Its primary purpose is to advance anesthesiology through the promotion of high standards in practice, education, and ethics, while safeguarding members' professional and economic interests in a bilingual context.[28] The organization emerged amid the expansion of specialized medical associations in Quebec during the 1960s, aligning with broader efforts to professionalize healthcare amid post-war demographic and infrastructural growth.[26] The AAQ represents certified anesthesiologists and residents across Quebec, focusing on initiatives that enhance clinical safety, workforce sustainability, and scientific progress.[28] It is affiliated with the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ), which coordinates specialist advocacy, and the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society (CAS), facilitating national collaboration on standards and education.[29] Membership includes active practitioners, with the association serving as the voice for the province's anesthesiology community, estimated at around 758 physicians in 2019 amid ongoing shortages.[30] Activities and AdvocacyThe AAQ organizes annual congresses, such as the planned event for April 10-11, 2026, to foster knowledge exchange and networking among members.[28] It also delivers continuing medical education (CME) programs, including the Journée de développement professionnel continu, which was postponed to November 1, 2025, but further delayed to a later date.[31] In advocacy, the AAQ lobbies provincial authorities on policy issues, including safe anesthesia standards and workforce challenges; for instance, in April 2021, it urged the Quebec government to add anesthesiologists to the official labor shortage list, citing a deficit exceeding 100 professionals that threatened surgical access.[32] As of 2025, the shortage persists as a full-blown crisis, prompting calls for innovations such as certified registered nurse anesthetists to improve access to care.[33] These efforts extend to economic negotiations via the FMSQ, ensuring fair compensation and on-call support for members. Key Initiatives
The AAQ collaborates closely with the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) on evidence-based guidelines for perioperative care, exemplified by its 2024 request for a report on strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of inhaled anesthetic agents during general anesthesia, promoting sustainable practices in operating rooms.[34] It supports training accreditation for anesthesiology residency programs through university partnerships and FMSQ oversight, ensuring alignment with provincial needs; additionally, the AAQ awards research scholarships, such as the $30,000 Bourse des jeunes chercheurs and Bourse Rosario Denis, to foster innovation in the field.[35] During the COVID-19 public health crisis from 2020 to 2022, the AAQ issued guidance documents and mobilized members for interdisciplinary responses, including contributions to MSSS directives on infection control and resource allocation in critical care settings.[36][37] Structure
Governed by an elected board of directors with regional representation to reflect Quebec's diverse healthcare landscape, the AAQ's leadership includes a president—currently Dr. Nikola Joly, re-nominated for 2024-2025—and committees addressing practice norms, recruitment, and ethics.[38] This structure enables targeted advocacy, such as on replacement policies during shortages. The organization prioritizes French-language resources, including its website, congress materials, and policy briefs, to support Quebec's linguistic and cultural context while maintaining accessibility for bilingual professionals.[28]