Southeast Asian Quality Assurance Model:

A Research Project

Future Mechanisms for Collaboration Towards a Common

Higher Education Space in Southeast Asia

Background: Harmonisation of Higher Education Framework

3rd Director General, Secretary General Commission Meeting22 January 2009, Bangkok Thailand

Establishment of the Harmonisation Process:1. Credit transfer system2. Quality Assurance

Framework & Qualification Framework

3. Diploma Supplement4. Research Cluster5. Leadership Development6. E-Learning and Mobile

Learning

Prioritised QA as objective of the Harmonisation of Higher

Education Process

Project Background

17th SEAMEO RIHED Governing Board Meeting17-18 August 2009, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

17th GBM approved a Study and requested RIHED produce a clearly defined research proposal for policy research

SEAMEO RIHED proposed research on Southeast Asian Quality Assurance Models

Research Project

A Study on Southeast Asian Quality Assurance

Models

Project Purpose

Project Design - Questionnaire

Questionnaire identifies characteristics of QA in each country, including:

•Purpose •Governance and management structure of quality assurance agencies •Financial resources•External quality assurance in practice•Scope of activities, and •The external quality assurance process

Project Design

• QA experts in each ASEAN countries enlisted

• Their expertise provided an overview of the current status of external quality assurance systems in each country

QA Agency StatusBrunei Darussalam

Department of Higher EducationCambodia

Accreditation Committee of Cambodia

IndonesiaNational Accreditation Agency for Higher Education

Lao PDRDepartment of Higher Education

MalaysiaMalaysian Qualification Agency

MyanmarDepartment of Higher Education

The PhilippinesOffice of Quality Management

SingaporeHigher Education Quality Assurance Section

ThailandOffice for National Education Standards and Assessment

VietnamNational Accreditation Council

Respondents

Summary of Findings

• Common commitment to quality assurance• Different approaches but many similarities• All countries have internal quality assurance

within institutions• External quality assurance varies, some

countries are without a national system• Most countries have a quality assurance agency

Summary of Findings: SEA Quality Assurance Elements

Quality Assurance Activities: Regional, National and HEI levels

Quality Assurance Activities: ASEAN Quality Assurance Network

SEAMEO RIHED and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) established the ASEAN Quality Assurance Network (AQAN) from early 2008.

Quality Assurance Activities: ASEAN Quality Assurance Network

• To promote further collaboration and networking among various authorities responsible for higher education in the ASEAN member countries.

• By adopting the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, all participating agencies and ministries agree to work together under the AQAN umbrella towards the harmonization of the higher education in the ASEAN member countries.

1.AQAN Executive Committee Meeting, 6 March 2010, Bangkok, Thailand

3. The 3rd AQAN Roundtable Meeting, 27-31 July 2010, Jakarta, Indonesia

2. AQAN-AUN-RIHED: Tripartite QA Synergistic Relationship, 15June 2010, Bangkok, Thailand

In 2010 quality assurance development was discussed through the following meetings:

Quality Assurance Activities: ASEAN Quality Assurance Network

Quality Assurance Activities: ASEAN Quality Assurance Network

• Senior Assessors Workshop• National Quality Framework

seminar• Staff and Assessors

Exchange Programme• External Quality

Assessment Systems Seminar

• ASEAN Young QA Officials Meeting

• Executive roundtable meeting

• Curriculum development workshops

Quality Assurance Activities: ASEAN University Network

• AUN Program Assessment• AUN-QA Strategic

Promotion Plan• AUN-QA Peers

Assessment Program• Enlargement of AUN-QA

Services• Enhancing QA training for

CLMV• AUN-QA Guideline and

Manual

Quality Assurance Activities: SEAMEO RIHED

• Development of QA with AQAN

• Policy Forum on Southeast Asian Quality Assurance Systems

• Survey on SEA QA Models• Cooperate with MQA to

set up AQAN• Training / Workshop &

Seminar for QA Officials in SEA

The Future of Quality Assurance in Southeast Asia

1. QA is not an ends in itself, but there to uplift broader HE quality

2. QA will facilitate connectivity between students and staff

3. AQAN can lead QA in SEA region, like ENQA in the EU

4. Alignment in terms of QA criteria and process will aid harmonisation

Steps to Strengthen Quality Assurance

Future Actions and Collaboration

• Participation in the Study on Quality Assurance Model in Southeast Asian Higher Education from Brunei Darussalam and Myanmar.

• Finalisation of the Study on Quality Assurance Model in Southeast Asian Higher Education and authorise publication of results.

Future Actions and Collaboration

• AQAN will continue to promote the benefits of quality assurance, encourage cooperation to build capacity and lead countries to agreement on quality assurance principles.

• These actions will develop the Southeast Asian Quality Assurance System.

Next Step: Publication

Project Purpose Achieved?

Requested Decisions

1. take note of the on-going status and the progress of the Study on Quality Assurance Model in Southeast Asian Higher Education.

2. request that Representative from Brunei Darussalam and Myanmar participate in the Study on Quality Assurance Model in Southeast Asian Higher Education.

3. approve the finalisation of the Study on Quality Assurance Model in Southeast Asian Higher Education and authorise publication of results.

Requested Decisions4. request RIHED member nations participate in AQAN

membership and activities.

5. financially support the work of AQAN in developing a strong QA network for the region

6. empower AQAN to promote the benefits of quality assurance, encourage cooperation to build capacity and lead countries to agreement on quality assurance principles.

7. commit to alignment of Southeast Asian Quality Assurance criteria and processes over the next five years.

Thank you for your participation and attention