AUN-QEx Mastery Training: Day 1 Insights on Building Comparable and Transferable Degrees

The ASEAN University Network (AUN) has launched the AUN Qualifications Excellence (AUN-QEx) initiative to help Southeast Asian universities redesign degree programmes with a focus on global compatibility and subject-specific relevance. AUN-QEx empowers institutions to construct academic offerings that are both regionally grounded and internationally credible — through practical frameworks, targeted tools, and collaborative training.

AUN-QEx's Distinctive Feature: The KSR-LOs Formulation Table

At the centre of AUN-QEx’s curriculum development strategy is a new tool that bridges expectations with practical application: the KSR-LOs Formulation Table. Developed by AUN-QEx experts, this matrix enables universities to map their expected learning outcomes (LOs) against core graduate Knowledge, Skills, and Responsibilities (KSR). The formulation table doesn’t just track outcomes — it provides a structured, visual mechanism for aligning degree-level goals with actual graduate attributes.

While outcome mapping isn’t new, the specificity and structured layout of the KSR-LOs Formulation Table — especially in the context of subject-specific undergraduate programmes — makes it a compelling tool. Similar in spirit to the well-regarded Tuning Project and the successful CALOHEA framework (link to article), this matrix transforms abstract frameworks into actionable blueprints.

Day 1: Using Tools for Impact

Day 1 of the AUN-QEx Mastery Training sets the tone by giving participants a chance to engage with the KSR-LOs tool firsthand. This day is not about theory, but about applying those tools in meaningful, institution-specific ways. Using participants’ real curricular documents, the training supports peer exchange and hands-on curriculum auditing.
Participants will:

• Explore the KSR dimensions and how they support coherent, competency-based programme learning outcomes (PLOs);
• Audit their own LOs for alignment and relevance, guided by the formulation table;
• Participate in both individual and group work to reformulate outcomes, tailored to their academic contexts;
• Link outcomes to broader curriculum structures.

By using this tool, participants are equipped to uncover misalignments, streamline redundancies, and articulate clear learning expectations that resonate across national boundaries.

Who Should Join?

This programme is not just for academics. The KSR-LOs Formulation Table — and the broader AUN-QEx training — is designed for:

• Curriculum developers and QA teams;
• University leaders and top-level administrators who review or approve new curricula;
• Departmental staff and faculty responsible for implementation;
• Policy-level actors shaping the direction of university education systems.

In short, anyone responsible for the design, approval, or execution of academic programmes can benefit.

Curriculum Excellence with Purpose

AUN-QEx is offering a mindset shift. Through subject-specific degree design, grounded in concrete frameworks and international alignment tools, this initiative equips institutions to craft degrees that are not only recognised abroad but also rooted in local strengths. The KSR-LOs Formulation Table is a compelling reason to join: a simple matrix with transformative potential.

Coming Next: Day 2 – Coherence, Consistency, and Clarity.