Get Ready for the AUN-QA International Conference 2024: Revisiting the Key Highlights of 2023!

Agenda 1: Quality Assurance in the Globalized World of Higher Education

Facilitators:

• Prof. Dr. Wyona C. Patalinghug, AUN-QA Lead Assessor
• Dr. Arnel Onesimo O. Uy, AUN-QA Lead Assessor

Speakers:

• Dr. Michael Gaebel, Director, European University Association (EUA)
• Prof. Dr. Abdelrahim A. Hunaiti, Assistant Secretary General, Association of Arab Universities (AArU)
• Prof. Dunrong Bie, Vice President, China Association of Higher Education (CAHE)
• Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities (AIU)

In today’s interconnected world, ensuring that quality assurance frameworks in higher education reflect global standards is essential. However, as this session emphasized, applying a one-size-fits-all approach is neither feasible nor desirable. The discussion explored how institutions and QA bodies can adopt best practices from global models while customizing them to meet regional needs.

Dr. Michael Gaebel of the European University Association (EUA) opened the session by discussing the foundations of European QA systems. The Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) serve as a bedrock for QA practices across Europe. Dr. Gaebel stressed that these guidelines are not static; they are continuously evolving in response to the rapid changes in education and societal needs. Central to these systems is the close collaboration between universities and government agencies, ensuring that educational policies are both effective and responsive.

One key element of European QA, as highlighted by Dr. Gaebel, is the emphasis on student-centered learning. QA is not only about ensuring institutional excellence but also about enhancing the learning experience for students, who are the ultimate beneficiaries. He underscored the need for higher education institutions (HEI) to foster adaptive and community-driven QA cultures that respond to the diverse needs of learners and the changing demands of the global workforce.

Next, Prof. Dr. Abdelrahim A. Hunaiti from the Association of Arab Universities (AArU) shared the Arab region’s approach to handling the growing demand for higher education. Established in 1964, the AArU has developed a robust QA framework that includes clear standards and indicators, tailored to the unique context of Arab institutions. He outlined the creation of the AArU Quality Assurance and Accreditation Council, which organizes workshops and training for member universities, enabling them to share good practices and implement effective QA measures.

Highlighted by Prof. Hunait was the AArU Programme Standards, which serves as an effective policy that ensures excellent quality education in the region.. These standards are both comprehensive and flexible, accommodating the diversity of institutions across the region. Importantly, AArU recognizes the need for differentiated approaches to face-to-face and distance learning, reflecting a forward-looking vision for education that is increasingly hybrid.

Throughout the session, the emphasis was clear: collaboration, adaptability, and a shared commitment to quality are essential if higher education in ASEAN and other regions is to rise above the challenges of globalization. The insights from the education space of Europe and the Arab provided a rich foundation for ASEAN institutions to draw inspiration for their own QA systems.

Agenda 2: Institutional Assessment Version 3.0 – Raising the Bar for Quality Assurance

Presenter:

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Kay Chuan, AUN-QA Technical Expert and Chief of Quality Officer, National University of Singapore

In 2023, the spotlight was firmly on AUN-QA’s institutional assessment, with the much-anticipated launch of Guide to AUN-QA Quality Assessment at Institutional Level Version 3.0. As institutions across ASEAN look to elevate their standards, this revised guide promises to provide a more streamlined and effective framework for institutional assessments.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tan Kay Chuan provided an in-depth walkthrough of the key changes introduced in Version 3.0. At its core, the new version addresses a critical issue faced by assessors and institutions alike: ambiguity in the interpretation of requirements. Version 3.0 introduces clearer explanations for all 60 requirements, eliminating confusion and ensuring more consistent assessments across institutions.

Another major improvement is the reduction of redundancy in criteria—cutting down the number of criteria by 40% and reducing requirements by 45%. This allows universities to focus on the most essential aspects of QA, making the assessment process less burdensome while enhancing its effectiveness.

But beyond the technicalities of the guide itself, Prof. Tan emphasized the broader vision for institutional QA. With the new guide, AUN-QA is aiming to foster a QA culture that extends beyond programme-level assessments. The goal is to integrate QA processes at all levels of the institution, from the top leadership to administrative staff, ensuring a comprehensive commitment to quality across the entire educational ecosystem.

A crucial point made during the session was the importance of institutional assessments in enhancing a university’s reputation and recognition. Prof. Tan outlined how high-quality assessments can lead to better rankings, which, in turn, can boost a university’s visibility, attract more students, and generate financial support. He also highlighted that, in today’s competitive higher education landscape, relationships—both internal and external—play a significant role in an institution’s ranking. Thus, fostering strong networks within the higher education landscape is key to long-term success.

To support universities in adopting Version 3.0, AUN-QA has developed a comprehensive roadmap for training and capacity building. Institutions can progress from Tier 1 training (introduction to the framework) all the way to Tier 3 (preparation for institution-level assessment). Assessments utilizing Version 3.0 have already begun in 2024, and throughout the year AUN-QA has provided training workshops to guide institutions through the transition. This session made it clear that institutional assessments are not merely a bureaucratic requirement but a strategic tool for long-term sustainability and excellence. The audience left with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to take the lessons from Version 3.0 back to their own universities.

The first two agendas of the AUN-QA International Conference 2023 highlighted the growing importance of quality assurance in an increasingly globalized world. The discussions in Agenda 1 underscored the need for regional adaptation of global QA models, while fostering collaboration and student-centered learning. Meanwhile, Agenda 2 introduced the transformative Version 3.0 of the AUN-QA institutional assessment framework, which promises to streamline the evaluation process and reinforce institutional commitment to excellence across ASEAN universities. These sessions set the stage for even more insightful conversations at the upcoming AUN-QA International Conference 2024. Stay tuned as we continue to revisit the key takeaways from 2023’s event, and prepare to engage in the discussions that will shape the future of higher education in ASEAN and beyond.