This document discusses quality assurance models and collaboration efforts in Southeast Asian higher education. It summarizes a research project that studied quality assurance approaches across ASEAN countries. Most countries now have quality assurance agencies and are working to harmonize standards through networks like AQAN. Future actions include strengthening AQAN, finalizing the research findings, and further aligning quality assurance criteria and processes in Southeast Asia.

1. Southeast Asian Quality Assurance Model: A Research Project Future Mechanisms for Collaboration Towards a Common Higher Education Space in Southeast Asia

2. Background: Harmonisation of Higher Education Framework 3 rd Director General, Secretary General Commission Meeting 22 January 2009, Bangkok Thailand Establishment of the Harmonisation Process: Credit transfer system Quality Assurance Framework & Qualification Framework Diploma Supplement Research Cluster Leadership Development E-Learning and Mobile Learning Prioritised QA as objective of the Harmonisation of Higher Education Process

3. Project Background 17 th SEAMEO RIHED Governing Board Meeting 17-18 August 2009, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 17 th 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

4. Research Project A Study on Southeast Asian Quality Assurance Models

5. Project Purpose

6. 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 S cope of activities, and The external quality assurance process

7. 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

8. QA Agency Status Brunei Darussalam Department of Higher Education Cambodia Accreditation Committee of Cambodia Indonesia National Accreditation Agency for Higher Education Lao PDR Department of Higher Education Malaysia Malaysian Qualification Agency Myanmar Department of Higher Education The Philippines Office of Quality Management Singapore Higher Education Quality Assurance Section Thailand Office for National Education Standards and Assessment Vietnam National Accreditation Council

9. Respondents

10. 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

11. Summary of Findings: SEA Quality Assurance Elements

12. Quality Assurance Activities: Regional, National and HEI levels

13. 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

14. 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. Quality Assurance Activities: ASEAN Quality Assurance Network

15. AQAN Executive Committee Meeting , 6 March 2010, Bangkok, Thailand 3. The 3 rd 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

16. 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 Quality Assurance Network

17. 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: ASEAN University Network

18. 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 Quality Assurance Activities: SEAMEO RIHED

19. The Future of Quality Assurance in Southeast Asia QA is not an ends in itself, but there to uplift broader HE quality QA will facilitate connectivity between students and staff AQAN can lead QA in SEA region, like ENQA in the EU Alignment in terms of QA criteria and process will aid harmonisation

20. Steps to Strengthen Quality Assurance

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Next Step: Publication

24. Project Purpose Achieved ?

25. 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.

26. Requested Decisions 4. 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.

27. Thank you for your participation and attention