Enhancement of Quality Assurance Systems in Higher Education in APEC Member Economies (October 2006)

This report was commissioned by DEST for APEC EDNET members. It was designed to gather information regarding the systems of quality assurance (QA) for higher education, both on and offshore, in APEC member economies and so increase the transparency of and confidence in these QA arrangements.

The report is based on a survey of the QA arrangements in place in 16 APEC member economies, supplemented with desk-based research. It is a detailed report which examines the legal basis and governance of the QA bodies, funding arrangements, the characteristics of the QA systems, internal and external QA process, reporting arrangements, and quality assuring the QA systems. The application of QA systems to cross-border operations is also considered.

The report found that there has been growth in quality assurance systems over recent years following radical changes to higher education over that time. QA frameworks for the traditional operations of higher education providers are reasonably well developed, however quality assurance of distance education and online education is still developing.

Areas for emulation, improvement and cooperation are identified.

Appendices provide contact details for the QA agencies and a summary of the scope and function of the QA agencies.