APQN’s 14-year Development, Major Projects
& its Emphasis on Staff Capacity-BuildingAPQN President: Prof. Dr. Jianxin Zhang
Manila, Philippines ; February 15-17, 2016
The 30th Annual National Conference of the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges & Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP)
APQN’s 14-year Development, Major Projects &
its Emphasis on Staff Capacity-Building
1. The 14-year Development of APQN
2. A Variety of APQN’s Major Projects
CO
NT
EN
TS
3. Emphasis on Staff Capacity-Building
The 14-year Development of APQN
1
Episode: Course of “Globalization & YOU”
A book:
- Paper in China
- Printing in Singapore
- Printing presses in Germany
& Japan
- Typesetting in India
- Inks in Switzerland
- Authored the book in USA
- Course to all the globe
…
Matthew Sparke:
“Globalization in all its
diverse forms has shifted
our own life.
APQN: founded in Hong Kong in China in 2003
• APQN’s history goes back to international Network for Quality Assurance
Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) which started in 1991.
• In January 2003, the regional participants created the Asia-Pacific Quality
Network(APQN), led by HKCAA(Hong Kong Council for Academic
Accreditation), the Secretariat is provided by AUQA(Australian Universities
Quality Agency).
Delegates at the first APQN Meeting in Hong Kong in 2005
President: Peter PT Cheung(Hong Kong); Vice-President: Prof. VS Prasad
Secretary: Dr. David Woodhouse (Australia); Administrator: Liesha Northover
Prof Dr. Jianxin Zhang
ChinaDr Antony Stella
India
Mrs Concepcion Pijano
Philippines
Dr Jagannath Patil
India
Peter Cheung
Hong Kong, China
Five Presidents for the past 14 Years
• DBQR: a borderless world, advanced as part of globalization
theory:
• contribute to the establishment of regional alignment in QA
• provide an agreed reference point for consistency &
benchmarking in QA
• facilitate regional student & academic mobility & exchange
• improve transparency & accountability HEIs
• align the region with international developments in QA
• encourage mutual trust, confidence & understanding of HE
systems within & beyond the Region.
Final Goal:
Dissolving Boundaries for a Quality Region (DBQR)
Basic diagram of the APQN management structure
Basic principle of APQN to keep its bureaucracy & organization
to a minimum: the General Council, the Board & the Project
Groups & Finance Committee. The General Council is
composed of all members, each represented by one nominated
person from the given organization.
The Members of APQN 5th Board
To enhance the quality of higher education in
Asia & the Pacific region through strengthening
the work of quality assurance agencies &
extending the cooperation between them.
Mission Statement
1 2 3
APQN Vision
APQN Values
to be committed to quality higher education
to be supportive of quality agencies in the region
• to promote good practice in the maintenance & improvement of quality in HE;
• to facilitate research in the region into the practice of quality management in
HE & its effectiveness in improving HE quality;
• to provide advice & expertise to assist the development of new QAAs in the
region;
• to facilitate links between QAAs & acceptance of each other’s decisions &
judgments;
• to assist members of APQN to determine standards of institutions operating
across national borders;
• to permit better-informed international recognition of qualifications;
• to assist in the development & use of credit transfer schemes to enhance the
mobility of students between institutions both within & across national borders;
• to enhance the mobility of students between institutions both within & across
national borders;
• to establish effective working relationships with relevant international & sector
groups who can contribute to the work of APQN: UNESCO, INQAAHE...
APQN Purposes in the Asia-Pacific Region
APQN: the Largest & most Influential non-profit & non-government
International/Regional Network in QA in the Asia-Pacific Region
51 countries/territories in the
Asia-Pacific Region covering half of
the world’s population
197 APQN members from 40
countries/territories (2016)
• Among the 197 members from 40
countries or territories, 37 Full
members, 22 Intermediate
members, 113 Institutional
members, 15 Associate member &
10 Observer members. 31 new
members in 2016
APQN’s Member Structure
Members from Philippines 135 Philippines Asia Theological Association Intermediate
136 PhilippinesInternational Distance Education
Accreditation League, Inc.Associate
137 PhilippinesPhilippine Accrediting Association of
Schools, Colleges & UniversitiesFull
138 PhilippinesPhilippine Association of Colleges &
Universities Commission on AccreditationFull
139 PhilippinesAccrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges &
Universities in the Philippines Inc.(AACCUP)Full
• AACCUP is a recipient
AACCUP： APQN's "Most Vibrant Quality
Assurance Body" Award of 2013
AACCUP:
APQN focuses on QA without boundaries
Focuses on the core of
“quality assurance” in APR,
the priority among priorities,
among the 12 themes,
Through the Global Initiative for
QA Capacity (GIQAC) funded by
UNESCO, the booklet
“Assessing Quality in HE ”,
“Toolkit: Regulating the Quality of
Cross-Border Education” &
others set the QA standards for
QAAs in this region.
• Close relationship with international networks/ organizations in quality HE: ANQAHE, APEC, AQAN , ASEAN, AUN, ECA. ENQA, UNESCO, INQAAHE.
• 4th president (Jagannath Patil) was both presidents of APQN & INQAAHE for one year
• 5th President (Jianxin Zhang) is advisor of CHEA/CIQG in U.S.A
APQN cooperates with national & international
networks/organizations
1)Dissemination of information through newsletters,
documents, journals & books, such as “Academic
Proceeding of 2015 APQN Conference”
2) Capability training & development through seminars,
workshops & staff exchange: Qualifications Frameworks,
Indicators of Quality, Workshop for Evaluators of NAEAC in
Pakistan
3) Quality Awards initiated in 2013 has awarded 38 EQAAs
& HEIs
4) Set QA system for the APR, such as “Assessing Quality
in HE -Digital Book”
5) Reference to the databases & other resources of other
QA organizations- Consultant Data
APQN has a wide range of methods & actions
Quality Information Portal(www.qualityinformationportal.org)
As of the 1st October 2016, the Database are composed of
188 consultants from 56 countries. They are willing to provide
advice to the member agency in the world.
APQN Database of Consultants
http://www.apqn.org/services/consultantsdb/
A Variety of APQN’s Major Projects
2
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Implementation of over 30 QA projects2.1
Year
Project
2004 -2015
1. Asia-Pacific Quality Register（APQR）
2. APQN Quality Label
3. APQN quality information portal
4. …
2015 -2016
1. Asia-Pacific Quality Register（APQR）
2. APQN Quality Label as Regional/International Accreditation of Internationalization
3. APQN quality information portal
4. …
“Survey of the Revision of HE QA
Principles for the Asia Pacific Region
(Chiba Principles)”:
2016.-2017
1. APQN Strategic Plan(2016-2019)
2. Asia-Pacific Quality Register(APQR)
3. Dissolving Boundaries for a Quality Region: APQN Sustainable Development
4. APQN Website Expansion, Consolidation & Maintenance
5. Database of Consultants & Reviewers
6. Staff Capacity-Building
7. APQN quality information portal
8. APQN Quality Label as Regional/International Accreditation of Internationalization
Thirteen QA themes at APQN Annual Conference
Date Theme & Sub-themes
2003 Formation of the Asia Pacific Sub-Network:
2004 World Bank Development Fund Grant (DGF) & APQN
2005 The Establish of APQN: Dissolving Boundaries of a Quality Region
2006 Regional Mobility: Cooperation in Quality Assurance
2007 Emerging Challenges, Emerging Practices: Sharing a Global Vision of QA in HE
2008 Future of QA in Asia-Pacific: Cooperation amidst Diversity
2009 Quality Assurance in HE : Balancing the National Contexts & International Aspirations
2010 Enhancing Quality of HE in the Developing World
2011 Quality Assurance in HE : Expectations & Achievements
2012 External QA in the Asia‐Pacific: What has Changed over a Decade?
2013 Has External QA Made an Impact? Looking back at the Decade of Quality Assurance
2014 HE QA in a Changing World: Envisioning the Future of APR
2015 Globalization & Diversification of QA of HE
2016 Sustainable Development of QA in HE
2017 New Horizons: Dissolve Boundaries for a Quality Region
It thrive to unite all the participants from all member agencies as well as the representatives from
all regions & countries: 2 keynote speeches, 4 panel discussions, 20 parallel sessions &
workshops, APQN Award Ceremony, AGM & social events designed to connect with members &
representatives world-wide.
• Time: May 25-27, 2017
• Venue: Moscow, Russia
• Theme: New Horizons: Dissolve Boundaries for a Quality
Region.
• 3 Keynote speakers; 3 Panel Discussions, nearly 20 Parallel
Sessions, Award ceremony…
Welcome to Moscow for 2017 APQN Annual
Conference
http://www.apqn.org/events/
The Venues of AAC
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
How about Philippine?
APQN’s Sustainable Development
non-profit, non-government networks/organizations normally
have short life spans because of lacking of funding, human
resources & many other reasons. (3-How & 4-What)
1. How can APQN to realize the mission of “to enhance the
quality of higher education in Asia & the Pacific”?
2. How can APQN to reach the value of “being a self-sustaining
Network”?
3. How can APQN to realize its sustainable development as a
non-profit & non-governmental organization?
4. What is APQN’s historical development in the past 14 years?
5. What is APQN today?
6. What will APQN be in the future?
7. What is APQN’s Sustainable Development?
Action 1: APQN Strategic Plan (2016-2019)
• 2016-2017: the year of procedure
building, 2017-2018: staff capacity
building & 2018-2019: action &
achievements.
• 4 principles: 1) target-orientated; 2)
project-orientated; 3) SMART principle
(specific, meaningful, agreed-upon,
results-oriented & tractable); 4)
sustainable development.
• 5 key words: “procedure-base, capacity-
building, self-reliance, information-
sharing & sustainable development”.
• In the next 3 years, APQN will complete 7
goals & actions along with 10 targets.
http://www.apqn.org/files/virtual_library/other_reports/apqn_strategic_plan_2016-
2019(final_version_jul_4,_2016).pdf
Action 2: Self-fundraising Project
• Guidelines for APQN Project by
Self-fundraising (June, 2016)
• The first one in July, Zhang
Jianping from China donated
50000 CNY (7500USD) to project
of “APQN’ Sustainable
Development” lead by Prof. Dr.
Jianxin Zhang.
http://www.apqn.org/project_groups/
Action 3: Revising APQN Brochure
http://www.apqn.org/files/virtual_library/other_reports/brochure.pdf
Sharing Values for Strengthening Trust Beyond
Boarders
Action 4: APQN Procedure Manuel (APM)
• A procedure manual is the backbone
of effective management in any.
• Since its inception in 2003, APQN
released 2 versions of APM: Version
in 2007 (8 chapters) Version 2 in 2011
(1 chapter on Finance).
• In the past decade, APQN got
financial support from World Bank &
UNESCO, but since 2012, the found
was ceased, & APQN stepped into a
self-sustaining era. Naturally many
procedures are of no use. It’s high
time for APQN to revise its APM.
Action 5: Bengaluru Statement on Next-generation
Quality Assurance of Higher Education
On 16-17 September 2016, Bengaluru Statement on Next-
Generation QA of HE : A Shared Vision & Commitment
for Fostering Partnership Beyond Borders”: culmination
of the global summit organised by NAAC & APQN is
counted as the major landmark in the International history of
HE quality assurance.
The Asia Pacific Quality Register (APQR)2.2
A Story of a Frog
Only One frog Success? Why ?
Revelation:• Never listen to those pessimists because they will
only crush your most beautiful dream & hope! • Always remember the positive & optimistic words
you hear, behaviors you see, which will affect your action.
The Inaugural Review for APQR has been
Successfully Completed in Fiji
June 24-26, 2015
Fiji Higher Education Commission
Why for APQR？
1. Provide an inspirational target
2. Serve as a quality hallmark
3. Basis for cross‐border operation of QAAs & HEIs
4. Evaluation of the evaluator
5. Reference to global stakeholders on trustworthy
external QAAs in in Asia-Pacific Region
European Quality Assurance Register for Higher
Education (EQAR) was established in 2008
From its establishment to 2015, it
registered over 40 QAAs …
To promote long-range goals &
objectives of European HE, based on
ESG (European Standards & Guidelines
for Quality Assurance)
1.
Endorse
proposal
2. Pilot
review
QAAC
3.
Release
of APQR
4.
Credibility
5. formal
review
FHEC
6.
Inclusion
of QAAs
The Process of APQR
Apr.13 Taibei; Jun.13 SL; Jan.15 Macao; April ,15 Kunming, China; Jun.15 Fiji ; 2016…
APQR: 2rd international QA network to implement QA register
Release of Website
Asia Pacific Quality Register-APQRNovember 24, 2016
Macao Polytechnic Institute, Macao
in presence of
Dr Jagannath Patil, Chairperson, APQR
Prof Jianxin Zhang, President , APQN
Prof. Marcus Im, Vice President, MPI
www.apqr.co
Features of APQR
Features
1. APQR is an important
measurement of HE
internationazation for the Asia
Pacific Region
2. APQR emphasizes the
Features review of diversity
3. APQR highlights the
combination of quantitative
& qualitative review
Compare Criteria between APQN & APQR
APQR Criteria
1. Organization Category
2. Operations
3. Mission & objectives
4. Staff & reviewers
5. Independence
6. Resources
7. Process & criteria
8. Appeals
9.Quality assurance
10. Monitoring &
evaluation
11.Agency linkages
APQN Criteria
1.Nature of the operations
of the agency
2. Mission statement &
objectives
3. Agency staff numbers
profile roles
4. Profile of reviewers
5. Independence
6. Resources
7. External quality
assurance criteria &
processes
8. Quality assurance
“3 Combinations” Principles for Review
1Establish the “negotiating register” mechanism
advocated in “the 4th Generation Evaluation” by
combining the review panel & the QAA.
2Combining the comprehensive whole
background with key review elements.
3Combing review & guidance together, i.e. the
review must make judgments & supply the
guidance for the future development of the QAA.
Process of the APQR
1. Expression of interest(EoI) by the QAA
2. Acceptance of eligibility by the APQR Council
3. Self-Evaluation Report (SER) by the QAA
4. Desk Review of SER by the APQR review panel
5. On-Site Visit by the APQR review panel: Validation of SER; Qualitative & quantitative evaluation
6. Finalizing the external review report by the APQR review panel & approved by the QAA
7. Outcome by the APQR Council
Expression of Interest
I. Name of the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)
II. Contact details
III. Basic Information about the QAA
IV. Motivation for Seeking a Review
V. Proposed Review Schedule
VI. Draft Budget
Programme for the APQR Review Visit
Self-Evaluation Report by the Agency
The SER is limited to maximum of 40
pages, including annexes with strong
evidence bases.
Review Result
Fully compliance
Substantially compliance
Partially compliance
Non‐compliance
Acceptance onto APQR is based on ‘substantial compliance’,
which requires either full or substantial compliance with each
criterion.
What is the Cost ?
Note: Air fare & accommodation & all related expenses are to be borne by
the applicant agency directly. Additional expenses may include the costs of
visas & ground transport unless reviewers agree to pay for these
themselves.
S/N Item Amount USD
1 Services of the Secretariat 5000
2 Honorarium for three reviewers(one reviewer
250 USD per day）3000
Total (USD) 8000
APQN Quality Label2.3
Background: Seek for Quality
1. Quality of HEIs:
responsibility & task of HEIs
2. QAAs contribute to this quality through evaluation & accreditation
3. Quality label: the proof HEIs met the QA criteria
Purpose of Quality Label
•To establish the criterion of internationalization of
higher education, & determine the best way to
sustainably deploy internationalization of HE in APR
•To establish the standardization of the QA system of
internationalization, & facilitate communications of
different international experiences within APR
To promote the international mobility of students, faculty,
programs，researches, projects, exchanges of HEIs in
APR , & even the whole globe
1
2
3
Purpose
Background: Internationalization
Rapid Change
HE internationalization is the process of transnational & cross-cultural perspective & atmosphere combined with university teaching, scientific research & social services, an all-embracing process, which has the changes both inside & outside university, both bottom-up & top-down administration , as well as the policy.（ International Association of Universities in UNESCO）
“The World is Flat” by Thomas Freedman
Criteria & Indicators of Quality Label
Criterion Indicator
1. International
Mission & policy1.1 Policy of internationalization
1.2 System of internal quality assurance (IQA)
2. Organization &
administration
2.1 Organization
2.2 Administration
3.International
Mobility
3.1 Mobility of programs
3.2 Student mobility
3.3 Staff mobility
4.Student Support 4.1 Availability of scholarships & investments
4.2 Human resources
4.3 extracurricular activities
5.Student Learning
Outcomes (SLO)
5.1 Academic performance & qualification
5.2 Graduate
5 criteria, 12 indicators & 34 review points
Process of Quality Label
1. Expression of interest (EoI) by the HEI / programme
1. Expression of interest (EoI) by the HEI / programme
2. Acceptance of eligibility by the APQN Board or registered QAA with APQR
3. Self-Evaluation Report(SER) by the HEI / program
4. Desk review of SER by the review panel
5. On-Site Visit by the review panel: 1) validation of SER; 2) qualitative & quantitative evaluation
6. Finalizing the review report by the panel & approved by the HEI / programme
7. Outcome by the APQN Board
Review Result of Quality Label
Fully achieved
Substantially achieved
Partially achieved
Non‐achieved
Cost of the Review
S/N Item Amount USD
1 Services of APQN Secretariat for Quality Label 3000
2 Honorarium for three reviewers(one reviewer 500 U$ per day x 2 days）
3000
Total(USD) 6000
Note: Air fare & accommodation & all related expenses are to be borne by
the applicant agency directly. Additional expenses may include the costs of
visas & ground transport unless reviewers agree to pay for these
themselves.
Further Information & Discussion
1. To Launch Accreditation to Nursing,
Accounting, MBA…
2. To choose one HEI/ Programme as a pilot
review for Quality Label or Accreditation .
3. Any feedback are welcomed to APQN
Secretariat ([email protected]) &
President of APQN ( [email protected])
Emphasis on Staff Capacity-Building
3
Frog Effect from Cornell University’s experiment
Frog effect means that if people lack the sense of crisis, they
are bound to suffer losses and pay the price.
How to keep staff have sense of crisis?
Definitions of Capacity Development
• “A process that focuses on
enhancing the skills,
knowledge & social
capabilities available to
individuals, social & political
systems” (UN)
• “The sustainable creation,
utilization & retention of
capacity, in order to reduce
poverty, enhance skills,
achieve growth, equalize
opportunities & enhance
people’s lives”
• (UNDP: United Nations
Development Programme)
Environment
Organization
Individual
3 Levels of Capacity (UNDP, 1998)
• Created by the UN in the 1970s - we
used to talk about Institutional building.
The notion of Capacity Building became
more wide-spread in the 1990s, & it
refers more to individuals (UN agencies,
conferences etc.)
3 Levels of Capacity
Institutional
Organizational
Individual
making legal & regulatory changes to enable
organizations, institutions & agencies at all levels
& in all sectors to enhance their capacities
the elaboration of management structures,
processes & procedures, not only within
organizations but also the management of
relationships between the different organizations
& sectors (public, private & community)
the process of equipping individuals with the
understanding, skills & access to information,
knowledge & training that enables them to
perform effectively
Aspects of institutional capacity
Human
Resources
(i.e. individuals)
Intra-
organization
al capacity
Inter-
organizational
capacity
External
institutional
rules &
incentives
APQN Staff Capacity-Building
Since 2006, APQN began Staff Capacity-Building (Staff Exchange): 46
members from over 30 countries & territories have the opportunities to be
trained in host organizations.
Purpose of Staff Capacity-Building
• assist the professional development of the
visiting staff members
•enhance the capacity building of both the guest
& the host organizations
strengthen the communication & cooperation of
both sides
1
2
3
Purpose
Call for Staff Capacity Building (2017)
Time Scope
Week 1
- Study the host’s EQA system; the participant can be allowed to
be present at meetings (such as staff meetings, accreditation or
audit planning meetings, training sessions, seminars, etc.).
- Spread through the time unoccupied by such fixed events, all
or most staff of the organization can each spend a couple of
hours with the participant explaining her/his area(s) of
responsibility.
- The participant should be asked to give a presentation on her
or his own system.
Weekend - The participant should be given some local cultural experiences
(e.g. visits to events or places)
Week 2
- Observe a review visit
- Visit & talk to the IQA unit/IQ cell in one or two institutions
Expression of Interest (EoI)
1.Category □ sender(the guest) □ receiver (the host)
2.Name of the
organization &
contact details
(Including Name, contact person, e-mail,
telephone, address)
3.Proposed
duration
From (yyyy-mm-dd) to (yyyy-mm-dd)
4. Visiting Staff
member
(a short bio of the nominee, about 200 words;
unnecessary for the host)
5.Proposed
Programme
(Including time, venue, participants, activities,
process, outcomes & reports)
6.Draft budget (Including item amount, expense in USD & the
financial amount that the host apply for support)
7. Others
The Best Practice of Staff Capacity Building
Time Scope
Week 1
- Study the host’s EQA system; the participant can be
allowed to be present at meetings (such as staff
meetings, accreditation or audit planning meetings,
training sessions, seminars, etc.).
- Spread through the time not occupied by such fixed
events, all or most staff of the organization can each
spend a couple of hours with the participant explaining
her/his area(s) of responsibility.
- The participant should be asked to give a presentation
on her or his own system.
Weekend The participant should be given some local cultural
experiences (e.g. visits to events or places)
Week 2
- Observe a review visit
- Visit & talk to the IQA unit/IQ cell in one or two
institutions
Case: Staff Members from FHEC
Yunnan Higher Education Evaluation Centre (YHEEC) received Ms. Malini Nair - Prasad
& Mr. Waisea Rokobera from the Fiji Higher Education Commission (FHEC) from for 2
weeks in October, 2015:
1) observed how YHEEC functions; 2) conducted a 3-day institutional evaluation to
YFTVC; 3) visited a YCAVC; 4)a lecture to graduates; 5) a presentation at YAHE.
Steps in Capacity Development
Determining current capacities for management at all levels. (Consider self & outsider’s perspectives)
Establishing goals with clear visions for all units of the department & at all levels of administration.
Determine the capacities to be strengthened - Operational & Adaptive capacities.
Decide strategies for achieving these capacities,
implement, monitor, reassess & plan for the future
based on the results.
Individual levelUnderstanding
the international
& country
contexts
• How is the availability of skilled & committed
individuals shaped by global & local push & pull
factors?
• Under what conditions could organizations
contribute more strongly to capacity development at
home?
Identifying &
supporting sources
of country-owned
change
• Are individual professionals able to be mobilize?
• Are donor sufficiently responsive to restoring
salary levels in key posts?
Delivering
support
• Do training components take full advantage of the
potential of ICT?
• Are the training components linked to increasing
organizational effectiveness & putting new skills to
use?
Learning from
experiences &
sharing lessons
• Does the follow u goes beyond knowledge &
livelihood benefits?
• Is it tracking the effects on organizational capacity
& performance?
A journey of thousands of miles can be achieved
through accumulation of each single step..( 不积跬步
无以至千里)(from great thinker Xun Zi written 2200 years ago)
A thousand mile begins with the first step. ——Confucius, Chinese great philosophy 2000 years ago
