IQR Case Study: Institutional accreditation in Malaysia
QAA’s International Quality Review (IQR) helped Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) in Malaysia to position itself globally as a world-class institution through benchmarking with internationally recognised standards for quality.
Prof Dr Andrew Seddon, Senior Director, Partnerships and Standards at APU, outlines how the IQR process led to a range of strategic benefits, and ultimately reinforced the University’s internal quality culture.
Why did you choose to seek international accreditation?
From inception, APU’s leadership prioritised international benchmarking, as encouraged by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), embedding quality assurance and governance processes that align with global standards. A key objective in pursuing the QAA International Quality Review is to strengthen APU’s case for attaining self-accrediting status, a distinction currently held by only a small fraction of Malaysian higher education institutions.
Why did you choose to work with QAA and undertake an International Quality Review?
APU’s pursuit of QAA accreditation reflects a strategic commitment to educational excellence, global competitiveness, and institutional growth. External validation through a globally recognised agency such as QAA, and benchmarking against international standards, ensures that APU’s academic and quality assurance processes align with global best practices, supporting ongoing institutional improvement. Accreditation positions APU as a leader in Malaysian higher education and a credible player in the international academic landscape.
The strategic benefits of QAA accreditation were the main reasons for our pursuit of this accolade:
Global recognition and credibility
Accreditation by a reputable UK body such as QAA affirms adherence to high international academic standards, enhancing APU’s global reputation.
Attracting international students
UK-accredited institutions are trusted by students from regions like the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, providing APU with a significant recruitment advantage.
Enhancing graduate employability
Accreditation signals quality to employers, particularly multinationals, improving the career prospects of APU graduates both locally and internationally.
Facilitating international partnerships
QAA recognition enhances APU’s ability to form academic collaborations, including dual degrees, credit transfers, and student exchanges.
Strengthening transnational education credentials
QAA accreditation supports the integrity and quality of APU’s dual degree and franchised programmes, reinforcing compliance with UK TNE expectations.
National prestige and regional competitiveness
As the only Malaysian institution to have achieved QAA accreditation, APU sets itself apart, aligning with national priorities for excellence and internationalisation.
How has accreditation influenced internal quality assurance, academic programmes or administrative processes?
The QAA IQR has acted as a catalyst for institutional excellence. It not only validates the quality of our education but has helped to elevate our systems, structures, and services to global standards. This comprehensive impact improves the University’s reputation, strengthens student outcomes, and positions APU as a globally competitive institution in higher education.
Has accreditation affected your institution’s reputation locally or globally?
While accreditation improves many internal processes, the most significant benefit for APU, as a private, globally-oriented university, is the external validation and international reputation we can gain – leading to greater trust, recognition, and competitiveness in the global higher education landscape. Domestically, we have already seen interest in our QAA accreditation by the Ministry of Higher Education and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. Internationally, accreditation is expected to enhance APU’s global reputation and increase collaborative engagements with international academics. It will also position us in the global education market as a world-class higher education provider in the Asia-Pacific region, allowing us to compete more effectively with universities in the region and beyond.
About the University
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is a private university based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The University’s key priorities are a focus on academic excellence; integration of research and innovation within the curriculum; internationalisation; an emphasis on student centricity and preparing them for their future careers; and a commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. APU has a long history of collaborating with UK partners at both teaching and research levels, and has articulation partners across the globe with the majority being in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Contact us to find out more about IQR
If you would like further information about IQR and the process of QAA accreditation, please email us.
