QAA signs MoUs with two major Asian quality agencies

QAA is delighted to announce that we have this week signed Memoranda of Understanding with quality agencies based in Malaysia and Thailand.

The signings of both memoranda took place during the annual conference of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), which was hosted by the Japan University Accreditation Association at the Akasaka Intercity Conference Centre in Tokyo on 13-16 May. 

INQAAHE is a worldwide association of organisations active in the theory and practice of quality assurance in higher education. This year’s conference attracted over 300 delegates from over 40 countries and focused on the paradigm shifts taking place in education and quality assurance – from technological advancements and demographic shifts, to new models of education delivery, the conference discussed how quality agencies can adapt to meet these new challenges.

QAA Chief Executive Vicki Stott – who also serves as President of INQAAHE – met with leaders from both Asian agencies – the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), and Thailand's Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA) – to sign these memoranda at the event in Japan.

The MQA was created in 2007 by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency Act and is responsible for monitoring and overseeing the quality assurance practices and accreditation of national higher education. The MoU renews and builds upon a previous agreement signed in 2019, and sets out collaboration in key areas including micro-credentials, academic integrity, online learning and transnational education. Malaysia is one of the largest host countries for UK TNE, and is home to five UK branch campuses. 

Founded in 2000 by Royal Decree, ONESQA works to pursue excellence in the accreditation of educational quality standards at national and international levels. The MoU brings ONESQA and QAA together to collaborate on accreditation, staff development, and supporting the development of UK-Thailand partnerships. TNE in Thailand has grown steadily, with around 1,000 UK TNE students studying there each year.

"It is so exciting to have signed MoUs with these two great agencies," said Shannon Stowers, Head of International Policy and Engagement at QAA. "These agreements will promote collaboration and knowledge exchange between our organisations, and we very much look forward to the opportunities for learning, sharing and cooperation which they are designed to support."