UK and Hong Kong agencies sign Memorandum of Understanding

The UK's Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ).

Established in 1990, the HKCAAVQ is as an independent statutory body which provides advice on academic standards of degree programmes in higher education institutions in Hong Kong. It is also responsible for the vocational and professional education and training sector as the Accreditation Authority and Qualifications Register Authority under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. It provides quality assurance and assessment services to education and training institutions, and advisory and consultancy services in education qualifications and standards to government bureaux and other organisations in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region.

Through this MoU, the two agencies have agreed to share information on the higher education and quality systems of the UK and Hong Kong, the latest developments, challenges and approaches in higher education and quality assurance, and on QAA-led international accreditation activities for institutions in Hong Kong. They have also agreed to explore opportunities for joint projects and activities, as well as to work together to advise on quality assurance and enhancement practices that affect transnational education and support the development and sustainability of UK-Hong Kong institutional partnerships.

QAA Chief Executive Karl Leydecker said: "It’s a real pleasure to meet everyone today and to sign this MoU… I am looking forward to getting to know you better and I hope we’ll have many opportunities to work together.

"Assuring and enhancing the quality of higher education, both in the UK and internationally, remains central to our mission. That includes the quality of transnational education, which continues to grow in scale and in importance. We’ve recently launched our refreshed UK TNE Quality Scheme, designed to support UK providers to strengthen the quality of TNE they deliver. Our collaboration with HKCAAVQ is vital in this area, ensuring that students studying for UK qualifications in Hong Kong receive the highest possible quality of education."

QAA's Director of International Policy & Engagement Shannon Stowers added: "This agreement will contribute significantly to our work in supporting, assuring and enhancing international and transnational higher education In Hong Kong and across the region. We very much look forward to the opportunities for collaboration which today's MoU has established."