The Ten Principles Behind AUN-QA Model at Programme Level (3rd Version)

Generally, accreditation or assessment system in higher education can be classified into two broad categories: Rules-based and Principles-based. Rules-based system focuses on compliance to standards and indicators while principles-based system focuses on a set of underlying principles of continuous quality improvement based on a framework (Lindsay H Heywood, Principles-based accreditation: the way forward?, 2007). Empirical and scholarly evidence suggests that principles-based system has a more gradual startup but a more enduring and sustainable gains in quality improvement over a longer time period than rules-based system as illustrated below.

Source: Lindsay H Heywood, Principles-based accreditation: the way forward?, 2007

A comparison of the characteristics of principles-based versus rules-based system is tabulated below.

The principles-based assessment system was behind the 3rd version of the AUN-QA Model at Programme Level.  The ten principles supporting the AUN-QA criteria are illustrated below.

Criterion 1 - Expected Learning Outcomes

Principle 1 - Vertical Alignment of Learning Outcomes and Stakeholder's Needs

Criterion 2 - Programme Specification

Principle 2 - Providing an Informed Choice through Course and Programme Specifications 

Criterion 3 - Programme Structure and Content

Principle 3 - Constructive Alignment of Curriculum to Learning Outcomes

Criterion 4 - Teaching and Learning Approach

Principle 4 - Alignment of Teaching and Learning Approach to Culture, People and System

Criterion 5 - Student Assessment

Principle 5 - Constructive Alignment of Student Assessment to Learning Outcomes and Teaching & Learning

Criterion 6 - Academic Staff Quality and Criterion 7 - Support Staff Quality

Principle 6 - Holistic Approach to Academic and Support Staff Quality

Criterion 8 - Student Quality and Support

Principle 7 - Quality and Retention of Graduates are dependent of Student Quality and Support Services

Criterion 9 - Facilities and Infrastructure

Principle 8 - An Integrated Facilities and Infrastructure Beyond Physical Boundary

Criterion 10 - Quality Enhancement

Principle 9 - A Planned Quality Enhancement for Continuous Improvement

Criterion 11 - Output

Principle 10 - Benchmarking for Seeking Best Practices

Certified Quality Manager 31st Intake - Training and Development Module

The Certified Quality Manager (CQM) course is hosted by the Singapore Quality Institute (SQI) and Mr Johnson Ong Chee Bin is the appointed trainer for the Training and Development Module. The module for the 31st Intake was held on 19 December 2015 at SQI. The module covers the following topics:

• Introduction to Training and Development
• Training and Development Process
• National Model for Training and Development
• Factors affecting the Future of Training and Development

At the workshop, the following Training and Development Model was introduced to the participants.

8th Happiness DNA Public Workshop

The 8th Happiness DNA public workshop was held on 17 & 18 December 2015. The workshop was facilitated by Chief Happiness Coach, Mr Johnson Ong Chee Bin of Living Better in collaboration with ASK Training Pte Ltd.

The 2-day workshop is based on the principles of positive psychology, and physical, mental and emotional therapies and techniques. It is taught in a unique change methodology where participants first determine the level of their happiness in the eight dimensions of the happiness DNA. How to nurture and sustain the eight dimensions of the happiness DNA is then introduced. The workshop concluded with an action plan to address the gaps in the happiness DNA.

Meditation - a Mindfulness Exercise for Mental Happiness.

Rotational Group Brainstorming - "Ideas for Doing Sweetness" to sustain Social Happiness

10th AUN-QA Workshop for Accomplishing Programme Assessment

The 10th AUN-QA Workshop for Accomplishing Programme Assessment was organised by AUN Secretariat from 1 to 4 December 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 4-day course aims to introduce the AUN-QA system and enhance quality assurance practices based on the latest version of AUN-QA criteria (3rd version). It is held for professionals who are in charge of quality assurance in higher education. The content of the workshop focuses on AUN-QA model at programme level and it encompasses:

• Introduction to quality assurance in higher education 
• AUN-QA model and criteria at programme level 
• AUN-QA quality assessment process 
• PDCA Approach to self-assessment 
• Self-assessment report (SAR) writing 
• Change Management 

The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, AUN-QA Expert together with Dr. Tan Kay Chuan from the National University of Singapore. The workshop was attended by 34 participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Design of Assessment Rubrics

Two academic staff from the English Department of Universitas Gadjah Mada visited Singapore to learn about "Design of Assessment Rubrics" from Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, AUN-QA Expert on 23 Nov 2015. The sharing session focuses on an overview of competency-based curriculum, types of rubrics, rationales for using rubrics, components of a rubric and the process for designing assessment rubrics as indicated below.

2nd AUN-ADB Training Workshop and QA Documentation Project@Lao PDR

The 2nd AUN-ADB Training Workshop@Lao PDR was hosted by AUN Secretariat from 17 to 20 November 2015 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The workshop was supported by the National University of Laos and the University of Health Sciences. A total of 41 participants from the two universities attended the workshop. The title of the workshop was "PDCA Approach to SAR Development at Programme Level". The learning outcomes of the workshop are as follows:

• Define the AUN-QA models;
• Interpret the AUN-QA criteria for programme level;
• Apply the PDCA approach to Self-assessment at programme level;
• Explain the requirements of Self-Assessment Report (SAR);
• Apply the technique for writing SAR; and
• Describe the AUN-QA quality assessment process
• Produce a SAR of a study programme for each participating university

Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin and Dr. Chavalit Wongse-ek were the facilitators for the workshop. The workshop was followed by the QA Documentation Project Meeting held at the National University of Laos. The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin.

ASEAN-QA Phase 2 Workshop III - Quality Assurance in Teaching and Learning

The ASEAN-QA Phase 2 is a follow-up to the ASEAN-QA Phase 1 project. The project partners are DAAD, HRK, ENQA, Universitat Potsdam, AQAN, AUN, and SEAMEO-RIHED. It aims to build capacity in quality assurance in higher educations among the QA professionals in ASEAN universities including East Timor. 

The 3rd TrainIQA workshop on "Quality Assurance in Teaching and Learning" was hosted by Potsdam University, from 9 to 13 November 2015 in Bali, Indonesia. The workshop was attended by 31 participants from universities in Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

The learning outcomes of TrainIQA Workshop III are:

• determine key tasks of a quality manager with regard to programme and curriculum development,

• identify central instruments that design study programmes in form and content, and draw up and manage the diverse processes of curriculum development,

• set up an evaluation self-report to revise study programmes,

• recognise relevant organisational steps to be considered when developing and revising study programmes,

• recognise the importance of communication and collaboration with regard to programme development,

• identify relevant stakeholders for the development of study programmes and consider and integrate their (differing) expectations in the curriculum,

• determine how to best benefit from external quality assurance and make use of it for the design and revision of curricula and study programmes,

• identify how to link external and internal quality assurance effectively. Based on this, you will be able to adjust the respective internal processes, e.g. with regard to your own internal quality management system.

Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, AUN-QA Expert (Singapore) was the module coordinator and he facilitated the sessions on "PDCA Approach to Curriculum Design & Revision"; "Constructive Alignment and Learning Outcomes"; and Workshop Evaluation & The Way Forward" during the workshop.

Teaching and Learning Strategy: View from AUN-QA Assessment

The ASEAN Education Summit - Innovative Teaching and Learning for the 21st Century was organised by the ASEAN University Network (AUN) at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand in celebration of the 20th AUN anniversary on 6 November 2015.

The summit was graced by Ms Aporn Kanvong, Secretary-General, Office of Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education, Thailand. The summit was organised into 3 sessions:

Session 1: Generation Z Reality and Perspective - How do I learn?

Session 2: Teaching and Learning for the New Work and Lifelong Learning and Challenges

Session 3: Teaching and Learning Strategies for Top University Administrator - How to Manage Change in the University?

Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, AUN-QA expert was invited to speak on the topic "Teaching and Learning Strategy: View from AUN-QA Assessment" in Session 2.

The presentation focused on the analysis of the AUN-QA programme assessment results on “Teaching and Learning Strategy” with the objective of identifying factors that enhance teaching and learning practices. Based on the period 2007 to 2014, the results of 107 study programmes from 27 universities in 8 ASEAN countries were analysed. Based on the mean of 4.6 for Teaching and Learning Strategy criterion, universities in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam scored at or above the mean.

Of the 107 programmes assessed, about half of them scored 5 (i.e. Better than Adequate) with the other half scored 4 and below. This suggests that there is room for improvement in the Teaching and Learning Strategy adopted by universities.

A sample of the ratings for the sub-criterion for Teaching and Learning Strategy was examined and the result revealed that most universities have a teaching and learning strategy however the execution of the strategy needs to be further enhanced.

To enhance quality of lifelong learning and output, universities need to have 3 readiness in Culture, People and System to support the execution of Teaching and Learning Strategy.

The celebration ended in a high note at the Gala Dinner.

Guide to AUN-QA Assessment at Programme Level (Version 3)

The updated version of the "Guide to AUN-QA Assessment at Programme Level (Version 3) has been published. The updated version is leaner and more system and process oriented. The number of AUN-QA criteria in the latest version has been reduced from 15 to 11. Overlapping, duplication and ambiguity of the criteria and their associated requirements have been removed. Version 3 will be implemented in parallel with the existing version in 2016 and effectively adopted in 2017. A summary of the changes from version 1 to version 3 is documented below.

A copy of the manual can be downloaded at http://www.aunsec.org/pdf/Guide%20to%20AUN-QA%20Assessment%20at%20Programme%20Level%20Version%203_2015.pdf

ASEAN-QA Phase 2 Site Visit to Vietnam National University of Agriculture

As part of the ASEAN-QA Phase 2 Project, a site visit was made to the Vietnam National University of Agriculture on 13 & 14 October 2015 in Hanoi, Viet nam. The visit was carried out by Mr Frank Niedermeier from University of Potsdam (Germany) and Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, AUN-QA Expert (Singapore). Dialogues were held with the management staff of the university and the staff of the Centre for Quality Assurance to understand the challenges and issues faced in the ASEAN-QA Phase 2 project. 

A workshop on learning outcomes and constructive alignment was held on the 2nd day of the visit. The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Johnson Ong and it was attended by more than 70 participants.