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.

EU-SHARE - Study Visit to Europe

The EU-SHARE study visit to Europe - Brussels, Ghent and Bonn was held from 5 October to 8 October 2015. The study visit was jointly organised by DAAD, EUA and ENQA to establish dialogues, exchanges and collaborations between European and ASEAN experts and policy makers involved in the harmonisation of quality assurance (QA) and qualification framework (QF) in higher education. 

The delegation from ASEAN was from representatives of ASEAN Secretariat, Senior Officials Meeting of Education, AUN, AQAN, universities, accreditation agencies, and education ministries. The delegation met the European representatives from European Commission, national education ministries, accreditation agencies, and universities. The exchanges and dialogues were held in DAAD Offices in Brussels and Bonn, EUA and Ghent University.

The discussions dealt with the lessons, issues and challenges of higher education harmonisation in QA and QF from the Bologna Process. The study visit has been very helpful in anticipating and understanding the challenges and obstacles that ASEAN will face in the QA and QF harmonisation in the ASEAN higher education area.

7th Happiness DNA Public Workshop

The 7th Happiness DNA public workshop was held on 1 & 2 October 2015. The workshop was facilitated by Chief Happiness Coach, Mr Johnson Ong Chee Bin of Living Better with 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.

Below are what some participants said about the workshop.

"Very powerful demonstration of concepts were provided. The video clips shown were very powerful, emotional and inspiring"

"Practical lessons such as meditation and finger/palm massage"

"Johnson was very clear in his explanation and taught us a lot about new things on how to keep us happy"

"Happiness is a choice. I have learned how to do a simple meditation"