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"

2nd AUN-ADB QA Documentation Project Meeting@Cambodia

The 2nd AUN-ADB QA Documentation Project Meeting in Cambodia was hosted by the Royal University of Law and Economics, Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 14 and 15 September 2015. The meeting was attended by the documentation teams from the Royal University of Law and Economics and Royal University of Phnom Penh together with representatives from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. The meeting was led and facilitated by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, AUN-QA expert from Singapore.

The 2nd meeting focused on the review and writing of the QA documentation based on the 3rd version of the AUN-QA model at programme level. The manual covers the 11 AUN-QA criteria and it is organised into 3 sections as follows:

The finalised manual will be in both English and local languages. It will be published and distributed to universities in Cambodia in 2016.

What Lessons Can Organisations Draw From Singapore General Election 2015?

The Singapore's General Election 2015 has brought many valuable lessons. The key lessons that organisations can draw from the election are summarised below.

Inclusive purpose. Setting an inclusive purpose is critical in uniting the management and employees of the organisation. An inclusive purpose will ensure that nobody is left behind or out of the organisation.

Treat people as human beings rather than digits. To maintain harmony and happiness in the workplace, organisations must nurture mutual respect, dignity, integrity, honesty and character. These should form the basic elements of an organisation’s culture and beliefs.

The “how” and not the “what” of manifesto.  Organisations should formulate manifesto beyond the “what” and focus on the “how”.  A good manifesto will never get realised if the organisation cannot execute it. How to put the manifesto into reality is a critical and essential part of a good manifesto.

Maintain internal and external equity. The perception of fairness and equity in policies and processes is reality. People feel mistreated if they perceived the policies and processes as inequitable and unfair. This will promote envy and destroy the harmony in the organisation. Internal equity in human resource policies and practices should be maintained. External equity is equally important as the perception of fair play is an ingredient of fair competition and justice.

Establish transparent communication system. Policies and performance need to be transparent and well communicated regularly and honestly to all stakeholders. Lack of transparency and communication will invite speculations and that will form the perceptions that people hold. Wrong impressions and perceptions hurt the organisation’s image and reputation.

2nd AUN-ADB QA Documentation Project Meeting@Myanmar

The 2nd AUN-ADB QA Documentation Project Meeting was hosted by the University of Yangon, Myanmar on 7 and 8 September 2015. The meeting was attended by the documentation teams from University of Yangon and Myanmar Maritime University. It was led and facilitated by Mr. Johnson Ong Chee Bin, AUN-QA expert from Singapore.

The 2nd meeting focused on the review and writing of the QA documentation based on the 3rd version of the AUN-QA model at programme level. The manual covers the 11 AUN-QA criteria and it is organised into 3 sections as follows:

The finalised manual will be in both English and local languages. It will be published and distributed to universities in Myanmar in 2016.