A Maturity Model for Quality Assurance* Sub-theme: Different approaches to QA and their impact on efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability A Maturity Model for Quality Assurance* Dr. Alan Wu Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications *Disclaimer: The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not reflect the official views and policy of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications.

The Context The Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF) Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications Ordinance (AAVQO)

The HKQF is defined by levels Knowledge & Intellectual Skills Processes Application, Autonomy & Accountability Communication, IT and Numeracy Generic Level Descriptors Qualifications from the academic, vocational and continuing education sectors.

AAVQO “operator” means a person, school, institution, organization or other body, the whole or part of the business of which includes the operation of any learning programme or any part of a learning programme; learning programme” means a programme of studies or training defined by a curriculum (which may consist of one or more modules, units, subjects or courses or any combination of those elements) and includes, where the context permits, any proposed programme of such studies or training;

The HKCAAVQ Qualifications Register Operators/ programmes

What is Quality? Excellence Zero errors Fitness for purpose Transformation Threshold Enhancement Source: http://www.leidykla.eu/fileadmin/Vadyba/11/Janne_Parri.pdf

Key Concepts in Quality Quality Control (QC) Quality Assurance (QA) Total Quality Management (TQM)

Education/Training as a Process Mission , values and objectives Education / Training Provider Learning programme Outcomes Achievements drive Quality check Fitness of purpose Institutional Evaluation Programme Validation Open Assessment e . g external degree RPL Fitness for purpose

Quality in Education/Training Mission , values and objectives Education / Training Provider Learning programme Outcomes Achievements drive Quality check Fitness of purpose Institutional Evaluation Programme Validation Open Assessment e . g external degree RPL Fitness for purpose QA TQM QC

Quality Indicators In general, a mixture selected from the Input-Process-Output model. EUROPEAN REPORT ON THE QUALITY OF SCHOOL EDUCATION http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/educ/indic/rapinen.pdf ABET Engineering Accreditation Criteria http://www.abet.org/forms.shtml Indicators on attainment 1. Mathematics 2. Reading 3. Science 4. Information and communication technologies (ICT) 5. Foreign languages 6. Learning to learn 7. Civics Indicators on success and transition 8. Drop-out rates 9. Completion of upper secondary education 10. Participation in tertiary education Indicators on monitoring of education 11. Evaluation and steering of school education 12. Parent participation Indicators on resources and structures 13. Education and training of teachers 14. Participation in pre-primary education 15. Number of students per computer 16. Educational expenditure per student GENERAL CRITERIA FOR BACCALAUREATE LEVEL PROGRAMS Criterion 1. Students Criterion 2. Program Educational Objectives Criterion 3. Program Outcomes Criterion 4. Continuous Improvement Criterion 5. Curriculum Criterion 6. Faculty Criterion 7. Facilities Criterion 8. Support Criterion 9. Program Criteria Philosophies Ideologies Context Objectives

Maturity QC QA TQM Quality Indicators (QI)?

QIs vs Maturity HKQF The HKQF is primarily an outcome-based framework 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Financing Staff Development Learning/Training Programme Staffing Assessment Programme content and structure Equipment/facilities Admission requirements Learning outcomes Governance QA Mechanism

A Maturity Model Based on the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) from the software industry Level of maturity Key characteristics Initial Few processes are defined, and success depends on individual heroics. Repeatable The basic processes are in place to repeat earlier success. Defined The processes are documented, standardized and integrated. Managed Detailed measures of the process and product quality are collected. Both processes and products are quantitatively understood and controlled. Optimising Continuous process improvement is enabled by quantitative feedback from the process and from piloting innovative ideas and technologies. QC More evidence More trust QA TQM

Conclusion Gate-keeper and Enabler

Questions