The Qualifications Register (QR) is a centralised online database of quality assured qualifications recognised under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (QF). As the public face of the QF, the QR is an information source for students, employers, professionals, education and training institutions and the public. The HKCAAVQ, in its statutory role as the QR Authority, is responsible for developing and administering the QR.

The QR publishes a wide spectrum of qualifications covering academic, vocational and continuing education, and including those from the self-accrediting sector. As of March 2013, the QR has accumulated over 7,600 qualifications with an increase of around 8% when compared with the previous year. The HKCAAVQ will continue to provide guidance and on-going support to operators and qualifications granting bodies for the timely listing of QR entries and marketing relating to qualifications being recognised under the QF.








Billing and Refunds arising from QFSS
Subsequent to the implementation of the enhanced subsidy for QR registration fees under the new Qualifications Framework Support Schemes (QFSS) by the Education Bureau (EDB), the HKCAAVQ incorporated the necessary change of arrangements for multiple billing schemes (where the registration validity period of a qualification record spans across the different subsidy periods) in QR fee billing in December 2012.

Enhancement related to ATS and Use of Credit
In October 2012, EDB introduced the Award Titles Scheme (ATS) and Use of Credit under the QF to enhance the transparency of qualifications and enable learners to know clearly the level of a qualification and the learning time required to complete a programme.

In response to the EDB’s new initiatives, the HKCAAVQ revised the format of the QR registration number for all new QR records and put in place several additional features including a “Credit” field on the QR. As of March 2013, there are over 80 records with QF credit values published on the QR and the number is anticipated to increase in the second quarter of 2013 from operators in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.

Shortly after the launch of the ATS and Use of Credit, 15 operators of existing Specification of Competency Standards (SCS)-based programmes agreed to early compliance with the two schemes. These programmes with their QF credit values indicated were published on the QR as a one-off special arrangement.



QR Website Upgrade
Following the Usability Analysis of the QR website conducted in 2011, the HKCAAVQ has developed a plan to engage a professional company specialising in information technology services with expertise in professional web design to upgrade the interface of the QR website. The aim of the project is to re-design the existing QR website so as to improve user experience and the overall usability of the website. The whole project is targeted for completion by the end of 2013.

QR Operators Briefing To foster communication with operators and keep them informed of the latest developments of the QF and QR, the HKCAAVQ organised a QR Operators Briefing in collaboration with the EDB in June 2012. The Briefing was attended by over 170 representatives of operators from both the self-accrediting and non-self-accrediting sectors and provided a platform to exchange views between the HKCAAVQ, EDB and operators.

The HKCAAVQ vets all qualifications from operators and qualification granting bodies before their entries can be publicly accessible on the QR. We also monitor the advertisements and promotional materials relating to the QF to ensure all information on the QR is accurate and up-to-date.

In the reporting period, we continued to provide briefings to operators on a needs basis and maintained effective communication with them to ensure that they understand the prevailing guidelines for advertisements relating to the QF. These meetings not only familiarised operators with the QR system, but also served as a platform for exchange of views and suggestions about the QR.

In the year 2012/13, the QR hit rates have recorded an annual growth of 36%, with the highest increase of over 7,600 hits in the last week of July 2012 following the release of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examination results.

QR has become an important source of information for local learners to look for quality assured qualifications and map out their own progression pathways. The HKCAAVQ will continue to provide effective and efficient service for timely update of the QR and ensure the integrity and reliability of the information in it. Following the QR system and website upgrade, the public will experience a more effective and user-friendly interface.