いゅ  
 
QR Authority
  

 
The HKCAAVQ is the Qualifications Register (QR) Authority responsible for administering the QR and maintaining the information on it. As the public face of the Qualifications Framework (QF), the QR is an on-line platform for accessing the qualifications of quality-assured learning programmes.

Under the Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications Ordinance (Cap592), the HKCAAVQ has the statutory functions and administrative duties to vet all qualifications from programme providers and qualifications granting bodies before the entries are publicly accessible on the QR. This is to ensure that all qualifications uploaded on the QR have been quality assured, and all related information is accurate. We also provide guidance to providers and qualifications granting bodies on marketing and advertising materials relating to qualifications being recognised under the QF.

Increased Entries on QR

The qualifications published on the QR cover the full spectrum from the academic, vocational and continuing education sectors, including those from the self-accrediting sector. The reporting year showed an increase in the number of entries on the QR from 5,959 to 6,907, representing a 16% increase. This is mainly attributed to the increase in qualifications obtained through the Manpower Development Scheme.

 
     
 

Number of Current Qualifications on QR by Accreditation Body/Qualification Type (March 2011)


Number of Current Qualifications on QR by Level (March 2011)


Number of Current Qualifications on QR by Area of Study/Training (March 2011)

Enhancement of QR System

In June 2010, the HKCAAVQ launched the first enhancement exercise on the interfaces of the QR system, which provides improvement to the display, functions and usage of the system for the general public, programme providers and system administrators.

To promote the QR as well as familiarise programme providers with the new features of the enhanced system, a briefing session was held on 18 June 2010 to introduce the new features of the QR. The briefing was well received and attended by 180 representatives from programme providers and qualifications granting bodies. It also provided a good opportunity for a direct communication and exchange of views between the QR Authority and providers involved in the daily administration and operation of the QR system.

To take forward the QF and the QR and to prepare for faster and more user-friendly system functions in future, the HKCAAVQ has embarked on several QR system upgrade projects with the support of the QF Secretariat in 2011. These include the QR system enhancement to add a ．special statement・ facility to provide the public with additional information on particular qualifications; an upgrade of computer hardware equipment of the QR system to prepare for a greater number of qualifications uploaded in future and for further enhancement of its functions; and a website usability analysis on the QR to improve its user-friendliness.

Advertising Monitoring

In order to maintain the integrity of the QR and to ensure that the public get accurate information about quality-assured qualifications offered in Hong Kong, the HKCAAVQ monitors for false and misleading claims related to QF recognised qualifications, particularly those in advertisements and promotional materials.

In the reporting period, the HKCAAVQ monitored advertisements and promotional materials in accordance with the approach and guidelines agreed with the Education Bureau (EDB). We also worked in partnership with the EDB to ensure that our monitoring work is executed in alignment with the Government policy intent.

Looking Forward

Over the past year, we saw an upward trend in the usage of the QR. More than 372,750 ．hits・ have been recorded on the QR website as of March 2011, representing a 41% increase over the past year. It indicates the QR has become a popular source of information among Hong Kong learners and the community at large.

The HKCAAVQ will continue to provide timely service in uploading quality assured qualifications onto the QR, while at the same time ensuring that the QR is an accurate, consistent and reliable source of information. We will also maintain effective and efficient communications with our stakeholders to make sure that our services meet the needs of all users of the QR.