The Executive Director of the HKCAAVQ participated in the National Forum on the Development of Quality Assurance Agencies held in Shanghai on 13 April 2012. At the Forum he shared with participants Hong Kong’s post-secondary education policies as well as the HKCAAVQ’s collaboration with the Education Bureau and the Joint Quality Review Committee in promoting a quality culture.

The HKCAAVQ participated in the International Education Policy Exchange Programme and had one staff member attached to the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition of Australian Education International (AEI-NOOSR) for a work replacement from 9 to 19 May 2012. The visit enhanced mutual understanding of qualifications assessment between the two agencies.

The HKCAAVQ was invited by the Education Bureau and the Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department to deliver talks about qualifications assessment at their seminars for local secondary schools and disabled job seekers.

The HKCAAVQ in collaboration with the Education Bureau organised a briefing for operators on 22 June 2012 on the latest developments in the Qualifications Framework (QF) and Qualifications Register (QR). The event was well attended by over 170 representatives of operators from both the self-accrediting and non-self-accrediting sectors.

The HKCAAVQ delivered a presentation at the Consultation on Award Titles Scheme (ATS) and Use of Credit under QF organised by the Education Bureau on 10 July 2012. The Deputy Executive Director of the HKCAAVQ also participated in the panel discussion on the operational guidelines on assignment of QF credit.

The HKCAAVQ launched its revamped website on 25 July 2012. The website has been completely redesigned in terms of structure and content, making it easier to navigate and to find specific information.

The HKCAAVQ conducted a series of focus group meetings in August 2012 to collect stakeholders’ feedback on its accreditation tools. Three meetings were held to gather views on various submission guides for accreditation exercises for QF Levels 1-3; another two meetings were held to collect feedback on the newly developed Higher Diploma/Associate Degree Programme Revalidation Submission Guide. Through these meetings participants shared their views and provided valuable input to help us review the effectiveness of our accreditation tools.

The HKCAAVQ celebrated the official opening of its new office in Siu Sai Wan on 26 September 2012. The ceremony was officiated by the Secretary for Education, Mr. Eddie Ng, joined by over a hundred of staff members and guests from the Government and the education and training sectors. The new office provides a more spacious and functional environment for the HKCAAVQ to meet increasing demand for accreditation and assessment services.

The Deputy Executive Director of the HKCAAVQ was part of a delegation from Hong Kong that attended the Australian International Education Conference 2012 (AIEC) in Melbourne, Australia, in October 2012. Together with other delegates, he presented at the Pre-conference Workshop on Transnational Education (TNE) Models and New Approach in International Perspective and spoke in another Plenary Session titled “TNE: New Opportunities in Hong Kong”.

The Education Bureau announced the implementation of the Award Titles Scheme (ATS) and Use of QF Credit under the QF on 24 October 2012. The ATS aims to standardise the use of award titles that reflects the QF levels and areas of study; the introduction of QF Credit will provide clear and transparent information on the size or volume of learning of programmes and the time expected from learners to complete the programmes.

The HKCAAVQ attended the UK NARIC Annual Conference 2012 on 13- 14 November 2012 and delivered a presentation on “Accreditation of overseas qualifications in Hong Kong”. The conference brought together over 350 representatives from higher education institutions in the UK and overseas for discussion, knowledge exchange and debate on the latest developments in education internationally.

In support of the implementation of the ATS and Use of Credit under the QF, the HKCAAVQ took part in two briefing sessions conducted by the Education Bureau in November and December 2012. During these sessions, the HKCAAVQ shared the requirements of the QR in response to the two new initiatives and the HKCAAVQ’s arrangements for early compliance with both schemes on the QR.

The HKCAAVQ participated in the Global Education Dialogue organised by the British Council in Beijing on 10 December 2012. Themed “Quality Assurance of Degrees Awarded in a 3rd Country”, the event brought together policy makers, national assurance agencies and universities engaged in the delivery of joint and other forms of transnational education programmes to discuss concerns, share practices and proposed ways forward.

The HKCAAVQ delivered two speeches at the Conference on Quality Assurance (QA) in Higher Education in Macao from 16 to 17 December 2012. Organised by the Tertiary Education Services Office of the Macao SAR Government, the Conference provided an opportunity for QA practitioners to exchange ideas and experiences on the development of higher education around the world.

For the purpose of increased transparency in the quality assurance process, the HKCAAVQ has decided to publish accreditation reports by phases. Three consultation sessions were held in December 2012 and January 2013 to collect feedback from both academic and vocational training operators on the publication of the summary reports. Representatives from more than 50 operators participated and provided valuable input on the arrangement.

The Specialists Appointment Ceremony was held on 11 January 2013. Over 30 academics , professionals and experts from various industries and areas of study and training attended the ceremony to celebrate their appointment to serve the HKCAAVQ on accreditation panels.

The HKCAAVQ renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation (NIAD-UE), Japan, on 31 January 2013. The signing ceremony was followed by a Joint Workshop on the changing higher education landscapes. The workshop facilitated both parties’ understanding of each other’s business, and marked a milestone of collaboration between the HKCAAVQ and NIAD-UE in the advancement of quality assurance in both jurisdictions.

The HKCAAVQ organised a focus group meeting on 1 March 2013 to engage operators in the review of substantial change to accreditation status. Operators shared their internal policies and practices in handling changes to accreditation status and were informed about proposed revisions to our guidelines and the associated tools.

An assessor of Council of Private Education, Singapore, visited the HKCAAVQ for an attachment programme from 5-11 March 2013. The programme included participation in an accreditation exercise as observer, and briefings to understand the HKCAAVQ’s role and functions in quality assurance as well as its accreditation services and process that underpin the QF.

The HKCAAVQ supported the Education Bureau and Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership as a partner organisation for the QF Conference on “Global Mobility – Making it Happen” held on 18-19 March 2013. The Conference invited over 400 representatives from education institutions, training providers, trade associations, labour unions and Government departments, as well as overseas experts and employers and employees to share their views on vocational training, continuing education and lifelong learning.

Over one hundred guests and staff attended the Annual Dinner of the HKCAAVQ on 21 March 2013. At the Dinner, the Secretary for Education recognised the contribution and commitment of all participants in safeguarding the quality of higher education and vocational education and training in Hong Kong, particularly at the critical juncture of the Education Reform.