Shanghai, October 2003 Academic Programmes and Quality Assurance Zeynep Varoglu, UNESCO Division of Higher Education

Shanghai, October 2003 Background UNESCO Higher Education Open and Distance Learning Knowledge Base project The overall objective of this project is to support informed decision making on the quality of higher education provided by open and distance learning.

Shanghai, October 2003 Purpose Provide an overview of key issues on academic programmes and quality assurance both regionally and and inter-regionally Highlight resources available on the UNESCO Bangkok Higher Education Open and Distance Learning Knowledge Base

Shanghai, October 2003 Key Questions What do you see as the challenges facing assuring the quality of ODL programmes in your country? What information sources do you feel you need to meet these challenges?

Shanghai, October 2003 Trends in ODL Programmes Asia and the Pacific Region Inter-Regional Initiatives

Shanghai, October 2003 Inventory of ODL Programmes Australia -  Open Learning, Australia Bangladesh  Bangladesh Open University Hong Kong  The Open University of Hong Kong

Shanghai, October 2003 Selected Institutions India  Indira Gandhi National Open University;  Dr B.R. Ambedkar Razak Open University Nalanda Open University  Nalanda Open University  Yashwantrao Chavan Maharshtra Open University

Shanghai, October 2003 Selected Institutions Indonesia  Universitas Terbuka Japan  The University of the Air Korea  Korea National Open University Malaysia  Universiti Tun Abdul Razak

Shanghai, October 2003 Selected Institutions Pakistan  Iqbal Open University Philippines  Polytechnic University of the Philippines  University of the Philippines Open University Sri Lanka  The Open University of Sri Lanka Thailand  Sukothai Thammathirat Open University

Shanghai, October 2003 Programmes Most popular programmes:  Management and Commerce  Information Technologies  Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Shanghai, October 2003 New Providers UNESCO Global Forum Case Studies 2002 Identified Benefits – providing training opportunities, innovations in higher education Identified Challenges to quality assurance and the recognition of qualifications

Shanghai, October 2003 Why Quality Assurance? to promote the integrity of courses and programmes; to ensure that degrees are respected and accepted particularly by employers; to maintain parity between on-campus and distance learners;

Shanghai, October 2003 Why Quality Assurance? to continuously improve the quality of programmes within a dynamic environment; to protect students and the public from programme scams and abuse; to ensure commitment of staff and employees.

Shanghai, October 2003 What is Quality Assurance? Planned and systematic review process of an institution or programme to determine that acceptable standards of education, scholarship and infrastructure are being maintained and enhanced. Usually includes expectations that mechanisms of quality control are in place and effective

Shanghai, October 2003 What is Accreditation? The process of external quality review used in higher education to scrutinize colleges, universities and higher education programmes for quality assurance and quality improvement. Success results in an accredited institution, and/or programme. In some countries, it conveys institutional authority to offer specific programmes.

Shanghai, October 2003 Quality Assurance: Guidelines Policy Development and Management Staff Development Service Provision Process of Distance Education

Shanghai, October 2003 ODL Challenges to Quality Review Crossing boundaries of space and time Cross-border provision Difference in criteria for quality assurance of ODL providers Difficulties in regulating online offer Evaluating consortia and non-educational providers of services Evaluating courses and modules

Shanghai, October 2003 International Responses to Challenges Global Forum on Quality Assurance, Accreditation and the Recognition of Qualifications Action Plan Capacity building at the regional level for quality assurance Information tools for students to take informed decisions on quality provisions.

Shanghai, October 2003 Importance of QA for ODL Maximize the benefits from an innovative form of educational delivery Informed decision making is key.

Shanghai, October 2003 Concluding Remarks What sorts of information would be useful for you in this area? What information culd you provide in this area to the UNESCO Bangkok Higher Education Open and Distance Learning Knowledge Base?