1 QUALITY ASSURING HIGHER EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA : THE MALAYSIAN QUALIFICATIONS AGENCY (MQA) Malaysian Qualifications Agency November 2009 Legend Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2 INTRODUCTION TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA In the last two decades, Malaysian higher education has gone through a metamorphosis. its colonial economy towards knowledge based economy,(now high income economy) Massification Malaysia an “international meeting place of the minds-regional hub”. Human capital focus

Higher education, a regulated field Education Act 1996 Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Amended 2009) Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (amended 2009) National Council on Higher Education Act 1996 National Higher Education Funding Act 1997 Lembaga Akreditasi Negara Act 1996 (Repealed) and replaced with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency 2007

National Higher Education Strategic Plans The Seven Strategic Thrusts- Widening Access and Increasing Equity Improving the Quality of Teaching and Learning Intensifying Research and Innovation Strengthening of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) Intensifying Internationalisation Enculturation of Lifelong Learning Reinforcing MoHE Delivery System

Higher Education and Human Resource Development in Malaysia Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Post SPM or O levels Public universities (20) Private universities (44) Polytechnics (25) Private Colleges (500+) Community Colleges (40) 900,000 students (includes 69,164 international students ) Others : Ministry of Education– Pre-school, Primary secondary education Teachers Colleges Ministry of Human Resource Development - Skills Training Others includes Defence, Health, Youth & Culture,

National Accreditation Board (Lembaga Akreditasi Negara, LAN) was est. for QA of programmes in the private higher education sector 2002-Quality assurance (audit) division in the Ministry was setup for public universities MQA was established under the Malaysian Qualifications Agency Act 2007 (1//11/07) The merger of LAN and the QAD provides for a common quality assurance platform. It symbolizes the maturing Malaysian higher education, changing government’s policies, trends and societal needs and the need to strengthen and consolidate. Other bodies playing a very important role higher education is the Depeartment of public service and the statutory profesional bodies REPOSITIONING QUALITY ASSURANCE IN MALAYSIA

7 THE MQA IN OPERATION The Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) aspires to become a credible and internationally recognized higher education quality assurance body that inspires the confidence of its stakeholders through competent, responsible, accountable and transparent good practices. The main role of the MQA is to be the guardian of the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) as a reference point for national qualifications, and to oversee quality assurance practices and accreditation of national higher education. A Council, accreditation committees and executive arm Accountable to Minister for Higher Education

8 MQA’S CORE ACTIVITIES to implement the Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) to develop standards and criteria, generic and by disciplines, as reference for conferment of awards to quality assure higher education programmes and institutions to perform function as a national information centre-registry of accredited qualifications in the Malaysian Qualifications Register (MQR) Others – Self -accrediting inst. certification, Rating (SETARA0 & Academic performance audit

9 Benchmarked against international best practices Quality assurance in Malaysian higher education with a developmental approach Ensuring compliance to the MQF Enhancing institutional effectiveness Voluntariness, independence (decision making), objective, fair, transparent and collaborative approach Peer assessment Evidence based Principles and values

10 THE MALAYSIAN QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK (MQF) The Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) classifies higher education qualifications based on a set of nationally agreed and internationally benchmarked set of criteria that clarifies the academic levels, learning outcomes and credit system based on student academic load. It integrates all national qualifications and provides pathways that link them systematically. The Malaysian Qualifications Framework (MQF) classifies higher education qualifications based on a set of nationally agreed and internationally benchmarked set of criteria that clarifies the academic levels, learning outcomes and credit system based on student academic load. It integrates all national qualifications and provides pathways that link them systematically. Supporting Outcomes-Based educationSupporting Outcomes-Based education

11 MQF: QUALIFICATION LEVELS AND PATHWAYS LIFE LONG LEARNING SCHOOL CERT HIGHER SCHOOL CERT; FOUNDATION(50) MATRICULATION Academic DOCTORAL MASTERS(40) BACHELORS (120C) POSTGRAD CERT & DIPLOMA GRADUATE CERT & DIPLOMA APELAPEL Skill Qualfications ADV DIPLOMA SKILLS DIPLOMA SKILLS CERT Vocationa l and Technical ADV DIPLOMA (40C) TECH & VOC (90C) DIPLOMA TECH & VOC CERTIFICATE (60C) LIFE LONG LEARNING LEVELS CREDITS NOMENCLATURE

8/14/ pzv 6. Information management and lifelong learning skill 4.Managerial and entrepreneurial skills 8. Practical skills 1.Knowledge 2.Values, attitudes and professionalism 3. Problem solving and scientific skills 7.Social skills and responsibilities 5. Communications, leadership and team skills *8 Learner centred /LLL Each level – generic learning outcomes descriptors 8 domains

Credits and Learning Outcomes Credits and Learning Outcomes Credits for quantitative academic load and student learning time Planning in curriculum-T &L activities (relative value to components-currency) Learner centered-volume of learning to achieve generic level and program learning outcomes Credit transfer system – connecting to other Credit Systems

14 Uphold the Malaysian Qualifications Framework PROVISIONAL ACCREDITATION PROVISIONAL ACCREDITATION – is the complying with quality requirements to obtain approval and to conduct the programme. A candidacy for full accreditation ; subject to monitoring FINAL / FULL ACCREDITATION FINAL / FULL ACCREDITATION is the formal certification that the awards conferred by the higher education institution are in accordance with the set standards AUDIT- for various purpose; programme maintenance, registeration of programmes, thematic audit, or full institutional audit THE QA FRAMEWORK- Accreditation And Audit

9 areas –Quality Assurance Standards 15

Partnering and associations in Quality Assurance Assessors and expert groups Close consultation and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders professional bodies, Higher education providers Students Agencies Ministries Regulated and non regulated professional Bodies QA bodies collaborations- confidence and acceptance (staff exchange, internships and workshops) Regional network AQAN (ASEAN Quality Assurance Network), OIC and international associations (INQAAHE and APQN) 16

Challenges Transition period begins in 2009 QA body responding to rapid social- economic and institutional changes Professionalism Volume Dealing with diversity Stakeholders growth and support

18 TERIMA KASIH THANK YOU mqa.gov.my THANK YOU mqa.gov.my