1. A Maturity Model for Quality Assurance*
Sub-theme: Different approaches to QA and their impact on efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability
A Maturity Model for Quality Assurance*
Dr. Alan Wu
Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications
*Disclaimer: The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not reflect the official views and policy of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications.

2. The Context The Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF)
Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of
Academic and Vocational Qualifications
(HKCAAVQ)
Accreditation of Academic and
Vocational Qualifications Ordinance
(AAVQO)

3. The HKQF is defined by levels
Knowledge & Intellectual Skills
Processes
Application,
Autonomy &
Accountability
Communication, IT and Numeracy
Generic Level Descriptors
Qualifications from the academic, vocational and continuing education sectors.

4. AAVQO
“operator” means a person, school, institution, organization or other body, the whole or part of the business of which includes the operation of any learning programme or any part of a learning programme;
learning programme” means a programme of studies or training defined by a curriculum (which may consist of one or more modules, units, subjects or courses or any combination of those elements) and includes, where the context permits, any proposed programme of such studies or training;

5. The HKCAAVQ
Qualifications
Register
Operators/
programmes

6. What is Quality? Excellence Zero errors Fitness for purpose
Transformation
Threshold
Enhancement
Source:

7. Key Concepts in Quality
Quality Control (QC)
Quality Assurance (QA)
Total Quality Management (TQM)

8. Education/Training as a Process
Mission ,
values and
objectives
Education /
Training
Provider
Learning
programme
Outcomes
Achievements
drive
Quality check
Fitness of purpose
Institutional
Evaluation
Programme
Validation
Open Assessment e . g
external
degree
RPL
Fitness for
purpose

9. Quality in Education/Training
Mission ,
values and
objectives
Education /
Training
Provider
Learning
programme
Outcomes
Achievements
drive
Quality check
Fitness of purpose
Institutional
Evaluation
Programme
Validation
Open Assessment e . g
external
degree
RPL
Fitness for
purpose QA
TQM QC

10. Quality Indicators
In general, a mixture selected from the Input-Process-Output model.
EUROPEAN REPORT ON THE QUALITY OF SCHOOL EDUCATION
ABET Engineering Accreditation Criteria
Indicators on attainment
1. Mathematics Reading
3. Science
4. Information and communication
technologies (ICT)
5. Foreign languages Learning to learn
7. Civics
Indicators on success and transition
8. Drop-out rates
9. Completion of upper secondary education
10. Participation in tertiary education
Indicators on monitoring of education
11. Evaluation and steering of school education
12. Parent participation
Indicators on resources and structures
13. Education and training of teachers
14. Participation in pre-primary education
15. Number of students per computer
16. Educational expenditure per student
GENERAL CRITERIA FOR BACCALAUREATE LEVEL PROGRAMS
Criterion 1. Students
Criterion 2. Program Educational Objectives
Criterion 3. Program Outcomes
Criterion 4. Continuous Improvement
Criterion 5. Curriculum
Criterion 6. Faculty
Criterion 7. Facilities
Criterion 8. Support
Criterion 9. Program Criteria
Philosophies
Ideologies
Context
Objectives

11. Maturity QC QA
TQM
Quality Indicators (QI)?

12. QIs vs Maturity
HKQF
The HKQF is primarily an outcome-based framework 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Financing
Staff
Development
Learning/Training Programme
Staffing
Assessment
Programme content and structure
Equipment/facilities
Admission requirements
Learning
outcomes
Governance
QA Mechanism

13. A Maturity Model
Based on the Capability Maturity Model (CMM) from the software industry
Level of maturity
Key characteristics
Initial
Few processes are defined, and success depends on individual heroics.
Repeatable
The basic processes are in place to repeat earlier success.
Defined
The processes are documented, standardized and integrated.
Managed
Detailed measures of the process and product quality are collected. Both processes and products are quantitatively understood and controlled.
Optimising
Continuous process improvement is enabled by quantitative feedback from the process and from piloting innovative ideas and technologies. QC
More evidence
More trust QA
TQM

14. Conclusion
Gate-keeper and Enabler

15. Questions