Quality Assurance Systems in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

ENHANCEMENT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN APEC MEMBER ECONOMIES
12. QA of Export
Some survey respondents have indicated that quality assurance or regulation of export of
higher education programs by domestic HEIs is not applicable to them, meaning that the HEIs
do not have any export operations in higher education services. This includes Brunei, Hong
Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
Some QA agencies consider the twinning programs and articulation arrangements they have
with foreign HEIs as participation in the export of higher education services. The bodies and
agencies that regulate imports pay attention to export as well.
In Chile, there are no specific QA arrangements for off-shore operations of Chilean HEIs.
Nevertheless, when a domestic HEI that operates off-shore applies for institutional
accreditation, it must show that it has formal and adequate QA arrangements that apply to its
off-shore offerings in a manner consistent with its national offerings. Quality assurance of
domestic and off-shore operations are dealt with in an integrated way where HEIs must show
that their teaching complies with the quality criteria that have been defined for them, both for
their onshore and off-shore offerings.
In New Zealand, where a course has been approved by NZQA, it can only be delivered
overseas if the standards for accreditation continue to be met for those sites. QA standards
for off-shore delivery include the requirement that local regulations are also met. QA of offshore
and domestic operations is done together but there is also provision for a special audit
of off-shore activities if needed. NZQA ensures that the providers achieve equivalence
between their domestic and off-shore operations in relation to outcomes, student experience
and standards of delivery. The students' expectations must be met regardless of delivery
mode or whether or not the delivery is off-shore. Quality Audit includes site visits and
interviews with students.
In Australia, universities and other institutions operating overseas are required by law to
ensure the off-shore programs are of a standard at least equivalent to the same or similar
programs provided in Australia. Adherence to this requirement is checked in different ways
depending on the education sector. For universities and some other institutions, the check is
undertaken as part of AUQA’s five-yearly audits. Some smaller private institutions, and those
vocational institutions offering higher education programs, are registered and accredited by
the States and Territories.
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