*QUALITY ASSURING HIGHER EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA : THE MALAYSIAN QUALIFICATIONS AGENCY (MQA)Malaysian Qualifications Agency

13-15 November 2009 Legend Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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

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Council on Higher Education Act 1996National Higher Education Funding Act 1997 Lembaga Akreditasi Negara Act 1996 (Repealed) and replaced with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency 2007

National Higher Education Strategic Plans 2007-2020The 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 InternationalisationEnculturation of Lifelong Learning Reinforcing MoHE Delivery System

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

*1997 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 governments 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

*THE MQA IN OPERATIONThe 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 armAccountable to Minister for Higher Education

*MQAS 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

*Benchmarked against international best practices Quality assurance in Malaysian higher education with a developmental approachEnsuring compliance to the MQFEnhancing institutional effectiveness Voluntariness, independence (decision making), objective, fair, transparent and collaborative approachPeer assessment Evidence basedPrinciples and values

*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.Supporting Outcomes-Based education

*MQF: QUALIFICATION LEVELS AND PATHWAYSLIFE LONG LEARNING SCHOOL CERT12345678APELLEVELSCREDITSNOMENCLATURE

**pzv6. Information management and lifelong learning skill4.Managerial and entrepreneurial skills8. Practical skills1.Knowledge2.Values, attitudes and professionalism3. Problem solving and scientific skills 7.Social skills and responsibilities 5. Communications, leadership and team skills*8Learner centred /LLLEach level generic learning outcomes descriptors 8 domains

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

*Uphold the Malaysian Qualifications Framework

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 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 *

Partnering and associations in Quality AssuranceAssessors and expert groupsClose consultation and collaboration with internal and external stakeholdersprofessional bodies, Higher education providersStudentsAgencies 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) *

ChallengesTransition period begins in 2009QA body responding to rapid social-economic and institutional changesProfessionalismVolumeDealing with diversityStakeholders growth and support

*TERIMA KASIHTHANK YOU

zita@mqa.gov.mymqa.gov.my

***Self-explanatory*********