ASEM CONFERENCE:"Quality Assurance and Recognition in Higher Education: Challenges and Prospects", 6 -7 December 2010,
Limassol - Cyprus The Department of Higher and Tertiary Education of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Cyprus organised, with great success, the Conference “Quality Assurance and Recognition in Higher Education: Challenges and Prospects”. The Conference took place at the ‘Mediterranean Beach Hotel’ in Limassol on the 6th and 7th of December 2010 within the framework of Asia – Europe Meeting (ASEM).
The aim of the Conference was to enhance the dialogue between Europe and Asia on issues regarding quality assurance and recognition. Moreover, the Conference gave the opportunity to Senior Officials and Experts to exchange experiences, expertise and good practices. The main objectives of the Conference were:
To highlight current status, challenges and issues in the area of quality assurance in higher education and of recognition systems in Europe and Asia
To share good practices and to promote regional cooperation amongst agencies in ASEM countries
To encourage joint activities between Asian and European Higher Education Institutions by using bilateral and multilateral funding schemes – EU programmes (e.g. Erasmus Mundus)
To enhance visibility and attractiveness of higher education systems and institutions in both regions
Ninety representatives from 20 ASEM countries participated at the Conference as follows: Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Poland, Thailand and Singapore. Also at the conference participated three representatives of ASEM Education Secretariat, one from the European Commission and one from the European University Association.
The results of the Conference set the basis for the development of ASEM Quality Assurance Network in Higher Education. The issues raised regarding recognition and student mobility contribute to the establishment of common beliefs and practices as far as the mutual recognition in Higher Education both in Europe and Asia, are concerned.
Several recommendations were made by the participants regarding quality assurance and recognition in ASEM countries, and the steps that should be taken to improve these sectors in both regions. The Conference agreed on the following recommendations:
Experts from quality assurance and recognition agencies from Asia and Europe should meet and develop common principles of quality assurance and recognition to be followed by both regions.
Subsequent to setting these principles, all stakeholders should raise awareness of the existence of such standards and guidelines by organizing related Conferences.
Networks of quality assurance and recognition agencies of both regions should be established.
Training seminars should be planned for Higher Education Institutions officials in Asia to promote collaboration between Higher Education Institutions in ASEM countries.
The ASEM Education Secretariat was asked to coordinate these activities and to convey the results and recommendations of the Limassol Conference to the SOM and the Ministerial Meeting in Copenhagen.
Address and Opening of the Conference by Andreas Demetriou
Current Situation of Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), by Professor Andreas G. Orphanides
Current Situation in External Quality Assurance in Higher Education in the Asia-Pacific Region, by Kamanto Sunarto
Internal Quality Assurance in Higher Education in Asia, by Professor Tan Kay Chuan (on behalf of Dr Nantana Gajaseni, ASEAN University Network)
Internal Quality Assurance in Higher Education in Europe, by Tia Loukkola
Recognition in Higher Education in Europe, by Professor Andrejs Rauhvargers
Recognition in Higher Education in South-East Asia, by Professor Supachai Yavaprabhas
Erasmus Mundus Quality Assessment Project, by Jose Gutierrez
Joint Programmes: Construction and Challenges, by Wicher Schreuders
Quality Assurance in Practice (on National Level), The Example of Cyprus,
by Professor Elpida Keravnou – Papailiou
Quality Assurance in Practice, The Example of Indonesia,
by Dr Illah Sailah
Quality Assurance in Practice, The Example of Greece, by Professor Spyros Amourgis
The EMMC in Law and Economics (EMLE) as an Example of a Joint Programme, by Wicher Schreuders
The Example of IMSE, (EMMC), The International Master in Service Engineering: Toward a Joint Degree in Service Science,
by Professor Dr Willem-Jan van den Heuvel
Capacity Development for Quality Assurance in the Asia-Pacific Region:
A case study, by Kamanto Sunarto
Quality Assurance, Harmonisation and Capacity Building – a German – Southeast Asian Case study, by Felix Wagenfeld
Internal Quality Assurance Mechanisms Applied by EU Universities, by Professor Philippos Pouyioutas
Internal Quality Assurance Mechanisms Applied by Asian Universities, by Professor Tan Kay Chuan
Conclusions and Closing Remarks, by Dr Despina Martidou Forcier
Conclusions - Recommendations
Contact Us: ASEM CONFERENCE Department of Higher and Tertiary Education
Ministry of Education and Culture Kimonos and Thoukydides Corner
1434 Nicosia, CYPRUS
