Macao Polytechnic University becomes second institution in Macao to achieve global quality accreditation

Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) has become the second higher education institution in Macao to achieve global quality accreditation through the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), the UK’s independent quality body and a global leader in quality assurance for higher education.

MPU has obtained global accreditation having successfully completed QAA’s International Quality Review (IQR). IQR is a rigorous process which benchmarks global higher education institutions against international quality assurance standards set out in Part 1 of the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

The review took place online between 25 April and 2 May 2022 and was carried out by a team of three independent reviewers appointed by QAA. The review team confirmed that MPU meets all 10 of the internal quality assurance standards in the ESG.

The review team also identified two areas of good practice:

• the significant engagement of students in the University’s research activity and dissemination
• the comprehensive package of services and facilities to support student learning, wellbeing and development.

Dr Vivian Ngan-Lin Lei, Vice-Rector, Macao Polytechnic University said: 'Macao Polytechnic University has been assuring our education provision through academic reviews since 2006. We successfully received QAA’s first institutional review conducted for a non-UK-affiliated university in 2013, something that we are very proud of. We are glad to be revalidated through this 2022 IQR demonstrating that we have met all 10 ESG standards. This has again been a learning experience that demonstrates our long-term commitment to international benchmarking and continuous quality enhancement.'

Vicki Stott, QAA’s Chief Executive said: 'This is an excellent result for Macao Polytechnic University. The IQR process allows them to benchmark their quality processes against international best practice and, in doing so, to enhance the quality of the academic experience that they offer to their students.' 

The IQR took place alongside a successful Institutional Accreditation (IA) which benchmarked MPU against national accreditation standards for Macao, as set by the Education and Youth Development Bureau in Macao and carried out by QAA by a combined IQR/IA review team.

QAA’s IQR accreditation applies for five years, subject to a satisfactory mid-cycle review. MPU will be able to display QAA’s IQR Accreditation badge, demonstrating that their quality assurance processes are comparable with international best practice. MPU is also eligible to become a QAA International Member. International Quality Review is carried out in QAA’s capacity supporting the development of higher education quality internationally, including activity to support QAA Members and collaboration with international partners.

By securing global accreditation from QAA, international institutions can clearly spotlight their quality standards internationally, and more easily start a dialogue with institutions outside their own country.

You can read Macao Polytechnic University's full IQR report on our website. You can also find out more about the IQR process and QAA International Membership. If you are interested in your institution signing up and wish to discuss this further, contact the QAA Global team at accreditation@qaa.ac.uk