Workshopping across the world

Last month saw experts from QAA delivering workshops for colleagues from Central Asia, South Asia and South Africa.

On 27 March, QAA staff delivered a workshop in the Kazakhstan capital Astana to representatives from Kazakh universities, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Centre for Higher Education Development and national accreditation agencies. 

The workshop shared and discussed the findings of a QAA project commissioned by the UK Department for Business and Trade, which has explored opportunities for, and strategies to address barriers to, the growth of transnational education (TNE) in Kazakhstan. 

The workshop also involved a discussion of the TNE Quality Assurance Framework which QAA is developing in collaboration with a working group of local stakeholders, as part of an initiative funded by the British Council. 

QAA is also working with the British Council in Sri Lanka to develop a programme to train Sri Lankan specialists who will themselves go on to train practitioners to enhance the local knowledge and understanding of internationally recognised quality assurance processes and frameworks, in order to support the establishment of a culture of quality assurance across the country's TNE sector.

Launching this project, QAA Quality Manager Dr Jenny Cann last month travelled to Sri Lanka to deliver the first in a series of workshops to key local stakeholders.

Meanwhile, rather closer to home, QAA's Head of International Policy & Engagement Shannon Stowers and Quality & Standards Manager Andy Smith welcomed colleagues from the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) to London in a meeting designed to share best practice in relation to key topics in quality assurance, including micro-credentials and qualifications frameworks, and to discuss the appropriate uses of artificial intelligence in higher education.

"QAA is active both at home and globally to help enhance the quality and promote the principles and standards of higher education," said Shannon. "It's a great privilege for us to be able to learn and share learning through these dynamic conversations we enjoy with partners and colleagues all across the world."