Consultancy report on good practices on governance and quality assurance of self-financing post-secondary education sector released
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     The following is issued on behalf of the Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education:

     The Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education (CSPE) has completed a consultancy study on the topic of "Local and International Good Practices in the Governance and Quality Assurance (QA) of the Self-financing Post-secondary Education Sector" and released its report today (August 25).

     The study aimed to identify major developments and models of good practices on governance and QA for the self-financing post-secondary education sector, including the possibility of developing a voluntary code of good practices, and drew on local, regional and international perspectives.

     Literature research was conducted on the current practices on governance and QA in Hong Kong and abroad, including in Australia, Canada, the US, Denmark, Ireland, the UK, Japan and Singapore, as well as international standards and guidelines. The consultant also solicited input from relevant stakeholders in Hong Kong, including QA agencies and self-financing post-secondary education institutions, before formulating the recommendations in the report.

     "The report provides a comprehensive and insightful overview of the systems and practices on governance and QA from local and international perspectives and recommends a voluntary code of good practices. We shall organise a sharing session in the fourth quarter of 2014 for the self-financing post-secondary education sector with a view to sharing with them the findings and recommendations in the report. We shall also gauge their views on the framework of the code as recommended in the report," the Chairman of the CSPE, Mr Tim Lui, said.
  
     "The self-financing post-secondary education sector plays an important role in broadening the opportunities and choices for further education, thereby providing quality, diversified and flexible pathways with multiple entry and exit points for school leavers. The framework of the proposed code comprises key aspects including institutional governance and management; programme design and delivery; and staffing, physical resources and student support. It is envisaged that implementation of a code of good practices can promote the enhancement of the quality, transparency and sustainable development of the sector," Mr Lui added.

     The full report and the executive summary can be downloaded from the website of the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education (www.cspe.edu.hk).

     Established in April 2012 in response to the recommendation of the University Grants Committee's Report on Higher Education Review 2010, the CSPE serves as a pivotal platform for discussing macro and strategic issues of common interest to the self-financing post-secondary sector, as well as promoting quality and good practices.

Ends/Monday, August 25, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:36

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