VUSSC/TQF2008/Wednesday

Reworking the TQF

M&E as a cross-cutting issue (using focal points; interlocutors-VUSSC Focal Points. Develop ToRs)

Standard setting

• Standard setting‚ for what? for courses? legal foundations
• Prescriptive or flexible Framework? Comparability? Translating? Register?
• Disaster Mgt course‚ bootcamp approach
• Are outcomes explicit enough? Assessment arrangement? Transition to full qualification?
• Agreed there has to be criteria for Qualifications, and level discriptors
• Need for guidelines for standard setting, level discriptors, processes and procedures for dev of course. Awards
• Definition of qualification‚ Link to NQF/RQF
• Guidelines to be based on existing mechanisms
• Expand concept of bootcamp (to include experts)
• M&E should take place for standards
• Keep as is (policy breadth and scope).

Quality Assurance

• To involve providers and national mechanisms for QA
• Criteria for validating national bodies‚ through peer review mechanism?? Revisit
• Ensure criteria are available; processes acceptable
• Registering qualifications (criteria & process)
• Agree on quality indicators for TQF (relate to‚ executive power)

Governance

• In principle, concept acceptable
• Agreed - three dimensions needed; ability to handle admin details (COL)
• Managerial rotation of National Bodies‚ not a good idea
• Terms of reference for dealing with issues raised‚ defined by TQF secretariat, to countries for refinement and adoption (M&E)
• Relate to other QF entities
• Refine decision-making modalities
• Add two additional roles: external observers (UNESCO e.g.) and external evaluators (ensure all regions are represented)
• Need for Chairperson
• All meetings virtual? At least there should be one f2f meeting for greater effectiveness.
• Executive power issues needs closer review.
• Need for specialist steering committee

Purpose

• Agreed to but definition needs modification (offered by an institution in the small states via the VUSSC portal to students in their own or other countries)
• Mobility
• Affordability; sustainability

Architecture

• Yes, Yes, Yes.
• Agreed to 10 levels
• Move towards VUSSC‚Äôs Levels 1, 2, 3.
• Notional hours credit system OK