Aligning with International Standards to Pioneer New Horizons—TWAEA Received the Site Visit of INQAAHE ISG Review

The Taiwan Assessment and Evaluation Association (TWAEA) underwent an on-site visit by the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) from April 8 to 10, 2024, for compliance with the International Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education (ISG). TWAEA has become the first quality assurance (QA) agency globally to receive the INQAAHE ISG review.

Since the establishment in 2003, TWAEA has been dedicated to the development and promotion of evaluation knowledge and techniques, providing evaluation services to ensure quality assurance in higher education for over 20 years. In recent years, TWAEA has actively engaged in international collaborations and stayed attuned to global trends by organizing international seminars to discuss sustainable development strategies in higher education, thereby encouraging domestic institutions to address significant international issues. The ISG review marks a critical step in TWAEA's pursuit of international recognition and establishes a groundbreaking milestone for expanding global presence.

Founded in 1991, INQAAHE is an international organization devoted to promoting cooperation and information sharing among higher education QA agencies. It is also the first global network for quality assurance in higher education. INQAAHE published the Guidelines of Good Practice (GGP) in 2003, providing guidance and best practices for higher education QA agencies. In response to the rapidly changing global higher education environment and emerging trends, INQAAHE introduced the ISG framework in 2022 to support the effective operation of external QA agencies.

TWAEA applied for INQAAHE's ISG review in 2023, undergoing a year-long preparation period led by the Chairman and Secretary-General. This preparation included drafting the self-evaluation report, conducting regular meetings, and performing a comprehensive resource inventory, culminating in the 2024 on-site visit. Over the three-day visit, an international review panel arranged by the INQAAHE Secretariat conducted a thorough inspection. The panel members, experts in higher education quality assurance, adopted a professional and approachable manner in interviews with internal and external stakeholders, including board members, staffs, committee members, the Ministry of Education, evaluated institutions, reviewers, students, and domestic and international partners, to verify TWAEA's performance against various indicators.

The ISG review has encouraged TWAEA to engage in self-reflection and to play a critical role in formulating and promoting strategies and measures for quality assurance in higher education. As a professional QA agency providing external quality assurance, TWAEA seeks to ensure the quality of evaluation services through regular external reviews by international bodies. Through continuous self-improvement, TWAEA aims to maintain high adaptability, lead higher education towards internationalization, and enhance the global visibility.