ABSTRACT
The engagement of quality assurance in the recognition process of overseas qualifications became an emerging issue in Asian nations with the increased interest in student mobility in the region in the 21st Century. This study explores the links between quality assurance and qualification recognition, and approaches adopted within national regulatory frameworks in the Asia Pacific region from the perspective of quality assurance agencies. Three major findings are obtained. First, governments are primarily responsible for academic qualification recognition in Asia. Second, professional qualification recognition is heavily restricted by governments due to nationalism and protectionism within the job market. Third, a divergence model between quality assurance and qualification recognition exists in the Asian context.
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Angela Yung Chi Hou
Angela Yung Chi Hou is Professor of Department of Education and Associate Dean of College of Education at National Chengchi University, Taiwan.
Christopher Hill
Christopher Hill is Associate Professor of Faculty of Education at British University in Dubai.
Sheng Ju Chan
Sheng Ju Chan, is Professor of Graduate Institute of Education at National Chung Cheng Unviersity, Taiwan.
Dorothy I-Ru Chen
Dorothy I-Ru Chen is Associate Professor of Department of International and Comparative Education at National Chi Nan University, Taiwan.
Monica Tang
Monica Tang is Research Coordinator of Higher Education Evaluation & Accreditation Council of Taiwan.