Differentiation approach, being a form of risk management, is increasingly practised in quality assurance and accreditation. The benefits of differentiation approach to accreditation are two-fold. On one hand, progressively rewarding institutions with demonstrated track record on institutional competence to provide quality education can encourage institutions to strengthen internal quality assurance capability and in longer term reduce risk to learners and the community at large. On the other, applying differentiated accreditation approach that is proportionate to institutions’ competence on quality assurance can allow effective use of resources by QA agencies in the long run. It is noteworthy that achieving consistency in applying differentiation approach over time requires on-going strengthening of quality assurance process of QA agencies. This presentation will discuss about the benefits and challenges faced by HKCAAVQ in applying differentiated accreditation approach and how HKCAAVQ responds to the challenges.

Author Profile(s)
Mr Albert H P Chow is currently the Executive Director of HKCAAVQ.  Prior to joining HKCAAVQ, he was the Head of Academic Quality Assurance of Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the Director of General Administration of Hong Kong Baptist University respectively.  During his 20-year tenure at the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, Mr Chow became the Director of Qualifications in 1999 and the Registrar of the Engineers Registration Board in 2002.

Mr Chow has extensive experience in the quality assurance of the higher education sector, as well as accreditation, training, continuing professional development and international recognition in the engineering profession. He was responsible for developing accreditation systems for engineering degrees, computer science degrees and higher diplomas in Hong Kong leading to international recognition under the Washington Accord, the Sydney Accord and the Seoul Accord. Mr Chow was also responsible for establishing 20 Reciprocal Recognition Agreements with authorities all over the world, including two agreements on mutual recognition on Information Technology qualifications.

周慶邦先生現為香港學術及職業資歷評審局總幹事。在加入評審局之前，他曾先後出任香港理工大學學術質素保證部主管，及香港浸會大學行政處處長。在此之前，周先生受聘於香港工程師學會達二十年，並於1999年及2002年分別獲委任為香港工程師學會資歷審核總監及香港工程師註册管理局註冊主任。

周先生在高等教育界的質素保證工作、工程師專業的學術評審、培訓、持續教育及國際資格互認等範疇均有廣泛經驗。他曾負責替香港工程師學會建立三套學術評審系統，並取得華盛頓協議、悉尼協議及首爾協議的承認，亦協助學會建立多達二十個專業資格互認協議，包括兩個涵蓋資訊科技資歷。