Global Initiative on Quality Assurance Capacity (GIQAC)

What is GIQAC? (Global Initiative on Quality Assurance Capacity)
A global initiative to support of capacity building in quality assurance to:
- Improve the efforts of regional networks to build QA capacity of accreditation agencies, tertiary education institutions, and government staff with QA functions;
- Serve as a worldwide focal point for knowledge sharing among regional networks, cross-regional identify synergies, and avoid duplication of efforts;
- Help support regional networks in the development of their work programs and identification of additional resources to ensure their long-term sustainability. 
Why start GIQAC?
Harmonization of credentials and competencies has resulted in a greater focus on quality factors in tertiary education, while the heterogeneity of study programs and country contexts presents a challenge to uniform quality assessments.  Quality assurance practices should meet international norms, yet be appropriate, sustainable, and based on candid consideration of local needs and indigenous capacity.   Regional networks to support QA capacity building in Asia, Latin America, and Africa have recently emerged with the support of DGF resources.  The Arab States are now proposing their own network.  A worldwide initiative such as GIQAC will serve as an umbrella for the disparate regional networks, providing global coherence, a forum for cross-regional knowledge sharing, and the ability to leverage additional resources to make these efforts sustainable. 
Who would be the members of the GIQAC GPP?
General membership would be open to all members of regional networks for quality assurance, to members of INQAAHE, and to other professionals, university officials, and government representatives working on quality assurance in developing countries. The Governing Board would have one representative from each of the regional networks for quality assurance, one representative each from INQAAHE, UNESCO, and several donor agencies. The World Bank would also be a member and chair the Governing Board in the first year of operation. Advisory committees would be convened by the Board on an ad hoc basis. The Secretariat would operate from UNESCO’s Higher Education Division.
What would GIQAC do?
Spearhead global dialogue on QA capacity building and harmonization; facilitate cross-regional knowledge sharing through seminars and forums; identify and disseminate information on good practices; establish and oversee a global clearinghouse of relevant documentation; support the regional networks in their capacity building efforts which include:
- Technical assistance to governments, agencies and universities to design, establish, develop, or reform QA systems, processes, and mutual recognition arrangements;
- General and specialized training for professionals, university faculty, and government officials who conduct QA activities;
- Staff exchanges of QA professionals;
- Analysis and reporting on QA systems.
How much would GIQAC cost?
First year would be about $1,340,000 (consolidating approximately $800,000 in pre-existing DGF commitments to RIACES, AAU, and ANQAHE as sub-grants); the subsequent 2 years would be approximately $800,000 each year.
Who are partners?
Partners include:
Asia-Pacific Quality Network (APQN)
Red Iberoamericana para la Acreditación de la Calidad de la Educación Superior (RIACES)
African Quality Assurance Network (AfriQAN)
Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ANQAHE)
International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE)
UNESCO - Division of Higher Education.