The International Workshop on the Development of Measurements for Higher Education Quality Assurance in Bangladesh was jointly organized by the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) and the Asia Pacific Quality Network (APQN) with the Association of Universities in Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) and the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) as partners. The workshop was held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on 30-31 May 2007. It envisaged to develop common framework on Quality Assurance System appropriate for Bangladesh. This laudable undertaking was participated in by about 20 local top academicians, educational managers and government officials of Bangladesh and 18 foreign participants from 15 countries representing their respective quality assurance bodies or organizations. The workshop was inaugurated by the UGC Chairman of Bangladesh, Prof. Nazrul Islam as the Chief Guest with Dr. IU VAI PAN, President of the Association of Universities in Asia and the Pacific as the Special Guest. The Vice Chancellor of AIUB, Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna delivered the statement of purpose and warmly welcome all the participants. After providing quality inputs through presentation of 5 papers delivered by the local and foreign speakers, intense brainstorming, exchanging of experiences and ideas, the workshop ended with concrete outputs which can provide the country with QA framework including the propose plan of implementation. While there is a government proposed body to undertake quality assurance functions for higher education institutions in the country, the local participants are one in proposing for some changes in the proposal after having learned from the foreign participants the present set-up and mechanism in implementing their QA system in their respective countries. The 3 workshops provided ample knowledge and experience on how to establish and operate the QA system in terms of forming the organigramme, composition, functions, areas or aspects to be considered and indicators for measurement. The workshop was formally closed in a simple but meaningful and entertaining program held in the AIUB auditorium. Certificates of Participation and Crests of Appreciation were distributed to the participants and the resource persons by the Honorable Founder and Chairman of AIUB, Dr. Anwarul Abedin and Dr. Lamagna. The Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Mohmmad Safiullah delivered an impression about the workshop on behalf of the participants. This was followed by the dance presentation depicting the 4 seasons of Bangladesh. On behalf of the APQN, Ms. Concepcion V. Pijano, the Vice President, delivered a brief message capped with the word of thanks from all foreign participants expressed in their own language. The traditional vote of thanks was expressed by the host, Dr. Abedin. The two-day activities were facilitated and emceed by Dr. Charles C. Villanueva, Actg. Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, AIUB. The sumptuous buffet dinner hosted by the AIUB was truly a warm and kind gesture to remember.
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