APQN Members
Samoa Qualifications Authority
Membership Type: Full
Email: sqa@sqa.gov.ws
Year in which Organisation/Agency commenced operations: 2006
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Title: Dr.
First Name: Emma
Surname: Kruse Vaai
Job Title: Chief Executive Officer
Phone: +685 20976
Fax: +685 26314
Email Id: e.krusevaai@sqa.gov.ws
Nominated Contact Person (if different from CEO)
First Name: Iokapeta
Surname: Eteuati Luamanuave
Job Title: Executive Officer
Email Id: iokapeta.eteuati@sqa.gov.ws
Organisation Details
Samoa Qualifications Authority
Address: LEVEL 2, TATTE BLDG, SOGI, APIA
Samoa
Website: http://www.sqa.gov.ws
Additional Contacts
Criteria Requirements for Full Member
1 Criterion: Nature of the operations of the agency:
Measure: The agency is responsible for reviews at institutional or programme level of post-secondary
education institutions or post-secondary quality assurance agencies
Measure: The agency is responsible for reviews at institutional or programme level of post-secondary
education institutions or post-secondary quality assurance agencies
Description: The SQA is the principal organisation mandated to provide policy advice, coordinate and quality assure post school education and training (PSET) in Samoa. SQA functions are in the SQA Act 2006. These have been revised in the SQA Bill 2009 which has been approved by Cabinet and submitted to Parliament. SQA has also developmed its PSET Strategic Plan 2008-2016, Corporate Plan 2008-2012 and Annual Management Plans. These Plans set direction for SQA work. Copies of the PSET Strategic Plan and Corporate Plan are on the SQA website: www.sqa.gov.ws. The SQA Bill 2009 is attached.
Documents Upload: Download 'SQA_Finalised_Bill_to_Cabinet_28_August_2009.doc1.pdf'
2 Criterion: Mission statement and objectives:
Measure: The agency has formulated a mission statement and objectives which are consistent with the nature of the agency
Measure: The agency has formulated a mission statement and objectives which are consistent with the nature of the agency
Description: SQA's mission is 'To work in partnership with all stakeholders to promote the achievement of high quality post school education and training that is nationally and internationally acclaimed and meets national, economic, social and cultural goals.
Key objectives of SQA as stated in its Corporate Plan 2008-2012 are:
1. To promote PSET and provide strategic leadership to the sector
2. To enhance research and policy development capability to provide sound PSET policy advice
3. To enhance quality and relevance of PSET learning and skills development
4. To promote efficient and effective use of resources.
Stated Mission statement, vision and objectives are all in the SQA Corporate Plan 2008-2012 on the sqa website.
Key objectives of SQA as stated in its Corporate Plan 2008-2012 are:
1. To promote PSET and provide strategic leadership to the sector
2. To enhance research and policy development capability to provide sound PSET policy advice
3. To enhance quality and relevance of PSET learning and skills development
4. To promote efficient and effective use of resources.
Stated Mission statement, vision and objectives are all in the SQA Corporate Plan 2008-2012 on the sqa website.
3 Criterion: Agency staff, Numbers, Profile, Roles:
Measure: The profile of the staff is consistent with the Mission Statement
Measure: The profile of the staff is consistent with the Mission Statement
Description: For the SQA to achieve its core functions and strategies stated in the PSET Strategic Plan 2008-2016 and Corporate Plan 2008-2012, its Organisational Straucture has recently revised and approved by the Board. Major changes included additional staff to carry out the increasing activities/work/developments of the Authority. The SQA is governed by a Board of Directors. The CEO is responsible for the overall management of the Authority. SQA has four (4) operating divisions which include Quality Assurance Division, Research Policy Planning Division, Qualifications Division and Corporate Services Division.
4 Criterion: Profile of reviewers:
Measure: The profile of the reviewers is consistent with the Mission Statement
Measure: The profile of the reviewers is consistent with the Mission Statement
Description: The SQA Accreditation process has started with Trainings conducted for the potential Accreditation Panel Members (reviewers). Policies and Guidelines have been developed on the Accreidtaion Process. There are also Guidelines in selection of Panel Members. All Accreditation Policies, Guidelines and Procedures are in the Programme Accreditation Manual attached
5 Criterion: Independence:
Measure: The judgements and recommendations of the agency’s reports cannot be changed by third parties
Measure: The judgements and recommendations of the agency’s reports cannot be changed by third parties
Description: Decisions and recommendations in the Report prepared by the Panel is completely independent. Final decsion of the Reports rests with the SQA Board.
Third party can only act and improve on the Recommendations.
Third party can only act and improve on the Recommendations.
6 Criterion: Resources:
Measure: The agency has sufficient resources to run its operations in accordance with its mission statement and objectives
Measure: The agency has sufficient resources to run its operations in accordance with its mission statement and objectives
Description: With approval of its Revised Organisational Structure, SQA is working to recruit and select staff o increase its human resource capacity. SQA is evolving and meantime the resources are sufficient with the current functions it now carries however in the future SQA needs to secure more resources in oder to effectively carry out its functions. SQA Budget is from Government.
7 Criterion: External quality assurance criteria and processes:
Measure: The description of the processes and criteria applied should be transparent and publicly available and normally include:
self evaluation, site visit, public report and follow-up measure
Measure: The description of the processes and criteria applied should be transparent and publicly available and normally include:
self evaluation, site visit, public report and follow-up measure
Description: External Audit of institutions/providers is conducted after 3-5 years of operation and registration with the SQA. External Quality Assurance Criteria and processes have been developed and attached.
Quality Standards for SQA are all embedded into Legislations such Public Bodies Act, SQA Acts, Perfomance Indicators in Corporate Plans and Annual Management Plans etc..
Quality Standards for SQA are all embedded into Legislations such Public Bodies Act, SQA Acts, Perfomance Indicators in Corporate Plans and Annual Management Plans etc..
8 Criterion: Quality assurance:
Measure: The description of the processes and criteria applied should be transparent and publicly available and normally include:
self evaluation, site visit, public report and follow-up measure
Measure: The description of the processes and criteria applied should be transparent and publicly available and normally include:
self evaluation, site visit, public report and follow-up measure
Description: SQA has developed Quality Assurance, Quality Standard and Quality Audit Policies and processes. These policies are reviewed after 4 years.
For SQA itself there are QA measures by government and requirements include submission of Quarterly and Annual Reports to government. These Reports include financial and Progress Reports from time to time.
There are also Quarterly Reviews of Annual Management Plans, Bi-annual, Annual and Mid Term Reviews of Corporate and Strategic Plans.
SQA is the local QA agency in Samoa as stated in its SQA Bill 2009 submitted in no.1 of the Application Form
For SQA itself there are QA measures by government and requirements include submission of Quarterly and Annual Reports to government. These Reports include financial and Progress Reports from time to time.
There are also Quarterly Reviews of Annual Management Plans, Bi-annual, Annual and Mid Term Reviews of Corporate and Strategic Plans.
SQA is the local QA agency in Samoa as stated in its SQA Bill 2009 submitted in no.1 of the Application Form
Criteria Requirements for Institutional Member
Institutional Member Criteria:
Measure: Institutional Members are institutions of higher education in the region that are in good standing with the relevant quality assurance agency if one exists.
Measure: Institutional Members are institutions of higher education in the region that are in good standing with the relevant quality assurance agency if one exists.
Proof of recognition as a Higher Education Institution: Applicable Only For Institutional Members
Proof of the organisation’s good standing with the local QA agency: Applicable Only For Institutional Members
Criteria Requirements for Associate Member
Associate Member Criteria:
Measure:Associate Members are organisations with a major interest and active involvement in evaluation, accreditation and quality assurance in higher education, but without the responsibility for assuring the quality of institutions, education programs, or external quality assurance agencies
Measure:Associate Members are organisations with a major interest and active involvement in evaluation, accreditation and quality assurance in higher education, but without the responsibility for assuring the quality of institutions, education programs, or external quality assurance agencies
Applicable Only For Associate Members
Criteria Requirements for Intermediate Member
1 Criterion: Nature of the operations of the agency:
Measure: The agency is responsible for reviews at institutional or programme level of post-secondary education institutions or post-secondary quality assurance agencies
Measure: The agency is responsible for reviews at institutional or programme level of post-secondary education institutions or post-secondary quality assurance agencies
Description: Applicable Only For Intermediate Members
2 Criterion: Mission statement and objectives:
Measure: The agency has formulated a mission statement and objectives which are consistent with the nature of the agency
Measure: The agency has formulated a mission statement and objectives which are consistent with the nature of the agency
Applicable Only For Intermediate Members
3 Criterion: :
Proof of the organisation’s good standing with the local QA agency
Proof of the organisation’s good standing with the local QA agency
Applicable Only For Intermediate Members
Criteria Requirements for Observer
Criterion For Observers:
Measure: APQN accepts as Observers organisations outside the Asia-Pacific region, including: external quality assurance agencies; institutions with a major interest in evaluation, accreditation and quality assurance in higher education; other regional networks that have major interests in and strong links with the region
Measure: APQN accepts as Observers organisations outside the Asia-Pacific region, including: external quality assurance agencies; institutions with a major interest in evaluation, accreditation and quality assurance in higher education; other regional networks that have major interests in and strong links with the region
Criteria Requirements for Observer: Applicable Only For Observers
Documentation and Fees
Additional Information: I will be emailing additional supporting information
Upon approval of my application I agree to pay:
- $500 (Initial Joining Fee: Full Member, Intermediate Member, Associate Member)
- $300 Member Fee: Full Member, Intermediate Member (if not INQAAHE Member)
I will be applying for support for: Both Initial Joining Fee and Membership Fee
Documents Submitted
SQA_Finalised_Bill_to_Cabinet_28_August_2009.doc1.pdfProgramme_Accreditation_Manual_v1_.pdf
FINAL_QA_Policies_16_July__2009.pdf
Located in: APQN Members
