NQA couples with Malaysia on quality assurance

The Namibian Qualifications Authority (NQA) has renewed its longstanding cooperation agreement with its counterpart, the Malaysian Qualifications Authority (MQA), effective 7 May 2016.
The Memorandum of Technical Cooperation and Partnership has been in place for over 16 years following its commencement in 2000. During this time, the tow authorities have established closer relations for the purpose of exploring ways and means of establishing cooperative and collaborative mechanisms for mutual benefit.
The NQA and NQA share similar mandates and institutional objectives in the implement of the National Qualifications Framework and quality assurance of qualifications in their respective countries. This agreement thus provides a framework for cooperation in various areas relating to quality assurance and is said to have important benefits for Namibia in terms of information and expertise exchange which include sharing policies, standard setting especially in respect of the National Qualifications Framework and mutual recognition of qualifications. In addition to that, the counterparts also exchange expertise in the area of data management, archiving of national records or learning and information technology systems for the national qualifications framework.
During the previous term that expired in May 2016, a benchmarking mission to Malaysia was undertaken for skills transfer purposes,, during which NQA employees were exposed to international best practices in quality assurance.
Following these bilateral exchanges, the NQA successfully adopted and implement some Malaysian practices in order to augment its own quality assurance process.
NQA CEO Franz Gertze sums up the value of this agreement to the NQA and the country at large. “We live in a time where qualifications have become sought after currency as the gateways to a better quality of life. Therefore quality assurance in the education sector is of the utmost importance and we are fortunate to cooperate with one of the foremost qualifications authorities in the world as we strive to ensure quality education for all Namibians. Further to that, the renewal of this agreement illustrates our commitment towards continuous refinement of our process and internal efficiency which translates into better service for all our clients”, Gertze said.
In attendance was the Namibian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Anna Namakau Mutelo. On her part, Mutelo reiterated the Namibian Governments commitment to the Harambee Prosperity Plan highlighting that her key focus is to promote skills development as a key tenet to the attainment of the plan and other national objectives such Vision 2030.
Staff Reporter