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COLLEGES MOVING TO AN ACCREDITATION PROCESS. New Model Starts in 2015.

Ontario’s colleges will be moving to an accreditation process for each institution, which will become effective in 2015. The new process builds on the Ontario College Quality Assurance Service (OCQAS) that is already in place. That service is internationally recognized for the work it does on credential validation and academic quality assurance audits for colleges.
The move to an accreditation system was approved by the Committee of Presidents at its meeting last week. Speaking at the meeting, OCQAS chair Joy Warkentin said Ontario has the best college programs in the country and the accreditation model would help to further validate and recognize the quality of the colleges.

Under the approved change, the OCQAS will become an accreditation body. This decision will start the process of working through the details of moving to a new model by 2015.

 

HISTORIC AGREEMENT SIGNED IN FEBRUARY 2012: OCQAS Signs Agreement with Quebec's Commission d’évaluation de l’enseignement collégial (CEEC).

Following two days of meetings between staff of the OCQAS and the CEEC, an agreement between the two agencies was signed. This agreement, in the form of a Letter of Intent, will promote an exchange of information and expertise between the two agencies and the two provinces with respect to the on-going quality of postsecondary institutions and programs under the jurisdiction of these two agencies.
The Commission d’évaluation de l’enseignement collégial is an independent agency legally constituted according to the terms of Quebec’s provincial laws. Its mission is to contribute to and demonstrate the development of the quality of college education.

The agreement, believed to be the first of its kind in Canada, is intended to establish an understanding for collaboration based on the respective missions and mandates of the OCQAS and CEEC. Specifically, the two agencies agree to share information and observations on the processes, tools, guidelines and outcomes of the respective agencies, and to assess the possibility of arranging activities such as exchanges and/or internships for professional staff, and observation visits, etc. between OCQAS and CEEC.