• 17.1. remain attentive to international and regional quality assurance developments.

    The OCQAS remains attentive to international and regional developments in quality assurance and higher education to ensure that its frameworks and practices remain aligned with evolving international expectations.

    The OCQAS engages with international quality assurance communities through participation in global networks and professional exchanges. The agency is an active member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) and participates and presents in INQAAHE gatherings, webinars, and professional forums that facilitate dialogue among quality assurance agencies worldwide.

    The OCQAS was also a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) International Quality Group (CIQG) until 2024.

    Through these engagements, the OCQAS exchanges perspectives and experiences with other quality assurance bodies, monitors emerging international practices, and remains informed about developments affecting higher education quality assurance, including issues related to international education and cross-border provision.

    These activities support the OCQAS in maintaining quality assurance frameworks that remain relevant, internationally informed, and appropriate to the context of Ontario’s public college system.

  • 17.2. participate in knowledge-sharing and, where possible, joint quality assurance activity.

    The OCQAS engages in knowledge-sharing and professional exchange with other quality assurance agencies and organizations to support mutual learning and the development of quality assurance practice.

    Over the past five years, the OCQAS conducted 17 structured interviews with quality assurance agencies around the world to discuss best practices, challenges, and lessons learned across different quality assurance systems. These conversations explored topics such as what agencies consider successful in their approaches, areas where processes have proven difficult, and emerging issues affecting higher education quality assurance.

    The OCQAS also participates in monthly cross-country meetings with Canadian quality assurance agencies, as well as professional development sessions and training activities organized across several Canadian provinces (DQAB, PEQAB, IAESC, OUCQA,  SHEQAB, MPHEC, BCI, CAQC.) These engagements support dialogue among Canadian agencies and facilitate the exchange of approaches across provincial systems.

    International exchange also occurs through direct interaction with peer organizations. The OCQAS has hosted in-person visits from representatives of quality assurance bodies from Estonia and Kenya and has engaged in discussions with and organization from Doha. Additional dialogue and professional exchange have taken place with agencies including Federación de Instituciones Mexicanas Particulares de Educación Superior (FIMPES), Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Agència per a la Qualitat del Sistema Universitari de Catalunya (AQU), and Agencia Nacional de Evaluación de la Calidad y Acreditación (ANECA) including conference participation and sessions on emerging topics such as program advisory committees and artificial intelligence in quality assurance.

    The OCQAS leadership has also participated in three international external quality assurance reviews, providing direct insight into the practices and governance models of other quality assurance agencies.

    Through these activities, the OCQAS contributes to international dialogue on quality assurance and benefits from the exchange of perspectives and practices with peer organizations.

  • 17.3. benchmark practices against internationally recognized standards.

    The OCQAS benchmarks aspects of its quality assurance practices against national and international experience to remain informed by evolving practice in the quality assurance community.

    A summary of the insights and practices identified through the international interviews was compiled into an internal report and presented to the OCQAS Management Board to inform discussion on potential improvements and alignment with agency’s practices.

    These exchanges have informed operational considerations at the OCQAS. For example, benchmarking discussions with peer agencies and Canadian counterparts contributed to the decision to adjust auditor compensation to align more closely with Canadian sector averages, supporting the recruitment and retention of qualified reviewers.

    The OCQAS also remains attentive to international discussions regarding the recognition and portability of qualifications, including developments associated with UNESCO recognition frameworks though Canada is not part of the global convention. In Ontario, all the principles of the Minister’s Binding Policy Directives promote these values – the Ontario public colleges are responsible for their implementation. The OCQAS supports consistency and transparency in quality assurance processes that contribute to confidence in the quality of Ontario college credentials and engage in dialogue on these topics within the sector.

    Through these benchmarking and knowledge-sharing activities, the OCQAS ensures that its quality assurance practices remain informed by international experience while remaining appropriate to the governance and policy context of Ontario’s public college system.