財團法人高等教育評鑑中心基金會

Overview

The Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan (HEEACT, 財團法人高等教育評鑑中心基金會) is a government-funded national quality assurance agency established on December 26, 2005. Jointly founded by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and higher education institutions (HEIs) in Taiwan, HEEACT's primary mission is to enhance the quality of higher education through rigorous evaluation and accreditation processes. By conducting third-party external evaluations, HEEACT supports Taiwanese HEIs in their continuous improvement efforts, ensuring that educational standards meet both national and international benchmarks.

Historical and Legal Framework

HEEACT was officially established in 2005 as a response to the growing need for a structured and impartial system to assess and accredit higher education institutions in Taiwan. The founding of HEEACT marked a significant step towards formalizing quality assurance mechanisms in the Taiwanese higher education sector. The council operates under the legal framework provided by the Ministry of Education, which oversees its functions and ensures alignment with national educational policies.

Mission, Vision, and Objectives — Role in Higher Education

Mission: HEEACT's mission is to promote the quality of higher education in Taiwan by evaluating and accrediting institutions and their programs, providing guidance for improvement, and fostering a culture of continuous enhancement in the higher education sector.

Vision: To be a leading force in ensuring the excellence of higher education in Taiwan, contributing to the development of a knowledge-based society and enhancing Taiwan's competitiveness on the global stage.

Objectives:

• Conduct comprehensive evaluations and accreditations of higher education institutions and programs.
• Develop and implement quality assurance standards and guidelines.
• Provide training and resources to institutions for quality improvement.
• Promote transparency and accountability in higher education.
• Engage in international collaborations to align Taiwan's higher education quality assurance practices with global standards.

Governance, Structure, and Independence

HEEACT operates as an independent, non-profit foundation with a governance structure that includes a Board of Trustees and an Executive Director. The Board comprises representatives from the Ministry of Education and higher education institutions, ensuring a balance between governmental oversight and institutional autonomy. While HEEACT is government-funded, it maintains operational independence to uphold impartiality and credibility in its evaluation and accreditation processes. This structure allows HEEACT to act as a neutral party, providing objective assessments that institutions can trust.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

HEEACT plays a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of higher education in Taiwan through its comprehensive accreditation and evaluation processes. These processes are designed to assess various aspects of institutions and programs, including:

• Academic standards and curriculum design
• Teaching and learning effectiveness
• Research output and innovation
• Community engagement and service
• Administrative and governance structures
• Student support services and outcomes

By conducting thorough evaluations based on established criteria, HEEACT provides institutions with valuable feedback and recommendations for improvement. This process not only ensures that institutions meet national standards but also encourages a culture of continuous enhancement, aligning Taiwanese higher education with international best practices.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

HEEACT actively engages in international collaborations to align Taiwan's higher education quality assurance practices with global standards. It is a member of several prominent international organizations, including:

• The International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE)
• The Asia-Pacific Quality Network (APQN)
• The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)

Through these memberships, HEEACT participates in international conferences, workshops, and staff exchange programs, fostering knowledge exchange and enhancing its evaluation methodologies. These collaborations also facilitate mutual recognition agreements with other quality assurance agencies, promoting the international mobility of students and academic credentials.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

HEEACT's ongoing efforts in evaluation and accreditation are instrumental in shaping the future of higher education in Taiwan. By setting and upholding high standards, HEEACT encourages institutions to innovate and improve continuously. The council's focus on quality assurance contributes to:

• Raising the overall academic standards of Taiwanese higher education institutions
• Enhancing the global competitiveness of Taiwan's higher education sector
• Ensuring that graduates possess the skills and knowledge required in the global job market
• Promoting transparency and accountability within institutions
• Facilitating international collaborations and partnerships

Looking ahead, HEEACT aims to further strengthen its evaluation processes, expand its international networks, and continue supporting institutions in their pursuit of excellence, thereby contributing to the development of a robust and globally recognized higher education system in Taiwan.

Summary

The Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Council of Taiwan (HEEACT) is a cornerstone of Taiwan's higher education quality assurance framework. Established in 2005, HEEACT conducts rigorous evaluations and accreditations of higher education institutions and programs, providing valuable feedback for continuous improvement. Through its governance structure, HEEACT maintains operational independence while collaborating closely with the Ministry of Education and institutions. Its active participation in international networks enhances the global standing of Taiwanese higher education. As Taiwan continues to emphasize the importance of quality education, HEEACT's role remains crucial in ensuring that institutions meet and exceed national and international standards.

FAQs

• What is the mission of HEEACT? HEEACT's mission is to promote the quality of higher education in Taiwan by evaluating and accrediting institutions and their programs, providing guidance for improvement, and fostering a culture of continuous enhancement in the higher education sector.
• When was HEEACT established? HEEACT was officially established on December 26, 2005, by the Ministry of Education and higher education institutions in Taiwan.
• How does HEEACT maintain independence? While government-funded, HEEACT operates as an independent, non-profit foundation with a governance structure that ensures impartiality in its evaluation and accreditation processes.
• What international organizations is HEEACT a member of? HEEACT is a member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), the Asia-Pacific Quality Network (APQN), and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• What impact does HEEACT have on Taiwanese higher education? HEEACT's evaluations and accreditations help raise academic standards, enhance global competitiveness, ensure graduate employability, and promote transparency and accountability within institutions.

Organization Name

財團法人高等教育評鑑中心基金會

Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Council

Acronym

HEEACT

Year of Establishment

2005

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

Hoping East Road 179 7F Section 1
Taipei City
106 Taipei Taiwan

Phone

Fax

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

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X (Twitter)

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LinkedIn

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YouTube

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Instagram

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Wikipedia Article

Higher Education Evaluation and Accreditation Council's Wikipedia article

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