What is it about?
This study examines challenges faced by third-party quality assurance agencies in Yunnan's higher education. Findings reveal deficits in trust, autonomy, legal status, expertise, and accountability. The conclusions could lead to policymaking or legislation formulation to empower these agencies as legal and independent evaluation bodies, promoting the development of higher education and economic prosperity.
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Why is it important?
Experts from evaluation centers and university management shared valuable insights that offer real-world evidence to help policymakers improve quality assurance (QA) reforms. Their input also deepens our understanding of how QA governance works and expands on resource dependence theory. In China’s centralized system, the challenges seen at the provincial level reflect broader issues, providing a useful starting point for tackling similar problems elsewhere.
Perspectives
This study addresses a gap in existing research by highlighting the specific challenges third-party agencies face when acting as QA bodies. The findings could guide policymakers in creating laws or policies to strengthen these agencies, making them more independent and legally recognized. This, in turn, could support the growth of higher education and contribute to economic development.
David Rodriguez-Gomez
Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Obstacles to the functioning of third-party agencies as higher education quality assurance bodies in Yunnan, China, Quality Assurance in Education, March 2025, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/qae-10-2024-0206.
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