The Asia-Pacific Quality Network (APQN) is a non-governmental, nonprofit organization established in 2003 to promote quality assurance and cooperation in higher education across the Asia-Pacific region. Its administrative office is located in Shanghai, China. Unlike a university, APQN does not primarily deliver degree programs to students. Instead, it connects higher education quality assurance agencies, educational institutions, and other organizations working to improve educational standards and evaluation practices.
APQN’s activities include professional collaboration, knowledge exchange, research, conferences, and initiatives designed to strengthen quality assurance systems. According to its official website, the network has developed a membership spanning numerous countries and territories. It also supports initiatives such as the Asia-Pacific Quality Register (APQR) and the APQN Quality Label, which address the evaluation of quality assurance agencies and aspects of internationalization in higher education. These activities reflect APQN’s regional focus on improving quality assurance practices and facilitating cooperation among different educational systems.
An important distinction is that APQN membership is not the same as institutional accreditation. Membership connects organizations to a professional network and its activities, but it does not automatically mean that a university or college has received government authorization, institutional accreditation, or approval from a recognized national quality assurance authority. APQN’s published membership criteria vary by category, with requirements reflecting the different roles of quality assurance agencies, educational institutions, and other participants.
The network’s role should also be distinguished from that of government education regulators. APQN promotes cooperation and quality assurance development across national boundaries, but the legal authority to recognize institutions, authorize degree-awarding activity, or regulate higher education generally rests with the relevant national or regional authorities. Its quality-related initiatives have their own criteria and purposes, which should not be assumed to confer universal recognition on every participating institution.
From an eLearning perspective, APQN is relevant because quality assurance increasingly involves international cooperation and the comparison of educational standards across different systems. However, the significance of an institution’s relationship with APQN depends on the specific status it holds, whether membership, participation in an initiative, or a separately awarded quality designation. If you are considering an institution that cites APQN affiliation, check the network’s directory and identify the exact relationship claimed. For decisions about employment, further study, or professional licensing, also verify the institution’s authorization and the qualification’s acceptance in your intended destination.
APQN plays an interesting role in connecting quality assurance bodies across the Asia-Pacific region. I like the point about membership not being the same as accreditation, as that’s an important distinction.