HKU SPACE is delighted to announce that in relation to the International Quality Review, the German Agency, the Accreditation Agency for Study Programmes in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics (ASIIN), has now confirmed that our institutional accreditation seal has been extended for 5 years until 30 September 2028. This confirms that HKU SPACE fulfils the institutional, procedural and cultural requirements for good teaching and successful learning. The experts commended that “HKU SPACE's institutional leadership is particularly strong, and the institution is procedurally rigorous.”

Professor William K.M. Lee, Director of HKU SPACE, said, “We are delighted to receive this recognition from ASIIN, which grants us a 5-year extension of our Accreditation Seal. This demonstrates the global acknowledgement of our quality assurance systems. The positive report reinforces our unwavering dedication to professional and continuing education, as well as lifelong learning. It affirms the strength of our governance structure and the soundness of our quality assurance systems, aligned with international standards.”

The ASIIN review was carried out on 5 July 2022 in the form of a virtual audit by the international expert panel. The accreditation was based on the Criteria for the ASIIN System Seal / Institutional Accreditation / Institutional Assessment. This set of criteria is designed for quality development in teaching and learning (in line with the European Standards and Guidelines 2015). The criteria refer to (I) the definition of quality and its management, (II) their application in the educational provisions the Higher Education Institution (HEI) is offering, (III) the management of its resources and (IV) quality related transparency and documentation.

The report was positive and showed that HKU SPACE scored highly over the entire range of the four sets of criteria. The strongest categories across the board were quality management systems/governance, the process for the creation and development of study programmes as well as rules and regulations and transparency and documentation.

Key findings are as follows:

• The experts see multiple evidence of an effective leadership and a management culture that is proactive and geared to the further development of the institution. They are particularly impressed by the manifold, well-functioning quality management systems in place, which are constantly and consistently monitoring the success of HKU SPACE´s operations on most levels
• The experts commend HKU SPACE on its comprehensive planning processes, which are geared to the further improvement of its study programmes.
• The experts find a strong centralised management in relation to rules and regulations pertaining to programmes. The website and detailed programme prospectus contain all relevant information for its diverse educational offerings.
• The experts identify a strong emphasis on documentation at HKU SPACE. Meetings and decisions are regularly well-documented. External legal requirements relevant for documentation and transparency are continuously taken into consideration in the respective processes.

Finally the Panel concluded HKU SPACE has a strong base to build on and promising potential to further develop as a World Class Centre of Excellence in Continuing Education, Lifelong Learning and Transnational Education.