QA MEETS SDGS: TWAEA SPOTLIGHTS TAIWAN’S SUSTAINABILITY DRIVE AT INQAAHE CONFERENCE 2025

2025-05-23

At the 2025 INQAAHE Conference held in Tokyo, Japan, the Taiwan Assessment and Evaluation Association (TWAEA) presented a poster paper showcasing how quality assurance (QA) mechanisms can serve as powerful catalysts for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in higher education.

The poster, titled "Quality Assurance as a Catalyst for Achieving SDGs in Higher Education," was developed by Cary Y.L. Chou and Veronica Y.C. Huang of TWAEA. Based on the results of a national survey conducted in May 2023 across 119 Taiwanese higher education institutions (HEIs), the study examined the status, challenges, and strategic approaches to embedding SDGs into institutional governance and academic practices.

Key findings from the study revealed that while SDG 4 (Quality Education) remains the most prioritized and readily integrated goal, significant barriers persist—including limited internal awareness, resource constraints, and lack of cohesive policy support. Nonetheless, the research highlights the critical role of institutional leadership, dedicated SDG task units, and annual sustainability reporting in driving progress.

The poster also presented actionable recommendations for HEIs to enhance sustainability practices—such as establishing systematic monitoring tools, integrating SDG mapping into curricula and research, and strengthening stakeholder involvement in institutional planning. It further emphasized the need for greater alignment between national policy frameworks and university-level initiatives.

This initiative complements TWAEA’s recent international milestone of receiving the INQAAHE ISG Alignment Certificate by highlighting the agency’s broader commitment to promoting transformative, socially responsive quality assurance practices across Taiwan’s higher education system.