Study On The Capacity Building Of Asia-Pacific Quality Network

NGOs and NPOs has become the new and significant power in global governance.However,there are a considerable part of NGOs/NPOs failed to continue to play their roles for various reasons in the historical trend of vigorous development.APQN is not the case by becoming the largest,most influential,and most active international NGOs in the field of quality assurance of Asia-Pacific region with extraordinary achievements.With APQN as the core,a network,which consists of quality assurance agencies and higher education institutions in member countries and eradiate to other international and regional organizations,has been formed.The key for those eye-catching achievements is the capacity building.The methodologies are case-study,text analysis and interview.In the case of APQN,first,collect the information and materials of APQN's experience;second,after the in-depth interpretation of APQN Constitution,APQN Procedures Manual,APQN Finance Manual,two APQN Strategic Plan,eleven APQN Annual Report,thirteen APQNew Letter,APQN External Evaluation Report(2008),visional materials of twelve sessions of Annual Conference,describe the shaping process and development of APQN and generalize the causes into three part of international,regional and organizational;third,based on the summary of literature review on capacity building theory,analyze the capacity building of APQN from four dimensions:resourcing,managing,professional and linking ability.With nearly two-year research,the paper highly approved of the function of APQN in assisting the capacity building of participants,however issues from 7 aspects were arose concerning the deficiencies in capacity after interview and analysis:a)there are still shortage in financial resources while self-funding project still need to be practiced;b)human resources cannot be fully utilized,and the volunteer system still needs to be improved;c)the importance of consultant service was covered up by other activities,so the need of member agencies cannot be fully met;d)the promotion of regulations and practice was not that effective,and which is still the focus of advocacy e)the usability of information portal was not that strong and website construction still need to be improved;f)the building of network capacity was superficial and need a real breakthrough;g)procedural system is still in establishment and awareness needs to be improved.This study suggests that capacity building is a multi-pronged process.For the sustainable development of APQN,it should 1)strengthen multi-funding ability to realize the stability and sustainability of finance with diverse financial resources;2)foster mature awareness of procedural management and carry out procedural system into fully implement;3)enhance the capacity building of all organizations,stakeholders and individuals from all aspects in the future;4)encourage the capacity building of volunteers to facilitate sustainable development;5)increase the promotion of core task to win the real credibility;6)facilitate the collaboration between Institute Members to promote the process of internationalization of higher education with improved quality;7)clutch APQN's role of non-governmental nonprofit organization,advocate the core value of service,and inherit the organizational culture of dedication.