The 18th Biennial Conference of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) took place from May 13th to 15th 2025 at the Akasaka Intercity Conference Center in Tokyo, organized by the Japan University Accreditation Association (JUAA). The theme of the conference was “The Big Bang Theory: the Quality Assurance Paradigm Shift” featuring a mix of pre-conference workshops, keynote speeches, parallel workshops, and networking activities. Five delegates from HEEACT participated in the event, led by Prof. Dr. Der-Tsai Lee, President of HEEACT and Prof. Dr. Yu-Wen Chen, Director of Office of Administration and Research and Prof. Dr. Angela Yung-Chi Hou, Adjunct Research Fellow of HEEACT.

Inclusion and equity are vital keys to quality education, particularly given the growing diversity in higher education globally. In response to this issue, HEEACT hosted a workshop on May 14 that focused on the pivotal roles of governments and QA agencies in navigating both global trends and national priorities. The session explored how Taiwan and Japan have incorporated inclusion and equity into their higher education policies and accreditation systems.

Entitled “Ideality versus Reality: The Practices and Reflection of Inclusion and Equity in Higher Education and Quality Assurance in Taiwan and Japan”, the workshop opened with Prof. Dr. Angela Yung-Chi Hou introducing UNESCO’s Education 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4). She further illustrated how higher education policies in Taiwan and Japan align with UNESCO’s vision for inclusive and equitable quality education. This was followed by a presentation from Dr. Arianna Fang-Yu Lin, Research Fellow at HEEACT, who examined specific QA initiatives in both countries. Her presentation addressed themes such as higher education diversification, stakeholder engagement, and gender equality within the context of national policy and accreditation practices. The session also included a hands-on design-thinking activity that encouraged participants to share experiences and co-develop practical strategies, receiving enthusiastic feedback from attendees.

Overall, HEEACT’s participation in the INQAAHE conference facilitated valuable exchanges with QA agencies worldwide. In addition to showcasing Taiwan’s approaches and achievements in quality assurance, the HEEACT delegation engaged in meaningful dialogue and knowledge sharing with international peers. These interactions not only strengthened global partnerships but also enhanced the visibility and impact of Taiwan’s higher education sector on the international stage.