QA+
Quality assurance and more: OCQAS rebrands as QA+

On September 4, the Ontario College Quality Assurance Service (OCQAS) announced a change in its name and brand to QA+.

As Ontario's colleges and polytechnics continue to evolve in response to changing learner, workforce and industry needs, OCQAS is evolving alongside them. QA+ builds on more than two decades of experience and trusted partnerships, reflecting the organization's continued commitment to quality assurance, innovation, collaboration, research and sector engagement.

"This new name recognizes that quality assurance remains the foundation of our work," said Charles Pankratz, chair of the QA+ management board, "while acknowledging the broader expertise and services QA+ provides to member institutions."

Owned, operated and funded by Ontario's 24 publicly funded colleges and polytechnics, for 21 years, the organization has provided efficient tools to ensure specific quality and consistency standards are met by all members across the sector.

"This change is not cosmetic, it is strategic," said Karen Belfer, executive director of QA+. "We do more than ever before and, looking to the future, the innovation will not slow down. QA+' honours the trust we have earned over the past 21 years and more accurately reflects what we do today, who we serve, and where we are going."

QA+'s commitment to the post-secondary sector remains the same: supporting a culture of world-class quality assurance that contributes to educational excellence across Ontario's colleges and polytechnics.

Over the past two decades, Ontario's college network has become increasingly diverse and sophisticated. QA+ currently supports 17 colleges and seven polytechnics, with greater subject diversity and more advanced credentials than ever before; a response to changing learner, workforce and community needs. This name change recognizes the evolution that has been taking place for QA+ members over the past several years.

QA+ will continue to play an important role in maintaining confidence in Ontario credentials. By supporting continuous improvement and alignment with learner, workforce and industry needs, QA+ will help to ensure Ontario college and polytechnic credentials remain relevant, responsive and respected by students, employers and educational partners around the world.

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