Testimony of Academic Staff on the Impact of CALOHEA

Sr Dr Radzuan Saari
Undergraduate Academic Manager
Coordinator of Survey Camp

As an academic staff member teaching the Survey Camp course at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, I have had the privilege of being exposed to the CALOHEA project, particularly its emphasis on authentic assessment. This exposure has significantly enhanced my approach to teaching and assessing students in the field of survey engineering.

The Survey Camp is a two-week intensive program where students are required to solve real-world problems on site. Through the implementation of authentic assessment, I have been able to provide students with a more practical and immersive learning experience. This method of assessment aligns with the requirements of the Engineering Accreditation Council (EAC), as it addresses complex problem-solving skills crucial for future engineers.

Learning from the CALOHEA project has been transformative for my course. The insights gained have allowed me to refine the assessment tasks, ensuring they are not only challenging but also relevant to the students’ future professional practice. This approach has markedly improved the quality of education and better prepared our students for real-world engineering challenges.

Incorporating authentic assessment into the Survey Camp has proven to be highly beneficial, providing students with hands-on experience and the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. I am grateful for the knowledge and methodologies shared by the CALOHEA project, as they have been instrumental in enhancing the educational outcomes of my course for the benefit of our students

CALOHEA Capacity Building Event

We are proud to announce that our esteemed faculty member, Prof Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor, participated as a speaker at the CALOHEA Capacity Building event held on October 26-27, 2023, at Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, Vietnam. This prestigious event was organized by the International Tuning Academy, the University of Groningen (RUG), and the ASEAN University Network (AUN). The event, titled “Implementing CALOHEA Recognition Mechanisms for More Effective and Holistic Learning Outcomes in Viet Nam’s Higher Education,” focused on enhancing the quality and comparability of higher education programs across ASEAN. [Your Name] delivered an insightful presentation during the Knowledge-sharing session on October 26, 2023, from 01:30 – 03:00 P.M. The session, “Overview of 3 Recognition Mechanisms on Civil Engineering,” explored the innovative tools developed by the Tuning Academy to standardize degree programs and improve student mobility and internationalization in the region. The CALOHEA Recognition Mechanisms (RMs) discussed during the session are pivotal in aligning degree programs in Civil Engineering, Medicine, and Teacher Education. These mechanisms are designed to facilitate program recognition, ensure consistent quality standards, and promote collaboration across ASEAN Higher Education Institutions. The event featured various sessions, discussions, and workshops on implementing Authentic Assessment, a core aspect of the CALOHEA methodology. In addition to its focus on ASEAN, the CALOHEA project’s impact extends globally, with similar implementations in China, Europe, and South America. The participation of Prof Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor in this event underscores our commitment to advancing educational quality and fostering international cooperation. For more details about the CALOHEA project and the event, please visit https://calohea.org/. We congratulate Prof Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor on this significant achievement and look forward to the continued positive impact of their contributions to higher education.

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We are delighted to announce that Prof. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor, one of our distinguished faculty members, recently participated as a speaker at the CALOHEA Capacity Building event held on October 9-10, 2023, at Svey Rieng University, Cambodia. This significant event was organized by the International Tuning Academy, the University of Groningen (RUG), and the ASEAN University Network (AUN), under the theme “Implementing Authentic Assessment for More Effective and Holistic Learning Outcomes in Cambodia’s Higher Education.” During the workshop, Prof. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor contributed to the session focused on “Overview of 3 Recognition Mechanisms on Civil Engineering.” This insightful presentation highlighted the innovative tools and strategies developed by the Tuning Academy to standardize and improve degree programs across ASEAN. These Recognition Mechanisms (RMs) are specifically designed to enhance the comparability of programs, foster student mobility, and promote the internationalization of higher education institutions in the region. The event provided a comprehensive platform for discussions, knowledge-sharing, and hands-on workshops centered around the implementation of Authentic Assessment—a key component of the CALOHEA methodology. By integrating these assessments into curriculum design, the initiative aims to ensure that learning outcomes are both effective and holistic, preparing students more thoroughly for their future careers. In addition to its regional impact, the CALOHEA project is part of a global effort with similar initiatives being implemented in China, Europe, and South America. This event underscores the broader vision of enhancing educational standards and fostering greater cooperation between higher education institutions worldwide. The participation of Prof. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor in this prestigious event reflects our institution’s dedication to educational excellence and our active role in advancing quality assurance and curriculum development within the ASEAN region. We are proud of Prof. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor’s contributions and look forward to the positive changes and collaborations that will emerge from this engagement. For more information about the CALOHEA project and the event, please visit  https://calohea.org/. Congratulations to Prof. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor for this remarkable achievement and their ongoing commitment to improving higher education.

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We are excited to announce that Prof. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor, a distinguished faculty member, has been invited to speak at the upcoming CALOHEA Capacity Building event, hosted by Universitas Hasanuddin (UNHAS) in Makassar, Indonesia. Scheduled for August 10-11, 2023, this event marks the Second Round of CALOHEA National Meeting and is a pivotal dissemination activity for the CALOHEA project in Indonesia’s higher education landscape. The event aims to provide a platform for participants to engage in sharing sessions, discussions, and workshops focused on implementing CALOHEA Recognition Mechanisms (RMs). These mechanisms, integral to the CALOHEA Methodology, are designed to enhance curriculum and program design across various disciplines. Prof. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor’s participation will include contributing to sessions that delve into the practical application of CALOHEA RMs, ensuring that higher education institutions in Indonesia benefit from standardized approaches to program recognition and quality assurance. This event not only facilitates knowledge-sharing but also strengthens collaborations among stakeholders in advancing educational standards. The CALOHEA project’s impact extends beyond Indonesia, contributing to regional and global initiatives aimed at fostering educational excellence and international cooperation. We anticipate valuable insights and outcomes from Prof. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor’s participation in this significant event. For more information about the CALOHEA project and updates on the event, please visit https://calohea.org/. We congratulate Prof. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor on this opportunity and look forward to the positive contributions and collaborations that will result from their engagement at the CALOHEA Capacity Building event in Indonesia.

CALOHEA National Meeting

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia proudly announces that Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor has been formally invited to participate in the CALOHEA National Meeting, scheduled from May 11 to 12, 2023, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This significant event is organized under the auspices of the CALOHEA project (617799-EPP-1-2020-1-NL-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP), coordinated by the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. The National Meeting in Phnom Penh aims to disseminate the initial results of the CALOHEA project, focusing on three critical areas: the CALOHEA Qualification Reference Frameworks for Civil Engineering, Medicine, and Teacher Education; findings on student workload across Southeast Asia; and best practices in assessing internationally recognized learning outcomes. These insights will be shared with Cambodian stakeholders to gather feedback on current project iterations and to foster the implementation and dissemination of the project’s three Recognition Mechanisms. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor’s attendance at the Phnom Penh meeting is pivotal to advancing the goals of the CALOHEA project. The event serves as a platform to exchange knowledge, strengthen regional collaboration, and enhance educational standards across ASEAN nations. For further details about the CALOHEA project and updates on the National Meeting in Phnom Penh, please visit https://calohea.org/. We extend our congratulations to Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor on this esteemed invitation and anticipate the valuable contributions to be made at the CALOHEA National Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

CALOHEA project’s Recognition Mechanisms

On April 25, 2024, the Department of Structure and Material at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) hosted a brainstorming session on curriculum review of Master of Engineering (Structure). As part of this session, Prof. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor, representing the CALOHEA project, introduced innovative ideas focused on authentic assessment and student workload. The CALOHEA project’s Recognition Mechanisms provide advanced methodologies for curriculum design, aiming to standardize and enhance educational programs across Southeast Asia. During the session, the concepts of authentic assessment and systematic student workload measurement were discussed as crucial elements for the upcoming curriculum revisions at UTM. These insights are intended to ensure that UTM’s future curriculum not only aligns with regional educational standards but also promotes effective and holistic learning outcomes. The integration of CALOHEA’s approaches into UTM’s curriculum review process demonstrates the project’s practical impact on improving academic programs. By adopting these methodologies, UTM is committed to enhancing the quality and relevance of its educational offerings, ultimately benefiting students and aligning with international standards. For further details about the CALOHEA project and its contributions to educational development, please visit https://calohea.org/.

Faculty of Civil Engineering Strategic Planning Workshop – CALOHEA Project’s Advanced Methodologies

From March 6-8, 2024, the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) held a Strategic Planning workshop at Amverton Heritage Resort, Ayer Keroh, Melaka. Prof. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor participated in the workshop as a representative of the CALOHEA project, bringing critical insights and findings from the project to the forefront of strategic discussions. The workshop focused on harmonizing the future curriculum to align with regional and international standards. Dr. Norhazilan Md Noor introduced the CALOHEA project’s advanced methodologies, particularly emphasizing authentic assessment and systematic student workload measurement. These approaches are designed to enhance the quality and comparability of academic programs across Southeast Asia. The integration of CALOHEA’s findings into the Faculty of Civil Engineering’s strategic planning underscores the project’s significant impact on curriculum development. By incorporating these innovative methodologies, UTM aims to ensure that its future curriculum supports effective learning outcomes, promotes student mobility, and meets the demands of the global educational landscape. This strategic planning workshop highlights UTM’s commitment to continuous improvement and educational excellence. The adoption of CALOHEA’s approaches is a testament to UTM’s proactive steps toward enhancing its academic programs and achieving harmonization with broader educational frameworks. For further information about the CALOHEA project and its ongoing contributions to educational development, please visit https://calohea.org/.

Authentic Assessment Course

The Faculty of Civil Engineering recently hosted an enlightening talk on the topic of “Authentic Assessment in Education.” The session aimed to provide faculty members with a deeper understanding of authentic assessment methods and their application in engineering education. The speaker began by defining authentic assessment, emphasizing its focus on evaluating students’ practical skills and real-world problem-solving abilities, rather than traditional testing methods. The talk highlighted the relevance of authentic assessment in the field of civil engineering, where practical skills and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios are crucial. Various strategies for implementing authentic assessments were discussed, including project-based learning, case studies, simulations, and fieldwork. Examples of successful implementation in civil engineering courses were shared. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment, where attendees could discuss their experiences, ask questions, and explore further the practical aspects of authentic assessment in their courses.

CALOHEA Regional Subject-Specific Reference Frameworks as tools for promoting recognition and internationalisation

One of the tools created by the CALOHEA Erasmus+ project participants in order to facilitate recognition of degrees and periods of studies both within the ASEAN region and between the ASEAN region and other world regions are Regional Subject-Specific Reference Frameworks.

A Qualifications Framework is a structure that allows us to classify different qualifications in a geographical area covered by the framework and establish a broad equivalence of qualifications (e.g. first cycle of higher education/undergraduate, etc.) across the region. This is done through describing what a learner will have developed in terms of knowledge, skills, attitudes, competences, etc upon successfully completing a particular level of studies.

Regional Qualifications Reference Frameworks seek to establish broad equivalence among qualifications offered in more than one country. Such frameworks are intended to be used as Reference Documents – facilitating recognition but not overruling National regulations or National Qualifications Frameworks. The ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) could be two good examples here.

CALOHEA Subject-Specific Qualifications Reference Frameworks facilitate recognition through allowing to:

1) clearly see which key dimensions must be addressed by each programme in the subject area;

2) establish equivalence between qualifications offered in different countries in terms of their level, regardless of how the qualifications are referred to in each of the countries;

3) express specialisation of a particular programme in terms of the sub-dimensions addressed;

4) compare the level of achievement aimed at for each of the sub-dimensions – in terms of knowledge, skills or responsibilities;

5) compare shorter periods of study as well – periods of study during which only particular types of knowledge, specific skills or capacity to perform particular responsibilities can be developed.

CALOHEA Regional Subject-Specific Qualifications Reference Frameworks state in a detailed manner what knowledge, skills, attitudes, competences, etc. are expected from graduates of a ARQF Level 6 degrees in Civil Engineering, Medicine and Teacher Education; & allow recognition across all the countries involved in the development of the Frameworks.

To see the CALOHEA Reference Frameworks, visit https://calohea.org/

The CALOHEA Erasmus+ project is coordinated by the Tuning Academy of the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) and the ASEAN University Network and is co-funded by the European Commission.

Looking for examples of authentic assessment tasks in Civil Engineering, Medicine or Teacher Education?
Check CALOHEA Complications of Inspirational Examples prepared specifically for the ASEAN higher education institutions

While authentic assessment is key if you want to prepare industry-ready graduates and make sure your students achieve complex learning outcomes, many academics believe that authentic assessment is very difficult, time consuming and even expensive to implement.

To show that this is not necessarily the case, CALOHEA experts from seven ASEAN countries have created compilations of Inspirational Examples – ranging from more daring options to those that every academic can easily introduce in their course, regardless of the class size and financial limitations.

Visit the CALOHEA website to consult or download the 3 compilations – one for Medicine, one for Teacher education and one for Civil Engineering: https://calohea.org/

The CALOHEA Erasmus+ project is coordinated by the Tuning Academy of the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) and the ASEAN University Network and is co-funded by the European Commission.