Select subject
Select subject
Scottish Government appoints new Chair of SQA
Shirley Rogers starts her new role on Friday 1 December, replacing David Middleton who has been in post since 2017.
SQAlogo_207x120.png
Scottish Government appoints new Chair of SQA
27
November
2023
None
Monday 27 November 2023
Shirley Rogers joins SQA from Friday 1 December
The Scottish Government has appointed Shirley Rogers as the new Chair of SQA.
Shirley brings a wealth of experience to her new role with our organisation. She worked for the Scottish Government between 2012 and August this year where she was most recently Director of Performance, Delivery and Resilience.
She was previously NHS Scotland’s Chief People Officer and the director with responsibility for Health Workforce, Leadership, Service Reform and EU Exit.
Shirley began her career in central government in London, moving to the private sector and then the Police before joining NHS Scotland in 1996.
The new Chair will start her role on Friday 1 December, replacing David Middleton who has been in the position since 2017.
Shirley said: “I am delighted to be joining the SQA as Chair. I look forward to working with the organisation and its stakeholders to achieve the very best that we can for students, parents, teachers and employers.”
A news release about the announcement is available on the Scottish Government website.
More information about SQA's Board of Management can be found here.
107690
447
27-NOV-2023
Mon, 27 Nov 2023 12:59:31 +0000
NEW
Internationally recognised qualifications benefit global learners
SQA is one of the sponsors at the Going Global conference in Edinburgh this week.
GoingGlobal_EdiCastle_Thumb.jpg
SQA's internationally recognised qualifications benefit global learners
20
November
2023
None
Monday 20 November 2023
This week, SQA is one of the sponsors of the British Council’s Going Global conference in Edinburgh, where senior leaders and policy influencers in international education connect, share knowledge, and build global networks to help shape the future of further and higher education.
SQA is the national awarding and accreditation body in Scotland, and a global leader in developing and providing internationally recognised and respected qualifications and assessment services.
SQA has engaged positively with and operated in international markets and jurisdictions since its creation in 1997. Today, SQA plays a key role in positioning ‘Brand Scotland’ around the world, helping to promote Scotland as a great place to live, work, study, visit and do business.
SQA’s work in overseas markets includes countries across the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. It includes:
International Awarding – our flagship international qualifications, SQA Advanced Certificates and Diplomas, provide a route to employment and staff skills development, and through our Diploma to Degree programme can also provide learners with advanced entry at over 50 affiliated universities around the globe.
International Consultancy – where we provide technical expertise to support education reform and development, including qualifications design, assessment design and development, standards development, and capacity building.
International Quality Assurance, and Verification – we provide support with the effective implementation of systems, policies, and procedures for quality assurance and verification of qualification delivery.
Active participation in networking and knowledge sharing events.
In addition to Advanced Certificates and Diplomas, SQA offers a range of qualifications to international customers including National Progression Awards, Professional Development Awards, and Customised Awards that are delivered by universities and training providers. SQA ‘s Consultancy Services also help establish secure educational and training progression routes for learners.
Fiona Robertson, SQA Chief Executive, said: “SQA is proud to operate internationally and to show the world what Scotland has to offer. Our international work will continue to develop and grow as we move towards the establishment of the new qualifications body. We will continue to demonstrate to our customers that working with SQA and its successor, and so with Scotland, is beneficial and positive for our international partners and customers.”
Gillian Hepburn, Head of International at SQA, adds; “Our products and services are well regarded internationally. Our international partners recognise the value on offer, and that provides us – and Scotland as an outward-looking nation – with the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the international community and support the Scottish Government’s international strategy; promoting Scottish education, and Scotland worldwide. Our activity supports the Scottish Government’s international agenda and its outcomes and allows us to share good practice.”
SQA embeds industry standards in its qualifications, and strives to ensure that its qualifications are inclusive, accessible to all, and that they provide learners with clear progression pathways. Further education institutions around the world recognise and trust SQA qualifications. They know that the students who achieve them are able to demonstrate a passion for lifelong learning, skills, knowledge, and understanding, which are often sought after by universities and employers.
Ms Hepburn said: “Increasing opportunities to learners, supporting workforce development, and helping to build in-country capacity have been at the heart of SQA’s international approach. Our international work has made a significant contribution, forged strong relationships, and helped us develop opportunities that contribute to sustainable economic growth in Scotland.”
“For international learners, achieving an SQA Advanced Certificate or SQA Advanced Diploma is one of the best ways to develop skills and knowledge in a chosen sector – just as it is with learners here in Scotland. It gives them the flexibility to go straight into the workforce or continue in their current role and develop their career with enhanced skills and knowledge, or progress on to advanced entry into an affiliated university via our Diploma to Degree programme.”
Speaking ahead of the Going Global conference, Ms Hepburn adds: “To have Going Global on our doorstep this year is a fantastic opportunity for SQA. It’s important for SQA to contribute to the discussions surrounding how education authorities across the world address issues surrounding sustainability, scalability, and equitable partnerships in tertiary education.”
For more information about SQA’s international work, visit www.sqa.org.uk/international. Going Global runs from Monday 20 – Wednesday 22 November.
107609
447
22-NOV-2023
Wed, 22 Nov 2023 10:40:00 +0000
UPDATED
