The Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA) and ASIC have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to enhance quality assurance, accreditation standards, and global recognition across higher education in Thailand.

Signed in Bangkok on 17 February 2026, the agreement was formalised by Professor Dr. Ong-art Naiyapatana, Director of ONESQA, and Mr. Lee Hammond, CEO of ASIC. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening educational integrity, student protection, and international trust in Thailand’s higher education system.

A Strategic Collaboration to Enhance Thai Higher Education Quality

ONESQA serves as Thailand’s national external quality assurance agency, playing a core role in raising educational standards across the country. ASIC, as a globally recognised accreditation body, supports educational institutions worldwide in meeting international benchmarks. The new MoU unites these strengths to support Thailand’s higher education sector through:

✅ Joint accreditation initiatives to enhance global recognition
✅ Capacity building and training for QA inspectors and reviewers
✅ International knowledge exchange and shared best practices
✅ Development of robust, transparent external QA processes

This cooperation aims to align Thailand’s national frameworks with internationally recognised standards, helping higher education institutions demonstrate credibility, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Joint ONESQA – ASIC Thai University Accreditation and Global Alignment

Following the signing ceremony, strategic discussions were held on a Joint Accreditation Framework that will support Thai universities and colleges in achieving international recognition. This framework will focus on:

✅ Establishing shared assessment principles and evaluation protocols
✅ Offering specialist training to ensure consistency and rigour in assessments
✅ Supporting Thai institutions in meeting expectations of international learners, employers, and regulators

The partnership reinforces Thailand’s commitment to the UNESCO international recognition agenda, strengthening the mobility of Thai students and the global reputation of Thai institutions. Over time, the collaboration plans to extend unified quality assurance models to international schools within Thailand, further positioning the country as a regional hub for education quality and excellence.

Respecting Thai Educational Strengths, Culture, and Values

Thailand’s higher education system is distinguished by strong national structures, a commitment to continuous quality improvement, and a unique blend of international academic standards and deeply rooted Thai values. ONESQA’s national framework is built on these principles, ensuring that quality assurance reflects the country’s educational philosophy, cultural identity, and social priorities.

As ASIC and ONESQA work together on joint accreditation, both organisations affirm that the model will fully respect Thailand’s cultural context, educational pillars, and long‑established traditions. The framework will be designed to complement ONESQA’s rigorous national processes by enhancing the strengths already embedded within Thai higher education.

This culturally aligned approach ensures that international accreditation remains meaningful, relevant, and authentically connected to Thailand’s vision for higher education: promoting excellence while upholding the values, community orientation, and learner‑centred principles that define Thai academic culture.

Remarks from ASIC CEO, Lee Hammond

“Today’s Memorandum of Understanding is more than a formal document. It is a shared statement of intent: that quality matters, that trust matters, and that collaboration is one of the strongest ways to strengthen education—locally, regionally, and internationally.”

In his speech, Mr Hammond emphasised that both ONESQA and ASIC share a mission grounded in protecting students, supporting institutions, and ensuring confidence in education systems. He highlighted the importance of international collaboration, especially as higher education evolves through digital transformation, AI, and changing delivery models.

“In a world where education is becoming ever more global — and where challenges like changing delivery models, digital learning, AI, mobility, and employability are reshaping expectations — no single organisation has all the answers. Partnerships like this one matter because they allow us to respond with greater insight, greater consistency, and greater impact.”

Moving Forward for Quality Thai Higher Education

With the MoU signed, ONESQA and ASIC will now move into an implementation phase to translate shared goals into meaningful improvements for Thailand’s higher education sector.

Through sustained cooperation, both organisations aim to contribute to a more coherent, trusted, and internationally aligned quality assurance landscape that benefits institutions, students, and global partners.