【"Macau Higher Education Quality Assessment - Course Review Program" Online Evaluation Experience.】

This article discusses how the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the use of video conferencing platforms as a primary tool for communication, but their limited functionalities cannot fully replicate the interactions of in-person meetings. The article shares the author's experience participating in an online assessment of the integrated Chinese-Western Medicine master's and doctoral degree programs at the University of Macau, and provides relevant suggestions for conducting assessments using video conferencing platforms.

The expertise of the assessment committee members is crucial to the quality of the evaluation. The composition of the assessment committee for this evaluation was appropriate, and considering the similarity of Macau's Chinese medicine education system to that of Mainland China, experts from Mainland China were invited to enhance communication.

Preparation before the online assessment is vital. Assessment committee members need to thoroughly understand the institutional system and operational aspects of the institution being evaluated. The convener should communicate with the committee members in advance to determine the speaking order during interviews and select appropriate interviewees to avoid excessive focus on certain individuals.

Establishing a pre-approval mechanism for the materials submitted by the evaluated institution is essential to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information. Visual appearance is also an important factor. Participants in the video conference should adhere to basic dress code requirements and avoid overly casual attire.

During the interview process, the evaluated institution should rehearse and remind interviewees in advance to ensure smooth and seamless video conferencing. Assessment committee members should maintain a harmonious attitude and interact smoothly with interviewees to collect the necessary information.

After the assessment, the assessment committee members should write the assessment report and coordinate with the assessment team to ensure the quality of the report. The evaluated institution can respond to any factual inaccuracies in the report, which will help the institution improve.

In conclusion, although online assessments present challenges, they can still be effective with the dedication and attentiveness of all participants, contributing to the advancement of integrated Chinese-Western Medicine education. The article expresses gratitude to all those involved in the assessment and hopes that with everyone's efforts, Chinese-Western Medicine education can achieve further development.

【Excerpt from the issue No. 04, 2021 of TWAEA’s ePaper】