Significant progress has been made and the TQFMC takes pleasure in presenting the first draft, by the end of October 2008, of the TQF Guidelines, Level Descriptors and Quality Assurance Procedures for comments from the member countries. The successful implementation of the TQF requires commitment and buy-in of all Small States of the Commonwealth. The importance of section 2.0 is vital to ensure collective understanding, commitment and networking to realize the full potential of VUSSC. Most importantly, the proposed TQF relies on national quality assurance systems. The TQF does not aim to substitute national QA systems, but strives to achieve coherence through being a translation instrument for qualifications. The Ministers of Education conceived a collaborative system for capacity building of learning in our nations and the TQF is a fitting response to their noble aspirations. The TQF also encourages human resource development for QA systems in the member countries and strengthening south-wouth co-operation.

We wish to thank firstly SAQA, Dr. James Keevy and Mr. Samuel Isaacs, who assisted us during the first part of the week for their invaluable contributions. Equally, we must thank Dr. Roli Degazon-Johnson of the Commonwealth Secretariat for her insightful contributions and COL for their usual support. Finally we wish to sincerely express our thanks to NIE and especially Mr. Jacques See for his untiring humour, friendship and continuous support. We also wish to place on record our appreciation to the Government of Singapore for hosting us.