The HEQC held a preparation workshop for potential auditors at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg. The participants were selected according to a set of criteria approved by the HEQC. They are mainly drawn from nominations by public and private higher education institutions. The orientation session, which is over 3 days, is intended to acquaint potential auditors with the higher education landscape in South Africa, the approach of the HEQC to issues of quality and quality assurance, and the HEQC's methodology and criteria for institutional audits. In addition to local expertise, the HEQC has contracted the services of Dr David Woodhouse, Executive Director of the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) to assist with auditor orientation.