Quality Assurance is process oriented and focuses on defect prevention,
while quality control is product oriented and focuses on defect identification.

By definition,
QA is a set of activities for ensuring quality in the processes by which products are developed.
QC is a set of activities for ensuring quality in products. The activities focus on identifying defects in the actual products produced.

Focus on
QA aims to prevent defects with a focus on the process used to make the product. It is a proactive quality process.
QC aims to identify (and correct) defects in the finished product. Quality control, therefore, is a reactive process.

Goal
The goal of QA is to improve development and test processes so that defects do not arise when the product is being developed.
The goal of QC is to identify defects after a product is developed and before it's released.

Responsibility
Everyone on the team involved in developing the product is responsible for quality assurance.
Quality control is usually the responsibility of a specific team that tests the product for defects.

As a tool
QA is a managerial tool
QC is a corrective tool

so, as a graduate of any field, you can be a QA/QC inspector once u undergo the required training.

hmmmm

i ve learnt

Nice write up

Can someone apply for a position of QA/QC when he is not experienced since he will be trained? Because from your explaination, it seems it doesnt require a highly specialized skill.

hmmm let me guess; u are a certified project management professional......

Very apt and nice explanation.
Thanks.