| Category | Administration and Management |
|---|---|
| Type | Policy |
| Approved by | Council, 13 June 1995 |
| Date Policy Took Effect | 1 July 1995 |
| Last approved revision | 26 November 2021 |
| Sponsor | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) |
| Responsible officer | Director, University Quality Advancement Unit |
Purpose
The primary purpose of quality assurance is to review and to effect improvement in the University's teaching, research and service activities. This Policy outlines the principles which underpin the University's rolling programme of formal reviews.
Organisational scope
This Policy applies University-wide.
Definitions
- Reviews
- In the context of this Policy, Review involves reviews of teaching and research programmes, as well as academic and administrative units and services. Reviews may be of a department, academic unit, school, division, centre, residential college or a policy, system or special topic. Some may concern the entire University.
- Review Panel
- A panel with an appointed convener comprising an approved mix of University staff, colleagues external to the University, a recent graduate and members of relevant employer/industry groups and professional bodies.
- Self-Review
- The process of reflecting on and gathering information about the area being reviewed by the area being reviewed and then presenting it in the form of a foundation document for the review panel.
Content
- Each aspect of the University's operations will be reviewed at least once every 10 years with earlier interim and targeted reviews being undertaken as appropriate with the process initiated by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) or upon the request of a particular person or group and managed by the Quality Advancement Unit.
- The Quality Advancement Unit will maintain a rolling programme of reviews with the focus on the next three years to ensure areas due for review have sufficient time to prepare.
- A review provides an opportunity to critically analyse goals, objectives and activities, receive affirmation that current plans and priorities will have long term benefits for students, staff and other stakeholders, identify challenges, and plan for the future and set strategic goals in alignment with the University's wider strategic imperatives.
- Before a review begins, a budget will be determined, staff will receive process guidance, terms of reference and membership of the review panel will be approved, and access to useful sources of information and support will be provided.
- The starting point for any review is the self-review and preparation of a self-review document in accordance with the terms of reference for the review.
- The review panel will conduct its inquiries on-campus using e-conferencing where necessary, and submit a written report to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), who will discuss any recommendations with the Vice-Chancellor and area head, who should normally be a member of the Senior Leadership Team or delegate as appropriate, and authorise release of the review report.
- The University will give serious consideration to a review panel's recommendations. Implementation of any recommendations will be at discretion of the University, and subject to any resource constraints.
Related policies, procedures and forms
- Payment of Review Panel Members Procedure
- Quality Advancement Reviews (for information and resources)