The Quality Advancement Committee is a committee of Senate. The Committee acts as a forum for the discussion and promotion of developments in academic quality assurance and quality enhancement, whether internally driven or externally indicated.
Terms of Reference
- To undertake critical reflection on the University's commitment to academic quality with a focus on the key processes used for evaluating the quality of academic activity.
- To engage with staff, students and other interested parties to foster networks that promote and raise the awareness of the significance of academic quality processes throughout the University.
- To identify key elements that should form part of the University's quality advancement framework and oversee and monitor developments in relation to this activity.
- To consider reports on the implementation of quality improvement programmes such as the internal reviews programme, core institutional surveys, and quality improvement grant funding.
- To contribute to, and take a leadership role in, the University's preparations for external Academic Quality Agency (AQA) academic audits and to provide advice, input and support in relation to this activity.
- To consider and comment on the University's academic audit reports, follow-up reports and the processes put in place for monitoring the implementation of academic audit outcomes.
- To identify examples of good practice and other areas requiring improvement to communicate within the University and any issues for further consideration by the Vice-Chancellor, Senate or other University committees, arising from the terms of reference above.
Membership
| Composition | Member | Expiry date (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) (Convener) | Professor Stuart Brock | Ex-officio |
| Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Enterprise) or nominee | Professor Richard Blaikie | Ex-officio |
| Pro-Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) of the Division of Commerce | Associate Professor Helen Roberts | 31 December 2025 |
| Pro-Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) of the Division of Health Sciences | Professor Robin Turner | 31 December 2025 |
| Pro-Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) of the Division of Humanities | Dr Simon Connell | 31 December 2024 |
| Pro-Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) of the Division of Sciences | Professor Niels Kjaergaard | 31 December 2024 |
| Director, International | Jason Cushen | Ex-officio |
| Director, Student and Academic Services | Claire Gallop | Ex-officio |
| Director, Student Experience | Jo Gibson | Ex-officio |
Two members appointed by Senate | Professor Anna HIgh | 31 December 2022 |
| Associate Professor Andrew Trotman | 31 December 2025 | |
| Director (or nominee), Strategy, Analytics and Reporting Office | Mr Kevin Maley | 31 December 2024 |
| Head (or nominee), Higher Education Development Centre | Professor Kerry Shepherd | 31 December 2024 |
| Dean, School of Graduate Research | Professor David Baxter | Ex-officio |
| Director, Quality Advancement | Margaret Morgan | Ex-officio |
| OUSA representative | Stella Lynch | 31 December 2024 |
| Co-opted | Professor Tim Cooper | 31 December 2024 |
| Māori and Pacific representatives | Amanda Taia | 31 December 2025 |
| In attendance | ||
| Committee Secretary | Carol Forbes (carol.forbes@otago.ac.nz) |
The Board has the power to co-opt as required.
Meetings dates for 2024
| QAC meeting dates (Tuesdays at 2:00pm) | Deadline for Agenda Item Submission |
|---|---|
| 5 March | Monday 26 February |
| 7 May | Monday 29 April |
| 6 August | Monday 29 July |
| 5 November | Friday 25 October |