Minutes - Academic Planning Unit - University of Ulster

12.40 HEA Handbook for External Examiners
The Chair advised that the Higher Education Academy had published a
handbook that provided an excellent source of advice and guidance.
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/documents/externalexamining/handboo
k_for_external_examining_2012.pdf
AGREED that the handbook be commended and disseminated to all
academic staff through School Boards and Faculty Teaching and Learning
Committees and at academic inductions.
12.41 NSS PARTICIPATION 2012 (ADEC/12/09)
Mrs Alleyne reported that the University had secured a 67% participation
rate in the 2012 survey, compared to 68% nationally and 58% in 2011.
There had been good representation across all subject groups and the
higher response rate would ensure a more representative sample.
Outcomes would be available in September and would also be published ‘in
context’ on the University’s website via the KIS widget.
The Committee thanked the Quality Management and Audit Team, for their
efforts in securing student participation, and Subject and Course Directors
who provided access to large student groups to facilitate completion.
12.42 INSTITUTIONAL RE-APPROVAL: BMC (ADEC/12/10)
Mr Deighan presented a report on the institutional re-approval of the Belfast
Metropolitan College (BMC). It was noted that BMC had completed a recent
re-structuring exercise, all senior staff were now in place and an Assistant
Chief Executive and Director of Curriculum had been appointed to manage
HE within the College. The College was in the process of updating a number
of policies and procedures.
The Panel concluded that the review of documentation provided by BMC,
together with other University monitoring and review processes, provided
broad assurance that the College had effective policies and procedures in
place to meet the University’s standards assurance and quality management
requirements.
The Panel had agreed to recommend re-approval, subject to the condition
that the College:
Review its academic appeals and student complaints procedures to
ensure they mirror those of the University;
Review the guidelines on the treatment of extenuating circumstances to
ensure they reflect Ulster procedures which were updated in 2010;
Provide a copy of the current Disability Action Plan, current Student Equal
Opportunities Policy, and current Safeguarding Children, Young People
and Vulnerable Adults Procedures.
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