Minutes - Academic Planning Unit - University of Ulster

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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. 4
The Committee endorsed the recommendation that a Memorandum of Recognition be signed for a period of five years. 12.43 QAA IQER FOR NI COLLEGES (ADEC/12/17) Mr Deighan presented a summary report on the outcomes from the developmental engagement stage of the Integrated Quality and Enhancement Review in the six local FE Colleges. It was noted that a number of areas of good practice had been highlighted for dissemination and a range of desirable and advisable recommendations for action by the Colleges. Only the Southern Regional College had an essential recommendation, for which the Quality Management and Audit Unit (QMAU), in response to a request, had assisted in formulating a response. The main areas of general concern to the QAA Team across the HE in FE sector were a lack of consistency in assessment practices across subject areas/college campuses, a lack of explanation and guidance on how assignments were assessed, a need to develop mechanisms for providing students with detailed written feedback, and a need for student handbooks to meet College guidelines on content and provide students with detailed and accurate guidance on their programme of study. Partner institutions had developed action plans to take forward the findings and these would form part of the evidence base for the second phase (Summative Review) of the IQER. QMAU together with the Collaborative Partnerships Forum would continue to provide support for partners during Phase 2. SUB-COMMITTEES 12.44 Academic Planning Sub-Committee (ADEC/12/11) The Chair presented the Minutes of the Academic Planning Sub-Committee meeting held on 20 April 2012. a) It was noted that: The Faculty of Art, Design and the Built Environment had explored the possibility of a new title for the proposed MSc Management in Creative Industries but was now content with the original proposal. It was noted that the Evaluation Panel might wish to comment on this issue (Minute 12.30); Approval of the proposed MBA Creative Technologies had been postponed until the June meeting, pending receipt of additional information and external examiner assessments (Minute 12.31); The Sub-Committee had not approved a proposal for four full-time programmes to be offered as slow-track options. The Faculty had 5
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Minutes - Academic Planning Unit - University of Ulster

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