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QAOK
Topics
Academic Leadership / Institutional Governance And Management
Establishing external relationships for improving standards
An academic leader evaluates qualifications awarded by the institution by making reference to the relevant standards adopted/promulgated by other higher education institutions, research institutes, professional bodies and government departments through initiating, developing and maintaining relationships with the aforesaid parties
Purpose
The purpose of this practice is to improve the academic standards and currency of the learning programmes. By establishing positive working relationships with other institutions and relevant parties, an institution collects inputs from them and keeps itself abreast of the latest developments and standards in the field.
Outcome
The outcome of employing this practice is having regular inputs for improving academic standards through established relationships with other institutions.
17 Mar 2017
Academic Leadership /
Regular review to ensure alignment with institutional directions
An academic leader regularly reviews the operational plan of his/her unit and monitors performance outcomes within the framework of the institutional quality assurance policies. Regular review encourages continuous improvement of quality management processes and ensures ongoing alignment with the institutional strategic plan.
PurposeThe purpose of this practice is to maintain quality education provision of an academic unit and its alignment with institutional goals. The quality assurance policies and processes help ensure the high standards of programme delivery and facilitate further enhancement. The regular reviews also provide the academic leader with an opportunity to identify problems with alignment of activity at an early stage and adjust the plans or implement corrective actions if necessary..
Outcome
The outcome of employing this practice is achieving continuous improvement by way of reviewing performance outcomes and the effective implementation of the operational plan which contributes towards the achievement of institutional goals.
28 Feb 2017
Student Support Services / Student Engagement / Institutional Governance And Management
Using data to improve retention and student success
Collecting and monitoring data about student engagement and achievement helps identify students who are struggling and enables staff to take timely action.
Purpose
Higher education institutions have a responsibility to ensure that students are encouraged and supported to complete their programmes and to achieve to the best of their abilities. Issues that can impact on student progress such as academic challenges, financial concerns, home life struggles, and schedule conflicts can arise at any time. Students will need different kinds of encouragement and support throughout their academic journey. Some higher dducation institutions have systems to keep records of their students and their progress with learning and assessment. The data from such records offers academic staff information to identify and prioritise students that may need help or additional direction.
Outcome
Early identification of instances where students might begin to disengage from their courses or start to perform less well gives teachers the opportunity to intervene before the student fails, and this is likely to improve retention and the level of student satisfaction.
19 Sep 2017
Student Support Services / Student Engagement / Institutional Governance And Management
Student Charters cultivate shared understanding
Creating and publishing a student charter or student partnerships agreement at institutional level cultivates a shared and transparent understanding between staff and students of what they can and should expect of each other and how to manage their relationships.
Purpose
The purpose of this practice is to articulate to students the core values of the education environment of which they are a part, the nature of their responsibilities and what they can reasonably expect from their higher education provider, teachers and support staff. It will provide clarity about why certain behaviors are crucial to participation and success in the higher education community. A Charter will also provide clear explanations of the arrangements for dialogue, representation and communication between students and their higher education institution. It will help to make students aware of the resources and support available to them and how these can be accessed. Finally, it will establish a framework for mutual accountability between students, the higher education provider and the teachers.
Outcome
The outcome of this practice is a clear definition and understanding of what students can expect from their higher education institution and what will be expected of students. It will form the basis of the relationship with students and opportunities for further enhancement and collaboration to improve the experience of students.
18 Aug 2017
Academic Leadership / Institutional Governance And Management
Bringing in seasoned researchers to boost research
An academic leader cultivates a research culture within the institution through engaging internal and external seasoned researchers.
PurposeThe purpose of this practice is to promote research and scholarly activities. An academic leader can encourage seasoned internal researchers to share research findings, conduct seminars and serve as mentors of junior staff to foster their research potentials. Similarly external researchers identified through the network and connections of the academic leader can be invited to perform such support activities. A resourceful academic leader may be able to arrange long-term visits by external researchers to boost the research profile of the academic unit.
Outcome
The outcome of employing this practice is building up research profile and capabilities of the respective academic unit.
19 Jun 2017
Academic Leadership / Institutional Governance And Management
Bringing in seasoned researchers to boost research
An academic leader cultivates a research culture within the institution through engaging internal and external seasoned researchers.
PurposeThe purpose of this practice is to promote research and scholarly activities. An academic leader can encourage seasoned internal researchers to share research findings, conduct seminars and serve as mentors of junior staff to foster their research potentials. Similarly external researchers identified through the network and connections of the academic leader can be invited to perform such support activities. A resourceful academic leader may be able to arrange long-term visits by external researchers to boost the research profile of the academic unit.
Outcome
The outcome of employing this practice is building up research profile and capabilities of the respective academic unit.
18 Aug 2017