The Centre for Academic Development and Quality aims and objectives

Overall aim:

To support the University and its Schools by providing a central resource for the introduction, maintenance and enhancement of programmes of study.

Objectives

1. Lead the planning and implementation of preparations for institutional audit.  Organise and edit documentation, including the self-evaluation document, for such audits.
2. Liaise and collaborate with other central services and groups carrying complementary responsibilities for standards and quality.
3. Provide advice to senior managers and prepare strategy and policy papers as requested in support of planning and decision-making related to the maintenance and enhancement of standards and quality of programme and subject provision.
4. Support the work of Academic Standards and Quality Committee (ASQC) and its sub-committees.
5. Support and liaise with School Academic Standards and Quality Committees (SASQC's).
6. Prepare and implement policies for the periodic review of Schools.  Brief and train internal and external reviewers for their role in Periodic School Review (PSR).
7. Prepare and implement policies for the approval and monitoring of programmes within the University.
8. Prepare and implement policies for the approval, monitoring and review of programmes delivered externally through collaborative arrangements.
9. Develop examples of documentation used in the quality assurance of programmes.
10. Manage and update an archive relating to the work of CADQ for the approval, monitoring and review of programmes within and external to the University.
11. Monitor and maintain the academic standards and quality handbook in electronic and documentary format.
12. Compile and maintain a register of Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRB's). 
13. Gather and monitor information on developments in higher education pertinent to academic standards and quality.  Act as the portal within the University for the receipt of such information from outside bodies.
14. Disseminate information across the University to ensure that staff are kept aware of developments in standards and quality and of the work of CADQ.
15. Devise and implement procedures for the evaluation of feedback from and to students on the quality of programmes and their learning experiences.
16. Develop and implement policy on external examining.  Brief and train external examiners for their role.  Prepare a summary of the external examiner process for ASQC.
17. To work collaboratively with Schools on the implementation of the Institutional Learning and Teaching Enhancement Strategy, and support the development of parallel learning and teaching strategies at School level.
18. To implement policies approved by Academic Board and ASQC on areas relating to the work of the Centre, and to prepare associated strategies, policies and position papers with action plans for implementation as appropriate.
19. To support School and local initiatives and networks in respect of the enhancement of teaching and learning.
20. To ensure that all new teaching staff and support staff pursue appropriate staff development programmes in support of teaching and learning and in accordance with contractual obligations, and to encourage experienced staff to participate in career-long professional development for their academic practice.
21. To advise and support staff as individuals and across Schools on successful routes towards accreditation by the Higher Education Academy (HEA), and the institution as a whole on strategies and policies which support HEA accreditation.
22. To act as a centre for the dissemination of effective academic practice internally across the University and externally at national and international levels, to ensure that examples of excellence in practice from this University reach wider audiences and that academic practice here is enriched by external developments.
23. To promote research and scholarship in academic practice by encouraging staff to engage with and progress generic and subject-specific research literature on learning, teaching, assessment and curriculum development.
24. To seek internal and external funding for projects which support the activities of the Centre, and to support Schools in their bids for funded projects in the area of enhancing academic practice.
25. Support student transition into the first year at University by delivering Welcome Week, researching the process of transition, making recommendations, and providing resources.
26. Monitor and review good practice in student retention and ensure relevant information is distributed to appropriate decision-makers.
27. Oversee the provision of learning development for students, augment the provision of study support by providing advice, expertise and resources, particularly in the field of academic writing.