Dear Colleagues:
Quality Assurance and Institutional Development
As the first joint venture university between HK and Mainland China, UIC has undertaken the mission to develop a new kind of educational model for China and probably the world. Through this model, different kinds of international educational practices may be tested in the local context. We are NOT just bringing HK academic programs and an internationally accredited academic degree over here. We are trying to advocate new educational ideals, cultivate good academic and management systems and practices, and ultimately allow the international academic community to fully participate in the promotion of quality education in China. These educational experiences will hopefully make it possible for others to appreciate more of the Chinese experience.
As UIC is granting Hong Kong Baptist University degrees, our programs and management are accredited and monitored by the Hong Kong University Grants Council (UGC). Since 1995, UGC has been developing a wide range of measures to enhance the quality of teaching, research and management of all the universities in HK. From the Teaching and Learning Process Quality Reviews (TLPQR) (1995-7, 2001-3) and Management Review (1998-9) to the recent Quality Assurance Council’s (QAC) audit (2008-10), all universities in HK must comply with these measures.
QUALITY ASSURANCE AUDIT WORKSHOP
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY PROF. EDMUND KWOK,
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT OF UIC
As a new institution, UIC is in a very advantageous position to make the best out of the values and directions behind all the reviews. We can make use of the procedures and reference framework to build up our own system of teaching, research and administrative management. We are young and inexperienced. There are no precedents that we may follow. How would the HK or international systems be localized? What are our objectives? How do we go about achieving our objectives? How do we measure these achievements? What processes are in place for improvement?
In the last two years, UIC has been consistently carrying out annual strategic planning. This year, with the QAC audit, we can take this golden opportunity to help us do our own quality assurance audit and carry out strategic planning following the QAC spirit and values. I sincerely appeal to you to help the College realize these objectives.
Edmund Kwok
April 9, 2008
QUALITY ASSURANCE AUDIT WORKSHOP
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY PROF. EDMUND KWOK,
EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT OF UIC
AGENDA
1. HKBU/UIC Degrees and Programmes(a) General Governance at UIC (b) Programme Accreditation Process(c) Programme Revision Protocols(d) Quality Assurance Measures(e) Institutional Objectives, Graduate Profile and Attributes(f) Whole Person Education, Experiential, Outcomes-Based, and
Lifelong Learning
2. Quality Assurance Council Audit 2008-09(a) The Quality Assurance Council(b) Structure of the Audit(c) Focus Areas(d) Important Dates
3. Implications and Significance
QUALITY ASSURANCE AUDIT WORKSHOP9 April 2008Room B201
Academic Accreditation and Governance
• A joint venture university set up by two universities governed by a Council (with 5 representatives from each university), appointing a President to manage
• Academic status granted by both Ministry of Education and University Grants Council (Degrees from HK and Mainland mutually recognized)
• All recognized degree programmes and institutions offering these programmes are accredited by and monitored by HK University Grants Council in order to keep up with international standards
HK UGC Management & Accreditation
Policies and Processes • 1995-1997; 2001-2003 Teaching and Learning
Quality Process Reviews (TLQPR) • 1998-1999 Management Review• Setting up of Quality Assurance Council (QAC)
under UGC• UNESCO/QECD Guidelines on Quality
Provision in Cross-Border Higher Education (2005)
• Longstanding accreditation procedures in USEuropean Union, UK, Australian, New Zealand and other Quality Assurance Agencies or Units
General Governance of UIC
Source: Self Assessment Report (2007) to HKBU– University United International College (UIC), p. 9.
CommitteesSenate Committees
• Senate • Committee of Academic Affairs • Division Board• Academic Development and Quality Assurance Committee • College Board of Examiners for Bachelor Degrees (Honours) • Committee for Experiential Learning • Committee of General Education • Committee on Languages Enhancement
Senate Committees (Cont’d)
• Course and Timetable Committee • Entrance Examination Committee • Library Committee • Scholarship and Financial Aid Committee • Committee on Student Career
Development • Staff and Student Relations Committee • Student Disciplinary Committee • Committee of Cyber Campus • High Table Dinner Programme Committee
Non-Academic
Committees
• Senior Executive Committee• Executive Committee of Administrative Affairs • Committee for Development, Publicity and
Admission • Committee for International Development • Equipments, Planning and Purchase Committee • College Life Committee • College Wellness and Anti-Smoking Committee• Space Allocation Committee • Staff Review and Development Committee
CPA Australia Accreditation
Accounting Programme of UIC was awarded the CPA Australia accreditation on Sep 3, 2007. Graduates of the Accounting Programme can apply for Associate Membership with CPA Australia immediately upon graduation.
Six of the 17 colleges under the Minnesota Private College
Council, after 2 years of in-depth review of UIC, agree to
develop full scale cooperation with UIC
UIC-MPCC
Full Scale Cooperation
2005- 2007
Chairman:Prof. Ng Ching-Fai President, UIC and President & Vice-
Chancellor, HKBU
Members:Prof. Franklin Luk Academic Vice-President, HKBU
Dr. LAM, Robert Academic Registrar, HKBU
Prof. KWOK, Edmund, Siu Tong Executive Vice-President, UIC
Prof. ZEE, Sze Yong Associate Vice-President, Dean of Division
of Science and Technology, UIC
• An External Examiner system, consisting of HKBU staff, is formed to help maintain the academic standard of UIC courses.
• Appropriate standards are set and followed.
• Student performance is comparable to those taking similar courses of study at HKBU; assessments and examinations are fairly conducted.
Teaching Quality Supervision Task Force
External Examiner
Academic Consultation Panel
• An Academic Consultation Panel (ACP) set up by HKBU will visit UIC periodically to review and assess the standard of UIC academic departments/ units.
• In June 2007, HKBU Institutional Review was carried out to evaluate the teaching, academic research and management at UIC. In its report, the panel praised the achievements of UIC in the past two years.
BEIJING NORMAL UNIVERSITY–HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
UNITED INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE (UIC)
Summary Report
of the Institutional Review Panel Visit
on the Beijing Normal University—Hong Kong Baptist University
United International College
June 2007
Source: Hong Kong Baptist University Manual of Academic Policies Regulations & Procedures Nov 2007, p. 113, Appendix 4.
Programme Revision Protocols
a) Programme revisions requiring HKBU Senate and UIC Senate approval:
- Title and award of degree/associate degree- Programme duration and mode of attendance- Number of units for degree/associate degree- Adding/dropping of entire options/concentrations- Graduation requirementsb) Programme revisions requiring Academic
Development and QA Committee - Aims, objectives and learning outcomes of
programme - Title for options/concentrations- Courses for study abroad students- Language policy
Programme Revision Protocols (Cont’d)
c) Programme revisions requiring Division Board approval- Adding/dropping of courses & course categories:
supporting, majors, non-majors, required & electives groupings
- Assessment, weighting and methods- Number of lectures/tutorials/laboratories per week- Change of general education courses (to be endorsed by
GE committee)- Title/coding/level of courses and unit credit for courses- Special requirements (visits, fieldwork, internship,
placement, etc.)- Change of course from required to elective, major to
non-major or supporting, etc., and vice versa
Programme Revision Protocols (Cont’d)
d) Programme revisions requiring Programme Management Committee of Major Programme approval:
- Aims, objectives and learning outcomes of courses- Target students- Outline of topical content of syllabus- Reading list/references/textbooks and teaching materials- Sequencing, pre-requisites and co-requisites
Source: HKBU-SEN/06-07/4/A8- Annex 3
QUALITY ASSURANCE MEASURES
Source: Self Assessment Report (2007) – Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC), p. 1
Major Programmes/Centres/GE Programme/WPE Programme
Division Board/Coordinating Committee
CAA
Senate
ADQAC
Executive Committee
UIC Quality Assurance Internal Mechanism
Whole Person Education
Language Culture
Experiential Development
Voluntary Service
Sports CultureEnvironment Awareness
Emotional Health
Artistic Experience
Adversity Quotient
Tips on Writing Course Documents inOutcomes-Based Teaching & Learning Mode (OBTL)
Tony Hung (17/03/08)
1. Traditional Course Aims and Objectives - Q: What do we try to achieve in the course or programme?2. Intended Learning Outcome (ILO)- Q: What do we want students to be able to do by the end of the course?- Tip: Using “verbs of doing” to describe ILO3. Teaching and Learning Activities (TLA’s)- Q: What teaching/learning activities do I need to conduct in order for the
students to achieve the learning outcome I intend?- Tip: Aligning each TLA with one (or more) specific ILO, & vice versa4. Assessment- Q: Assignments, tests and exams should be properly aligned to the ILO
(as in the case of TLA’s)- Tip: The traditional type of assignments, tests and exams, which often
test nothing more than students’ ability to regurgitate previously learned knowledge might not be appropriate.
The Quality Assurance Council
Mission
(a) To assure that the quality of educational experience in all first degree level programmes and above, however funded, offered in UGC-funded institutions sustained and improved, and is at an internationally competitive level
(b) To encourage institutions to excel in this area of activities
Terms of Reference
(a) To advise the University Grants Committee (UGC) on quality assurance matters in the higher education sector in Hong Kong and other related matters as requested by the committee
(b) To conduct audits and other reviews as requested by the UGC, and report on the quality assurance mechanisms and quality of the offerings of institutions
(c) To promote quality of assurance in the higher education sector in Hong Kong(d) To facilitate the development and dissemination of good practices in quality
assurance in higher education
Quality Assurance Council (Cont’d)
Audit Methodology – ADRI
Approach: What objectives are the institution trying to achieve and on what basis does it set the objectives?
Deployment: How does the institution go about achieving its objectives?
Results: How does the institution measure achievement of its objectives and what evidence is there that the objectives are being achieved?
Improvement: What processes are put in place for improvement?
Source: Quality Assurance Council Audit Manual, pp. 7-13 (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/doc/qac/publication/auditmanual.pdf)
SAMPLE (data are made up for demonstration purpose only)
Hong Kong Baptist UniversityMatrix of Learning Outcome at Course Level
Course title (code): Sculpture I (VA1113)
Offering Department: Department of Music and Fine Arts
HKBU GraduateProfile/Attributes
Knowledge Transferable SkillsLifelong Learning
Personal & Attitudinal
Programme learning outcome
Course learningOutcome
Provide students with solid training in concepts of arts and skills in various studio arts
Cultivate artists and designers who can meet the urgent need of creative industry to produce artistic works incorporating fine arts skills and computer graphics
Utilize the features of the locale and cultivate the talents of student to integrate Chinese and Western ideas to present a unique blending of both perspectives in their artistic work
Cultivate an extremely rich mind of creative ideas with cultural awareness and a refined taste
Appreciate and be able to criticize art work and the arts
Become an independent and self-directed learner
Enable students to understand the importance of arts and art development in society
Provide an international outlook to students on the Chinese and Western perspectives in art work.
1.Equip students with knowledge, practice and experience in sculpture making
1.Enable broader dimension on artistic expression
1.Raise the awareness of the importance of sculpture in environmental construction
SAMPLE (data are made up for demonstration purpose only)
Hong Kong Baptist UniversityMatrix of Learning Outcome at Programme Level
Programme title: Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Visual Arts
Offering Department: Academy of Visual Arts with involvement from different departments
HKBU Graduate Profile/Attributes
Knowledge Transferable SkillsLifelong Learning
Personal & Attitudinal
Programme learning outcome
Courses
Provide students with solid training in concepts of arts and skills in various studio arts
Cultivate artists and designers who can meet the urgent need of creative industry to produce artistic works incorporating fine arts skills and computer graphics
Utilize the features of the locale and cultivate the talents of student to integrate Chinese and Western ideas to present a unique blending of both perspectives in their artistic work
Cultivate an extremely rich mind of creative ideas with cultural awareness and a refined taste
Appreciate and be able to criticize art work and the arts
Become an independent and self-directed learner
Enable students to understand the importance of arts and art development in society
Provide an international outlook to students on the Chinese and Western perspectives in art work.
Core Subjects
VA1111 Drawing
VA1112 Painting
VA1113 Sculpture I
VA1114 Chinese Painting: Critical Analysis and Practice
VA1125 Elements and Principles of Design
IT2001 Fundamentals of Multimedia
HUM2140 Chinese & Western Modes of Thought
HUM3160 Artistic Creativity & Aesthetics Awareness
VA3110 Honours Project
DGC1180 Communication Design: History & Theory
VA2001 History of Western Art
VA3001 History of Chinese Art
VA3002 Concepts in Contemporary Arts
1. Programme title2. Mode of study (duration of study) Full-time mode (4 years) Part-time mode (2 years)3. Offering department/programme4. Award5. No. of total units / credits6. Entry requirements7. Aims & objectives8. Programme structure (components) Required Courses ( units) Electives ( units)9. Learning outcomes (a) Knowledge (b) Skills (c) Attitude10. Assessment/grading criteria11. Programme director
Hong Kong Baptist UniversityProgramme outline
Template
1. Course title2. Course code3. Level4. Offering department/programme5. No. of units/credits6. Contact hours7. Syllabus prepared/reviewed by8. Aims & objectives9. Learning outcome (a) knowledge (b) skills (c) attitude10. Course content/description11. Assessment 12. Textbook(s), if any13. Reference /recommended reading:
Hong Kong Baptist UniversityCourse syllabus
Template
The Eleven Common Focus Areas of Audit
1. Articulation of appropriate objectives2. Management, planning and accountability3. Programme development and approval processes4. Programme monitoring and review5. Curriculum design6. Programme delivery, including resources, teaching mode, and the
student learning environment7. Experiential and other “out of classroom” learning (e.g., leadership
development, overseas exchange, work-integrated learning, service learning)
8. Assessment9. Teaching quality and staff development10. Student participation11. Activities specific to research degrees
The above focus areas are used across all programmes, including UGCfunded programmes, self-financed programmes and joint programmes. In the case of programmes offered outside Hong Kong the listed focus areas are supplemented by others which relate to activities specific to extra-territorial delivery.
HKBU-UIC Quality Assurance Audit19-23 January 2009
Important Dates
15 April 2008- Teaching staff submit revised syllabi to Programme/Divisions/Centres/Units
28 April 2008- Divisions/Programmes/Centres/Units submit programme updates together with revised syllabi and matrix checklists to AR (Dr Wendy Chan, Special Adviser, Quality Assurance & Management)- All programme documents should have been revised at this stage to include: learning outcome; alignment of TLAs to ILO; alignment of assessment methods to ILOs; QA mechanism and processes 13 May 2008UIC consolidates individual reports from Divisions/Programmes/Centres/Units into one single document as a part of HKBU’s Institutional Submission to UGC
24 November 2008Quality Assurance Council’s Preliminary Visit to HKBU. Arrangements for any visits outside Hong Kong and Programmes for sample programme review will be discussed during this Preliminary Visit. If UIC is chosen for a visit, it will occur in the period between the Preliminary Visit and the Audit Visit, i.e., between November 2008 and January 2009
For full information of the quality assurance audit, see HKBU’s QA Audit Website: http://net3.hkbu.edu.hk/~qacaudit/. Annex D (pp. 74-76) of the Manual, “Auditing Programmes Offered Outside Hong Kong” is of particular reference to UIC.
1. Outcome-based and lifelong learning a worldwide trend: help UIC align its mission and vision internationally
2. The QA audit as a benchmarking exercise with universities in Hong Kong and abroad
3. Help UIC set up an internationally recognized system of academic and administrative (staff and student services) management
4. QA audit of systems, procedures, due processes and mechanism in alignment with current self-review and strategic planning
IMPLICATIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE