Cycle 2 Self-assessment

Following the secondment of the AUQA Cycle 2 Coordinator, Mary Mooney (AHOS, School of Education) the UWS self-assessment phase took place between June and October 2009. It included all Schools, Colleges, Business Units and Divisions. The Cycle 2 resources inform the self-assessment process.

Audit Criteria

The following AUQA assessment criteria were taken into account as Colleges, Schools and Units undertook their self-assessment and sought to identify Best Aspects and Needs Improvement areas:

  • Consistency and equivalence in approach, systems and standards across UWS
  • Decision-making that is based on evidence
  • Prompt and effective action to address agreed improvement priorities using proven strategies
  • Targeted benchmarking with other universities to identify workable improvement solutions
  • All staff know their particular role in relation to achieving quality in the context of the AUQA Cycle 2 themes
  • Staff are committed to continuous improvement in achieving the Cycle 2 themes
  • A focus on the quality of outcomes and impact, not just the quality of inputs
  • Success in addressing Cycle 1 affirmations and recommendations

Process

UWS is working with many of the universities that have already successfully completed their AUQA Cycle 2 audit. The universities advise that the following strategies have made their self-assessment effective:

  • Start your self-assessment early to avoid the "wet paint" syndrome
  • The audit is best used as a motivator to address something you want to improve anyway
  • Have a clear and simple information system so everyone is 'in the loop'
  • Look at your publicly available performance data
  • AUQA is an ideal mechanism to build a more aligned, efficient and agile institution
  • Leadership is key
  • Steered engagement works best
  • Ensure the engagement of people in every role
  • Make sure your self-assessment is evidence-based
  • Seek to convert recommendations into affirmations
  • Make sure new staff are involved
  • Listen (with focus and a menu), link then lead

In taking these suggestions into account our Cycle 2 self-assessment strategy included:

  • Involving staff at all levels, which included:
    • conducting a culture-climate survey aimed at addressing a range of Cycle 1 outcomes
    • holding campus forums for line staff
  • Involving students
  • Use of a key point of contact b the AUQA Cycle 2 self-assessment coordinator, Mary Mooney
  • Seeking to convert Cycle 1 recommendations, to affirmations and affirmations to commendations;
  • Responding to relevant checkpoints in the two themes: internationalisation and retention;
  • Active use of the AUQA Cycle 2 resources and guides below to help make the process as efficient and productive as possible

Outcomes

A UWS-wide AUQA Cycle 2 self-assessment was undertaken between June and October 2009. The outcomes were reported at the annual UWS Quality Forum on 13 November where Professor Geoff Scott, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Quality), provided insight into our progress on the recommendations made in AUQA Cycle 1 review and an update on our nominated Cycle 2 audit themes: transition, retention and internationalisation. Action for improvement is being undertaken in the following areas:

  • Developing an agile UWS
  • Implementing an Indigenous Graduate Attribute and Indigenous
  • student recruitment
  • Student transition and retention
  • Optimising assessment quality and support
  • Internationalising the curriculum
  • Sustainability in the curriculum
  • The next steps in ICT-enabled and blended learning at UWS
  • Staff performance management and development
  • Growing our post-graduate programs and HDR enrolments
  • English and Mathematics support for our students
  • Onshore international student transition and support
  • The distinctive UWS student experience

Proven approaches to each of these areas will be identified by staff from across the University.

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