Quality: Strategy: Network

As we fast approach the first anniversary of the launch of the Office for Students, the new regulatory landscape continues to be both familiar and unknown, but the role of Quality Management remains critical for the assurance of standards and continuous improvement of the learning experience for students. As Quality managers and leaders we must be confident in their effectiveness and sustainability and this symposia offers and opportunity to consider their evolving role in the new environment.

Currently, there are two key strands of activity which dominate. Firstly, the UK Quality Code was launched in November 2018 and now that all of the end of year celebrations have finished it is time to think seriously about how institutions work with the ‘Expectations, common and core’ practices and advice and guidance. And secondly, as key metrics are used to assess the outcomes and success of students and in turn Higher Education providers, new working partnerships and models are being established between Quality units and Information, Planning and Data units.

These changes continue to radically alter the quality world of Higher Education and to help set the scene and spark discussions, we will be joined by Andrea Roberston-Begg of The University of Derby, Sarah Plumeridge, University of Brighton and Maureen McLaughlin, Head of Universities & Standards, from the Quality Assurance Agency for HE.

As ever, this QSN event offers the opportunity for us to get together in a constructive and supportive environment and we look forward greatly to welcoming new and returning delegates to our 2019 Spring Symposium.

The transformation of the quality management landscape continues with great rapidity and intensity in a sector buffeted by daily media headlines and in the midst of potentially seismic changes affecting the sector as a whole. As the new regulator for English Higher Education, the Office for Students continues to adopt a bold, student-focused, risk-based approach, reflecting the significant changes to HE in the last 25 years and seeking to anticipate changes still to come.

Familiar features – notably, the UK Quality Code – have been subject to a fundamental review with QSN Executive members contributing to 11 out of the 12 Quality Code Theme Writing Groups.

The increasing numbers of degree students gaining first and upper second class degrees has been the focus of media headlines, reporting and a recent consultation about putative grade inflation. The latter includes a proposed sector statement about how to protect the value of the honours degree qualifications over time and once again raises the question of effective externality.

The TEF enters a second year of piloting, as work progresses to develop the subject-level assessment framework. The Augar review with its potential £2,500 headline fee reduction is keenly awaited as the media debate continues on the value for money of higher education. TNE in-country review is still on the radar but with clarity required on how it will be funded. Added to this we may soon be navigating Brexit and attempting to ensure that funding mechanisms to support research excellence remain, our global rankings are sustained, academic talent from the EU is retained and universities’ ability to drive growth and generate jobs are not hampered.

These ‘hot topics’ all impact quality practitioners and this year’s conference seeks to enable us to engage across a broad spectrum of current issues. However, our conference will also consider the question of what the changes require of us, as senior quality professionals. In the midst of this uncertainty, what can we do to help secure student success and maintain academic standards?

Free to QSN members

QSN members are invited to attend the inaugural meeting of a QSN Special Interest Group (SIG) for institutions which use EvaSys software for module evaluation or are thinking of using EvaSys. The SIG is intended to provide a network for EvaSys users for discussion and mutual support and to facilitate the sharing and development of good practice in module evaluation and the use of EvaSys software.

The meeting will begin with four presentations from institutions which already use EvaSys software followed by round table discussions of topics suggested by QSN members. Members of the SIG will also agree terms of reference for the SIG and discuss the frequency and mode of meetings. Lunch will be provided.

The SIG will be convened by Dr Victoria Korzeniowska, Director of Academic Quality and Employability Services, King’s College London, QSN Deputy Chair and Keith Swanson, Director of Quality Support and Development, University of Reading, QSN Executive member.

Registration is from 10:30am. The event is from 11:00am to 15:30pm