Report commends USC's significant achievements
The University of the Sunshine Coast has been commended for its significant achievements since its inception in a report from the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA).
AUQA, an independent body which is auditing all Australian universities, made special mention of USC’s commitment to the Coast and its innovative programs that enhance students’ experiences of university.
Quality learning experiences have earned praise, including Global Opportunities (GO), in which students can study at an overseas university as part of their degrees, Work Integrated Learning (WIL) which provides work internships for students, and USC’s Headstart program which allows students to sample university life and study while they are still at high school.
AUQA praised the University’s student support services which it said were highly regarded by the students – especially the peer mentoring program, dedicated Indigenous student support and the SOLAR intranet buddy system.
It also said USC now had great appeal for students, as shown by the strong demand in degree programs and the above-average outcomes in overall satisfaction and good teaching scales.
On the theme of regional engagement, AUQA commended the University’s strategies, which were a testament to the “genuine and productive” partnerships USC has with the Sunshine Coast.
The AUQA report says there are clear examples of research linking to regional priorities, with USC developing programs in Nursing, Education, Coastal Studies and Regional and Urban Planning.
Other areas of regional engagement that AUQA commended included: USC’s Innovation Centre which stimulates and supports the development of technology-based industries in the region through the incubation of new technology companies; and its Homestay Program in which USC places English Language Program students with families in the region.
USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Thomas AM said the AUQA audit was an extremely worthwhile process.
“The audit was detailed and the findings insightful,’’ Professor Thomas said. “The process was of benefit to everyone involved in that it provided independent feedback from a group comprised of international experts.
“It not only provided positive feedback on USC’s achievements, but also commented on
directions for new projects to further improve the University.
“This was an independent audit process by an agency funded by the Federal Government and USC has done extremely well.
“In our first decade, most of our efforts have gone into developing academic programs, engagement initiatives and capital works.
“Now the university wants to pay more attention to areas such as research and to further advance regional research which is internationally significant.”
Professor Thomas said the University embarked on a major process of developing its research potential 18 months ago.
This has included making a commitment to funding research linked to USC’s mission, particularly sustainability and regional engagement, and recruiting active senior researchers, which is already underway.
“We are continuing to define our research goals and are looking at areas of research that are most likely to have the greatest regional benefit,’’ he said.
AUQA also commended:
- The evident commitment and dedication of USC staff to the University and its mission and there also is a wide awareness of the Code of Conduct
- The environmental sustainability of the University’s capital works program which is a “tick” for the way the campus has been developed in a unique, attractive and environmentally sustainable way
- USC’s rigorous degree program approval process which involves wide stake-holder input.
- That graduate attributes of knowledge, skills and values are embedded in the curriculum design, development and delivery of undergraduate programs.
See the full AUQA audit at: http://www.auqa.edu.au/qualityaudit/sai_reports/index.shtml