Standing Committees of Academic Board | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Standing Committees of Academic Board

Learning and Teaching Committee

The Learning and Teaching Committee advises the Academic Board and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) on a range of learning and teaching matters including University policy on learning and teaching. The Committee also monitors learning and teaching performance, benchmarking, external referencing of program and course design and delivery, academic integrity, and academic risk.

The Committee makes recommendations to the Academic Board on learning and teaching grant schemes, professional development in learning and teaching, strategies to decrease attrition and improve graduate employability, and monitors the progress and outcomes of learning and teaching related initiatives and projects.

Program and Course Committee

The Program and Course Committee makes recommendations to the Academic Board on proposals for the accreditation of new undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs. It has the authority to approve new courses, new study components, changes to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs and can also provide advice on the discontinuation of courses and study components.

In addition, the Committee advises the Academic Board and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) on curriculum matters, University plans associated with the University’s curriculum, business processes associated with curriculum approval and change, preparation of key submissions to government related to the University’s curriculum and monitors the quality of curriculum through consideration of evaluation outcomes and review reports.

Student Academic Appeals Committee

The Student Academic Appeals Committee reports to the Academic Board on an annual basis, detailing the de-identified outcomes of student academic appeals. As set out in the Student Grievance Resolution - Governing Policy and the Student Review and Appeals - Procedures, The Committee considers the decision being appealed, the grounds for appeal and as applicable, investigate and determine an outcome on student appeals relating to academic matters.

In addition, the Committee can advise the Academic Board on any apparent problems arising from the administration of relevant University policies and procedures that may be the result of observations made consideration of an appeal.

Research Degrees Committee

The Research Degrees Committee monitors and provides advice to Academic Board on the quality of higher degree by research programs and policies. The Committee makes recommendations to the Academic Board on proposals for the accreditation and discontinuation of higher degree by research programs in accordance with the Higher Degree by Research Program Accreditation - Academic Policy and associated procedures.

The Research Degrees Committee liaise with and provide advice to the Research Committee on matters pertaining to higher degrees by research programs.

The Committee reviews the progress of HDR candidates; makes decisions related to candidature and examinations for higher degrees by research; and recommends to the Academic Board the admission of candidates to the award of a higher degree by research.

Research Committee

The Research Committee provides advice to Academic Board on research, research training and ethics matters, including University Policy on research, research training and ethics. The Committee advises the Academic Board and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) on strategic plans associated with research and research training.

The Research Committee considers and recommends areas of research activity for support including the establishment of research centres or institutes within the University. The Committee assist with the formulation of research strategies to allow the achievement of the University’s Strategic Plan and monitors the work of the ethics committees to ensure that they meet internal and external requirements and develops recommendations to the Academic Board, as required. Both the Animal Ethics Committee and Human Research Ethics Committee report to the Research Committee.

The Committee provide leadership and advice on mechanisms to improve monitoring, benchmarking and reporting of the University’s research performance.

Note: Academic Board Standing Orders also apply for the Standing Committees of Academic Board.