Terms of reference
Introduction
The University Education Committee (UEC) is a formally constituted committee of Academic Senate with particular responsibility for providing leadership in the academic governance of all aspects of the University’s strategic plan relating to Education that include, but are not limited to curriculum development, the UOW student experience, and assurance of academic quality and standards.
The academic governance framework of the University is consistent with the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards).
The UEC will support the strategic plan in working toward a position in the top 1% of world universities, by upholding the overall institutional accountability processes for quality assurance of higher education.
The committee shall have oversight of all aspects of the University’s strategic plan that include, but are not limited to:
- curriculum development;
- UOW student academic experience;
- assurance of academic quality and standards;
- education across all sites (onshore and offshore) and modes of delivery;
- student diversity;
- development of educational technology and services;
- academic policy development and implementation;
- academic staff development, promotion and recognition of excellence; and
- student career development and employability.
Responsibilities
The UEC shall:
- oversee academic quality assurance initiatives for all University of Wollongong courses, both onshore and offshore, to maintain and strengthen the quality and integrity of all courses;
- monitor course quality through regular reporting on comparative student outcomes and course performance and make recommendations to Academic Senate to support course improvement and course management initiatives;
- make recommendations to Academic Senate with regards to promoting Academic Integrity and by monitoring academic misconduct outcomes;
- receive annual reporting on the review and appeal of academic decisions, mark and grades and make recommendations to inform the management of student academic reviews and appeals at UOW;
- consider matters and make recommendations to Academic Senate in order to ensure all students in all locations have access to an equivalent learning experience using the highest quality learning facilities, and are supported by skilled and committed academic and professional staff;
- develop and drive the creation and delivery of innovative, inclusive and challenging curricula;
- promote high quality teaching, educational innovation, and the reward and recognition of teaching staff;
- ensure that all UOW graduates develop skills, qualities and knowledge that enable their success in the global workplace;
- oversee and develop strategies relating to the wider student experience;
- review and develop pathways to higher education and promote opportunities for lifelong learning, through the support and development of new courses designed to ensure access to higher education is available to all, including groups currently under-represented in the higher-education sector;
- drive the realisation of the University of Wollongong as a digital university for learners and teachers;
- make recommendations to Academic Senate on proposals for new or amended, University-wide policies relating to education, the student experience and the administration of courses.
- provide advice to the Academic Senate and other University bodies on matters relating to learning and teaching, and student experience; and
- receive the minutes of subcommittees and other special purpose groups and make determinations and recommendations on issues arising from the deliberations of these committees.
Membership
The University Education Committee shall consist of:
Ex Officio
- The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Student Life) as Chair
- The Chair of Academic Senate
- Executive Director, Future Students and International Engagement Division
- Dean, Global Academic Affairs (UOWGE)
- Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health- Sydney Campuses)
- Vice President (Indigenous Strategy & Engagement)
- Dean of Graduate Research
- Associate Deans (Education)
- UOW College General Manager
- Director, Academic Quality & Standards
- Director, Learning, Teaching & Curriculum
- Director, Library Services
- Director, Student Administration Services
- Director, Student Life
- Director, Future Education
- Chief Information & Digital Officer
- Head, Careers and Employability, Student Engagement and Employability
- Associate Director, Student Equity and Success
- Chair, Education Policy and Quality Subcommittee
- Chair, Student Academic Experience Subcommittee
Ex-officio members may nominate a representative to attend on their behalf in exceptional circumstances, provided they notify the Executive Officer prior to the meeting.
Elected members
- Academic Senate Representatives (five elected Senate members)
Unless otherwise provided, the term of office of all elected members will be two years.
Appointed members
- Associate Dean (International) ( one position), appointed by the Chair following consultation with the Chair, University Internationalisation Committee
- Faculty Academic Staff Representatives (one representative per faculty) appointed by the Chair following consultation with the Executive Dean and Associate Dean (Education) of the relevant faculty
- One representative of the Wollongong Academy of Tertiary Teaching and Learning Excellence (WATTLE) Executive Committee appointed by the Chair
- Student Representatives (four positions, Chair of Student Advisory Council and one undergraduate, one postgraduate and one international student) appointed by the UEC Chair.
Wherever possible, membership of the University Education Committee should reflect the diversity of the University of Wollongong staff and student body.
The Chair may, from time to time, appoint positions to the committee to ensure there is sufficient representation, views and expertise for the committee to achieve its business. Where such appointments are made the Chair shall make the recommendation to the Committee and set the term of the appointment.
Unless otherwise provided, the term of office for all appointed members will be two years.
Committee members wanting to take leave of absence during their term should seek the approval of the Committee. Any short term membership replacements will be a matter for the Chair and the Committee to determine.
In the absence of the Chair, the Chair or, if the Chair is unavailable, the Chair of Academic Senate, may in advance of or during the meeting, appoint an Acting Chair to ensure continuity of Committee business. The appointment of an Acting Chair will be made on a per meeting basis as needed, to undertake chairing responsibilities for that meeting. The Acting Chair must be a current member of the Committee or another suitable senior academic staff member of the University.
Quorum
The quorum for a meeting shall be fifty per cent (50%) of the membership plus one.
Meeting frequency
The Committee will meet between four and six times per year.
UEC sub-committees
The following sub-committees support the UEC:
- Education Policy and Quality Subcommittee (EPAQ)
- Student Academic Experience Subcommittee (SAES)