• Section 1 - Introduction and Scope
• Section 2 - Purpose of the Review
• Section 3 - Timing of the Annual Reviews
• Section 4 - Annual Review Panel
• Section 5 - Annual Review Process
• Section 6 - QA Review Report and Outcomes
• Figure 1: Annual and Strategic QA Review Process
• Section 7 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Transnational Education Unit (TNE)
• Academic Quality and Standards Division (AQS)
• Joint Review Panel
• Partner Institution
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategy and Assurance)
• Section 8 - Definitions

Section 1 - Introduction and Scope

(1) These Procedures set out the steps to be taken in the conduct of an annual review of collaborative courses as required by the Collaborative Delivery of a UOW Course Policy.

(2) These Procedures apply to all courses that are delivered in collaboration with one or more partners with the following exemptions:

1. Distance education programs (i.e. fully online courses); and
2. Joint and Dual awards.

(3) These Procedures apply to courses delivered by UOW Global Enterprises, however, to reflect UOW’s risk-based approach, an abridged review template is used.

(4) These Procedures will be modified for use in relation to transnational education twinning programs, proportionate to the size of the programs, noting that not all elements of the review template will be suitable for twinning programs.

Section 2 - Purpose of the Review

(5) The Annual Review provides an opportunity for all parties to reflect on the collaborative arrangement with the primary focus being to ensure that all courses on offer meet UOW’s standards for learning and teaching and that students receive an equivalent learning experience to students studying the same or cognate course when wholly offered by UOW.

Section 3 - Timing of the Annual Reviews

(6) The Annual Review is conducted 12 months following the commencement of the collaborative delivery arrangement and thereafter on an annual basis.

(7) A Strategic Review will replace the annual review in the year prior to the end of an agreement for collaborative delivery, and the renegotiation of the collaborative delivery agreement.

(8) Except for collaborative provision with Australian partner institutions, the scheduling of all reviews for courses delivered in collaboration with a partner institution will be co-ordinated by the Transnational Education Unit (TNE).

(9) The timing of the reviews will be negotiated between TNE, AQS, the relevant Faculty Associate Dean and the relevant partner. Where a partner is planning to review a program through their own accreditation or quality assurance mechanisms, the review will be taken into consideration at the Annual Review.

Section 4 - Annual Review Panel

(10) The annual review will be conducted by a Joint Review Panel comprising senior representatives from all parties involved in the collaboration.

(11) The annual review will be chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategy and Assurance) (DVCSA) or nominee. For international partnerships, the DVCA will consult with the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation, Enterprise and External Relations) on the appointment of a nominee.

(12) The Joint Review Panel will include:

1. Senior representatives from the partner institution involved in the delivery of the program(s).
2. A maximum of two senior representatives from the relevant UOW faculty(ies) nominated by the Executive Dean.
3. A senior representative from the Academic Quality and Standards Division and Transnational Education Unit for all offshore delivery locations.
4. In the case where courses are delivered through a wholly owned UOW subsidiary, a representative from UOW Global Enterprises (UOWGE) nominated by the Dean of Global Academic Affairs.

(13)   The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategy and Assurance) will appoint an Executive Officer to the Joint Review Panel.

Section 5 - Annual Review Process

(14) The steps to be followed for both the Annual QA Review and Strategic Review are outlined in the flowchart below (see Figure 1).

(15) Templates are provided for the submissions to both an Annual QA Review and a Strategic Review. They can be customised to meet the needs of different collaborative arrangements. In each case, the templates will require responses to the minimum evidence requirements set out in the relevant template.

(16) For the Annual Review, the Joint Review Panel will consider the items set out in the Annual Review template.

(17) For the Strategic Review, the Joint Review Panel will consider the items set out in the Strategic Review Template.

(18) The review templates are designed to facilitate an open, evidenced-based review with input from all parties.

(19) The Annual Review processes will consider a range of inputs including comparative student outcomes data, student subject and course evaluation data, student feedback on support services and facilities, teacher feedback and moderation reports. The relevant template assigns responsibilities for providing this information or evaluation.

Section 6 - QA Review Report and Outcomes

(20) An Annual/Strategic Review Report, comprising a set of Minutes of and actions arising from the review meeting, will be prepared by the Executive Officer, circulated to all review panel members for feedback, with the final Report signed off by the Chair of the review panel as described in Figure 1.

(21) Completed Annual/Strategic Review minutes (incorporating feedback from the Chair(s) will be submitted to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategy and Assurance)and, where applicable, the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Innovation, Enterprise and External Relations) for final approval. This should be submitted within six weeks from the date of the Review.

(22)  Where recommendations for improvement are made, a timeframe for the implementation of these improvement actions and who will be assigned primary responsibility will be agreed. Implementation of any recommendations will be reviewed periodically throughout the year, and again at the next annual review.

(23) The final Report will be submitted to either the Education Policy and Quality Subcommittee (for onshore collaborations), or Transnational Education Subcommittee (for international collaborations).

(24) The outcomes of Annual Reviews will inform the Strategic Review of the partnership.

(25)    Each year, the Academic Quality and Standards Division will prepare a high-level report covering all collaborative provision which details the outcomes of annual and strategic reviews and the status of current arrangements. This will enable Academic Senate and University Council to discharge their oversight of all UOW educational provision.

Figure 1: Annual and Strategic QA Review Process

Section 7 - Roles and Responsibilities

Transnational Education Unit (TNE)

(26) For collaborative courses delivered transnationally, TNE will:

1. on an annual basis, liaise with partner institutions regarding the timing of reviews.
2. notify the relevant UOW Faculty, and the Academic Quality and Standards Division of the timing of the reviews as soon as possible after the start of each calendar year.

Academic Quality and Standards Division (AQS)

(27) For collaborative courses delivered solely with Australian partners, AQS will perform those functions outlined in Section 7.1-5 above. In addition, for all courses, domestic and transnational, AQS will:

1. liaise with units within UOW to source data and evidence required for the academic QA component of the annual review.
2. provide the partner institution with a copy of the review template and statements as to the evidence required, in line with the timeframes stated in Figure 1 (above).
3. opon receipt of the evidence required for the quality assessment, AQS will forward the information to all members of the review panel.
4. draft the QA Review Minutes and forward the minutes to the relevant representatives at the partner institution.
5. compile the high-level annual summary report as per the requirements of section 6 (above), and forward to the appropriate parties.
6. maintain records of all Annual and Strategic Reviews and ensure actions arising are undertaken through periodic monitoring.

Joint Review Panel

(28) The Joint Review Panel will assess all evidence to assure academic quality and equivalence with cognate subjects and courses at UOW.

(29) Where required, the panel will make recommendations for change, and include timelines for the changes to become operational.

Partner Institution

(30) The partner institution will review and complete the Review Template as appropriate to their location and identify agenda items for discussion at the review meeting.

(31) Nominate representatives to participate on the Joint Review Panel.

(32) Receive the final review minutes and forward the minutes to relevant staff members within the partner institution for comment.

(33) Ensure that the review minutes are submitted to the appropriate governance bodies at the partner institution for comment and oversight.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategy and Assurance)

(34) Chair (or nominate a chair) for the annual review meeting.

(35) Review and approve the finalised review minutes.

Section 8 - Definitions

(36) Definitions are contained within the Collaborative Delivery of a UOW Course Policy.