Extract from the minutes of ULTSEC, October 2012

  1. Educational Partnerships Policy

Received: Document C and an oral presentation from Laura Johnstone

Noted:

  1. That the policy has been developed to acknowledge the wider range of collaborative provision within the University and to provide a set of principles which can be applied to all based upon the risk and complexity involved.
  2. That the approval process is based on three main stages: initial approval through the Initial Proposal Template, strategic approval of the proposed partner taking into account both financial and academic considerations and where relevant academic approval of the provision.
  3. That models of provision have been developed outlining the key issues to take into account and the broad approval process for each.
  4. That a plan is required to phase in the provision which now comes under the scope of the policy and this should be clearly communicated to the relevant subject areas.
  5. That it was questioned how it is possible to define the lifetime costs of a programme in relation to the FMBSG financial approval requirements. That it may be more appropriate to cost based on the first five years.
  6. That the policy should be more explicit that a business case is required for all provision.
  7. That within the business case it is important to capture all the costs associated with approval of partnership activities. This should include the increased costs of quality management activities, including external examining, the costs of approval, IT requirements and costs of Student Union facilities. A checklist to help with the development of business cases should be developed to ensure proposers are aware of the key areas to take into consideration.
  8. That the policy should be strengthened to ensure that engaging with the Teaching and Learning Projects Operational Group is not regarded as an optional step in the process and is regarded as a key component in the development of partnerships.
  9. That is important to ensure that there is resource available to ensure the smooth development of partnerships including the development of business cases.
  10. That SAgE have introduced a pre-IPT stage to ensure that the faculty maintain an overview of the provision and that all initiatives are in line with strategy.
  11. That it was proposed for large and complex international projects that the Internal Subject Review should take place in-country to allow the review panel to engage with students and staff and have first hand sight of the resources and facilities available.
  12. That information relating to how and when provision will be reviewed should be included on the collaborative provision register.
  13. That the QAA consultation on Chapter B10: Managing Collaborative Arrangements widens the scope of provision to include placement activities. It was confirmed that placements and work-based learning will not be brought within the scope of the Educational Partnerships Policy.

Resolved:

  1. To approve the approach proposed for Internal Subject Review for large and complex international projects.

To approve the Educational Partnerships Policy, subject to the minor changes highlighted, with immediate effect.