As at 31 Jan 2006
UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN OPERATIONAL PLAN : AUGUST 2005 TO JULY 2006
Strategic Aim /Action
/ Reporting Date /Lead
/Working With
/Progress
1 QUALITY PEOPLE
To attract, develop and retain outstanding staff and students.1.1 / Achieve full implementation of the Framework Agreement for the modernisation of pay structures:
- Complete initial job evaluation process
- Develop and implement new pay and grading structures
- Final report to SHEFC. / Early 2006
1 Aug 06
28 Feb 07 / Senior Vice-Principal /
Human Resources
Finance / Progressing in line with agreed project plan. The reduction in the working week was implemented with effect from 1 Aug 05. Work is progressing on the harmonisation of terms and conditions of employment for all support staff. Working to complete job evaluation process by March 06.1.2 / Review the pension provision for the University’s secretarial, technical and support staff. / June 06 / Senior Vice-Principal /
Human Resources
Finance / Revised employer and employee contribution rates were agreed with effect from 1Oct 05. Options reported to Court in Dec 05.1.3 / Implement policy in relation to the employment of externally funded fixed-term staff:
- Develop recommendations. / July 06
31 Jan 06 / Senior Vice-Principal /
Human Resources
Colleges / Consultation continuing with the AUT and Senior Staff around possible options.1.4 / Continue with the building block strategy for the achievement of IiP status. / Feb 06
June 06 / University Secretary /
Human Resources
CollegesDevelopment Trust
Communications / A convergence approach based on the three Colleges and the Administrative Sections as four assessment units has been agreed. IiP Scotland has delivered a training programme for internal IiP assessors. An IiP website is at an advanced stage of preparation for launch in March 06 and a programme of internal reviews has been initiated.
1.5 / Implement further effective programmes of leadership and management development. / Feb 06
June 06 / Senior Vice-Principal /
Human Resources
Heads of Admin SectionsColleges / The UMG has approved the International Leadership Development Programme (ILDP), which will commence in May 06. Participants have been nominated by Heads of College and the University Secretary.
Variety of training is ongoing for senior and middle management.
1.6 / Roll out a web-based online staff recruitment system for all positions throughout the University. / June 06 / Senior Vice-Principal /
Human Resources
DISS / Following successful pilot, online system in use through the University Administration. Roll out to the Colleges will be implemented on a phased basis.Strategic Aim /
Action
/ Reporting Date /Lead
/Working With
/Progress
1.7 / Introduce Child Tax Vouchers for working parents. / Feb 06June 06 / University Secretary /
Human Resources
Finance / Child Care Vouchers, Bicycles and Computers Schemes were launched in Dec 05.1.8 / Assess the policy requirements of the pending UK Age Discrimination legislation. / Oct 06 / Senior Vice-Principal /
Human Resource
Policy, Planning & Governance / New policy and procedure under development for implementation in 2006.1.9 / Undertake staff appraisal within Colleges and across the University Office. / July 06 / Heads of Colleges
University Secretary /
Human Resources
Heads of Admin SectionsColleges / Appraisal for Academic and Academic-Related staff across the University is taking place. New Scheme for all Support Staff considered by the Support Staff Liaison Committee. Training for appraisers and appraisees has been launched.
All staff should have been appraised by July 06.
1.10 / Implement policies in relation to the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act. / June 06 / University Secretary /
Human Resources
Colleges / Procedures have been implemented to undertake the required checks for all new appointments.1.11 / Participate in the pilot of the Race Equality Audit Toolkit, produced by Universities Scotland. / Feb 06 / Vice-Principal (Library & Information Services) / Policy, Planning & Governance
Human Resources / A student focus group was held in Nov 05 to assist in informing the Toolkit.
Contract now taken over by Edinburgh University. Aberdeen to participate in pilot.
1.12 / Complete two pilot Equality Impact Assessments in the Centre for Lifelong Learning and the Human Resources Section and develop plans to roll out across all relevant areas of the University. / Feb 06 / Vice-Principal (Library & Information Services) / Policy, Planning & Governance
Human Resources
Centre for Lifelong Learning / Impact Assessment Working Group established.
Initial Impact Assessment in the Centre for Lifelong Learning completed.
Process commenced in Human Resources.
1.13 / Develop and implement an effective Equality and Diversity Strategy. / Feb 06 / Vice-Principal (Library & Information Services) / Policy, Planning & Governance
Human Resources / Strategy and Action Plan developed and going through consultation.
1.14 / Implement a revised Equality and Diversity Policy and Code of Practice for staff and students. / Feb 06 / Vice-Principal (Library & Information Services) / Policy, Planning & Governance
Registry
Colleges / New Equality and Diversity Policy and Code to go to Court by June 06.
Strategic Aim /
Action
/ Reporting Date /Lead
/Working With
/Progress
1.15 / Monitor closely the effects on undergraduate student recruitment of the introduction of “top-up” fees in England. / March 06 / Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) / External AffairsFinance
Registry
Policy, Planning & Governance / As the new fee regime does not start in England until 2006 we are monitoring the effect on our numbers in 2006. Applicants to Scottish institutions are up by 1.6% (1180) and applicants to English institutions are down by 3.7% (-12782).
1.16 / Increase the availability of entrance bursaries by 50% to 60 in number. / March 06 / Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) / External Affairs
Colleges / Process underway to identify additional sources of funding.
1.17 / Increase UK/EU applications to undergraduate programmes (5%) through careful target-marketing, utilising the outcomes of the Student Recruitment Review. / March 06 / Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) / External Affairs
Colleges / In line with the UG review, a number of new initiatives have been completed:
- Cinema advertising, across Scotland and Yorkshire completed in Dec 05.
- Increased activity in East Renfrewshire and more targeted billboard advertising.
- Expanded parents evenings to include Belfast in March.
- Completed re-launch of the SRAS website. Second phase development will be complete early Spring.
- New Enquiry system showing excellent results. Launch of Connect part of the product due Feb 06.
- Applicatnions through UCAS up 5.3%.
- Reviews of programmes across all three Colleges completed. Colleges now working on new programmes and rebadging.
1.18 / Achieve our fundable postgraduate population of UK/EU postgraduate taught students (566 FTE). / Feb 06 / Vice-Principal (Research & Commercialisation) / External Affairs
Colleges
Registry / Intensive recruitment and marketing campaign and new programmes in the second half-session have resulted in significant progress towards achieving UK/EU pgt targets, although it is unlikely that these will be met in full at institutional level. The predicted shortfall is not expected to cause clawback of funding by SFC.
Strategic Aim /
Action
/ Reporting Date /Lead
/Working With
/Progress
1.19(see 2.6) / Introduce Personal Development Plans as part of career management and generic skills training for research students (see 2.6). / July 06 / Vice-Principal (Research & Commercialisation) / Human Resources
Colleges
Registry / A postgraduate PDP was introduced for all first year PhD students in Oct 05. Evaluation of the PDP is ongoing.
1.20 / Review our recruitment material to ensure that potential students make informed choices. / Feb 06
June 06 / Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) / External Affairs
Colleges / Positive feedback received from focus groups re recruitment material. Now working on production of City Guide and other materials to be ready in Spring.
Strategic Aim /
Action
/ Reporting Date /Lead
/Working With
/Progress
2 QUALITY RESEARCH
To be an international, research-led university, recognised for its distinctive, high quality centres of research.2.1 / Achieve 5% growth rate in research income and £10M in awards from research councils. / April 06
July 06 / Vice-Principal (Research & Commercialisation) / Research & Innovation
Colleges
Finance / Current forecast of research income 05/06 is 9% up on last year. Awards of £7.7M in first half 05/06. Based on application trend, anticipate comfortably exceeding £10M target. Research Council and Charity Training sessions and visits ongoing.
Events with Funding Bodies running this session include EPSRC, Leverhulme Trust.
2.2 / Increase the University’s return through the knowledge transfer grant (KTG) by 25%, by maintaining a balanced portfolio of activities that contribute to the KTG metrics. / Ongoing / Vice-Principal (Research & Commercialisation) / Research & Innovation
Colleges
Finance / Promoting activities that contribute to the KTG metrics.
Ensuring all relevant income is identified and reported and that relevant activities are costed and priced to achieve maximum benefit to the University. An interim income report is under preparation for UMG.
2.3 / Undertake full TRAC (Transparent Approach to Costing) time allocation data collection for the College of Arts & Social Sciences. / Jan 06
May 06
Sept 06 / Vice-Principal (Research & Commercialisation) / Finance
CASS / Time allocation data collection exercise in process. 98% response rate achieved for first reporting period.
2.4 / Develop and adopt a code of practice to take account of equal opportunities legislation with respect to the inclusion of staff for submission to the RAE 2008. / Jan 06 / Vice-Principal (Library & Information Services) / Policy, Planning & Governance
Human Resources
Colleges / Completed. Court approval 13 Dec 05, launched Jan 06. Briefing Workshops for key staff to be offered in Feb/March 06.
2.5 / Repeat an internal review exercise for RAE planning in 2006. / Schools Forum Feb 06 / Vice-Principal (Research & Commercialisation) / Policy, Planning & Governance
Colleges / Internal and external reviews underway. RAE Steering Group considered School reports on 17 Jan 06. Schools Forum on 20 Feb 06.
2.6
(see 1.19) / Continue to develop the generic skills programmes for postgraduate students in the light of experience. / July 06 / Vice-Principal (Research & Commercialisation) / Human Resources
Colleges
Registry / A comprehensive generic skills development programme is being delivered. A skills development co-ordinator for postdoctoral fellows has been appointed.
(see 1.19.)
Strategic Aim /
Action
/ Reporting Date /Lead
/Working With
/Progress
2.7 / Establish a Graduate School in the College of Arts & Social Sciences. / Head of College (CASS) / CASSRegistry
External Affairs / Graduate School established and ongoing projects include generic skills and academic training for new research students; developing web site; refreshing the marketing strategy; continuing to explore innovative ways to deliver postgraduate programmes; identifying more new postgraduate programmes; and holding induction and social events for research students.
2.8
(see 5.1 and 5.10) / Develop two University of Aberdeen-led Strategic Research Development Grant applications. (Funding stream for SRDG now includes pooling funding.) / Research Committee:
Feb 06
May 06 / Vice-Principal (Research & Commercialisation) / Policy, Planning & Governance
Research & Innovation
Colleges
Finance / Announcement of next round expected in Spring 2006. Colleges ideas considered by Research Committee.
2.9 / Embed within our planning framework Strategic Research Development Grant and other collaborative projects, where we are lead or partner to ensure that they are being managed in accordance with the principles of best practice, value for money and sustainability. / Research Committee:
Feb 06
May 06 / Vice-Principal (Research & Commercialisation) / Policy, Planning & Governance
Colleges
Research & Innovation
Finance / Plan to receive updates via University Committee for Research, Income-Generation and Commercialisation.
Strategic Aim /
Action
/ Reporting Date /Lead
/Working With
/Progress
3 QUALITY LEARNINGTo enhance the quality and value of the student learning experience within a research environment.
3.1 / Take forward the outcomes of the review and revision of the University’s teaching and learning strategy. / May 06
(UCTL) / Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) / Registry
Colleges
DISS
Human Resources
Student Support Services
Careers / Draft Learning & Teaching Strategy document and proposals for its implementation and development are currently with the Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) with a view to them being brought to UMG and UCTL in the near future.
3.2 / Take forward issues arising from our Enhancement-Led Institutional Review report. / May 06 / Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) / Registry
Colleges / Draft action considered by Heads of School on 4 Oct, and by UCTL on 21 Oct.
UCTL continuing to monitor at each meeting the progress made in regard to meeting the objectives set out in the Action Plan by end of session 2005/06. ElIR follow-up report to be submitted to QAA by 29 Sept 06.
3.3 / Undertake Internal Teaching Reviews of the Centre for Lifelong Learning, Biological Sciences, Engineering and Education. / Visits in March 06 (SBS)
May 06 (Eng & Ed)
March 06
ASCs (CLL)
Oct 06 (rest) / Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) / Registry
Colleges
Centre for Lifelong Learning / Schools of Biological Sciences, Education and Engineering currently preparing for their ITR visits (SBS in March 06 and Education & Engineering in May 06).
ITR of Centre for Lifelong Learning conducted in Nov 05 - report currently being finalised.
3.4 / Implement the outcomes of the review of institutional policy in relation to staff development for teaching and learning, and in relation to recognition and reward for excellence in teaching. / July 06 / Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) / Human Resources
Registry
Colleges / The Promotion documentation has been revised to encourage applications based on demonstrated excellence in teaching. Guidelines for the Promotion Committees are being developed by the Vice-Principal (Learning & Teaching) for consideration by the UMG.
Plans are being developed for a new Centre for Learning & Teaching, which will have a key role in supporting the implementation of the Teaching and Learning strategy through the delivery of development activities.
Strategic Aim /
Action
/ Reporting Date /Lead