‘Robust arrangements’ for quality in University of Wales Trinity Saint David, according to UK’s independent quality body
| Date: | June 16 - 2022 |
|---|
University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has ‘robust arrangements in place for securing academic standards, managing academic quality, and for enhancing the student experience’, according to a review by QAA. The review commended the University’s achievements in several areas such as data-informed decision making and teaching and learning enhancement.
The review was undertaken online by a team of three independent reviewers from 21 and 24 March 2022. Overall, the review panel concluded that UWTSD meets the requirements of the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) Part 1 on internal quality assurance, and that it meets the relevant baseline regulatory requirements of the Quality Assessment Framework for Wales.
Its commendations include:
- The University’s ‘Student Hwb’ provides students with a comprehensive and accessible electronic contact and information point that effectively supports their learning experience.
- The wide range and impactful use of digital training, pedagogy and support developed during the pandemic continues to enhance the staff and student experience.
- The University’s data dashboard provides staff with a wide range of accurate, useful and accessible data, enabling the University to comprehensively and effectively monitor its performance in relation to the standards of its awards and the quality of the student learning experience.
Professor Catrin Thomas, UWTSD’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor said: ‘The University is delighted that QAA has found that our arrangements for securing academic standards, managing academic quality, and for enhancing the student experience are robust. This is the result of excellent teamwork across the University involving our academic and professional teams working with the Students’ Union. We value the recommendations of the QAA’s review to ensure continuous improvements in our processes and practices.’
Professor Mirjam Plantinga, UWTSD’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Academic Experience added: ‘We welcome QAA’s assessment of our academic arrangements and are delighted to receive commendations for the ‘Student Hwb’ which is highly valued by our students. The student experience is central to our planning and delivery. This was particularly evident in our approach to the pandemic and the way in which we transformed our delivery to provide novel opportunities to enhance our campus experiences”.
QAA’s report also makes several recommendations, asking the University to:
- develop a robust system that ensures that all current and future postgraduate research students undertaking or supporting teaching undergo appropriate training
- develop a cohesive strategic approach to improve highly-skilled professional employability outcomes across all programmes
- involve students from collaborative partner institutions in the development of teach-out plans when closing courses.