Universities UK works alongside other stakeholders including: GuildHE, AOC, QAA, HEFCE and the HEA to improve the quality assurance and enhancement system. We are currently focusing on:
- The future of the Quality Assurance System in England and Northern Ireland. Following extensive consultation, we published, together with HEFCE, DELNI and GuildHE, a report which sets out future arrangements for quality assurance. This report is available here. It contains a number of improvements, in particular to the system of institutional audit from 2011-12. The QAA will consult on the detail in Autumn 2010. For further information please contact fiona.hoban@universitiesuk.ac.uk
- Establishing further transparency about the higher education ‘offer’, such as contact hours, expected study time and assessment methods. Universities have already put significant resource into publishing information for prospective students, whether on their own websites or Unistats. UUK supports this national policy through our work on the Higher Education Public Information Steering Group (previously the Teaching Quality Information/ National Student Survey (TQI/NSS) Steering Group). In addition HEFCE are undertaking, with support from UUK, NUS and others, further research into public information needs, particularly the needs of prospective students. We will consult, with HEFCE, and GuildHE, in late Autumn 2010 on what should be published by institutions and where. For further information please contact fiona.hoban@universitiesuk.ac.uk
- Developing a closer understanding between employer representative bodies and the higher education sector by working with Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). Universities UK is also working with institutions with the aim of disseminating good practice defining 'employability skills', fostered through publications such as 'Future Fit' jointly released with the CBI in March 2009. UUK also hosts an annual, 'Higher Level Skills Summit' involving Vice-Chancellors and SSC CEOs, with the aim of discussing and disseminating good practice on HE-SSC engagement. For further information, please contact vivienne.stern@universitiesuk.ac.uk
- Student engagement is also a key line of work as the sector believes that active student participation within the running of universities is essential for quality assurance. In the past year UUK has organised a conference on student engagement encouraging students and university practioners to share their views on how to improve the system. Similarly, on a national level, UUK provides joint secretariat (along with GuildHE and the NUS) for the Cross Sector Student Engagement Group.
- Playing an active role in surporting the sector in a collective approach to addressing academic misconduct. Ongoing work is progressing by continuing to bring acacemic practioners together through conferences to discuss approaches and share good practice. UUK would also welcome any government help in rooting out 'online writing services'.