ACADEMIC COUNCIL
ANNUAL REPORT 2010/2011
February 2012
Table of Contents
Page No:
4
1.
Membership and Attendance of Academic Council
2.
Meetings
5
3.
Business Transacted – Committees of Academic Council
3.1 Academic Quality Assurance Committee
3.1.1
Appointment of Programme Validation/Review and
School Review Panels
3.1.2
Reports from Validation/Review Panels
3.1.3
School Review Reports & Responses
3.1.4
Review of Units/Departments
3.1.5
Programme Validations – Justification of NFQ
Level Chosen
3.1.6
Structured PhD Modules
3.1.7
New Short Course Proposals
3.1.8
Partnerships with External
Organisations/Institutions
3.2 Graduate Research School Board
3.2.1
Ratification of decisions of Graduate Research
School Board
3.2.2
Guidelines for Joint Doctoral Programmes
3.3 Apprentice Education Committee
3.3.1
New annual monitoring report form for apprentice
programmes
3.3.2
Apprentice Education Committee Sub-Committee of
Academic Council
5
5
5
9
9
11
4.
Programme and Module Data Quality
13
5.
Correspondence from Senior Leadership Team in relation to LEAD
module
13
6.
Approval of Examination Results
13
7.
Student Academic Excellence Awards 2009/10
13
8.
External Examiners
13
9.
Exit Awards
13
10.
Student Feedback (Q6a)
14
11.
Examination Appeals 2009/10
11.1
Appeals: lateness of considering appeals
14
14
12.
General Assessment Regulations
12.1 Derogation from the General Assessment Regulations in
respect of the Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and the
MSc in Accounting
12.2 Amendments to the General Assessment Regulations
2
14
6
7
8
9
12
12
12
12
12
12
14
13.
Regulations for Postgraduate Study by Research
15
14.
Student Satisfaction Survey
15
15.
Launch of Grangegorman
16
16.
Bonus Points for Higher Leaving Certificate Mathematics
16
17.
Proposed terms of reference and membership of Academic Council’s
Standing Committee
16
18.
CPD Listing
16
19.
NQAI Review of the Effectiveness of the Institute’s Quality Assurance
Procedures
16
20.
Report from Review Group of the Hunt Report
17
21.
Report from Review Group on the Vision of a New University and
Issues in Relation to Quality Assurance and Academic Council
17
22.
Broadening the Curriculum
17
23.
Co-operation Agreement
17
3
1.
Membership and Attendance of Academic Council (Attendance in brackets)
Professor B. Norton (Chairperson) (8)
Mr D. Allen
(1)
Dr S. Flanagan
(1)
Dr M. Mhic Mhathúna
(7)
Dr L. Armstrong
(2)
Dr R. Flood
(0)
Dr M. Mulvey
(9)
Mr S. Basini
(8)
Dr N. French
(2)
Dr M. Murphy
(5)
Ms C. Bell
(0)
Mr J. Frias
(5)
Mr C. Nevin
(7)
Mr P. Bourke
(8)
Dr K. Griffin
(1)
Mr D. O’Brien
(0)
Dr B. Bowe
(7)
Ms M. J. González
(4)
Dr A. O Cearbhaill
(1)
Mr A. Brown
(3)
Ms B. Grant
(3)
Mr J. O’Connor
(5)
Mr R. Burbach
(1)
Mr W. Grimson
(9)
Dr N. O’Connor
(7)
Dr K. Byrne
(6)
Dr L. Gunnigan
(7)
Mr C. O’Driscoll
(6)
Mr A. Cafolla
(2)
Dr W. Halpin
(2)
Mr A. O’Dwyer
(1)
Mr D. Carroll
(3)
Mr M. Hanratty
(5)
Mr E. O’Grady
(1)
Mr B. Carolan
(4)
Dr J. Harvey
(8)
Dr A. O’Hare
(1)
Mr J. Clancy
(0)
Prof N. Hayes
(4)
Mr T. O’Leary
(7)
Dr P. Cohen
(7)
Prof E. Hazelkorn
(4)
Dr B. O’Neill
(0)
Dr J. Condon
(6)
Prof G. Henehan
(5)
Mr P. O’Reilly
(3)
Ms H. Conway
(6)
Dr C. Hills
(6)
Mr D. O’Shea
(2)
Prof T. Cooke
(5)
Prof. J. Horan
(0)
Mr P. O’Sullivan
(6)
Mr T. Corrigan
(5)
Dr M. Hunt
(8)
Dr M. Prendergast
(4)
Dr B. Costello
(3)
Dr K. Houston
(0)
Dr M. Rebow
(2)
Dr J. Coughlan
(6)
Ms. T. Hurley
(8)
Ms L. Rovcanin
(4)
Prof E. Coyle
(5)
Mr D. Keogan
(1)
Dr F. Ryan
(2)
Ms C. Cullen
(7)
Mr J. Jameson
(5)
Ms M. Scally
(9)
Ms A. Curran
(0)
Dr S. Jerrams
(0)
Mr D. Scott
(2)
Mr N. Deeney
(0)
Dr D. Kennedy
(7)
Mr R. Sherlock
(6)
Prof M. Devereux
(3)
Dr K. Lalor
(8)
Mr R. Simpson
(9)
Dr D. Dillane
(1)
Dr K. Lawlor
(6)
Mr B. Skelton
(1)
Dr J. Donovan
(6)
Mr J. Lawlor
(6)
Mr J. Turner
(3)
Dr J. Doran
(7)
Mr R. Lawlor
(0)
Ms. K. Uí íGhallachóir
(8)
Mr P. Doyle
(8)
Dr D. Lillis
(3)
Mr H. Van der Kamp
(7)
Mr F. N. Duffy
(3)
Mr D. Mag Cuill
(2)
Mr J. Vaughan
(4)
Mr T. Dunne
(6)
Ms L. Magee
(0)
Mr S. Walsh
(0)
Mr R. English
(0)
Ms M. Maguire
(8)
Ms E. Watson
(1)
Dr P. Ennis
(8)
Dr H. McClave
(4)
Ms M. Whelan
(7)
4
Ms E. Fallon
(1)
Dr D. McCormack
(8)
Mr P. Wulliamoz
(1)
Prof G. Farrell
(5)
Dr M. McNamara
(6)
Dr B. Wu
(1)
Mr A. Finn
(4)
2. Meetings
(a)
The Academic Council met on 9 occasions during the year:
16 September 2010
13 October 2010
4 November 2010
1 December 2010
19 January 2011
16 February 2011
16 March 2011
4 May 2011
29 June 2011
3.
Business Transacted – Committees of Academic Council
3.1
Academic Quality Assurance Committee
3.1.1
Appointment of Programme Validation/ Review and School Review Panels
At the October meeting the following Validation/Review Panels were appointed:
 BSc in Economics and Finance
 MSc in Business Education
 MSc in Laboratory Medicine
At the December meeting the following Validation/Review Panels were appointed:
 BA (Hons) in Irish / BA (Onór) sa Ghaeilge don Saol Proifisiúnta
 BA (Hons) in Commercial Modern Music
At the January meeting the following Validation/Review Panels were appointed:


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

BA Leisure Management
BTech (Networking Technologies)
BTech Timber Product Technology
Higher Certificate in Building Maintenance and Conversation
Higher Certificate in Advanced Plumbing and Heating Technology
Higher Certificate in Advanced Painting and Decorating Technology
At the February meeting the following Validation/Review Panel was appointed:
 School of Computing – School
Review
5
At the March meeting the following Validation/Review Panels were appointed:
 BSc Business and Law
 Property Asset Management and Valuation Option to the BSc
(Surveying) Property Economics
 MA in Media Production
 MA in Art and Design
At the June meeting the following Validation/Review Panels were appointed:

Higher Certificate in Science and Technology
 GradCam Structured PhD
3.1.2
Reports from Validation/Review Panels
At its September meeting reports in respect of the following programme
validations/reviews were formally adopted:



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


BA MSc in Sustainability, Technology and Innovation
BTech in Construction Site Management
BSc (Hons) in Architectural Technology (RPL route)
BSc (Hons) in Business and Management
MSc in Construction Informatics (IT)
BEngTech in Fire Engineering
BArch (Hons) - Modularisation of 5-year programme
It was noted that the following programmes were approved for funding under the
HEA Labour Market Activation scheme which is aimed at those who are currently
unemployed.




BSc (Hons) in Mathematical Studies
BSc in Mathematical Studies
Higher Certificate in Mathematical Studies
CPD Diploma in Financial Mathematics and Analysis, 45 ECTS, level
8
 CPD Diploma in Statistics and Operations Research, 60 ECTS, level
8
 CPD Diploma in Business Operations Management, 40 ECTS, level
8
 CPD Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 40 ECTS,
level 8
At its January meeting a report in respect of the following programme
validation/review was formally adopted:
 Professional Diploma in Architectural Practice
At its February meeting a report in respect of the following programme
validation/review was formally adopted:
 BA (Hons) in Commercial Modern Music
6
At its March meeting reports in respect of the following programme
validations/reviews were formally adopted:
 BTech in Networking Technologies
 GradCAM Structured PhD Programme
At its June meeting reports in respect of the following programme
validations/reviews were formally adopted:











3.1.3
Pg Dip in Technology and Innovation Management
BSc in Business and Information Systems
BA in Leisure Management
BTech in Timber Product Technology
Higher Certificate in Buildings Management (Maintenance and
Conservation)
Master of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies, Master of Arts in Critical
Art Practice, Master of Arts in Design Practice
BSc (Hons) in Business and Law
MSc in Applied Software Technology
Higher Certificate in Science and Technology
Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology Management and
Innovation
Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Analysis & Energy Retrofit
School Review Reports & Responses
At its October meeting Council noted the reports in respect of the following School
Reviews:





School of Graduate School of Business
School of Management
School of Accounting and Finance
School of Electrical Engineering Systems
School of Real Estate and Construction Economics
Council also noted the response to the School of Media School Review report.
At its December meeting Council noted the discussion at Academic Quality
Assurance Committee regarding how best to consider School Review reports and
responses to them. The Committee also discussed the proposal that a nominated
person, a ‘verifier’, presents summary findings to Academic Council in order to
ensure that the most noteworthy elements of the review are brought to Council’s
attention. It was agreed to proceed as follows:
(a) Schools will be requested to provide an action plan which includes timelines
and ownership of actions
(b) A ‘verifier’ or presenter will be nominated by Academic Quality Assurance
Committee, to review and verify that the recommendations in School
Reports have been adequately addressed and to provide the Committee
with a succinct report emphasising the key points.
7
It was proposed that the Committee should dedicate one meeting a year to the
Responses to School Review Reports.
Council agreed that a template for the completion of the action plans should be
produced and forwarded to the Schools.
Council noted and approved the Progress Reports in relation to the following School
Reviews:
 School of Languages
 School of Social Sciences and Law
At its February meeting Council noted the report in respect of the following School
Review:
 School of Civil and Building Services Engineering
Council also noted the following School review responses:







School of Art, Design and Printing
School of Electrical Engineering Systems
School of Real Estate and Construction Economics
School of Mechanical and Transport Engineering
School of Accounting and Finance
Graduate Business School
School of Management
Council noted the following One Year Follow-On Responses:
 School of Food Science and Environmental Health
 School of Mathematical Sciences
At its June meeting Council noted the report in respect of the following School
Review:
 School of Computing
Council also noted the following School review responses:
 School of Physics
 School of Construction
 School of Manufacturing and Design Engineering (One year progress
report)
3.1.4
Review of Units/Departments
At the October meeting the following Validation/Review Panel was appointed:
Directorate of Research and Enterprise (Internal members)
Council also noted the response to the review of the Library Services.
8
At the June meeting Council adopted the report of the Review of the
Directorate of Research & Enterprise.
3.1.5
Programme Validations – Justification of NFQ Level Chosen
Council adopted the proposal that each programme submission for
validation / review should include the rationale setting out the case for the
specific National Framework Qualification (NFQ) level assigned.
3.1.6
Structured PhD Modules
Council adopted the proposal to introduce a mechanism whereby individual
modules from various Colleges / Schools can be validated by means of a
dual system. That modules submitted to College Boards would
simultaneously be submitted to Graduate Research School Board and follow
DIT QA procedures for validation seeking final approval at Academic
Council.
3.1.7
New Short Course Proposals
Council noted the approval of the following short courses:
College of Arts & Tourism
CPD Certificate in Press Room Technology for Non-Printing Staff (10 ECTS
at NFQ Level 7)
CPD Certificate in Additional Caseworking and Mentoring in Multi-Element
Behaviour Support (10 ECTS at NFQ Level 9)
Introduction to Digital Printing and Finishing Technology (level 6 CPD
Certificate and 5 ECTS)
Materials and Paper Technology (level 7 CPD Diploma and 5 ECTS)
CPD Diploma in Print and Digital Media Technology Management (60 ECTS
credits at level 7)
CPD Diploma in Fresh Food Management (60 ECTS credits at level 6)
Digital Imaging Skills for Multimedia and Gaming (10 ECTS, level 8)
Artisan Foods 1 (5 ECTS, level 6)
Artisan Foods 2 (5 ECTS, Level 6)
Artisan Foods 3 (5 ECTS, Level 6)
Introduction to Artisan Baking (5 ECTS, Level 6)
Therapeutic and Reflective Writing (5 ECTS, Level 8)
Early Music Ensemble (5 ECTS, Level 8)
Irish Traditional Music: Repertoire, Style and Interpretation (5 ECTS, Level
8)
Introduction to Core Legal Skills (5 ECTS, Level 6)
Introduction to Competition (10 ECTS, Level 6)
Introduction to Law and Society (5 ECTS, Level 6)
Introduction to Law in Society (5 ECTS, Level 6)
Introduction to Jurisprudence (10 ECTS, Level 6)
Introduction to Criminology (5 ECTS, Level 6)
Introduction to International Trade Law (10 ECTS, Level 6)
CPD Certificate in Introduction to Pan Asian Cuisine (Level 6, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Introduction to Chinese Cuisine (Level 6, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Introduction to Indian Cuisine (Level 6, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Introduction to Japanese Cuisine (Level 6, 5 ECTS)
9
CPD Certificate in Introduction to Chocolate Making (Level 6, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Essential Musical Styles (Rock and Popular Music) (Level
6, 10 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Music Performance Techniques (Rock and Popular
Music) (Level 6. 10 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Music Theory and Notation (Rock and Popular Music)
(Level 6, 10 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Song Writing Techniques (Level 6, 10 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Arrangement Analysis (Level 6, 10 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Music Theory and Arrangement (Level 6, 10 ECTS)
CPD Diploma in Food Product Development (Stage 1) (Level 6, 45 ECTS)
CPD Diploma in Culinary Artisan Skills Development (Stage 1) (Level 6, 35
ECTS)
College of Engineering and the Built Environment
Automation Technology (5 ECTS, Level 7)
Advanced Image Processing (5 ECTS, Level 9)
Image Processing Analysis (5 ECTS, Level 9)
Introduction to DSP (5 ECTS, Level 9)
DSP Platforms (5 ECTS, Level 9)
Simulation and Programming for Engineers (5 ECTS, Level 9)
CPD Certificate in Geographical Information Systems (Level , 10 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Electrical Engineering Systems (Level 8, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Foundation Course in Hazardous Areas (Level 7, 5
ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Qualified Certifier in the Inspection, Testing, Verification
and Certification of Electrical Installations in Ireland (Level 7, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Training of Verification and Certification Trainers (Level 8,
10 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Designing for Safety in Construction (Level 9, 5 ECTS)
CPD Diploma in Roof Construction, Design and Energy Efficiency, (Level 7,
40 ECTS)
College of Business
CPD Diploma in Public Procurement
CPD Diploma in Career Coaching
Diploma in Enterprise Development (Level 7 and 35 ECTS)
Certificate in Learning and Quality Assurance (Level 8 and 6 ECTS)
CPD Diploma in Fashion Buying and Management, Special Purpose, (Level
8, 60 ECTS)
College of Sciences and Health
Introduction to Quantum Physics and Condensed Matters / Nuclear Physics
(5 ECTS, level 8)
Mechanics, Relativity, Heat and Thermodynamics (5 ECTS, Level 8)
CPD Diploma in Biopharmaceuticals(Conversion Course), Special Purpose,
(Level 8, 60 ECTS)
CPD Diploma in Fundamental Cell and Molecular Biology, Special Purpose,
(Level 7, 60 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Information Security Services, Special Purpose (level 7,
10 ECTS) (Programme Title: CPD Certificate in Ethical Hacking)
CPD Diploma in Cloud Computing (Cloud Applications Development) Special
Purpose, (Level 8, 50 ECTS)
10
CPD Diploma in Cloud Computing – Designing and Building a Cloud, Special
Purpose, (Level 7, 40 ECTS)
CPD Diploma in Digital Media Production, Special Purpose, (Level 8, 60
ECTS) in partnership with the Digital Skills Alliance
CPD Diploma in Software Testing, Special Purpose, (Level 7, 40 ECTS)
CPD Postgraduate Diploma in Computing, Minor, (Level 9, 30 ECTS)
CPD Diploma (Advanced Software Development), Minor, (Level 9, 30 ECTS)
CPD Diploma (Cloud Computing and Data Analytics), Minor, (Level 9, 30
ECTS)
CPD Diploma (Data Analytics), Minor, (Level 9, 30 ECTS)
CPD Diploma (Information and Knowledge Management), Minor, (Level 9,
30 ECTS)
CPD Diploma (Universal Design and Assistive Technology), Minor, (Level 9,
30 ECTS)
CPD Diploma in e(BioPharmaChem), Special Purpose, (Level 7, 15 ECTS)
in partnership with DPS
CPD Certificate in Advanced Databases, Minor, (Level 9, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Knowledge Management Tools and Techniques, Minor
(Level 9, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Software Project Management, Minor, (Level 9, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Visualisation, Minor, (Level 9, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Data Mining, Minor, (Level 9, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Data Management, Minor, (Level 9, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Machine Learning, Minor, (Level 9, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Programming and Paradigms: Principles, Minor, (Level 9,
5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Software Design, Minor, (Level 9, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Clinical Chemistry, Minor, (Level 8, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Cellular Pathology, Minor, (Level 8, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Haematology, Minor, (Level 8, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Medical Microbiology, Minor, (Level 8, 5 ECTS)
CPD Certificate in Transfusion Science, Minor, (Level 8, 5 ECTS)
CPD Diploma in Clinical Immunology, Minor, (Level 8, 5 ECTS)
3.1.8
Partnerships with External Organisations/Institutions
At the February meeting an Accreditation/Validation Panels was appointed
in respect of the following External Organisations/Institutions:
Irish Association of Respiratory Scientists (IARS)
At the March meeting Accreditation/Validation Panels were appointed in
respect of the following External Organisations/Institutions:
Sound Training Centre
Information Technology Institute (ITI) Egypt
Council also adopted the report from the Accreditation Panel in respect of
the National Ambulance Service College and noted that these certificate
courses were previously accredited by DCU.
11
At the May meeting Council adopted the Panel’s Accreditation/Validation
report in respect of the Irish Association of Respiratory Scientists, as a
suitable partner with which the Institute may collaborate and the validation of
the CPD Certificate in Spirometry to be offered by the Irish Association of
Respiratory Scientists with a number of derogations from the General
Assessment Regulations.
Council also adopted the Panel’s Accreditation report in respect of the
Accreditation of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland, as a
suitable partner with which the Institute may collaborate.
At the June meeting Council adopted the reports of the Accreditation Panels
recommending the following external Organisations/Institutions as suitable
partners with which the Institute may collaborate:
Digital Skills Academy
Information Technology Institute, Egypt
Bord Gáis Networks
3.2
Graduate Research School Board
3.2.1
Ratification of decisions of Graduate Research School Board
Throughout the year Council ratified the decisions of the Graduate Research
School Board in relation to the following:




3.2.2
3.3
Recommendations for the appointment of External Examiners
Recommendations for awards
Recommendations for appointment of Transfer Examiners
Students who successfully transferred to a higher
register/passed confirmation examination
Guidelines for Joint Doctoral Programmes
At the February meeting the Director of Research and Enterprise informed
Council that all recommendations submitted had been taken on board and
Council approved the guidelines as presented.
Apprentice Education Committee
3.3.1
New annual monitoring report form for apprentice programmes
Council ratified the decision of Apprentice Education Committee from its 53rd
meeting on 30 September 2010 to approve the new annual monitoring report
form for apprentice programmes.
3.3.2
Apprentice Education Committee Sub-Committee of Academic Council
Council approved revised membership to this committee to include two nonstructured staff from each school involved in the delivery of apprenticeship
education. Council approved the National Skills Committee as a sub-committee
of this committee.
12
4.
Programme and Module Data Quality
It was agreed that only data that had been approved through the proper QA
process be entered into the Institute’s information systems. Council noted that
in principle Coursewise should in the future be the sole repository for module
descriptors, when all systems are integrated. It was noted that Student
Handbooks, rather than duplicate module descriptors, should refer students to
Coursewise.
Academic Affairs put forward a proposal to Council to develop an interface
between the Coursewise and Banner systems. In addition to achieving a
consistency of data across the applications there are strong indications from
HEA that DIT will have to report at module rather than programme level in the
future and currently all reporting is driven from Banner. Council recommended
the formation of the proposed working group to include members from
CourseWise Team, IS, School of Computer Science and Directorate of Student
Services.
5.
Correspondence from Senior Leadership Team in relation to LEAD
module
A memo from the Senior Leadership Team requesting that DIT officially
recognise the LEAD Module and where possible afford opportunities for
students to take the 5 ECTS Module as part of their programme was circulated
and noted. The appropriateness of this proposal being submitted by SLT was
queried. It was clarified that the proposal emanated from the LTTC. It was
agreed that each programme committee needs to consider if this module is
appropriate for inclusion in its programme.
6.
Approval of Examination Results
Academic Council noted and approved the recommendations for awards for
2009/10 as submitted from the Colleges.
7.
Student Academic Excellence Awards 2009/10
Council noted the approval by the Colleges of the nominations for Student
Academic Excellence Awards for 2009/10.
8.
External Examiners
Academic Council noted and approved nominations for new external
examiners, as well as extensions of periods of appointment from the Directorate
of Academic Affairs and the Colleges.
9.
Exit Awards
It was agreed that a solution needed to be formulated for students exiting a
programme having completed the first year on a Labour Market Activation
funded programme. It was agreed that a certificate of attendance would be
insufficient. Council noted that currently these students would expect to
receive a transcript stating ECTS achieved.
13
10.
Student Feedback (Q6a)
It was noted that the TUI directive in relation to the completion of Q6a, Q6b
and Q6c forms has been lifted and the importance of the completion of the new
revised Q6a and Q6b forms by students and staff was emphasised. It was
agreed that the Chair of Academic Quality Assurance Committee should write
to College Directors to ask them to ensure that teaching staff provide each
student on every module the Q6a form for completion and that staff in turn
complete the Q6b form. DITSU undertook to encourage students to seek out
these forms and to complete them.
It was also noted that the Q6c form was being considered, in order to
determine how these should be completed to ensure the best possible return.
11.
Examination Appeals 2009/10
11.1
Appeals: lateness of considering appeals
Council noted concerns in relation to significant delays in processing some of
the student academic appeals due to the unavailability of academic staff. It was
acknowledged that while staff members were entitled to take holidays deferred
appeal decisions could put the students at a significant disadvantage and cause
considerable stress. DITSU officers also reported delays and lack of clarity
around the remark procedure. It was pointed out that proposed changes to the
academic calendar would provide time at the end of the year to allow appeals
and other such matters to be completed prior to the end of session.
It was agreed that the Director of Academic Affairs and Registrar should
reconvene the General Assessment Regulations Working Group to consider this
and related issues and report back to Council with recommendations.
12.
General Assessment Regulations
12.1
Derogation from the General Assessment Regulations in respect of the
Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting and the MSc in Accounting
It was noted that both the PgDip in Accounting and the MSc in Accounting
qualify graduates for substantial exemptions from the professional bodies in
Accounting.
Council approved a derogation from the General Assessment Regulations in
respect of the above programmes to allow students who, in their first attempt at
an assessment for a module which is linked to an exemption achieve a mark of
40-49%, to resit that module once only at the next available sitting. The resit
mark will be for the purposes of professional body recognition only and will not
be used in the determination of classification.
Council approved the derogation subject to confirmation and clarification of the
mechanism for implementation.
12.2
Amendments to the General Assessment Regulations
Council adopted the report of the Review Group on the General Assessment
Regulations which recommended that:
14
o
o
o
o
o
As stated in the GAR, the student will be awarded a maximum mark of the
pass mark for modules passed, when a component is repeated. This is the
mark that will appear on the students’ transcript but students will be given
access to the actual marks achieved.
Compensation should be permitted at first sittings or between first and
second sittings.
A structure to allow students view their assessments and/or examination
scripts needs to be put in place. Until this happens the group proposes that
any student who wishes to view his/her assessment and/or examination
scripts should contact the relevant School as soon as possible after the
results are first released. A note to this effect should appear at the bottom of
the student transcript.
The fee for a re-mark should be increased to reflect the true cost of remarking.
That “Faculty” changes to “College” throughout the regulations.
It was agreed that these changes should be introduced immediately and that the
Quality Assurance Office should amend the General Assessment Regulations
as indicated in the groups report for circulation to all staff.
It was highlighted that the review group did identify a number of anomalies in the
General Assessment Regulations which were outside the remit of the review
group. The Chair requested that the Directorate of Academic Affairs and
Registrar further consider this.
13.
Regulations for Postgraduate Study by Research
The Regulations for Postgraduate Study by Research, Edition 6 were adopted
by Academic Council.
14.
Student Satisfaction Survey
Council noted the findings of the second Student Satisfaction Survey as
presented by the Student Retention Officer. Council noted that in total 2300
students responded to the survey. Council noted that students were very
positive about their overall experience at DIT and reported high levels of
satisfaction with their programmes of study and interaction with staff. Areas
where less satisfaction was reported included the provision of timely feedback
to students on assessments, scheduling of assessments, communication with
students particularly in relation to timetable changes and early notification for
students who are not performing well. A significant minority also reported that
they did not receive Student Handbooks.
At the June meeting Council noted a paper detailing the number of Q6c
programme survey forms which had been submitted per programme as a
percentage of the total number of students registered on each programme.
It was noted that the response rate to the electronic survey varied substantially
across different programmes and that Heads of School should further consider
whether they need to obtain additional feedback from students in September.
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15.
Launch of Grangegorman
Council noted that the launch of the Grangegorman project by An Taoiseach
Brian Cowen TD and Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills Mary
Coughlan TD was scheduled to take place on 21 September 2010.
16.
Bonus Points for Higher Leaving Certificate Mathematics
Council adopted the following policy in relation to bonus points for Higher
Leaving Certificate in Mathematics:
‘DIT will award a single standard 25 bonus points for all HL Maths grades D
and above, irrespective of the grade achieved, for a four-year period
beginning in 2012.’
While some members considered the proposed policy to be inequitable as it did
not reward excellent performance in Higher Level Mathematics, Council agreed
that the proposal would provide an incentive for students to opt for or continue
with the Higher Level Mathematics curriculum, and it agreed to adopt the above
proposal.
17.
Proposed terms of reference and membership of Academic Council’s
Standing Committee
Council adopted the proposed terms of reference and membership of Academic
Council’s Standing Committee. It was agreed that Mr W. Grimson be appointed
returning officer to ballot academic council members for nominations.
It was
noted that Standing Committee would not meet on a regular basis but would be
convened if and when necessary. It was agreed that College Directors could
appoint alternates to attend on their behalf.
18.
CPD Listing
A completed copy of the CPD listing including programmes with 10 ECTS or
more and NFQ levels was noted at the December meeting.
19.
NQAI Review of the Effectiveness of the Institute’s Quality Assurance
Procedures
At the March meeting the Director of Academic Affairs and Registrar presented a
progress report on the preparations for the Insititute Review. He reported that a
meeting with Mr Jon Haakstaad, Chair of the NQAI review team had taken
place. Mr Haakstaad confirmed the panel’s satisfaction with the Self Evaluation
Report submitted on 24th February, 2011. Council was advised that DIT were
currently providing the additional information requested by the panel.
At the May meeting the Chairman reported that that the oral report received at
the end of the Review of the Effectiveness of the Institute’s Quality Assurance
procedures was very positive. He thanked everyone for their hard work which
contributed to the success of this event.
At the June meeting the Chairman reported that the Institute had received
correspondence from the NQAI confirming acceptance of the Report and the
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Response on the Review by the NQAI of the effectiveness of the quality
assurance procedures of the Institute.
It was reported that implementation has already commenced on a number of
actions arising from the reports recommendations and it was noted that the
challenge is to ensure that this implementation is sustained over the next 5 years
and where possible the Institute’s existing committees will be utilised to progress
the actions. A quality action plan is currently being drafted and will be circulated
to members of Academic Council and Senior Leadership Team.
20.
Report from Review Group of the Hunt Report
Council received a report from the Review Group of the Hunt Report. The
Chairman stated that the new Irish government would appoint a Board to oversee
the implementation of the report. Currently experts have been appointed by the
HEA and the Department of Education and Science to define exactly what a
technical university is. Dr D. McCormack who chaired the Review Group stated
that it was important that DIT works to influence decisions made.
21.
Report from Review Group on the Vision of a New University and Issues in
Relation to Quality Assurance and Academic Council
This report was noted by Council.
22.
Broadening the Curriculum
Council noted a paper on Broadening the Curriculum and adopted the five actions
proposed as follows:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
23.
Focusing the LTTC educational seminars on the topic of Broadening
the Curriculum to address some of the wider questions raised above.
Making Broadening the Curriculum a theme for the LTTC showcase
Publicising the different community engagement initiatives across the
Institute.
Including the theme of Broadening the Curriculum as a strand in the
Teaching Fellowship framework
Co-operation Agreement
Council noted the Co-operation Agreement with the following Institution
/Organisation:
Purdue University
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