University praised; could do better in some areas

The University of Otago deputy vice-chancellor academic and international, Prof Vernon Squire,...
The University of Otago deputy vice-chancellor academic and international, Prof Vernon Squire, reflects on an independent academic audit of the university. Photo by Jane Dawber.

An independent audit group has praised the University of Otago's distinctive collegial ethos and strong support for students but also recommends further improvements, including over staff gender equity and diversity issues.

Released on Thursday, the latest New Zealand Universities Academic Audit Unit report also commends Otago University on its "very clear commitment to the city of Dunedin".

The university had also gained "a similar commitment by the city to the university", the 65-page report noted.

The audit unit undertakes academic audits of New Zealand's eight universities every five years.

In the report, the audit panel commended the university for its "institution-wide collegial ethos" and support for collegiality "at all levels".

This had led to an environment in which "staff feel they can voice their opinions and have them heard with respect".

The university also received special mention for its support of students and, in particular, the learning support provided by the residential colleges, the peer-assisted study programme and a range of workshops and individual advice provided to postgraduate students.

Students also spoke highly of the teaching they received and of the caring and open attitude of their teachers.

The university emphasised devolution and collegiality as "distinctive features", but the panel considered "the reluctance to impose compliance on staff" - linked to the devolution approach - posed "a potential risk in some areas where consistency of policy application is desirable or necessary".

The panel recommended that the university find ways of ensuring more consistency across academic departments in applying "key policies regarding supervision and support" for postgraduate research students.

The panel also recommended the university consider establishing an "overarching equity and diversity group", replacing the current gender equity group, to explore "strategic and organisational issues related to equity and diversity".

The panel also noted a continued "under-representation of equity groups" among the university academic staff - in particular, "Maori, Pacific and women".

The previous Otago audit report had recommended that the university review its strategies to address gender imbalances "at all levels".

A series of measures had since been taken, including the establishment of a gender equity advisory committee, the panel noted.

Otago deputy vice-chancellor academic and international, Prof Vernon Squire, said the latest report showed that, under the leadership of former vice-chancellor Prof Sir David Skegg and now Prof Harlene Hayne, the university continued to perform well in all significant areas.

"It is hugely important to us that an independent group sees that we are achieving our goal to provide a high-quality learning environment for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and that we foster a collegial working environment for our staff," Prof Squire said.

The university had already dealt with some of the areas for improvement identified by the report, and other recommendations would be considered as the university revised its strategic plan, he said.

The audit panel noted that Otago University, established in 1869, was New Zealand's oldest university and enrolled about 22,000 students, 65% of them originating from outside Otago and Southland.

Otago University was also one of New Zealand's two largest research organisations, offering more than 190 qualifications.

The university had strong links with business, iwi, district health boards and community groups, and hosted more than 300 open lectures, community short courses and public seminars each year.

 


Recommendations
The academic audit report's 12 recommendations include:

• That the university determines which policies and processes are "sufficiently critical to meeting its objectives" that it must ensure "their common understanding and application".

• That the university reconsiders processes for departmental, programme and service reviews to ensure review reports and outcomes are reported to those bodies responsible for the academic quality of the university, with key information also going to Senate and the University Council.

• That the university develops "an overarching quality assurance framework" covering all quality assurance processes.

• That the university becomes "more proactive" in "closing the loop" after course and teaching evaluations and surveys, and ensuring resulting actions are communicated to students and staff.

• That closer attention be paid to ensure postgraduate distance-taught students receive "appropriate support" and "adequate supervisory interaction".

• That the university develop a system of strategic workforce planning whose focus includes recruitment of Maori and Pacific staff, as well as succession planning and staff support.

• That the university develop a generic set of principles and guidelines underpinning workload allocations and leading to "more apparent equity, transparency and consistency" across the university.

• The audit panel also commends the university for eight matters, including:The university's support for students, including induction and support services available to postgraduate students.

• The university's engagement with iwi and initiatives to support current and potential Maori students.

• The range of activities provided by the university's Higher Education Development Centre and the effectiveness of the university's head of department/senior leadership programme.


 

john.gibb@odt.co.nz

 

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