ulster.ac.uk A Revalidation Unit Co-ordinator’s Perspective Dr V. Naughton School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Life & Health Sciences (October 2015)

Revalidation Unit Coordinator Main duties: Appendix 49 PROGRAMME APPROVAL, MANAGEMENT AND REVIEW HANDBOOK (PAMR July 2015, p.128) To consult with the Dean regarding completion of re-validation preparation form (CA6) and its return to Academic Office. To liaise with the Subject Team, Heads of School, Course/Subject Directors, Module Co-ordinators and other teaching staff of the University and external institutions regarding planning, preparation and arrangements for the re-validation event. To liaise with the Academic Office regarding joint validation arrangements and requirements. With the approval of the Dean, to liaise with Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRB(s)) regarding joint validation arrangements and requirements. To support arrangements for site visits through liaison with the Academic Office, Information Services, external panel members and Faculty Head of Collaborative Courses and other staff as appropriate and to co-ordinate the programme for these visits. To co-ordinate the preparation and submission of the requisite documentation for consideration by the re-validation panel. To co-ordinate the Faculty’s response to the re-validation panel’s report and provision of final documentation for approval.

Revalidation Unit Coordinator Tasks (1) Prep/submit (to the AO) re-validation preparation form CA6 – select/nominate external members of the revalidation panel – decide on duration of the revalidation meeting e.g. half vs. full day – get approvals (Head of School/Dean) Plus, if applicable – new proposals - CA1 – course withdrawal – CA5

Revalidation Unit Coordinator Tasks (2) Get conversant/review/reflect on the reference documents – University L&T Strategy, Aide memoire for Evaluation and Revalidation (PAMR), QAA benchmark(s), EE reports, PSRB requirements (if applicable) Establish key points that need to be addressed – e.g.: course aims/learning objective/etc.; assessment and feedback; graduate qualities; employability (EDORT), etc. Discuss/agree the key points/developments/changes with the subject team/other key staff (e.g. Library)/students – plan/organise meetings; schedule/delegate tasks; get/distribute reference documents and current templates (CV, module descriptors etc.); keep minutes/notes “The primary purpose of revalidation is the re-affirmation of the standards set for the awards and the courses and/or subjects within the unit and their continuing currency and relevance to the University’s objects.” (PAMR, p.11) “The primary purpose of revalidation is the re-affirmation of the standards set for the awards and the courses and/or subjects within the unit and their continuing currency and relevance to the University’s objects.” (PAMR, p.11)

Revalidation Unit Coordinator Tasks (3) Prep/submit documentation for Faculty event – get key staff to attend Faculty event Implement changes to documentation after Faculty event – DIY or delegate Final event – submit required documentation and have ready any additional docs that the panel may wish to see (e.g. course/placement handbooks) – schedule and organise the event in cooperation with the AO (visit to Library?, access to VLE- if you have DL programme? etc.) – inform ALL parties involved about DATE/time/schedule of the event/send reminders… – organise team briefing prior to final event (get panel members’ reports and agree team responses: how to address/who will respond etc.) The team must be prepared for the event (during the event direct questions to members of the team – do not attempt to answer all questions yourself)

Revalidation Unit Coordinator Tasks (3) After the event Prep/submit to the AO formal response to the panel’s conditions and recommendations – if appropriate, indicate where in the programme document changes have been made Coordinate/ implement changes to documentation according to the AO comments – make changes in the document; also make separate list indicating where in the document changes have been made Final version must be approved by HoS/Dean and submitted to the AO (electronically via CMS and hard copy printed from CMS ) – normally you will have three months to complete this task YOUR WORK IS DONE WHEN THE CHAIR OF THE REVALIDATION PANEL SIGNS THE FINAL DOCUMENT

Context REVALIDATION UNIT : 3A Biosciences (UG) Timeline Work Started 6 Jan 2014 Faculty event11 Sept 2014 Main event 4 November 2014 Revalidation document signed off 6 May 2015 Numerous meetings (formal and less formal) ~600 s sent plus more short messages

Revalidation Unit Coordinator Challenges Templates not adhered to Conflicts Technical problems Limited administrative support Motivating colleagues Challenges Late/no submission of information Time

Thank you for your attention Questions? Please note that I’ll talk about revalidation documentation during my next presentation.