Preparing Institutions for Self- Assessment INQAAHE 2009 Professor Hilary Winchester

Aims and objectives of the workshop This workshop consists of three parts:  Strategies for assessing institutional readiness in relation to the University’s mission.  Engaging the institution. A university’s preparation for self-review is seen as a process of cultural change.  Towards an institutional self-assessment checklist.

Strategies for assessing institutional readiness Institutional readiness must be viewed in relation to the University’s mission 3 strands:  Mission  Trajectory  Benchmarking

Engaging the Institution  What are the accountabilities, structures and policies to make this happen?  Who are the champions and key stakeholders?  What is the communication strategy? Institutional readiness is a process of cultural change

Towards a self-assessment checklist The themes and expectations of three national audit bodies are included in this booklet as appendices.  Appendix 1 - Hong Kong  Appendix 2 - the Kingdom of Bahrain  Appendix 3 – Australia

The importance of self-assessment Self-assessment a key aspect of quality audit  Self assessment can be in many forms  Critical to understand the University’s mission  Mission defines the ‘Approach’ of the ADRI cycle

University missions  Learning and teaching, research  Professional graduates  Regional engagement  Knowledge transfer  International  Student-focussed  Social justice  Diversity  Educating the whole person

Part 1 exercises Tasks 1 and 2: The University’s mission and its approach to QA/QI Table introductions Chair and reporter per table Each table is allocated one university and may choose one other In Task 1, analyse the mission In Task 2, analyse how the mission may define the University’s approach to key University activities

Report back – Tasks 1 and 2 University B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I has as key elements to its mission which we would expect to see reflected particularly in its approach to through

University performance Tasks 3 and 4: the University’s performance, its trajectory and benchmarking  Tables may change Chair and Reporter  Retain the two Universities you have already dealt with  Assume the data on page 9 relate first to your allocated university, then your chosen one  In Task 3, assess how the University is travelling in relation to its mission(s)  In Task 4, assess how the University is faring in relation to its comparator institutions

Report back –Summative 3 and 4 University B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I (which has.... as its mission) Is doing well on.... Is lagging in.... Is early/middle/late in its trajectory Compared to its peers is doing well on..... And lagging in Key action items are....

Break

Engaging the Institution Institutional readiness is a process of cultural change  Identifying champions  Finding quick wins  Communicating successes  Engaging academic staff  Naturalising change

Engaging the Institution  What are the accountabilities, structures and policies to make this happen?  Who are the champions and key stakeholders?  What is the communication strategy?

Understanding the task ahead A continuum between compliance and cultural change At one extreme, compliance with codes, guidelines and schedules Concern with processes rather than outcomes At other extreme, an opportunity to drive change

Part 2 exercises Tasks 5 - 7: Identifying accountabilities, and structures, policies and key stakeholders to move them forward  Move tables or change Chair and Reporter  In Task 5, identify accountabilities and structures to carry forward the identified actions  In Task 6, identify key stakeholders  In Task 7, identify appropriate communication strategies

Report back – Tasks 5-7  Accountabilities  Structures/Committees  Policies  Approval mechanisms  Champions  Stakeholders  Communication strategies  Engaging the academy

Part 1 Mission/Trajectory/Benchmarking Part 2 Accountabilities/Structures/Policies Champions/Stakeholders/Communication Strategy Part 3 Using and adapting national checklists and frameworks appropriate to the University’s mission and stage of development A self-assessment checklist

Final comments Key take-away message – QA is what is appropriate for a University’s mission and QI will help it along its chosen path. Best wishes for preparing your institution for self review and enjoy INQAAHE