1. Engaging with the Enhancement Themes: Heriot-Watt University Visit of South African DVCs September 2015 Professor John W Sawkins Deputy Principal (Learning and Teaching) Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh

2. Engaging with Enhancement Themes  Engaging with Enhancement Themes  Heriot-Watt University  Context  Case Studies

3. Heriot-Watt University Context  HWU Context  5 campus locations (Scotland, Dubai, Malaysia)  Approved Learning Partners (50 universities and college Partners, in 30 different countries - 9,000 students)  Independent Distance Learners (MBA, PG provision > 10,000 students)  HWU degree programmes delivered in 150 countries world- wide  HWU examinations (2013/14) – Organised by our International Centre for Examinations exams held in 495 locations around the world

4. Strategic Approach to Quality Enhancement Learning and Teaching Strategy  Vision  Four Strategic Objectives  Four Organisational Enablers

5. Why we value Enhancement Themes….  Encourages institutions to be aspirational in terms of the student experience rather than only meeting threshold standards  Encourages experimentation / carefully calibrated risk taking

6. Why we value Enhancement Themes…  Enhancement embeds an expectation of continual improvement  But this is driven by the institution as it operates within its own strategic planning framework, with its own student body and set of resources  Note that Enhancement is best assessed in the particular and in the context in which the associated initiative arose

7. Heriot-Watt’s Approach  Enhancement Theme funding ~ £11K  HWU Schools match this funding to double the size of the pot of money available  Formal ‘call’ for projects, and formal application process  Managed through our Centre for Academic Leadership and Development

8. Institutional Project Call The Application Call for the QAA/HWU Enhancement Theme Fund October, 2014 Proposals must:  address the theme of Student Transitions  support institutional & School L&T strategies & implementation plans

9. Institutional Peer-review Proposals then reviewed by a HWU panel for how well they meet specific criteria:  Thematic relevance and aims  Innovation  Impact and dissemination

10. Sample outcomes to date: The Illusion of Memory  Presentation at Scottish Parliament  Collaboration across 2 Schools and campuses  Collaboration with textile industry partner  Engagement with Alzheimer’s Scotland  Discussion of future collaboration with colleagues at the Dementia Service Development Centre, University of Stirling  Engagement with the Design Adviser for Health at A+DS (Architecture + Design Scotland);  Production of a booklet published online

11. Sample outcomes to date: Designing ‘Live’  Students from colleges have applied and been interviewed for direct entry to Heriot-Watt  HWU Staff have improved contacts with feeder colleges  Collaboration with Edinburgh Napier and Edinburgh College of Art  ALL students were highly motivated by the presence of industry members

12. Sample outcomes to date: Designing ‘Live’ YouTube film that shows the stages for the project : https://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=99CNRV Jg16g&feature=youtu. be://www.youtube.c om/watch?v=99CNRV Jg16g&feature=youtu. be

13. Sample outcomes to date : Computer Games Industry Application Portfolios  Students develop a portfolio showcasing key techniques (physics, collision, graphics) within the context of a full playable game to support transition to employment  Project has produced successful industry liaison  Gameplay prototype, complete game design, development of course material including industry portfolio

14. Onwards with 2015-16 call….