The committee briefly discussed the process of discussing new rules for study inactivity and maximum duration of studies at the next meeting.

Transcription

1 Meeting: 2 December Rector's Office conference room Meeting of the Education Committee Minutes Present: Berit Eika, Peder Østergaard, Tom Vindbæk Madsen, Marianne Ping Huang, Jan Ifversen, Liza Strandgaard, Kristian Thorn, Gitte Stavad Andersen and Julie Goodall Absent: Agenda: 1. Follow-up on the previous meeting Discussions 2. Theme: Partnerships with other educational institutions and sectors 3. The study progress reform follow-up on theme meeting in the senior management team 4. Degree programme resizing 5. The Expert Committee on Quality in Higher Education s second interim report 6. Latest study figures Briefing 7. Recruitment at theme meeting in the senior management team on 4 December 8. Messages, next meeting and strategy seminar in January 9. Any other business Julie Goodall Rector's Office Date: 18 November 2014 Page 1/5 1. Follow-up on the previous meeting Follow-up on theme discussion regarding inclusion: Berit Eika reported from the yearly seminar for the Academic Councils, where the management and committees were encouraged to involve the students more in our activities. This was followed by a round table session on the topic of how students are involved at the different faculties, as well as a discussion of methods that could increase involvement of different groups of students. The committee decided to postpone a discussion of methods that could potentially increase the visibility of the work being done in the committee. In relation to last meeting s decision to establish a Directors of Studies Forum and a yearly education fair, Peder Østergaard and Marianne Ping Huang were chosen as coordinators, respectively. Minor changes were added to the meeting minutes. The committee briefly discussed the process of discussing new rules for study inactivity and maximum duration of studies at the next meeting. Discussions 2. Theme: Partnerships with other educational institutions and sectors On the basis of the committee s desire to contribute to the overall educational system Senior Management Team Aarhus University Nordre Ringgade 1 DK-8000 Aarhus C Tel.: Fax: strategi@au.dk

2 through strategic partnerships with e.g. the upper secondary schools, university colleges and the primary and lower secondary school sector, our partnership relations were taken up for preliminary discussion. The discussion was based on the latest data/development in relation to these three areas and is meant to form the basis for any future strategic collaborations the committee enters into with them. The discussion was put into the context of the latest reforms (including the study progress reform, the resizing of degree programmes and the future upper secondary school reform) as well as the Expert Committee on Quality in Higher Education s second interim report from 24 November. Page 2/5 Partnership with the upper secondary school sector, including evaluation of Rector s Day on 12 November: The committee members agreed that the day had been a rewarding experience and that the different workshops had resulted in good discussions. The rectors are requesting one single point of access to AU as well as a more formal model for further and continuing education. The committee discussed the many transitions or connections that AU shares with the sector; from pupil to student, from student to upper secondary school teacher, and upper secondary school teachers becoming students again. In relation to the mathematics/physics/chemistry area, models for how AU can contribute to teaching material proved to be particularly exciting. Follow-up: Peder Østergaard will invite the steering committee to listen to the response from Rector s Day. The committee decided to appoint a working group to look at a joint point of entry and the collaboration with FE. The committee discussed which tasks to give the group and it was decided that Berit Eika will draw up a mandate proposal and that the vice-deans will find recommendations for members in the faculties. It was proposed for the group to share its chairmanship with the upper secondary school sector. On the general topic of upper secondary school, the committee discussed how AU can become better at treating that partnership as a whole particularly in connection with recruitment. Also in connection with the upcoming theme meeting about recruitment in the senior management team, the committee discussed the current recruitment situation and the challenges that AU experiences, including balancing increased differentiation with coherence and overlapping/competing initiatives. The government s upper secondary school proposal was also briefly discussed, but will be brought up again at a later time. The committee was unanimous about the importance of university representation in the upper secondary school boards, as well as the importance of AU coordinating the preparation of our representatives. Primary and lower secondary school: Berit Eika informed the meeting participants about the latest development in the treatment of Bertel Haarder s proposal for further

3 education for teachers, and the committee discussed a possible increase in focus on AU s FE offers for primary and secondary school teachers. Page 3/5 University colleges: On account of the Danish National Audit Office s pre-study on coherence, the committee had an initial discussion of AU s general view on the topic in relation to keeping abreast of a potential full investigation. The committee agreed to discuss the matter at length at a later time, taking into account the fact that AU and VIA are currently in the process of entering into a new cooperation agreement. 3. The study progress reform follow-up on theme meeting in the senior management team Berit Eika reported from the senior management team s theme discussion of the study progress reform, where the deans agreed that action plans for study-supporting activities should be made available at the faculties. The committee agreed that drafts of the action plans should be brought to the committee s strategy day in January, where the prioritisation of strategic funds will also be discussed. The committee agreed that the administrative support for the reform transition period is largely in place, and that we now need to ensure local support as well. In this context, it was proposed that the faculties should share their experiences and actions plans in order to ensure that good ideas are shared across the organisation. Some of the working groups are still active, but since the future discussions will mainly be of a theoretical nature, we need to figure out the practical issues at the individual faculties rather than wait for any central decisions to be made. The challenge here will be the matching of expectations the central quality team will provide sparring and support for the activities that the faculties decide to initiate. The team is in the process of collecting all of AU s interpretations of the ministerial orders concerning the study progress reform. This collection will serve as a dynamic information catalogue for the faculties and will be updated as we learn more about the implementation of the study progress reform. AU is keeping up well with all identified problems in the cross-university study progress reform group. A technical solution for the registration problem has been found, and a way of collecting more valid figures in relation to registration for exams is also being looked into. During the theme meeting in the senior management team, it was also discussed how AU can become more proactive on the political scene this is a topic that the committee will also discuss on the strategy day. 4. Degree programme resizing Kristian Thorn informed the meeting participants about the outcome of the negotiations with the ministry on 17 November a total reduction of 188 BA places, resulting in an overall cut at AU from 838 to 650. AU s report is based on the results of this ne-

4 gotiation and was submitted to the ministry on 1 December. We are now awaiting feedback from the ministry as well as the urgent enquiry in connection with the opposition s proposal. Page 4/5 5. The Expert Committee on Quality in Higher Education s second interim report The committee discussed the Expert Committee on Quality in Higher Education s second interim report, which so far has found little support in the press. It was agreed that while the problems identified in the report are recognisable and real, the recommended solutions have no basis. The committee reviewed the recommendations and in many cases agreed with the problem, but not with the specific solution. However, it is positive that focus is being placed on teaching development, recognition and employability, which are already significant elements in AU s strategy so we must use this opportunity to be open about AU s plans. The proposals for deregulation in the report are flanked by extensive control, and AU should therefore play an active part in coming up with proposals for deregulation since the control is to be expected in any case. In relation to the funding model, the discussion once again revolved around whether it is possible to come up with a system that is as simple as the existing one. The committee expressed its fears that the attempt could potentially turn into an expenditure cut in disguise. During the discussion of the proposal to abolish the body of external co-examiners, it was called into question whether the stated amount of money would actually be saved when alternative systems would have to be established, and whether the quality would really be assured in the same way if the system was more loose. The committee agreed to take a proactive approach and be vocal about the plans in the report that are consistent with our own strengths and plans, and at the same time be prepared to play an active role in the debate surrounding deregulation and the proposals we are opposed to. 6. Latest study figures drop-out rates and international students The committee discussed the latest study figures on first-year drop-out rates and exchange students. It was agreed that the model should be further developed to include a comparison between drop-out rates and other factors, since the new data can supplement the previous information. AU Studies Administration Support and Peder Østergaard will proceed with this project. The committee discussed the increased need to ensure a better match between applicant and degree programme in the light of the resizing of degree programmes, including the international area. Briefing 7. Recruitment at theme meeting in the senior management team on 4 December The matter was discussed during item 2.

5 8. Messages, next meeting and strategy seminar in January The committee briefly went through the draft agenda for the next meeting and discussed preliminary ideas for the strategy seminar programme in January. Page 5/5 9. Any other business Peder Østergaard briefly informed the meeting participants that the work being done on cheating and plagiarism in the working group is progressing according to plan. The working group is also looking into optimising the employment survey and incorporating an ongoing project at Arts. Kristian Thorn reported from the meeting with DAMVAD, which has been given access to data from Jobindex. On the basis of textual analyses of job advertisements, they will be able to measure which competences are most in demand. They are offering a pilot project at AU. The committee discussed the possibility of participating in the project, as well as the general advantages and disadvantages of studies done by external agents.