CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

An external review of the BSc LES-stream majors, Biochemistry, Cellular Biology, Ecology, Genetics, Biology and Microbiology in the School of Life Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science will be held from the 9^th to the12th of October 2018.

The purpose of the review of the majors in the general three-year degree programme is to provide Colleges with data that may be used to enhance teaching and learning, thereby improving student performance in the undergraduate programmes. Since the undergraduate students in degree programmes constitute the largest proportion of students in the University, their progression and performance significantly impacts the University. The review will further provide information on good practice and areas of improvement that will enhance teaching and learning of the majors.

A panel has been appointed to carry out this review, the members of which are all external to the School of Life Sciences. There is a wealth of expertise and experience among the members of the panel, as well as a variety of perspectives. It is the task of the panel to collect information and to listen to the views of members of staff and other key stakeholders, which will assist them in providing sound and considered advice on the issues at hand.

While the task of review panels is to provide commendations as well as  recommendations on improving quality in units/programmes  that are under review, in this instance the panel has been asked particularly to consider the areas outlined in the terms of reference (refer to the accompanying documentation). The recommendations made by the panel are intended to guide the decision-making processes. Above all, an external review provides an opportunity for reflection, for expressing views and making suggestions.

To assist the panel in this task, you are invited to forward a SHORT submission (not more than two pages), which outlines your concerns or comments in any of the areas listed in the Terms of Reference. The questions you should consider when writing your submission are: “What are the challenges from my perspective, and what is my suggested solution?”  Or “What is working really well, and why?”  It will be helpful for the panel if you are as specific and concise as possible. Your submission will be confidential. Should you have any other documentation such as statistics, reports, etc. which may be helpful to the panel in its deliberations please forward these as well.

Please forward all documentation to:                                                                             

 Michèle Stears

Quality Promotion and Assurance
Innovation Centre

Rick Turner Road

Howard College Campus

University of KwaZulu-Natal
Durban
(031) 260 8031 Tel
(031) 260 1056 fax

e-mail: stearsm1@ukzn.ac.za

The due date is 2 October 2018

The panel will be conducting interviews from 9-12 October 2018.An interview schedule of key stakeholders is being drawn up by the Quality Promotion and Assurance Unit.  If you wish to be interviewed, kindly inform Michèle Stears as soon as possible. Due to time constraints some interviews may need to be conducted in groups of about 3 – 5 individuals.

Terms of Reference

The review panel will be required, through the validation of the self-evaluation report, interviews, site visits and document analysis to consider the Terms of Reference set out below. The review will be conducted in accordance with the Policy for Quality Promotions and Assurance (QPA) and the QPA Principles and Procedures for Quality Reviews. The review will be led by panel members made up of a Chair (internal to the University from another College), a member of staff from another School within the College and experts in the field external to the University.

Within twelve months after approval of the quality review report, an improvement plan will be tabled by the line manager at the relevant College Academic Affairs Board (CAAB). The CAAB is responsible for monitoring the improvement plan.

 TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR MAJORS