Protocols, Protocols The New Governance in Higher Education

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Protocols, ProtocolsThe New Governance in Higher
Education
Sian Lewis
30 March 2007
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Todays discussion

• National Protocols for Higher Education Approval
  Processes
• National Governance Protocols for Higher
  Education Providers

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National Protocols for Higher Education Approval
Processes

• What are they?
• Agreement between Commonwealth, State Territory
  Governments to regulate consistently all HE
  providers in system
• What is their purpose?
• To ensure consistent criteria and standards
  across Australia in relation to
• recognition of Australian universities and other
  self-accrediting providers
• operation of overseas universities in Australia
• accreditation of higher education courses to be
  offered by non self-accrediting providers

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National Protocols for Higher Education Approval
Processes

• Critically important in
• maintaining quality and international reputation
  of Australian higher education
• protecting interests of higher education students
• The Protocols have a strong impact on the
  characteristics and diversity of the Australian
  higher education system.

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The Revised National Protocols

• Revised in 2006 for implementation by end of 2007
• Protocol A Over-arching framework
• Protocol B Non self-accrediting higher education
  institutions
• Protocol C Awarding self-accrediting authority
  to Higher Education institutions
• Protocol D Australian universities
• Protocol E Overseas Higher Education
  institutions seeking to operate in Australia

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Protocol A Overarching Framework

• Sets out nationally agreed criteria and approval
  processes for all Higher Education institutions
• Articulates higher education purpose that
  includes commitment to free inquiry in academic
  endeavours
• Teaching and learning that engage with advanced
  knowledge and inquiry
• Academic staff active in scholarship that informs
  teaching and in research if engaged in research
  student supervision

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Protocol A contd

• Governance, quality assurance, resources and
  staffing are sound and in line with institutions
  goal
• Australian awards comply with the AQF
• Support infrastructure to support student
  learning
• Protection for students in the event of closure
  of provider or courses

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Protocols B E

• Set out additional requirements for different
  institution types
• Accreditation/Registration of Higher Education
  courses by non self-accrediting institutions
  (Protocol B)
• Self-accrediting authority (non-universities)
  (Protocol C)
• Australian universities (Protocol D)
• Overseas higher education institutions (Protocol
  E)

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Commencement and next steps

• New Protocols come into effect by the end of 2007
• Development of National Guidelines supporting
  Protocols is underway for mid year signoff

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Implications existing universities

• Institutional strategic planning and positioning
• Entry and exit of providers of higher education
• Consolidation
• Competition
• Changed quality assurance arrangements
• AUQA audits

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National Governance Protocols

• Linked to additional funding through the Higher
  Education Support Act 2003 (Cwlth)
• 11 Protocols which prescribe requirements in
  relation to the structure, membership, processes
  and activities of universities governing bodies
• Currently under review, with expected changes
  known by end of 2007 and legislative changes
  during 2008, to take effect 2009.

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Summary of Governance Protocols

• Protocol 1 University objectives specified in
  legislation
• Protocol 2 Governing Body must adopt a
  statement of its primary responsibilities
• Protocol 3 Duties and sanctions for breaches of
  duties specified in legislation
• Protocol 4 A programme of induction and
  professional development for members, with
  assessment at regular intervals
• Protocol 5 Size of governing body must not
  exceed 22 members (at least two with financial
  and commercial expertise)

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Summary of Governance Protocols

• Protocol 6 Systematic procedures for the
  nomination of prospective members
• Protocol 7 Codified internal grievance
  procedures
• Protocol 8 Annual reporting on high level
  outcomes
• Protocol 9 Annual reporting on risk management
• Protocol 10 Governing body to oversee controlled
  entities
• Protocol 11 Assessment of the risk arising from
  part ownership of any entity

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MCEETYA- commissioned review

• Assess Impact of Protocols
• (on organisational sustainability culture and
  operations and performance)
• Examine Scope for Enhancement
• (stronger fiduciary responsibilities of members
  need to further revise role/composition/terms of
  office of governing bodies )

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Process for MCEETYA review

• JCHE Steering Committee, in consultation with
  AVCC and UCC
• Issues paper to be released
• Stakeholders will comment in writing and be able
  discuss at a seminar/s
• Report to be drafted for MCEETYA consideration

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Issues raised by Cwlth Minister

• Remuneration of University Governors
• Asset Management
• Information and Key Performance Indicators
• Governing Body Secretariats
• Size of Governing Bodies
• Mission Diversity
• Chancellor's Role
• Accountability, Regulation and De-regulation

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Implications/issues

• Is a one size fits all governance Protocol
  desirable, assuming a Protocol is desirable at
  all?
• Should compliance with the Protocol be linked to
  funding?
• Is good governance assured by a smaller
  University Council, or a membership without
  stakeholders?
• Will remuneration of Council members help ensure
  good governance?
• Do the Protocols need clarification, elaboration,
  or have unintended consequences?
• Do Protocols help or hinder changes in governance
  culture?