Third Party Academic Arrangements Policy

Third Party Academic Arrangements Policy

Responsible Officer / Provost
Approved by / Vice-Chancellor
Approved and commenced / Month, 2018 /
Review by / Month, 2020
Relevant Legislation, Ordinance, Rule and/or Governance Level Principle / Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Act
Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015
ESOS Act 2000 and subsequent amendments
ESOS Regulations
The National Code
National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011
Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015
Ordinance 13: Academic Senate
Responsible Organisational Unit / Academic Quality

CONTENTS

1Objective

2Scope

3Types of Collaborative Coursework Arrangements

3.1Credit Arrangements

3.2Double Degree and Dual Award Programs

3.4Student Mobility/Exchnage Programs

3.5Delivery of Courses and Units with Partners

4Underpinning Principles of Collaborative Coursework Arrangements

4.1Collaboration Partners

4.2International Partners

5Approval of Collaborative Coursework Arrangements

6Formal Agreements for Collaborative Coursework Arrangements

7Quality Assurance of Collaborative Coursework Arrangements

7.1Due Diligence, Compliance and Risk Management

7.2Monitoring and Review of Collaborative Coursework Arrangements

7.3Student Feedback and Grievances

7.4Notification Required by TEQSA

8Provision of Information

9Communication with Third Parties

10Marketing and Advertising Material

11Records Management

12Responsibilities

13Definitions and Acronyms

14Supporting Procedures

15Other Supporting Documentation

16Versioning

1Objective

This Policy outlines the principles to be followed when entering into formal collaborative relationships with third parties involved in delivering education services on behalf of the University in relation to any course leading to a University award.

More specifically, this Policyis designed to:

  • Enable, guide and support clear decision-making, accountability and responsibilities in the selection, development, implementation, monitoringand termination of third party arrangements
  • Ensure that the University is compliant with relevant legislation, regulations and standards.

2Scope

This Policyapplies to all Australian and international collaborative arrangements for all coursework and collaborative research training programs leading to a University of Tasmania award. It covers programsjointly delivered between the University of Tasmania and external providers at either University of Tasmania campuses or other delivery locations where such collaboration leads to a University of Tasmania accredited award.

ThisPolicycovers the provision of units, curriculum and coursework courses, higher degree research programs and associated support services.

This Policy should be read in conjunction with the Higher Degree by Research Third Party Arrangements Policy.

All University of Tasmania staff involved in the development and administration of these arrangements must apply this Policy.

This Policy does not apply to:

  • Formal arrangements at a University level involving student experiences across multiple courses, such as Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Formal agreements for student internships, placements, practicums or other forms of work-integrated learning.
  • Licencing of the University of Tasmania curriculum to other providers where it does not lead to a University accredited award.
  • Purchase of proprietary learning materials or software.

3Types of Third PartyCollaborative Arrangements

Collaborative arrangements may cover either delivery of collaborative coursework arrangements and/or research training.

Third Party Coursework Arrangementsinclude:

  • Articulation arrangements –advanced standing and credit transfer.
  • Delivery of courses and units within Australia (including online collaborations) with other education providers and organisations.
  • Transnational delivery of courses and units.
  • Double degree or dual award programs with partner education institutions.
  • Student mobility programs as part of dual and joint award programs.

Research training arrangements, see Higher Degrees by Research Third Party Arrangements Policy, include:

  • Joint Higher Degrees by Research
  • Higher Degree by Research Candidate internships, placements, practicums or other forms of work-integrated learning with Third parties
  • Co-supervision of Candidates by individual from Third Parties

Separate procedures that underpin this Policyare in place for coursework arrangements and for research training.

4Selection of Partners

Third parties should be selected based on: contribution to, and enhancement of, the University’s reputation; alignment to the University’s strategicpriorities; and contribution to enduring collaborative relationships.

The University must only enter into collaborative arrangements with reputable higher education providers and other reputable organisations.

Reputable higher education providers and reputable organisations are those with a demonstrated record of academic and/or research credibility where the collaboration will enhance the University of Tasmania’s reputation. It is expected that all providers will be recognised and registered in their respective country.

The University must consider the status, reputation and financial viability of a potential partner before entering into collaborative arrangements.

An assessment must be made of the:

  • Strategic purpose of the proposed collaboration
  • Partner reputation (including senior staff and shareholders)
  • Potentialimpact on the University’s existing partnerships
  • Quality assurance provisions for the arrangement
  • Partner resources, including human resources and infrastructure
  • Financial viability of the proposed collaboration
  • Financial viability of the proposed partner
  • Risk to students and to the University
  • Exit strategies.

Risks to thefinancial viability of the proposed third party arrangement should be thoroughly investigated and informed by due diligence processesincluding comprehensive financial, academic, resource and reputational risk assessment prior to any arrangement to enter into a partnership and formal agreements being considered.

The proposer of the third party arrangement is responsible for due diligence processes and the assessment and management of risk in relation to the proposed third party arrangement.

The proposing College or Division should scrutinise their proposals for both domestic and offshore academic arrangements and be satisfied that the due diligence processes undertaken evidence low risk priorto submission for consideration by University Quality and Standards Committee and approval by Academic Senate.

Before any agreement or contract with a third party is finalised, the University must be sure that it is able to certify to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency(TEQSA) that the arrangement with the third party concerned can meet all relevant requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards), 2015. Particular note should be taken ofTEQSA’s Guidance Note on Third Party Arrangements.

The University will only enter into student service arrangements with third parties when their service activities have been agreed to and a Contract of Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding is ratified and signed by the CEO or delegated authorised signatory of the partner.All third party agreements must be approved and signed before they are implemented.

4.1Approval of Collaboration Partners

At the undergraduate level, the University of Tasmania will only enter into an international collaborative coursework arrangement with another universityor higher education/tertiaryproviderofficially recognised and registered in that country.

At the graduate/postgraduate level, the University of Tasmania may enter into an international collaborative coursework or research trainingarrangement with either a university or other higher educationprovider.

For Australian collaborations, the University of Tasmania may enter into collaborative programdelivery with other universities, TAFEs,RTOs or approved higher education providers.

Exceptions to this policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be endorsed by the University Quality and Standards Committee (UQSC) for approval by Academic Senate.

5Third PartyAgreements

All delivery of University of Tasmania courses and units, in partnership with other education providers, must be supported by bothan initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that sets out the aims of the partnership and a formal legally binding third party agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). The MoAis designed to ensure that the University of Tasmania meets its obligations to its students and remains compliant with all relevant legislation.

The MoAmust ensure that University of Tasmaniaretains full oversight, quality assurance and control over academic matters, including selection and admission of students, the quality of teaching and assessment and moderation of students’ work.

Collegesand Divisions must submit theMoAto the UQSCoutlining the parameters of the proposed collaboration and the respective responsibilities of each partner.The agreement must be endorsed by the partner.

The MoA for all domestic and international collaborative arrangements for undergraduate or postgraduate coursework programs will be submitted to University Course and Unit Proposal Committee as part of the University’s course approval and amendment process. In the case of a new course, the MoA will form part of the new course proposal to University Course and Unit Proposals Committee. If the arrangement is proposed for an existing course, the MoA will form part of the proposal for significant amendment.

Domestic and Transnational research training agreements leading to a University of Tasmania award must be endorsed by the University Research Committee (URC) and be approved by Academic Senate.

The University is responsible for the regular and ongoing quality, monitoring and review of these arrangements.

5.1Collaborative Coursework Agreements

All third party collaborative coursework and research training arrangementsare subject to formal agreements setout in a Memorandum of Agreement. They should be developed in accordance with the agreed templates, with advice fromLegal Services, andin consultation with Academic Quality or the Research Division as appropriate. They should clarify/stipulate:

  • Theobjectivesofthearrangement.
  • Theresponsibilitiesofallparties.
  • Complianceoftheactivitiesthatarethesubjectoftheagreementwith relevantUniversitypolicies,proceduresandguidelinesandwiththeUniversityStrategic Plan.
  • Mechanismsenablingmonitoring,evaluationandqualitycontrolforthearrangement(includingtheuseofcomparativedataandappropriatemoderationprocesses)thatensuretheUniversityretainsresponsibility foracademicstandardsandqualityoftheoutcomesinvolved,andthattheexpectedstudentlearningoutcomesareequivalenttothoseforacoursedeliveredsolelybytheUniversity.
  • Staffingarrangements,includingrequiredqualificationsand/orprofessional experienceintherelevantdiscipline,induction,professionaldevelopmentandperformancemanagementresponsibilities.
  • Arrangements to uphold the University’s admission standards and appropriate standardsofstudent supportservices,asapplicable.
  • Studentgrievanceprocessestobefollowed.
  • Academic misconduct processes and promotion of academic integrity and honesty.
  • Studentcommunicationprocesses.
  • Studentand stakeholderfeedbackmechanismsanduseoffeedback.
  • Teachoutresponsibilities,shouldthecoursebediscontinued or the partnership cease.
  • Appropriatearrangementstoensurethatobligationstothestudentsand theUniversityareprotectedshouldapartnerorganisationceasetooperate.
  • Arrangementsfortheregularreviewofagreements,includingperformancemeasures.
  • Financial provisions,asapplicable.
  • Terminationprovisions.

All MoAs must be approved and signed before they are implemented.

5Quality Assurance of Delivery

All students enrolled in a University of Tasmania program are entitled to the same rights and responsibilities regardless of delivery arrangements for, and location of, the program.

Academic standards and learning outcomes of University of Tasmania courses and programs delivered through a third party arrangement must be comparable to those provided directly by the University that do not involve third party collaborative arrangements.

The University of Tasmania has ultimate responsibility for the quality of its programs and has sole academic control over its own degrees and awards and this is exercised through:selection and admission; granting of credit; teachingquality and standards and assessment of its own units.

All University of Tasmania policies, procedures and guidelines related to teaching, learning, courses, programs and student support apply to the delivery of all programs leading to a University of Tasmania award. All agreements for coursework program delivery with a third party must operate in accordance with the University’s course quality assurance procedures.

All arrangements with a third party must include a schedule of periodic reviews/audits, agreed by the University and the third party.

Where there are international students on student visas accepted or studying in a program delivered by a third party, any changes to the arrangements with the third party must be approved by TEQSA prior to the changes being made.

7Third Party Arrangements

7.1Articulation Arrangements

Articulation arrangements enable students to progress from a completed, or partiallycompleted, qualification at a partner institution to the University of Tasmania with admission and normallycredit and advanced standing into a defined qualification pathway.

Formal Articulation arrangements provide students from a partner institution with agreed and consistent granting of credit for components of a University qualification based on identified equivalence in content and learning outcomes between two, or more, qualifications.

With such arrangements, the division of time spent between University of Tasmania and the partner may be described by such labels as ‘1+2', ‘2+1', ‘2+2' or ‘3+1’ etc.

Colleges are responsible for negotiating articulation and credit transfer agreements with other education providers. Such arrangements must comply with University credit regulations, credit policy and procedures.

All articulation arrangements, whether with Australian or non-Australian education providers, will be endorsed by the University Quality and Standards Committee (UQSC) and approved by Academic Senate. They willbe recorded on a central register of articulation agreements.

7.2Joint Degree and Dual Award Programs

In accordance with the University’s Joint Coursework Awards Policyand Joint Coursework Awards Procedure Collegesmay enter into arrangements with other institutions to offer coursework based awards with jointly badged testamurs. Normally a minimum of 25% of the total courseis expected to be delivered at any one institution. Council will consider an application for a joint award on receipt of a recommendation from Academic Senate.

The University may enter into an arrangement with a partner institution for the joint administration and award of a doctoral research degree under which the Candidate is enrolled, supervised and examined by both institutions. Joint Higher Degrees by Research will be established in accordance with the Higher Degree by Research Third Party Arrangements Policyand theJoint Higher Degrees by Research Procedure.

7.3Student Mobility/Exchange Programs

The University of Tasmaniawill only enter into an Exchange Partner relationship where the proposed exchange partner university is appropriately recognised in its country of origin.

Proposals for student mobility programs must ensure that there are clear academic benefits to be derived by students from study at another institution. Such proposals will normally includecredit transfer arrangements and/or be part of a dual or joint degree program.

A Memorandum of Understanding must be prepared between the University and the proposed exchange partner university.

7.4Coursework Programs delivered in whole or part by a Third Party

The following principles and requirements support an arrangement with a Third Party provider to deliver part or all of University coursework programs:

Collaborative coursework arrangements that lead to a University of Tasmania award must result in programs that are of a comparable standard and quality to the University's other academic programs.

Where collaborative coursework arrangements involve the delivery of aprogram at a physical location other than a University of Tasmania campus or centre (e.g., transnational delivery), the facilities, resources, staffing and support services must be assessed prior to any agreement being submitted for approval.

A designated University of Tasmania representative must view and approve the facilities as appropriately located, suitable and safe, and assess the suitability of support services (premises, administrative support, teaching and learning resources, library and information technology facilities) as comparable to University of Tasmania standards.

Assessment of the qualifications and capability of staff in the partner organisation together with the partner’s staff development provision and arrangements for the support of scholarship and research must be undertaken prior to any proposal that the partner deliver all or part of the proposed award.

The University must ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure that obligations to the students and the University of Tasmaniaare protected should a partner organisation cease to operate.

7.4Research Training Programs

Arrangements are in accordance with the University’s Higher Degree by Research Third Party Arrangements Policy and Joint Higher Degrees by Research Procedure.

8Approval

The delivery of any aspect of a proposed higher education course through third party arrangements is subject to approval through the University’s regular course, and higher degree approval processes.

In the case of proposed third party delivery arrangements for existing courseworkcourses, approval is through the significant course amendment process or discontinuation process as appropriate. Both processes are outlined in the University’sCourse and Unit Approval Procedures.

The delivery of the University’s academic programs by, or in joint delivery with, third parties offshore must be approved in accordance with the provisions of the Third Party Arrangement Checklist.

9Quality Assurance

9.1Monitoring and Review

Agreements and contracts for third party arrangements should include clauses providing for monitoring and review of those arrangements against the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework 2015to ensure that the arrangements continue to be adequate for their intended purposes.This may include, for example, site visits, review of teaching and resources and approval ofchanges to the teaching team.

UQSCisresponsibleforverifyingtheextenttowhichthirdpartycollaborativehighereducationarrangementsareappropriatetoensurethatUniversitystandardsof thecoursewillbeupheldandwill makesrecommendationstoAcademicSenate accordingly,aspart ofconsideringproposalsforapproval,amendment,ordiscontinuation of partnerships.

Monitoring and review processes should be used to inform decisions for the continuation or amendment of such arrangements.At the end of each academic year, the person responsible for liaising with the third party will prepare a report whichwill feedinto annual quality assurance arrangements.Where a partnership is of more than two years duration provision for interim review arrangements should be incorporated as an integral aspect of the Third Party Agreement.

On the basis of annual quality assurance reports and interim reviews, decision will be made as to whether to:continue the arrangement in line with the Memoranda of Agreement; extend the third party’s Agreement with the University(if the current time line of the contract has ended);take anycorrective action as necessary prior to continuing or extending the Contract of Agreement; or terminate the agreement.

9.2Student Feedback and Grievances

All students enrolledthrough collaborative arrangementswill be expected to participate in evaluation surveys in accordance with the University’s Survey Policy and eVALUate Procedure, as appropriate

Students studying through Third Party Arrangements will be subject to the University’s ordinances, policies and procedures in terms of complaints, and general and academic misconduct. All Third Party Arrangements must ensure that there is adequate provision of information to students about all applicable Universitypolicies and procedures

9.3Notification Required by TEQSA

TEQSA requires that a Higher Education Provider (HEP) notify it of any partnership arrangements that potentially impact on the Provider’s ability to meet the Higher Education Standards Framework 2015. Such partnerships include the joint offering of programs and arrangements where a third party delivers part, or all, of a University of Tasmania program.