Academic Board Digest

A summary of the Academic Board meeting held on 16 February 2023 is detailed below.

Chair of Academic Board’s update

Academic Board:

• noted and discussed the meeting arrangements for 2023
• noted and discussed the TEQSA Communications relating to artificial intelligence
• noted the update on chairing arrangements for the Courses and Academic Quality Committee
• noted the process and schedule for the election of the Deputy Chair, Academic Board
• approved the nominees for award of University Medals and University Honours Medals; Executive Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence; and Minimum Medals Mark for 2023.

Vice-Chancellor and President’s (VCP) update

The VCP updated members on the following matters:

• acknowledged the financial challenges the university was currently facing, and the work required for a sustainable future for ACU
• acknowledged the work of Professor Mary Ryan, FEA Executive Dean, and her team to secure STEM funding from the NSW Government
• congratulated Associate Professor Laura Miller (Occupational Therapy) and her team from the School of Allied Health for leading the consortium in successfully securing $6.9 million in funding from the Australian Department of Social Services to deliver ENVISAGE, an evidence-based program to support families raising children with a developmental concern or disability, across all states and territories in Australia
• provided an update on partnerships
• highlighted the continued growth in the online space
• noted the support for the strategic plan
• highlighted the university’s focus on how to better acquire and retain international students.

Provost’s update

The Interim Provost reported on:

• the efforts to date of the Recovery Transition Program
• the refocusing of the ACU Online course portfolio within the context of a review of 2022 performance and the recovery transition
• promotion of honours scholarships with 20 students enrolled across the disciplines
• the admission and enrolment process for 2023.

Pro-Vice Chancellor, Global and Education Pathways update

The Pro-Vice Chancellor, Global and Education Pathways update reported on:

• International load

• the consequences for international students in the online learning space

• the Business School’s study tours to Malaysia and India

• the creation of new entities including the business plan for Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy (ACAL).

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise update

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise, reported on:

• the Research Performance Report. 

Vice-President update

The Vice-President reported on:

• the review of the design, functioning and effectiveness of community engagement units at ACU.

Presentations

Academic Board:

• noted and discussed the progress of the Academic Timeline initiative and approved the proposed Governing Framework
• endorsed the proposal to establish the ACU Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy (ACAL) and referred the matter to Senate for approval.

Reporting committees

1. Courses and Academic Quality Committee (CAQC)

Academic Board:

• noted the report of the Chair of the Courses and Academic Quality Committee (CAQC), dated January 2023
• approved the proposal to discontinue the:
  
  • Master of Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental Management
  • Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental Management
  • Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health, Safety, and Environmental Management currently on offer via Open Universities Australia, with effect from Semester 1 2023, as detailed in CMAS proposal PR000481
• approved the recommendations of the course review of the Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Philosophy and the consequential changes to the:
  
  • Bachelor of Theology
  • Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Laws
  • Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Global Studies for implementation effective from Semester 1 2024, as detailed in CMAS proposal PR000470
• noted the 2023 Faculty Proposals Submission Schedules from all faculties
• noted the minutes.

2. Student Administrative Lifecycle and Policy Committee

Academic Board:

• noted the SALPC Chair’s report.

3. University Learning and Teaching Committee

Academic Board:

• approved the revised Assessment Policy and Procedures, and Guidelines for Assessment of Research in Coursework Programs, effective 31 July 2023
• approved the adoption of internal benchmarks, as recommended by ULTC
• noted the minutes.

4. Faculty Boards

Academic Board noted minutes and updates.