QAC releases CUHK Audit Report
The Quality Assurance Council (QAC) today (September 6) releases the Audit Report on the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
The Audit Report on CUHK presents the findings on the quality of student learning experience at CUHK. It is both a review and a forward-looking document. It confirms the quality of student learning experience provided at CUHK. It also sets forth directions for quality enhancement.
The Chairman of the QAC, Mr Philip Chen said, "I would like to congratulate the audit panel and CUHK on the successful completion of the quality audit. We look for continuous improvement. The conduct of a quality audit is only the first step for the University to fully reflect on its efforts in quality assurance and enhancement. Quality improvement is a continuous process, and there is no room for complacency."
"The QAC is pleased that CUHK, being a comprehensive research university, has devoted much effort to maintaining and enhancing a high- quality student learning experience in respect of the University's degree and above programmes. The success is underpinned by good quality assurance systems commended by the QAC. This signifies CUHK's fulfillment of its important role of ensuring quality teaching and learning for students", a QAC spokesman added.
In the light of the findings of the Audit Report, CUHK has given an Institutional Response which has been attached to the Audit Report. The University will submit a progress report in 18 months on its follow-up actions.
Background of the Quality Audit on CUHK
The quality audit on CUHK was undertaken by an Audit Panel appointed by the QAC. The Audit Panel is chaired by Professor Andrew Lister, and comprises Professor Graham Webb, Dr Malcolm McVicar, Professor Paul Lam, Professor T S Chan and Dr Anissa Chan. The Panel reviewed the Institution Submission, which was prepared by CUHK following a period of self-review. The Panel visited CUHK from April 21 to 25, 2008 to meet staff and students from across the faculties and colleges of CUHK. It also visited a number of external stakeholders such as local employers and graduates of CUHK. The Panel's findings are expressed as : commendations of good practices; affirmations which recognize improvements the institution is already making as a result of its self-review; and recommendations for improvement. The Panel's findings confirm that CUHK is providing a high quality student learning experience that reflects its mission and role statement, underpinned by good quality assurance systems. The University is pleased with the recommendations, based on which the quality of teaching and learning will be enhanced further. The full report (including CUHK's Institutional Response) can be found at http://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/qac/index.html.
Background of the QAC
The Quality Assurance Council (QAC) was established in April 2007 as a semi-autonomous non-statutory body under the aegis of the University Grants Committee (UGC).
The UGC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the quality of UGC-funded institutions and their activities. In view of institutional expansion of their activities and a growing public interest in quality issues, the QAC was established to assist the UGC in providing third-party oversight of the quality of the institutions' educational provision. The QAC aims to assist the UGC in assuring the quality of programmes (however funded) at first-degree level and above offered by UGC-funded institutions. The QAC fulfils this task primarily by undertaking periodic quality audits of the institutions.
***************
UGC Secretariat
September 6, 2008 (Saturday)