Summary of group discussion

• Uncertain discussion at first because the format/objective of the next TLQPR exercise is unknown. The Group then made the following assumptions in order to facilitate a fruitful discussion:

  The next TLQPR exercise will be:

  1. a process review rather than an assessment of outcome;
  2. more formative rather than judgemental;
  3. more focused than the previous one.



• Site visits essential because they

  1. facilitate extensive discussions with staff/students;
  2. obviate the need for very lengthy documentation;
  3. help reflect a more correct picture.



• How many visits?

  • Have explored the following possibilities:

    1. one site visit by a big panel;
    2. more than one visit by a big panel;
    3. one formal visit complemented by less structured mini-visits over a confined period.
  
  

  • Conclusion: prefer one visit by a large panel.

• Visits to units?

  • Visiting individual units necessary to see the extent to which the institutional processes permeate down to the "grass root" level.

  • Academic support units should also be visited in addition to academic units.

  • Should meet staff and also students associated with these units.

  • UGC should consult the institution with regard to the units to be visited.

  • Objectives of unit visits should be clearly specified and conveyed to units prior to the visits.

  • Unit names should be disclosed in the unit-level reports but this should not read like a departmental assessment report.

• Length of visit

  • No strong views.

  • Should be long enough to gain a correct understanding(Thus, two days may be better than one-and-a half; lengthening the meetings with individual units is desirable.)

  • More focused discussion would help improve the use of time; repetition of what has been provided in the documentation should be avoided.

Prof. M. S. Demokan(PolyU)
Facilitator