QAC releases HKBU Audit Report
The Quality Assurance Council (QAC) today (September 15) releases the Audit Report on the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU).
The Audit Report on HKBU presents the findings on the quality of student learning experience at HKBU. The findings confirm that HKBU is achieving its goal of providing undergraduate students with a liberal, holistic education through the concept of Whole Person Education; and that this ethos, which is delivered in a caring and supportive environment, is clearly appreciated by students. There are examples of good practices at the local level which can be used to enhance the quality of the student learning experience by the more systematic co-ordination and embedding of processes throughout the institution. The University's quality assurance systems and the quality of teaching and learning will be enhanced further by the implementation of the QAC's recommendations.
The Chairman of the QAC, Mr Philip Chen said, "I would like to thank the Audit Panel and HKBU on the successful completion of the quality audit. The Report has identified a number of good practices within the University. I am confident that the University will build on its strengths and make continuous improvements for the benefit of its students."
In the light of the findings of the Audit Report, HKBU has given an Institutional Response which was attached to the Audit Report. The University has agreed to submit a preliminary plan within 6 months on its follow-up actions.
Background of the Quality Audit on HKBU
The quality audit on HKBU was undertaken by an Audit Panel appointed by the QAC. The Audit Panel was chaired by Professor Hilary Winchester and comprised Professor Arthur Mak, Professor Diana Mak, Emeritus Professor Gareth Roberts, and Professor Andrew Walder. The Panel reviewed the Institution Submission, which was prepared by HKBU following a period of self-review. The Panel visited HKBU from 19 to 22 January, 2009 to meet staff and students from across the University. It also visited a number of external stakeholders such as local employers and graduates of the HKBU. 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 HKBU achieves its goal of providing undergraduate students with a liberal, holistic education through the concept of Whole Person Education; and that this ethos, which is delivered in a caring and supportive environment, is clearly appreciated by students. The University is appreciative of the collaborative effort with the Panel to bring about continuous improvement, and the institution will seriously consider the Panel's recommendations and take follow-up actions. The full report (including HKBU'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 15, 2009 (Tuesday)