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Quality Assurance Council releases Audit Report on sub-degree operations of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Quality Assurance Council (QAC) today (June 12) released the Audit Report on the sub-degree operations of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).

The Audit Report presents the findings on the quality of learning at the sub-degree providing units (SDPUs) of PolyU. The Chairman of the QAC, Mr Lincoln Leong, said, "The QAC is pleased that the Audit Panel concludes that the University's sub-degree provision reflects its strategic priorities and mission. Whether within the University proper or its College of Professional and Continuing Education, there is sound governance, management and quality assurance of sub-degree programmes. There is also consistency in the application of quality assurance policies and procedures."

The QAC is pleased with the quality of educational provision at the SDPUs of PolyU. The University's efforts in various areas are commended as positive features in the Audit Report. These include PolyU's provision of high-quality physical learning and e-learning environments, as well as the wide range of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and services oriented to personal and career development.

The full report (with PolyU's Institutional Response attached) has been uploaded to the website of the University Grants Committee (UGC) (www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/qac/about/term/publications/report.html).

PolyU has agreed to submit a progress report within 18 months on its follow-up actions.

Background of the quality audit on sub-degree operations of PolyU
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The quality audit on the sub-degree operations of PolyU was undertaken by an Audit Panel appointed by the QAC. The Audit Panel was chaired by Professor Denis Wright, and members included Dr Ella Chan, Professor Mark Davies, Mr Ian Marshman and Professor Ricky Wong. The Panel reviewed the Institutional Submission, which was prepared by PolyU following a period of self-study, and visited PolyU from October 23 to 25, 2018, to meet with its staff and students. It also met with a number of external stakeholders, such as local employers and graduates of PolyU sub-degree programmes.

Background of the QAC and its auditing activities
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The QAC was established in April 2007 as a semi-autonomous non-statutory body under the aegis of the UGC. The UGC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the quality of the UGC-funded universities and their activities. In view of the institutional expansion of university 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 universities' educational provision. The QAC assists the UGC in assuring the quality of all programmes at the levels of sub-degree, first degree and above (however funded) offered in UGC-funded universities. The QAC fulfils this task primarily by undertaking periodic quality audits of the universities.

Auditing is an external quality assurance process that involves independent peer review by senior academics in the higher education sector. Its principal aims are to confirm that existing arrangements for quality assurance are fit for purpose, that the quality of provision is comparable to international best practices, that universities are committed to continuously improving the quality of their academic programmes, and that students are well taught and well supported so that they are able to achieve the expected academic standards.

Prior to 2016, the QAC's audit activities covered only first degree programmes and above. The first and second QAC audit cycles were completed in 2011 and 2016 respectively. In 2016, the UGC assumed the role of the overseeing body of the quality audits on the sub-degree operations of UGC-funded universities, with the involvement of QAC as the audit operator. The audit visits to universities in this cycle were conducted from late 2017 to early 2019.

Ends/Wednesday, June 12, 2019