GLD review seeks staff input

Academic and general staff will be encouraged over the next two months to have their say on how the Global Learning Division can establish clear directions for the future.

A strategic review of the Division’s roles and responsibilities began in November last year after Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Bill Lovegrove and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global Learning) Professor Philip Candy, determined that, in the light of USQ’s role as a provider of flexible learning, the rapid and pervasive changes occurring across the higher education system, and the implications of creating and realising the University’s ‘Next Generation Learning Initiative’, it was appropriate to undertake the review.

Project manager David Cowper said focus groups and staff discussions would be held this month (February), with the focus on University senior staff directly involved in the Division.

'We will also be meeting with other staff members from across the University and contacting all other USQ stakeholders via email, encouraging them to provide comment through a standardised form, which will be available online through UConnect,' Mr Cowper said.

The project information will be consolidated into a report in March and reviewed by an external review panel. The review panel will consist of Professor Kirkpatrick from the Open University in the United Kingdom, Professor Chalmers from the University of Western Australia and Mr Sudderby from Massey University in New Zealand. It will also include Professor Mark Toleman from USQ. The panel will produce a final review report which will be considered for implementation by the Vice-Chancellor.

'I will be briefing and updating staff on the project over the coming months and the GL Division staff will get a chance to consider review reports at least twice during the process,” Mr Cowper said. “There will also be information from students included.'