Academic Council s1

ACADEMIC COUNCIL

ANNUAL REPORT 2009/2010

August 2011 Table of Contents

Page No: 1. Membership and Attendance of Academic Council 4

2. Meetings 5

3. Business Transacted – Committees of Academic Council 5 3.1 Academic Quality Assurance Committee 5 3.1.1 Appointment of Programme Validation/Review and 5 School Review Panels 3.1.2 Reports from Validation/Review Panels 6 3.1.3 School Review Reports & Responses 7 3.1.4 Requests for deferrals of School Reviews 9 3.1.5 Policy in relation to the nomination of External 9 Assessors 3.1.6 Placing of CPD awards on the NFQ framework 9 3.1.7 Discontinuation of BSc (Hons) in Printing 9 Management 3.1.8 New Short Course Proposals 9 3.1.9 Partnerships with External 12 Organisations/Institutions 3.2 Graduate Research School Board 13 3.2.1 Ratification of decisions of Graduate Research 13 School Board 3.3 Review of Units/Departments 13 3.4 Proposal in relation to Campus Life Student Experience Sub 13 Committee

4. Change to Programme titles 14

5. DIT’s Annual Report to the NQAI 14 5.1 Institute’s response to NQAI recommendations in relation to 14 DIT’s annual report 2008/09 5.2 Action Plan arising from the recommendations included in the 14 NQAI response to the Institute’s Annual Report to the NQAI 2008/09 5.3 Updated Action Plan arising from the recommendations 15 included in the NQAI response to the Institute’s Annual Report to the NQAI 2008/09

6. Approval of Examination Results 15

7. Student Academic Excellence Awards 2008/09 15

8. External Examiners 16

9. Memorandum of Understanding for a Joint PhD/Doctorate with University of Limerick

10. Update in relation to Student Survey forms 16

11. Examination Appeals Report 2008/09 16 2 12. General Assessment Regulations 17 12.1 Proposed amendment to General Assessment Regulations – 30% rule 12.2 Proposed change to Anonymous Marking 17 12.3 Changes introduced in the revised General Assessment 17 Regulations (June 2009)

13. Impact of moratorium in staff appointments on delivery of 17 programmes

14. Programme titles 18

15. Discontinuance of programmes 19

16. Request for approval for Consortium Agreement for International 19 Masters in Early childhood Education

17. Discussion document in relation to Exit Awards 19

18. Child Protection Policy for DIT students 20

19. Placing of non-major awards on NFQ framework 20

20. Co-operation Agreements 20

3 1. Membership and Attendance of Academic Council (Attendance in brackets) Professor B. Norton (Chairperson) (5) Mr D. Allen (1) Ms T. Flinter (6) Dr M. McNamara (5) Dr L. Armstrong (1) Dr S. Flanagan (1) Dr M. Mhic Mhathúna (5) Mr S. Basini (2) Dr R. Flood (0) Dr M. Mulvey (4) Ms C. Bell (0) Mr J. Frias (1) Dr M. Murphy (3) Dr P. Bourke (1) Dr K. Griffin (2) Mr D. O’Brien (0) Mr P. Bourke (4) Prof J. M. Golden (3) Dr A. O Cearbhaill (0) Dr B. Bowe (5) Ms B. Grant (5) Mr J. O’Connor (3) Mr A. Brown (4) Mr W. Grimson (4) Dr N. O’Connor (5) Dr K. Byrne (6) Dr L. Gunnigan (2) Mr C. O’Driscoll (3) Mr R. Byrne (0) Dr W. Halpin (3) Mr A. O’Dwyer (4) Mr A. Cafolla (0) Mr M. Hanratty (4) Mr E. O’Grady (2) Mr D. Carroll (4) Dr J. Harvey (5) Dr A. O’Hare (0) Mr J. Clancy (0) Prof N. Hayes (4) Mr T. O’Leary (0) Dr P. Cohen (5) Prof E. Hazelkorn (3) Dr B. O’Neill (0) Ms H. Conway (4) Prof G. Henehan (1) Mr P. O’Reilly (1) Prof T. Cooke (0) Prof. J. Horan (0) Mr D. O’Shea (0) Mr T. Corrigan (2) Dr K. Houston (1) Mr P. O’Sullivan (4) Dr B. Costello (4) Ms. T. Hurley (2) Dr M. Prendergast (2) Dr J. Coughlan (4) Mr J. Jameson (4) Dr M. Rebow (2) Prof E. Coyle (2) Dr S. Jerrams (2) Ms L. Rovcanin (3) Ms A. Curran (0) Ms. J. Jordan (4) Ms M. Scally (5) Mr N. Deeney (0) Dr D. Kennedy (3) Mr D. Scott (0) Prof M. Devereux (3) Dr K. Lalor (4) Mr R. Sherlock (5) Dr J. Donovan (2) Dr K. Lawlor (4) Mr R. Simpson (2) Dr J. Doran (6) Mr J. Lawlor (5) Mr B. Skelton (4) Dr C. Doris (2) Mr R. Lawlor (0) Mr J. Turner (3) Mr P. Doyle (1) Dr D. Lillis (4) Ms. K. Uí íGhallachóir (3) Mr F. N. Duffy (2) Mr D. Mag Cuill (0) Mr H. Van der Kamp (3) Mr T. Dunne (4) Ms L. Magee (0) Mr J. Vaughan (4) Mr R. English (0) Ms M. Maguire (5) Mr S. Walsh (0) Dr P. Ennis (5) Dr H. McClave (4) Ms E. Watson (1) Ms E. Fallon (1) Dr D. McCormack (5) Ms M. Whelan (6) Prof G. Farrell (4) Dr F. McMahon (6) Mr P. Wulliamoz (4) Mr A. Finn (4)

4 2. Meetings

(a) The Academic Council met on 6 occasions during the year: 14 October 2009 4 November 2009 4 February 2010 17 February 2010 5 May 2010 25 June 2010

3. Business Transacted – Committees of Academic Council

3.1 Academic Quality Assurance Committee

3.1.1 Appointment of Programme Validation/ Review and School Review Panels

At the October meeting the following Validation/Review Panels were appointed:

 BEngTech Automotive Technology and Diagnostics  Higher Certificate in Computing & Postgraduate Certificate in Software Development (retrospective)

At the February meeting the following Validation/Review Panels were appointed:

 PgDip in Advertising and Digital Communication  BEngTech in Electrical Services Engineering  PgCert/PgDip/MA in Third Level Learning & Teaching  BA (Hons) in International Tourism and Languages  BA (Hons) in International Business & Languages  PgDip/MSc in International Business Development  School Review - School of Media

At the May meeting the following Validation/Review Panels were appointed:

 School Review –Civil and Building Services Engineering  School Review – Construction  School Review – Electrical Engineering Systems  School Review – Real Estate and Construction Economics  School Review – Accounting & Finance  School Review – Graduate Business School  School Review – Art, Design & Printing

At the June meeting the following Validation/Review Panels were appointed

 BTech in Construction Site Management  MSc in Computing (Data Analytics)  MSc in Construction Informatics  School Review – Physics 5  School Review – Management

3.1.2 Reports from Validation/Review Panels

At its October meeting reports in respect of the following programme validations/reviews were formally adopted:

 BA in Visual Merchandising and Display  MA in Applied Media Studies  MSc in Digital Games  Higher Certificate in Computing (RPL option)/Postgraduate Certificate in Software Development

At its February meeting reports in respect of the following programme validations/reviews were formally adopted:

 BEng Tech in Automotive Management and Technology (including Appendix in relation to reconvened Review Event)  BA (Hons) in Creative and Cultural Industries  BSc (Hons) in Architectural Technology/BTech in Architectural Technology and PgCert in Applied Architectural Technology  PgDip in Advertising and Digital Communications  PgDip in Third Level Learning & Teaching  Report of the Panel in respect of the Structured PhD framework & Response of the Programme Development Team & Structured PhD framework

At its May meeting reports in respect of the following programme validations/reviews were formally adopted:

 Structured Doctoral programme in Cultural Studies and Social Documentary Practice  BA (Hons) in Languages and International Tourism

At its June meeting reports in respect of the following programme validations/reviews were formally adopted:

 BA (Hons) in Visual and Critical Studies  BSc (Hons) in Bio-molecular Science  BSc (Hons) in Human Resource Management  BA in Social Care Practice (Older People)  BEngTech in Aviation Technology  BEngTech in Military Aviation Technology  BEngTech in Automotive Technology and Diagnostics  BA (Hons) in Print and Digital Media Technology Management  BSc in Property and Facilities Management  Master of Arts in Public Relations  BEngTech (f/t & P/t)/HCert ((p/t) in Electrical Services Engineering  BA (Hons) in International Business and Languages  MSc in Computing (Data Analytics)  MSc in International Business Development  MSc in Construction Informatics 6  MSc in Sustainability, Technology and Innovation  BTech in Construction Site Management  BSc (Hons) in Architectural Technology (RPL route)  BEngTech in Fire Engineering

3.1.3 School Review Reports & Responses

 At its October meeting Council noted the reports in respect of the following School Reviews:

School of Electronic and Communications Engineering School of Languages

A Progress report in response to the School of Hospitality Management & Tourism School Review report was noted.

 At its November meeting Council noted the responses of the following Schools in respect of School Review reports:

School of Manufacturing and Design Engineering

 At its February meeting Council noted the reports in respect of the following School Reviews:

Social Sciences and Law School of Languages School of Electronics and Communications Engineering School of Manufacturing & Design Engineering School of Mathematics School of Food Science and Environmental Health School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

A report & response in respect of the School Review in the School of Food Science and Environmental Health was also noted.

Progress Report on School Review - School of Spatial Planning The Progress Report providing an update in relation to the action plan to address the recommendations contained in the School’s response in respect of the School Review in the School of Spatial Planning was noted.

Faculty of Tourism & Food – Update on Faculty Response to Report of Faculty Review Panel The Update on the Faculty Response to Report of Faculty Review Panel in the Faculty of Tourism & Food was noted.

 At its May meeting Council noted the following follow-on reports to School review reports:

Conservatory of Music & Drama Dublin School of Architecture

 At its June meeting Council noted the reports in respect of the following 7 School Reviews:

School of Media School of Art, Design and Printing

 School Review Issues The document outlining the recommendations which have arisen from the School Review process and the common issues which have arisen in more than one School review, such as: space/facilities, equipment/laboratories, library resources, staffing/human resources, support to develop research, administrative support, information services/IT support and CPD provision, was noted by the Committee.

It was noted that the common issues listed are outside of the School’s remit to address.

The request that the Committee propose a process which will best facilitate the Schools and Institute to have these recommendations further considered and actions taken were feasible was noted.

3.1.4 Requests for deferrals of School Reviews The request from the School of Physics to defer their School Review until the 2010/2011 academic year was noted and approved.

The requests to defer the School Reviews in the School of Civil and Building Services Engineering and the School of Construction which were scheduled to take place in the current academic year were noted and approved.

3.1.5 Policy in relation to the nomination of External Assessors It was agreed that the Institute would operate the following approach to the nomination of external assessors:

 Faculties/Colleges would be requested to provide nominations to a listing of external assessors that may be used to review their School/programmes and the Committee would select individuals for each review from the list.

 Where the above list is insufficient units under review may nominate external reviewers for a specific review but should nominate at least twice the number of assessors required and the Committee will select the assessors to be used.

 The Institute will continue discussions with the NQAI on the possibilities of developing a national database of assessors.

It was clarified that the principle that the choice of reviewers should not originate in the unit under review was a recommendation of the EUA Institutional Review Panel in 2005.

3.1.6 Placing of CPD awards on the NFQ framework

8 It was noted that work is ongoing in relation to the placing of non-major awards on the NFQ. It was also noted that clarification is awaited from the NQAI in relation to the minimum level ECTS credits of CPD/modules to be placed on the framework.

There was some discussion in relation to the difficulty regarding the placing of modules which are delivered as part of a number of programmes which sit at different levels on the framework. It was agreed that the level assigned to such modules should refer to the CPD award only and not to modules within a particular programme.

3.1.7 Discontinuation of BSc (Hons) in Printing Management The correspondence advising that the BSc (Hons) in Printing Management is discontinued was noted.

It was noted that the HEA Report uses information contained in Banner and that programmes that are no longer running need to be deleted from Banner. It was noted that a formal mechanism is required to ensure that programmes which are discontinued are deleted from Banner. It was also noted that a proposal to re-instate the Q8 Proposal to discontinue a Programme form was recently approved by Directorate.

3.1.8 New Short Course Proposals Council noted the approval of the following short courses:

Directorate of Academic Affairs Formative Assessment and Feedback in Higher Education (10 ECTS credits at NFQ level 9) Technology Enhanced Learning (10 ECTS credits at NFQ level 9)

Faculty of Applied Arts Advocacy Practice Training for Information Providers (10 ECTS credits at level 7) Financial Control (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 7) Prepress for non-Prepress staff (10 ECTS credits at NFQ level 7) Drug Use in Society: Problems, Policies and Approaches (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 8) An Introduction to Marketing for the Print and Packaging Industry (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 7) Children’s Rights and Journalism (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 9) Children’s Rights and Journalism - Professional Journalism Practice (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 9) Children’s Rights and Journalism Practice (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 9) Gender, Sexuality and the Law: Contemporary Legal Issues (10 ECTS credits at NFQ level 8)

Faculty of the Built Environment

eBusiness in Construction (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 9) Land Surveying 1 (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 6) Land Surveying 2 (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 6) 9 Faculty of Business National Procurement (20 ECTS credits at NFQ level 7)

Faculty of Engineering Project Design – Health & Safety (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 9) Operate in a Controlled Clean Room Environment (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 6) Operate Cleaning and Sterilisation Systems (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 6)

Faculty of Science (All 5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 7) Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technologies Commissioning & Qualifications of Equipment and Systems Chemistry for APIs Mathematics & Statistics for Medicinal Products Pharmaceutical Facility Design Information Systems, Control and Automation Planning a Validation Strategy Physical Chemistry for Industry Process Process Development and Technology Transfer From URS to PQ – A Practical Validation Strategy Validation of Analytical Techniques Design & Operation of Clean Rooms Design & Operation of Water, Steam and Cleaning Systems Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Unit Operations Physiology and Pharmacology Quality Management System

Pharmaceutical Microbiology (5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 6)

(Both 5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 6) Operate in a Controlled Clean Room Environment Operate Cleaning and Sterilisation Systems

The following short courses are 5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 6: Calculus Discrete Mathematics Linear Algebra Statistics Computer Architecture Mathematical Modelling Mathematics Laboratory

The following short courses are 5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 7: Linear Algebra Operations Research Statistics Numerical Methods Algorithms, Data Structures & Management Operating Systems Mathematical Modelling 10 The following short courses are 5 ECTS credits at NFQ level 8: Numerical Analysis and Applications Ordinary Differential Equations Statistics Real Analysis Complex Variables Classical Mechanics Algebraic Structures Financial Mathematics Network Analysis & Transportation Stochastic Mathematical Modelling Mathematics Practical Differential Equations Applied Functional Analysis I Fluid Mechanics Coding Theory I Algebraic Structures Numerical Analysis Financial Mathematics I Regression Models I Linear Programming Queuing Theory & Markov Processes Dynamical Systems and Chaos Fourier Analysis and Wavelets Quantum Mechanics Decision Theory and Games Integral Equations Applied Functional Analysis II Cryptology Financial Mathematics II Regression Models II Integer Programming Industrial/Commercial Statistics Coding Theory II Non-Linear Programming Case Studies in Industrial Modelling

The following short courses are 10 ECTS credits at NFQ level 6: Foundation Mathematics Programming

The following short courses are 10 ECTS credits at NFQ level 7: Calculus & Analysis Discrete Mathematics

The following short courses are 15 ECTS credits at NFQ level 6: Fundamental Mathematics(A) Fundamental Mathematics(B) Calculus/Analysis 1 Statistics 1 Discrete Mathematics Algebra 1 11 Calculus/Analysis 2 Numerical Methods 1

The following short courses are 15 ECTS credits at NFQ level 7: Algebra 2 Statistics 2 Mathematical Methods 1 Numerical Methods 2

The following short courses are 15 ECTS credits at NFQ level 8: Mathematical Methods 2 Topics in Analysis Mathematical Control Theory Advanced Algebra Operations Research Quantum Theory Fluid Mechanics Financial Mathematics Differential Equations & Numerical Methods

The following short courses are 15 ECTS credits at NFQ level 9: Classical Particle Dynamics Functional Analysis and Spectral Theory Quantum Field Theory Numerical Analysis Operations Research Fluid Mechanics Statistical Models and Methods Topology and Geometry for Theoretical Physics General Relativity and Cosmology Introduction to Biomathematics

3.1.9 Partnerships with External Organisations/Institutions

 At the February meeting Council noted the Agreement with Sherkin Island Development Society Ltd.

The agreement formalises the co-operative arrangements in relation to the delivery of the BA (Hons) in Visual Arts with Sherkin Island Development Society Ltd.

 At the May meeting an Accreditation/Validation Panels was appointed in respect of the following External Organisations/Institutions:

National Ambulance Service College - Health Services Executive Pharos University, Alexandria (PUA), Egypt Irish Property and Facility Management Association (IPFMA)

 At the June meeting an Accreditation/Validation Panels was appointed in respect of the following External Organisations/Institutions:

Bord Gáis Networks Engineers Ireland 12 Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI) Brighton & Bristol Institute of Modern Music (BIMM)

 At the June Meeting Council noted the Accreditation/Validation Reports in respect of Partnership Agreements:

- Pharos University, Alexandria (PUA), Egypt Council adopted the Panel’s Accreditation/Validation report in respect of the Accreditation of Pharos University, Alexandria (PUA), Egypt, as a suitable partner with which the Institute may collaborate and the validation of the BSc (Hons) in Business & Management to be offered at Pharos University.

- Brighton & Bristol Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) Council adopted the Panel’s Accreditation report in respect of the Accreditation of Brighton & Bristol Institute of Modern Music (BIMM), as a suitable partner with which the Institute may collaborate.

3.2 Graduate Research School Board

3.2.1 Ratification of decisions of Graduate Research School Board Throughout the year Council ratified the decisions of the Graduate Research School Board in relation to the following:

 Recommendations for the appointment of External Examiners  Recommendations for awards  Recommendations for appointment of Transfer Examiners  Students who successfully transferred to a higher register/passed confirmation examination

3.3 Review of Units/Departments At the June meeting Council noted the Library Services review report.

3.4 Proposal in relation to Campus Life Student Experience Sub Committee Council adopted the proposal in relation to the introduction of a Campus Life Student Experience Sub Committee of Academic Council.

The Campus Life Student Experience Sub Committee, which was recommended by the Review Panel in relation to Campus Life, shall deal, at a strategic level, with non-academic issues relating to the DIT community and the student experience in the Institute and advise on the implementation of measures for the development of a better student experience in DIT.

Council noted the terms of reference of the Sub Committee and agreed that the document should be incorporated into the revised Handbook for Academic Quality Enhancement. It was also agreed that the Director of Student Services should replace the Director of Academic Affairs and Registrar on the membership list.

13 4. Change to Programme titles The following change to programme titles were noted and approved:

From: MA in Third Level Education (formerly MA in Third Level Learning & Teaching) To: MA in Higher Education

From: MSc in Environmental Health and Safety Management To: MSc in Environmental Health and Safety

5. DIT’s Annual Report to the NQAI Annual report to the NQAI in relation to the Institute’s quality assurance /enhancement procedures 2008/09 Council noted the Annual Report to the NQAI in relation to the Institute’s quality assurance /enhancement procedures 2008/09.

5.1 Institute’s response to NQAI recommendations in relation to DIT’s annual report 2008/09 Council noted the NQAI response to the Institute’s Annual Report, 2008/09.

It was noted that although the NQAI response was generally favourable, a number of recommendations were made towards enhancing the Institute’s quality assurance processes.

The NQAI indicated that it was satisfied with the operation of the Institute’s quality assurance procedures and in particular the number of School reviews completed and the quality of reports and School responses was commended.

It was agreed that a document detailing how the various actions arising from the recommendations included in the NQAI response will be discharged should be brought forward to the next meeting.

In response to a query it was clarified that the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner has not yet provided a response in relation the matter of ownership of the information contained in the Q6A Student Survey form. It was agreed that an update should be sought in relation to this matter and brought forward to a future meeting.

It was noted that emphasis is being placed this year on completion of the Q6C Progamme Surveys. It was reported that a web based version of the Q6C Programme Survey has been developed and Mr W. Grimson, Academic Registrar (Acting) stated that he intends to contact Ms T. Flinter, DITSU President, to organise a trial of the software.

14 5.2 Action Plan arising from the recommendations included in the NQAI response to the Institute’s Annual Report to the NQAI 2008/09 Council noted the document Action Plan arising from the recommendations included in the NQAI response to the Institute’s Annual Report to the NQAI 2008/09.

Council noted the recommendation of the NQAI that the Institute consider the implications of the changes to the Institute’s structure over the coming year for its quality assurance processes and particularly its quality review structures and timetable of reviews. A Sub Group was appointed to evaluate such implications.

Council also noted the request of the NQAI that the Institute documents in more detail how it monitors the quality assurance carried out in the institutions outside of Ireland in which it makes awards and that it submits this information and any further accreditation agreements as part of its next annual report and that it also includes this information in its Quality Enhancement Handbook.

The actions in response to this recommendation that a new questionnaire is devised to capture the required information and circulated to all Colleges for completion and the Q5 form or suitably amended one is completed annually for each programme and returned to Academic Affairs and also that external examiner reports are reviewed by Academic Affairs were agreed. It was also agreed that the results of this process should be reviewed by the Directorate.

5.3 Updated Action Plan arising from the recommendations included in the NQAI response to the Institute’s Annual Report to the NQAI 2008/09 Council noted the contents of the document Updated Action Plan arising from the recommendations included in the NQAI response to the Institute’s Annual Report to the NQAI 2008/09.

In relation to student feedback, it was noted that the Institute has embarked on the review of best practice internationally on student feedback mechanisms. This review will also encompass liaison with IHEQN in regard to best practice in Ireland and liaison with UCD on the outcome of its pilot project on electronic feedback.

In relation to developments regarding the monitoring of the Institute’s awards provision outside of Ireland it was noted that a new process has been devised involving the collation of the Annual Monitoring (Q5) form and External Examiner Reports and an annual review of same by the Senior Leadership Team (President & Directors). It was also noted that the Annual Monitoring (Q5) form has been modified to include questions in relation to courses operating outside Ireland.

6. Approval of Examination Results Academic Council noted and approved the recommendations for awards for 2009/10 as submitted from the Faculties.

7. Student Academic Excellence Awards 2008/09

15 Council noted the approval by the relevant Faculties of the nominations for Student Academic Excellence Awards for 2008/09.

8. External Examiners Academic Council noted and approved nominations for new external examiners, as well as extensions of periods of appointment from the Directorate of Academic Affairs and the Faculties.

9. Memorandum of Understanding for a Joint PhD/Doctorate with University of Limerick Council adopted the Memorandum of Understanding for a Joint PhD/Doctorate Degree between DIT and the University of Limerick.

It was agreed that the approval is subject to confirmation that the Memorandum of Understanding has been adopted by the relevant authority in the University of Limerick.

10. Update in relation to Student Survey forms The Academic Registrar outlined the contents of the document Update in relation to Student Survey forms.

It was noted that one of the agreed action items under the Towards 2016 pay agreement was the implementation of an on-line version of the existing quality assurance arrangements. It was also noted that negotiations between management and the relevant union reached an impasse over the issue of ownership of the feedback forms currently in use and that it was subsequently agreed that the matter would be referred to the Data Protection Commissioner for clarification. This matter is still ongoing.

It was noted that progress in this area is essential particularly in light of the NQAI’s request that a transparent Institute-wide system of student feedback is developed as outlined in the NQAI response to DIT’s Annual Report, 2007/08, and also the upcoming EUA Quality Review.

It was agreed that as an interim measure the Q6C ‘Programme Survey Questionnaire’ should be used to capture the student feedback on a programme basis in addition to the Q6A forms distributed by lecturers which are necessary to complete the Annual Monitoring (Q5) process. It was also agreed that an increased effort by students and staff to fully adopt the use of Q6C form is necessary.

It was further agreed that the Q6C form should be made available for electronic submission by students and that Mr D. Scott, Information Services Officer, and Dr K. O’Rourke, Learning, Teaching & Technology Centre, should consult in relation to the formulation of an online version of the Q6C form using ‘Webcourses’ software to be implemented in the current academic year.

11. Examination Appeals Report 2008/09

16 Council adopted the Annual Report of the Appeals Panel 2008/09 as outlined by Mr. J. O’Connor, Chairperson of the Appeals Panel.

12. General Assessment Regulations

12.1 Proposed amendment to General Assessment Regulations – 30% rule Council noted the document outlining a proposed amendment to General Assessment Regulations (June 2009) recommending the re-introduction of the ‘30% rule’.

Following discussion Council agreed not to adopt the proposed amendment to the General Assessment Regulations regarding the re-introduction of the ‘30% rule’.

12.2 Proposed change to Anonymous Marking Dr B. Bowe, Head of Learning Development in the College of Engineering and the Built Environment, outlined the proposal to change the process of anonymous marking of examination scripts as provided for in the General Assessment Regulations.

It was noted that the College considers the proposed change to be urgent in light of staff shortages in the Examinations Office in Bolton Street and that it is supported by students in the College of Engineering and the Built Environment in the Bolton Street site.

Council agreed to adopt the proposed derogation from the General Assessment Regulations for a period of one year, with the intention of reverting to the current system of anonymous marking, as provided for in the General Assessment Regulations, at the end of this period, or the introduction of alternative systems throughout the Institute.

12.3 Changes introduced in the revised General Assessment Regulations (June 2009) It was noted that changes introduced in the recently approved General Assessment Regulations (effective from 1 September 2009) include the removal of the 30-39% rule and the lack of limitation with regard to the number of re- assessment attempts. It was also noted that a permanent Review Panel of the General Assessment Regulations was proposed at the June meeting of Council and it was agreed that the matters should be brought forward to the Sub-Group

13. Impact of moratorium in staff appointments on delivery of programmes Ms T. Flinter, DITSU President, expressed concern regarding the negative impact the staff moratorium is having on the delivery of programmes in the Institute. It was reported that DITSU representatives have received a number of complaints from students in relation to resource issues. In particular it was noted that the non-renewal of employment contracts of Laboratory Technicians is impacting on the delivery of laboratory sessions.

The Chairperson stated that dialogues with the Department of Finance and the HEA are taking place on a daily basis and that the Institute has made requests to the HEA in relation to the filling of various posts but responses are awaited. It 17 was noted that the uncertainty with regard to the filling of certain posts and the late approval of staff appointments is a result of political prioritisation in the context of the national economic situation.

The Chairperson also stated that it is necessary to assess the impact of the staff moratorium on the Institute’s academic provision and report back to Council in this regard.

It was agreed that DITSU representatives should send details to the Director of Academic Affairs of issues which are affecting the delivery of programmes and that efforts should be made to resolve each issue.

The Director of Academic Affairs reported that the procedures to address the modification of approved programmes as a result of a moratorium in staff appointments which were adopted at the June meeting of Council have not been implemented to date. It was agreed that requests to modify approved programmes should be brought forward to Council under the approved procedures.

In response to a query it was noted that the PCW agreement provides for flexibility of up to two additional teaching hours a week with the agreement of the staff member concerned but that a balance of hours must be reached at a later stage in the academic year.

14. Programme titles It was noted that difficulties such as the naming of programmes where titles might infer a trespassing of disciplinary boundaries and where the teaching competences required to deliver a programme are available (or might be available) in another School from the one which developed may become more commonplace in the future particularly in light of the anticipated increase in inter- disciplinary studies.

To resolve such difficulties before they arise Council agreed to adopt the following protocols:

 In advance of submitting a new Full-time/ Part-time Programme Proposal form (Q1a) to the Directorate the College should as a matter of course consult with other relevant Colleges where there is likelihood that the title of the programme might be contested. In the event that the Colleges fail to agree the matter should be referred to the Director of Academic Affairs for review and resolution.

 For title changes to existing programmes the College proposing a change should consult with other Colleges, where there is likelihood that the title of the programme might be contested, in advance of making a submission to AQAC and approval being sought from Academic Council. In the event that the Colleges fail to agree, the matter should be referred to the Director of Academic Affairs for review and resolution.

 Where a School is proposing to offer a programme in a discipline in which another School(s) may reasonably be expected to have relevant teaching competence it is required that the Heads of School meet to discuss the role, 18 if any, of the respective School(s) in the programme delivery. In the event that the Heads of School fail to reach an agreement the matter should be referred in the first instance to the respective College Directors and then if necessary to the Director of Academic Affairs for resolution.

15. Discontinuance of programmes It was confirmed that the College of Business has decided that it will not renew the partnership agreement with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) when the current agreement runs out in August 2012.

It was noted that the College will ensure that all registered students will be given the opportunity to complete their programmes but no new students will be enrolled.

In addition, the College will ensure that appropriate part-time progression opportunities are available to the students who successfully complete the Diploma programme.

It was confirmed that appropriate notice has been provided by the Director of the College to the IAA of our intentions in regard to the partnership.

16. Request for approval for Consortium Agreement for International Masters in Early childhood Education Dr M. Mhic Mhathúna, School of Social Sciences and Law, outlined the contents of `the document in relation to a request for approval of a Consortium Agreement for an International Masters in Early Childhood Education.

Council noted that the Institute was involved in a joint programme with five partner institutions, the European Masters in Early Childhood Education and Care (EMEC), which ran in 2007 on a pilot basis. It was also noted that the consortium, under the leadership of Oslo University College, successfully submitted a proposal for Erasmus Mundus funding for an extension of the programme, this time with an international as well as european student base.

Council approved the following requests in relation to the programme:

 A change of title from European Masters in Early Childhood Education and Care to International Masters in Early Childhood Education and Care

 It was noted that the original validation was approved in 2007 for one cohort only and it was agreed to extend the approval of the programme for a further two years

 The approval of the Consortium Agreement which provides for a joint degree to be awarded to those who successfully complete the programme.

17. Discussion document in relation to Exit Awards Council noted the contents of the Discussion document in relation to Exit Awards.

19 Council was informed that a request for clarification with regard to the Institute’s position on exit awards and specifically how a student who exits a programme with such an award may then rejoin to obtain a higher award arose during deliberations at a recent meeting of the Academic Quality Assurance Committee.

Council expressed its support in relation to the introduction of exit awards and agreed a number of interim measures pending regularisation of the matter in the next academic year.

18. Child Protection Policy for DIT students Council adopted the Child Protection Policy for DIT students.

19. Placing of non-major awards on NFQ framework Council noted the document in relation to the list of non-major awards in the Institute and their corresponding NFQ level, which was requested by the NQAI. It was also noted that Colleges were requested to confirm the accuracy of the information contained in the document but that responses have not been received from all Colleges.

Council was informed that the NQAI has recently clarified that programmes /courses attracting at least 10 ECTS credits should be included on the framework and that it will be necessary to amend the completed list to reflect this decision.

20. Co-operation Agreements Council noted the Co-operation Agreements with the following Institutions /Organisations:

Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts Warsaw University of Technology Council noted the Bilateral Project Agreement with the following Institutions/Organisation: EUGENE Academic Network (European and Global Engineering Education) Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Spain, Purdue University (PU) USA, and the Institute Melbourne Institute of Technology University Institute of Economics Management and Law, City of Kazan, Russia Bord Gáis Networks