Comments · Web viewThis document contains a questionnaire that aims to help Schools articulate the supporting structure around the programmes being developed for delivery in partnership

Supporting information for programmes being delivered in partnership or transnationally

This document contains a questionnaire that aims to help Schools articulate the supporting structure around the programmes being developed for delivery in partnership or transnationally. It uses the student lifecycle as a basis for making clear the location of responsibilities for particular aspects of work between partners, and making explicit some of the requirements for supporting the student experience that are implicit for delivery at Newcastle. The information provided will be used in both the institutional approval of the partner organisations and as part of the evidence required for the variation of programme approval.

Additional question to consider re research supervision responsibilities and any proposed student support in that area – and then any staff development requirements needed to support that agenda from a staff skills perspective

How would this usually be approached at Newcastle(e.g. link to policy or service)

How might we need to approach this differently in the context of this proposed transnational delivery or partnership?

Further comments/ actions/key contacts

Responsibility split

NU Partner

RecruitmentHow will it work? (eg. text used in advertising, use and management of recruitment agents, other marketing etc).

Predominantly SIT, with NU involvement. Any publicity text to be cleared with NU. SIT would welcome NU involvement, e.g. Open House eventBoth Newcastle University and SIT will produce publicity materials to be approved by either side in terms of CVI, content and design. SIT will be hosting an annual Open House recruitment event at which Newcastle University will be represented. A schedule of presentations to all polytechnics by a member of staff from Newcastle University will also be organised.

AdmissionsProcess (eg through UCAS or directly to the University)

Admission criteria, initial input from SIT (e.g. defining eligible polytechnic diplomas), with final say from NU

Students complete an electronic application form (similar to the UCAS form)

The form is checked by SIT to confirm applicant eligibility for subsidy/ sponsorship

Interviews, where used by SIT & NU

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How would this usually be approached at Newcastle(e.g. link to

How might we need to approach this differently in the context of this proposed transnational delivery or



NU Partnerresulting in recommendation for decision by NU

Applications are then submitted to the Selector in Newcastle – Selector checks academic quality in line with Newcastle criteria and makes final decisionDecisions are transmitted to applicants via SIT

Selection (eg who sets the criteria, makes the decisions, communicates with students etc)

See above

Registration and enrolmentWho has overall responsibility? Students register at both Newcastle

University and SITHow is pre-registration and registration managed (eg who sends out welcome information? How do students get their login information etc)

Both SIT and Newcastle University send out preregistration information, with Newcastle following the same procedure as for UK based students (including IT login information, handbook, and full induction week programme). Students will receive NU and SIT handbooks, SIT and NU login, as well as an NU smart card.

Leave of absence- Need to revisit this in further discussion.SIT wishes to consider applications for leave of absence first and filter them, possibly turning down, before passing on to NU for endorsement. SIT expectation that absence would be for one year rather than one semester for reasons of scheduling.

Will students have access to S3P (for registration, module selection,

Yes, students will have full access.

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NU Partner

transcript production)Course administration How will the activities normally carried out by the teaching administrators in Schools be covered? (eg production of handbooks, collection of assignments etc)

Responsibility is divided between and delegated to two administrators, one based in Newcastle and one employed by Newcastle University but based in Singapore. Assignments will be collected by the support staff team based in Singapore.

Who is responsible for the general maintenance of student records (eg address, name change etc)

The support staff team based in Singapore. SIT will maintain their own records.Return to this in further discussions regarding transfer of data and student consent to data transfer. The SIT perspective is that all student data would come to SIT first and then this would be shared with NU in order t minimise the issues for NU re data protection principles.Note that SIT intend this data-sharing would also apply to issues such as notification of disability – it would therefore be important that NU has input into any questions that are asked of students in this regard – return to this with SWS.

Administrative staff development in accordance with current approach in Newcastle?InductionWho provides the university level induction and welcome?

Newcastle University staff/Degree Programme Director conduct a week-long induction programme similar to the induction week activities arranged in Newcastle.SIT to conduct general orientation programme then NU takes responsibility for induction to academic programme.

University level staff induction too Who is responsible for the SIT to conduct orientation programme then

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NU Partner

programme level induction and will it cover the same as induction for Newcastle-based students?

NU takes responsibility for induction to academic programme.

Who is responsible for Health and Safety induction, particularly in lab-based subjects?

NU responsible for the Health and Safety induction, although this will necessarily draw upon local knowledge of facilities in the polytechnicNewcastle University underwent a National Safety Audit. Operations in the host Polytechnics were of particular interest to the auditors. Various safety related documents and procedures were considered and a comparison made between procedures in Newcastle and Singapore. The auditors concluded that safety procedures are of a comparable standard and in a few cases there is exemplary practice in Singapore which could be adopted in Newcastle. These comments were based on documents submitted by Ngee Ann Polytechnic; we are now also operating within Nanyang Polytechnic. Since both are government-run institutions it would be expected that safety procedures would be of the same quality. Nonetheless, NU is in the process of requesting a similar set of documents from Nanyang.

Staff health and safety training?Teaching – deliveryWhat physical resources are needed (labs, lecture theatres, seminar rooms etc)

Lecture theatres, seminar rooms, project and tutorial rooms, laboratories (according to subject)

What hardware/software is needed and how will it be accessed?

This is being discussed at subject level – ISS in liaison with Schools to ascertain particular disciplinary needs.In principle, specialist hardware/software will be the responsibility of Newcastle University; general hardware/software will be the

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NU Partnerresponsibility of SIT and the partner polytechnics (i.e what is available on general access machines in polytechnic students will be available to NU/SIT students). Students will have login details and access to all IT facilities at Newcastle University, SIT and the partner polytechnics.See also reports from ISS following site visits to polytechnicsOutstanding RAS access issue with Ngee Ann discussed during contract negotiations – closure of issue requires confirmation.

What technical teaching support tools are expected to be used (eg Blackboard, ReCap, Turning Point, Turnitin etc)

Blackboard, Turning Point, Turnitin.

Is any specialised equipment required eg microscopes etc

Yes – subject specific and therefore to be confirmed. Facilities at the partner polytechnics have been visited by Newcastle colleagues and found to be acceptable. Any additional specialist laboratory facilities, if necessary at all, will be provided by SIT through discussions with polytechnics for space allocations.

What library materials are needed (books, ejournals, databases etc)

Subject specific library materials are currently under discussion – Library currently in contact with disciplines to determine requirements.Student access to polytechnic libraries – site visits undertaken by Library. Reports available.Student access to NU library facilities – potential extension of online licenses to cover offshore provision being explored where required.

Who is involved in teaching (eg lecturers, demonstrators, lab techs) and who employs them?

Newcastle University academic staff will be responsible for lecturing, supported by adjunct faculty to be appointed according to

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NU Partner

What are their qualification and are they exempt from CASAP / NTA requirements or not

Newcastle University standards.

Staff development - how will these staff be equipped to undertake their roles?For those NOT exempt NTA minimum requirement?Other learning and teaching courses to be made available...

NU is responsible for providing staff development for all academic and support staff. This will be through courses and trainings in Newcastle and Singapore. Any training required for “adjunct faculty” will have to be discussed with SIT on case by case basis. The Faculty Steering Committee has set up a working group to consider staff development issues (chaired by the Assistant Director of HR and with representation from each of the Schools involved).

Teaching – assessmentWho sets the assessments? Newcastle University staff.

Who organises the exams (including rooms, timetabling, invigilation)

Newcastle University staff with local liaison.

If under exam conditions will they be the same papers as set at Newcastle?

To be discussed by module leaders based in Newcastle and Newcastle University lecturing staff based in Singapore.

Who is responsible for marking and moderation?

Newcastle University lecturing staff and adjunct faculty. A moderating committee will meet in Singapore (to include all lecturing staff).Need to ensure mechanisms in place to ensure common approach for programmes being delivered in Newcastle and Singapore.

Who appoints the External Examiner and from which education system do they come?

Newcastle University will appoint the External Examiner (the same External Examiner as will be used for Newcastle-based examination papers).External Examiner to be strongly encouraged to visit Singapore.

Board of Examiners (where will it be The meeting of the Board of Examiners will

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NU Partner

held, who will attend it and who will provide the supporting information, how will it report to STLC and FTLC?)

be held in Newcastle with representatives from academic staff based in Singapore, SIT and adjunct faculty. Supporting information with be provided by the Degree Programme Director. The Board will report to STLC and FLTC in the normal way.SIT interest in selected Singapore staff being able to attend and observe this process.

Staff BOS trainingWho will enter module marks and progression decisions into student management system?

Newcastle University, in the usual way.SIT interest in marks/progression being shared with them – reflection of SIT’s dual role as both a university and as a sponsoring body. Parallel here might be the way in which NU shares information with research student sponsors re progress. Student consent will need to be addressed at registration.

General programme managementWill the programme follow the normal University Regulations and Conventions?

Yes

Will there be any exceptions to the normal Regs? (eg compensation)

No

How will students apply for concessions? Will it follow the normal process?

Yes

Whose disciplinary, complaints and appeals processes will be followed? How will they work?

Newcastle processes will apply in the normal way.

Who will be DPD in Newcastle and who is responsible for the programme locally?

See contract and faculty notes for outline of relationship between general management of programme(s) by DPD and local management of provision in Singapore – to be explored further.

DPD training and indeed a new

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NU Partner

course for those involved in managing overseas / transnational programmes...How will communications be managed between lecturing and support staff?

As in NewcastleFurther consideration will be needed of how to integrate staff into the academic culture of Newcastle – to provide opportunities for mutual engagement and sharing of practice.

Will video-conferencing be used to facilitate meetings?

Yes

BoS, SSC, etcBoard of Studies management (eg membership, where it will sit, who will complete activities such as AMR, how will it report up through School and to FTLC?)

The programmes will be dealt with at the Board of Studies in Newcastle in the normal way, with the same procedures for AMR etc.Further discussion planned on the principle of the single Board of Studies responsible for the same programmes being delivered in more than one place.Standard quality processes will apply – mapping to be undertaken of any practical adjustments that need to be made to processes to take account of the context of the partnership and the programmes.

Staff/Student Committee management (how will members be selected and trained? How will module evaluation be managed, How will feedback from SSC be disseminated to students and staff?)

Procedures will be exactly the same as those followed in Newcastle. SSC will report to the Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee chaired by the Degree Programme Director.SIT very interested in the training provided by the Union Society to student representatives. Broader issue of student union involvement/student representation will need further consideration.

Personal tutoringHow will this work, and how will it fit with the proposed Personal Tutoring framework?

As in Newcastle, students will have access to a personal tutor. Tutors will follow the normal training procedure.

Will they be Ncl, NUIS, SIT staff? NU/NUIS staff and adjunct staff if the

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NU Partnerappointments are substantive ones.

Tuition FeesWho is responsible for setting the fees?

SIT

General student services? To be considered further by the TEASE group, taking particular note of the commitments made in the NU student charter.

How do we know if the student has a disability? (mental health or physical health) What is the procedure for responding and who will support them with that disability in order to ensure we comply with legislation eg Reasonable adjustments

Through initial application process. SIT will consider this on case by case basis and will discuss this with NU and/or Poly as/if necessary.

Who supports students with mental health, emotional and psychological difficulties? Who liaises with local services to ensure the student is receiving the care they need

SIT and/or personal tutors can provide a referral to one of the host Polytechnic Student Counsellors.

What evidence is required and deemed as acceptable for students with dyslexia and specific learning difficulties? Who provides the assessments and recommendation of need and who pays for these adjustments to be put into place? Who provides the necessary study

SIT will receive the assessement certificates/papers in the first instance and through application process. SITshall provide necessary docuemntation and inform NU of these cases. NU shall consider its standard procedures for dealing with these cases and will inform SIT and Poly accordingly and if there is a need for additional support.

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NU Partner

support to these students?Who provides financial information, advice and guidance to students? Are bursaries and scholarships to be awarded and if so who is responsible for this process? Will hardship awards be available and if so who collects analyses and decides on whether the evidence suggests assistance is required and at what level?

SIT.For scholarships awarded from NU or through NU, NU in collaboration with SIT will set the criteria and decides on selection procedure. TBC

What library materials need to be provided locally

All course related library requirements will be forwarded to Polys through SIT.

What electronic resources will be delivered remotely

All electronic resources available to NU students in Newcastle will be available to students in Singapore

Who is responsible for delivering library support - enquiries, learning support, etc

NU and Polys

Who is responsible for delivering information skills teaching

NU

What open access IT facilities are required and who provides them

SIT

What learning environment is needed for students - quiet study, group study, social learning space

SIT will provide them through Polys

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NU Partner

Wellbeing (including disability)Careers Newcastle University Careers Service will

provide student guidance sessions during the Summer Immersion Programme and will liaise with SIT as they develop their own Careers Service in Singapore

How does the programme integrate with Ncl+Access to Students Union

- Who is responsible for ensuring that the representation system is working correctly?

- How will extra curricular activities eg sport, volunteering take place?

- Who will help if a student needs independant advice from the University (academic appeals etc)?

- Should there be some way for a student to feed into university senate / council?

- Students’ Union council – how would SIT students feed into this?

- How will the SIT campus link to the current SU? What kind of relationship should this be? (does this still fit under the 1994 Education Act?)

SU will be involved in the Summer Immersion Programme, providing a welcome to the students but also training in SU provision and activities at School, Faculty and University level. Students will have the opportunity to meet SU officers who will explain their role and discuss the possibility of setting up a sister SU in Singapore. SU will also liaise with NUMed for interaction between Singapore, Malaysia and Newcastle.SU will modify their standard brochure for Singapore-based students, letting them know how they can benefit remotely from the SU advisory services, societies etc.Student Community Action Newcastle (SCAN) will be contacted regarding possible involvement in the Summer Immersion Programme.One of the SU officers will travel to Singapore for the final two days of induction week to advise students on SU activities and the course representative system and to oversee the election and training of Singapore-based course reps. Further meetings will be held with SU to discuss cultural differences to ensure that training is tailored appropriately while still ensuring that Singapore-based students do not feel

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NU Partneralienated.SU will assist in the development of a route via which students can give honest and open feedback on their study experience. This will be backed up by the Student Advice Centre who will offer a LiveChat forum and possible Skype sessions in the near future.The SU President will email all Singapore-based students due to visit Newcastle over the summer, to introduce himself and to give them a personal welcome in anticipation of their arrival. All SU communications with Singapore-based students will be enthusiastic and positive as regards the Summer Immersion Programme to encourage attendance.

Access to study skills support? (eg MathsAid, Writing Development Centre, study skills courses)Equalities and diversity – how will the University’s positive duty to promote equality be carried through and monitored? For transnational provision, are there any legislative conflicts with local law and practiceInstitution-wide opinion gatheringWill students participate in ISB, National Student Survey, internal institutional surveys?

NSS questions to be used – although students are not formally required to take part in NSS, this is felt to be a good way of benchmarking programmes. Survey mechanism will need to be provided.Inclusion in ISB will need to be considered.Involvement in internal surveys and focus groups to be considered by SOSG.Module Evaluation Questionnaires required in manner equivalent to that at Newcastle.

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NU Partner

Award relatedGraduation Ceremonies (where are they held, which staff attend, who organises them and produces parchments etc)

Graduation ceremonies will be held in Singapore (although students may attend Newcastle-based ceremonies if they so wish). Ceremonies are to be organised by Newcastle University and SIT, with parchments produced by Newcastle in the usual way. All teaching staff are eligible to attend. Ceremonies will be presided over by the VC/PVC from Newcastle University.

Student Services

Overall GovernanceWho is the Project or Programme mnager?Have all the data protection issues been carefully considered?Is there active Faculty support?FinanceWho owns the business plan for the venture?What is the governance structure for the legal in-house liabilities?Has the tax position been considered?HRWho will employ all staff involved?How will staff recruitment be handled?How will staff development be handled – induction/PDR/other employee lifecycle and role related

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NU Partner

training and development, leadership development etcIT Business SystemsWhich student record system will be used, and have licensing or implementation costs been taken into account?Which VLE will be used, and have licensing or implementation costs been taken into account?IT ComputingWhat will the On-site Infrastructure be?Have all these costs been included and signed off by Director of ISS or nominee?Any additional issues relating to PGR skills development agenda?Research related training and development more generally....

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Comments · Web viewThis document contains a questionnaire that aims to help Schools articulate the supporting structure around the programmes being developed for delivery in partnership