Principles

1. Introduction

1.1 The maintenance and enhancement of the reputation of the Australian National University in particular, and of Australian tertiary education generally, is of paramount importance. All negotiations, arrangements and academic programs for offshore teaching, at all stages of their development, delivery and cessation, should be conducted according to this principle.

1.2 Offshore arrangements will be consistent with, and integrated into, the Universitys mission, strategic and operational plans at all levels of the institution. Management structures and decision-making processes for the development and oversight of offshore arrangements will be in place, with clear accountabilities and role statements underpinned by procedural and policy documentation and support. Financial responsibility for an offshore teaching program will lie with the relevant Director or Dean. No offshore arrangement should be exclusively reliant on one individual within the University.

2. Comparability of onshore and offshore programs and awards

2.1 There should be comparability of awards, academic standards, facilities and services between equivalent onshore and offshore programs in relation to staff conditions, student rights and obligations. Policies and practices for identical or equivalent academic programs will be, and be promoted as being, the same for onshore and offshore students.

2.2 In cases of proposed overseas partnerships for the provision of offshore programs, the nature and resources of any overseas partner should be specified, teaching and infrastructure arrangements outlined, staff and student recruitment and selection processes identified, and relevant foreign language matters addressed, including teaching, the translation of teaching materials and documents, examinations and student surveys. The partnership agreement should state explicitly that the final arbiter on all academic matters is the Australian National University.

2.3 Staffing policy with regard to offshore programs and agreements will be developed by the HR Division to provide for equitable treatment of ANU and any local staff, recognising local conditions and the necessity for a sound financial framework. Staffing policy must also comply with the legislative requirements of both Australia and the other country.

3. Financial risk containment and quality assurance

3.1 Financial models for offshore teaching programs must ensure that educational objectives are embedded within a sound financial framework that minimises risk and promotes the long-term viability of the arrangements. There must also be "safeguards against financial temptations to compromise academic standards" (QAA) through rigorous quality assurance measures.

3.2 Templates for the development of written agreements for offshore teaching partnerships will be established by the Universitys Legal Office, to maintain consistency and ensure that common agreed elements appear in all contracts. These templates should include provision for the following elements inter alia: the respective rights and obligations of each institution to the partnership, as well as procedures for sunset clauses, dispute resolution and the premature termination of the partnership arrangements pertaining to the relationship between partnership institutions and to the specific academic programs and courses, the duration of the contract, and review arrangements.

3.3 Reporting and review cycles for offshore programs are needed to monitor progress, allow for quality improvements and permit cessation of agreements. The offshore program reporting and review cycle to Faculty/School boards should be annual, and should include proposals to improve outcomes. More extensive University reviews of offshore programs should be conducted biennially, reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education).

Procedures

A Director or Dean wishing to propose an offshore teaching program should:

STEP 1.

Develop an initial proposal which addresses specified core requirements, including the proposal's strategic relevance to the university, the nature and resources of any overseas partner, the financial arrangements, including containment of risk and the expectations for financial returns, and the particular teaching arrangements.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN

Foreshadow initial proposals for offshore teaching to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the earliest possible stage. Graduate coursework proposals should also be foreshadowed to the Dean of the Graduate School.

STEP 2.

If the initial proposal is suitable for further development, the academic proposal and any proposed overseas partnership should be fully documented. Academic proposals for offshore programs should outline the proposal's strategic relevance to the university, program structure, course information, teaching modes, staff appointments and review, student assessment, the availability of and access to facilities, and infrastructure and logistic support.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN

Academic proposals for offshore programs should be tabled with School/Faculty/Centre boards, and circulated to all related Schools/Faculties/Centres and the Student Administration and Support Services for comment.

Legal Office templates for the development of an agreement for an offshore teaching partnership should be completed, if relevant; and endorsed by the PA.

After approval by the relevant board/PA, academic proposals and any partnership template should be tabled with the Education Committee through the Graduate Degrees Committee (graduate programs).

STEP 3.

Education Committee will consider the offshore teaching program proposal as a starred item for discussion, with any recommendation from the Graduate Degrees Committee in the case of a graduate program.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) will consider the Education Committee determination and any related draft offshore teaching partnership agreement.

If the proposal is endorsed, an entry will be made on the ANU website register of approved offshore teaching and related collaborative agreements, to facilitate the management and transparency of offshore programs. The register entry will include, as a minimum, details of the approved program, any partner organization(s), dates of any agreements and of their review, the nature of any collaboration, any language issues, and a list of accountable officers at ANU and, where relevant, at the partner institution(s).

STEP 4.

No later than a year after the introduction of the offshore program, the Dean or Director will initiate the program reporting and review cycle to the Faculty/School board, including proposals to enhance the program and to improve outcomes.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN

The Faculty/School board will consider the annual offshore teaching program report, including proposals to enhance the program and to improve outcomes.

STEP 5.

No later than two years after the introduction of the offshore program, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) will initiate the offshore program reporting and review cycle to the Education Committee, including proposals to enhance the program and to improve outcomes.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN

The Education Committee will consider the biennial review report of the offshore academic program, including performance against educational objectives, evidence of comparability of programs with onshore programs, and Australia-wide benchmark information; students satisfaction with courses and the overall academic program based on standard surveys; graduate destinations; staff experiences and ways of improving teaching arrangements; systems, processes and infrastructure support; and the quality improvement measures in place.