Course quality advisory groups

Course Quality Advisory Groups (CQAGs) are an essential mechanism for the continuous monitoring of course quality and improvement.

They bring together academic staff, students and external stakeholders to oversee a range of quality indicators for a group of related courses and course specialisations, and the topics within them.

In this area you will find all the resources you need to establish, support, understand and fulfil the responsibilities of a Course Quality Advisory Group.

Educational quality context

Course Quality Advisory Groups support the two key pillars underpinning the Education Quality Framework:

educational quality assurance
educational quality improvement

Course Quality Advisory Groups are a key component in the award course improvement and accreditation cycle and are a valuable contributor to internal course accreditations.

Award course improvement and accreditation cycle years 1 to 5

Governance

The Award Course Improvement and Accreditation Procedures specify the terms of reference, membership composition and reporting responsibilities for the groups.

The establishment, coordination and work of the Course Quality Advisory Groups are the responsibility of colleges. They are chaired by Teaching Program Directors (or their nominees) and are overseen by Dean(s) Education and Teaching Program Directors.

Primary responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of Course Quality Advisory Groups are set out in the Annex A of the Award Course Improvement and Accreditation Procedures.

Membership

The composition of Course Quality Advisory Groups are set out in Annex A of the Award Course Improvement and Accreditation Procedures.

Establishing Course Quality Advisory Groups (CQAGs)

Consider starting with the internal course accreditation review groups. Keep the same group or break it down into two or more smaller course groups if desirable. Please contact the Educational Quality Team for information about these groups.
Assign a distinct name to each group.
Establish the membership for each group in line with the Terms of Reference. A formal invitation is to be sent to members of each CQAG by the Dean (Education).
Proposed members external to the university must be approved by the Dean (Education).
When confirmed, provide a list of CQAGs and the Chair for each to the Educational Quality Team to include on the CQAG register.

Meetings

CQAGs must convene at least once per year.
Chairs to periodically monitor KAMs and OPMs and request input from topic coordinators where needed via the Brief Topic Summary Report ahead of each meeting.
Each Chair to send a communication to members to schedule meetings. For the first meeting, this communication will include the Terms of Reference outlined in Annex A of the Award Course Improvement and Accreditation Procedures.
Papers to be circulated one month before each scheduled meeting, and should include an agenda with links to relevant course rules, a link to access KAMs and OPMs for the relevant courses, and the CQAG Brief Summary Template.
CQAGs meet to discuss relevant courses in the context of quality indicators (KAMs, OPMs and topic quality indicators).

Recommendations and reporting

Observations and recommendations resulting from meetings to be concisely documented on the Brief Summary Template and submitted to the Executive Officer for the College Education Committee and included in the papers of the next College Education Committee meeting.
The College Education Committee will discuss and note the Brief Summary Report, endorse any recommendations and may make additional recommendations (to be noted on the Brief Summary Report).
A copy of the final Brief Summary Report to be forwarded to the Educational Quality Team for storing in a central repository.
Academic staff in Colleges may initiate improvements/changes to curriculum based on recommendations from Brief Summary Report.
Curriculum development work and improvements resulting from CQAG recommendations are to be included in the relevant Internal Course Accreditation submission as per the Award Course Improvement and Accreditation Procedures.

Annual review and reporting cycle

See annual process workflow diagram.

Resources

FAQs

How are course groups determined?

Each course offered by the university is assigned to an internal course accreditation group for the purpose of review and reaccreditation on a 5 yearly basis. This group is used as a starting point and colleges may determine that two or more smaller groups are required. Ultimately the groupings are determined by colleges. Please email the Educational Quality Team for further information regarding internal course accreditation groups.

How large are CQAGs?

Each CQAG must meet the membership composition requirements stipulated in the Terms of Reference. The actual number of members will therefore depend on the number and breadth of courses included in the group.

How are CQAG members appointed?

Teaching Program Directors (or their nominees) will nominate appropriate CQAG members as per roles outlined in the Composition and Terms of Reference. Proposed members who are external to the university, must be approved by the Dean (Education). The mechanism for selecting members is not stipulated in the procedures and is ultimately determined by colleges.

How often do CQAGs have to meet?

Course Quality Advisory Groups must convene at least once a year as stipulated in the Award Course Improvement and Accreditation Procedures. The frequency of further meetings is to be determined by each college according to the needs of each CQAG.

What are KAMs and OPMs and how do I access them?

Key Accountability Measures (KAMs) and Operational Performance Measures (OPMs) provide a set of data to Course Quality Advisory Groups to support better understanding of what is occurring in courses and to generate discussion that may lead to course improvements. They are provided at a course and topic level and are accessible from Power BI via the OKTA dashboard. You will need a Power BI license to access these reports. Email businessanalytics@flinders.edu.au regarding access.

Do CQAGs replace industry advisory boards?

No. These groups have different responsibilities and objectives. Colleges may wish to appoint an industry advisory board member to the CQAG.

Are CQAGs responsible for undertaking internal course accreditations (5-yearly course reviews)?

No. Course Quality Advisory Groups contribute to this process via their annual report and recommendations.

Are CQAGs responsible for professional accreditation submissions?

No. However, Course Quality Advisory Group reports and recommendations are a valuable contribution to this process.

Who do I talk to about administrative support for my CQAG?

Colleges are responsible for the coordination and facilitation of Course Quality Advisory Groups. Any enquiries of this nature should be directed to your Teaching Program Director or Dean (Education).

The Educational Quality team provides high level support for CQAGs via the provision of advice and resources (web content, templates, register) but does not provide operational support for CQAGs.