UTech, Ja Annual Report 2017-18

University of Technology, Jamaica “Pioneering Past; Bright Future ” ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018 12 Office of Quality Assurance (OQA) The major focus of the Office of Qua l i t y Assurance (OQA) fo r academic year 2017-2018 was the preparation the University’s application for Institutional Accreditation to the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ). This included preparation of the Self-Study document which involved stakeholders in all operational areas of the University. The Self-Study and application were revised based on feedback from the UCJ for final submission in the subsequent academic year. Academic Quality Audit The Internal Academic Quality Audit complements the accreditation process and strengthens the University’s application for institutional accreditation. The re-audit exercise commenced October 2015 and twelve (12) schools were re-audited. Schools continue to use the audit reports to inform quality enhancement and feedback on the contribution of the Internal Academic Quality Audits towards quality improvements, remains positive. As part of the monitoring of the quality of what is delivered, schools will be re-audited every three years. Student Instructor-Module Evaluation The Student Instructor-Module Evaluation was administered fully online beginning Semester 1, Academic Year 2015/2016. While there was a noted improvement in the turnaround time for reports to lecturers, the response rate from students was very low. A decision was therefore made by the President to revert to the paper- based administration of the evaluations. This was done for the Semester 2, Academic Year 2016/2017. Office of Teaching and Learning Co-operative Education • Over 600 students successfully completed the Co-operative Education Programme for the period August 2016 to August 2017 • In an effort to increase the programme’s visibility, two new initiatives were introduced during the period under review. These were: 1. The inaugural Co-op Ed Employers’ Recognition and Students’ Award for Excellence. The event was successfully hosted in November 2017 with nine employers and nine students receiving wards. ACADEMIC AFFAIRS DIVISION Cont’d. Dr. Winsome Russell Associate Vice President Dr Haldane Johnson Associate Vice President