www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Enhancing Quality in International Partnerships –or Collaborative Adventures...
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Role of International Office
• Initial advice• Environment• Risk• Overview of University Activity• Alignment to International
Plan• Financial advice?
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Role of Academic Services
• Proposal guidance / advice• Documentation advice• International partner /
programme approval• Monitoring conditions of approval• Re-approvals• Enhancement /student
experience
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
How did it all start?
• Early collaborations- Greece- Russia- Taiwan
• Lessons learnt!
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Global Partnerships
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Programmes Delivered Overseas
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Where are we?
• Franchises• Validations• Dual Awards• Articulations• Letters of Recognition• Exchange Agreements• ……….
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Why?
• Corporate Strategy• Diversification• Knowledge creation / pedagogy• Income
• Post-Browne pressures• Reputation• Eg NBS Accreditations
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
How things are changing
• Drive towards strategic partnerships
• International Strategy• Greater central oversight• Why this partner, why these
programmes, what synergies
• Changing processes• Co-ordination of operations
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Quality – how do we assess it?
• Academic – APM • Procedural - deadlines,
conformance• Financial – Budgets• Reputational• Strategic
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Why Different Types of CV Activity
• Franchise vs Validation• Ownership, control, overseas
legislation (Malaysia University College)
• Articulation vs Letter of Recognition
• MoU vs MoC
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Risk Assessment
• Due Diligence• LTPAS• Risk Approach• Risk – impact – controls –
likelihood• resultant approval and
operational procedures
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Change of Approach
• Away from type of CV = procedures to adopt
• To CV outcomes required = risk associated = procedures adopted
• A single framework
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Negotiation Points
• Programmes – range, customisation
• Delivery pattern• Student numbers max / min• Entry criteria• KPIs
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The Process
• Development idea – proposal (CVP)• SLT & School Exec• International Committee• LTPAS & Finance Director• ULT• Approvals – Partner and
Programme
• ULT
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Franchises - Our Obligations
• Materials• Blackboard• Electronic Resources• Operations Manual• Assessment / moderation• Staff development• Marks, progression and awards
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Student Experience in TNE
• QAA expectations“collaborative …provision should widen
learning opportunities without prejudice either to the academic standard of the award or the quality of what is offered to students.”
• Cultural/Political/Religious Norms
• What are our responsibilities?
www.northumbria.ac.uk/international
Discussion Questions
• To what extent should experience overseas match the UK?
• What issues have you experienced?
• How can Academic Registry/International Office support Schools with their Partnerships?