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Educational Partnerships Policy

Policy overview

1 Purpose

To set out broad principles that underpin the establishment, management and governance of educational partnerships between the University and third parties.

2 Scope

This policy applies to educational partnerships including, but not limited to:

  • Third Party Coursework Program delivery arrangements;
  • Coursework Dual Awards and Joint Degrees;
  • Articulation Arrangements; and
  • Study support centres located both within Australia and offshore.

The policy does not apply to Credit Transfer Arrangements, collaborative Research, licensing and Student mobility arrangements.

3 Policy Statement

The University will establish educational partnership arrangements with a broad range of organisations both in Australia and overseas to enhance the quality of the University's educational offerings and delivery.

The University is accountable for the quality of any education, training or services delivered on its behalf by a partner organisation and for compliance with all relevant aspects of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021.

4 Principles

The University will only establish educational partnership arrangements where the choice of partner and arrangement type:

  • complements and aligns with the University's vision, values and strategic priorities;
  • builds on the partner's demonstrated record of academic credibility suitable to the type of arrangement;
  • is likely to enhance the domestic and/or international reputation of the University; and
  • strategically aligns with the University's existing and prospective partnership arrangements.

The relevant governance, due diligence and approval requirements, commensurate with the nature, scale and purpose of the arrangement, must be met before entering into any educational partnership or collaboration.

All educational partnerships require a written agreement between the parties. These may range from detailed binding contractual agreements to preliminary non-binding memoranda of understanding, as appropriate for the stage of discussions, type of arrangement and the range of activities.

At a minimum, agreements must specify the purpose of the agreement, outline the roles and responsibilities of all relevant parties and include a timeline for monitoring and review of the agreement, commensurate with the level of complexity and risk associated with the type of agreement.

Partnership agreements must comply with any legislative, regulatory or government policy requirements that apply to the activities governed by, or related to, those agreements.

International education partnership agreements must comply with the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (The National Code).

All partnerships resulting in Articulation Arrangements or Credit Transfer Arrangements must be consistent with the requirements of the Australian Qualifications Framework.

All Third Party Arrangements must be formalised using a legally binding agreement approved by the Legal Office. As a minimum, the agreement will set out:

  • the specific goals and expected benefits of the arrangement;
  • the scope and extent of the functions being undertaken by the Third Party Provider and the rights and responsibilities of the University and the Provider in respect of the quality of education and any services delivered on its behalf;
  • staffing arrangements, where relevant, including required qualifications and/or professional experience in the relevant discipline;
  • the schedule of periodic audits, agreed by the University and the Third Party Provider, to ensure adequate performance against the deliverables of the agreement and compliance with the relevant requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 for the types of activity involved;
  • marketing and promotional activities, and ensuring that representation of the University's educational offerings and fees is accurate and not misleading;
  • arrangements for amendments to the agreement, renewal and termination of agreement including provisions for teach-out, support and transition arrangements for Students; and
  • the dispute resolution process.

The agreement must not constrain the University in making changes to its programs and Courses as part of its normal business processes.

CRICOS registration or notification to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) must be initiated by UniSQ International where delivery involves International Students. Registration or approval must be received from TEQSA before any International Student can access any aspect of the Third Party Arrangement and this prerequisite should appear in all written contractual arrangements.

All programs and Courses, irrespective of delivery mode and location, must be accredited in accordance with the Program Accreditation Procedure, and must comply with all laws of the country where the program is offered.

University policies, procedures, processes and guidelines related to teaching, learning, Courses, programs, conduct and Student support will apply to Students and staff in Third Party Arrangements, unless an exception is approved by the Provost.

5 References

Nil.

6 Schedules

This policy must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.

7 Policy Information

Accountable Officer

Provost

Responsible Officer

Pro Vice-Chancellor (International)

Policy Type

Academic Quality Policy

Policy Suite

Arrangements for Third Party Delivery of Coursework Programs Procedure

Articulation Arrangements Procedure

Cotutelle PhD Program Procedure

Subordinate Schedules

Approved Date

17/11/2020

Effective Date

17/11/2020

Review Date

17/11/2025

Relevant Legislation

Australian Qualifications Framework

Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000

National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018

Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021

Higher Education Support Act 2003

Policy Exceptions

Policy Exceptions Register

Related Policies

Academic Programs and Courses Quality Policy

Admissions Policy

Enrolment Policy

Related Procedures

Admissions Procedure

Credit and Exemption Procedure

English Language Proficiency Requirements Procedure

Enrolment Procedure

Higher Degree by Research Student Admissions and Enrolments Procedure

Program Accreditation Procedure

Transfer Between Providers Procedure

Related forms, publications and websites

Education Partner Application form

Definitions

Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary

Admission

The process of submission and assessment of applications for entry to study at the University....moreThe process of submission and assessment of applications for entry to study at the University.

Articulation Arrangement

A defined pathway that allows a Student to progress from a completed program of study with another education provider to a University program. Admission to the University program may be with or without Credit....moreA defined pathway that allows a Student to progress from a completed program of study with another education provider to a University program. Admission to the University program may be with or without Credit.

Award

The qualification conferred upon a Student following the successful completion of an Academic Program. The categories of Award are listed in the Program Nomenclature Schedule....moreThe qualification conferred upon a Student following the successful completion of an Academic Program. The categories of Award are listed in the Program Nomenclature Schedule.

Course

A discrete element of a program, normally undertaken over a single Study Period, in which the Student enrols, and on completion of which the Student is awarded a grade....moreA discrete element of a program, normally undertaken over a single Study Period, in which the Student enrols, and on completion of which the Student is awarded a grade.

Coursework Program

A sequence of study consisting predominantly of Coursework....moreA sequence of study consisting predominantly of Coursework.

Credit

The number of units, up to a specified limit, granted towards a University Award on the basis of either previous Formal, Informal or Non-formal Learning. Credit reduces the number of Courses required to complete an Award Program....moreThe number of units, up to a specified limit, granted towards a University Award on the basis of either previous Formal, Informal or Non-formal Learning. Credit reduces the number of Courses required to complete an Award Program.

Credit Transfer Arrangement

A negotiated agreement with another educational institution or accrediting authority that provides Students with agreed and consistent Credit outcomes for components of a qualification based on identified equivalence in content and learning outcomes....moreA negotiated agreement with another educational institution or accrediting authority that provides Students with agreed and consistent Credit outcomes for components of a qualification based on identified equivalence in content and learning outcomes.

Dual Award

A partnership arrangement involving one or more Coursework Programs that leads to two separate Awards, one awarded by University and one awarded by the partner institution. There is usually a mutual recognition of Credit between the institutions to allow Students to complete both Awards in a shorter time than if they were completed separately....moreA partnership arrangement involving one or more Coursework Programs that leads to two separate Awards, one awarded by University and one awarded by the partner institution. There is usually a mutual recognition of Credit between the institutions to allow Students to complete both Awards in a shorter time than if they were completed separately.

International Student

A Student who is not an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident or the holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa....moreA Student who is not an Australian citizen, a New Zealand citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident or the holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa.

Joint Degree

The awarding of a single qualification which is jointly conferred by the University and one or more partner institutions. In such arrangements, each institution delivers their own courses/content....moreThe awarding of a single qualification which is jointly conferred by the University and one or more partner institutions. In such arrangements, each institution delivers their own courses/content.

Research

Research is the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include the synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative....moreResearch is the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies, inventions and understandings. This could include the synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it is new and creative.

Student

A person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled....moreA person who is enrolled in a UniSQ Upskill Course or who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled.

Third Party Arrangement

An arrangement made by the University with another party (in Australia or overseas) to deliver some or all of a higher education program that leads to the Award of an Australian regulated higher education qualification....moreAn arrangement made by the University with another party (in Australia or overseas) to deliver some or all of a higher education program that leads to the Award of an Australian regulated higher education qualification.

Third Party Provider

A party with which the University has a Third Party Arrangement for the purposes of delivering some or all of a higher education program that leads to the award of an Australian regulated higher education qualification....moreA party with which the University has a Third Party Arrangement for the purposes of delivering some or all of a higher education program that leads to the award of an Australian regulated higher education qualification.

University

The term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'UniSQ' means the University of Southern Queensland.

Definitions that relate to this policy only

Keywords

Partner, partnership agreement, third party, third party provider, third party arrangement

Record No

19/1301PL

Complying with the law and observing Policy and Procedure is a condition of working and/or studying at the University.

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