Quality, Good Practice and the Future of the Programme

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On 17 May 2022, as part of a 10-year anniversary reflection, QQI welcomed representatives of higher education institutions (HEIs) and professional bodies (PSRBs) to address the many aspects of the programme, including innovative programme design, professional body updates, practice placement, and the many challenges such as assessment. More than 160 colleagues attended from public and private higher education institutions and PSRBs across the country.  

This significant event highlighted innovations happening in programme design and delivery and the challenges that are impacting on programmes and how this effects the learner experience.  

At the outset of the event, Dr Peter Cullen, QQI, Head of Research and Innovation, referenced the series of four QQI-commissioned thematic analyses of accreditation/validation and institutional oversight of programmes. The four reports and a synopsis of the reports can be found on our Insights page.  

The virtual event saw Kane Murdoch, Manager, Conduct and Integrity Unit, University of New South Wales (UNSW), fresh from delivering a series of NAIN Academic Integrity Masterclasses, providing attendees with significant food for thought as he encouraged the audience to consider academic integrity implications for programme design and delivery.  

Dr Blánaid White, Dean of Strategic Learning Innovation, Dublin City University, presented a case study on DCU Futures which embeds transversal skills in the curriculum of ten undergraduate programmes and specialisms integrating students’ personal agency as a key component.  

QQI was delighted to have additional contributions from  

  • Sandra Campbell, Director of Education, the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) who provided a PSRB perspective on programme accreditation & innovative practice 

  • Professor Brian Bowe, Head of Academic Affairs & Assistant Registrar, TU Dublin described Programme accreditation and review under TU Dublin’s new quality assurance system 

  • Catherine Byrne, Head of Education, CORU, provided a recording on the CORU rationale and approach towards the development of Practice Placement Guidance during Covid-19. Karena Maguire, QQI, highlighted this as one example of input for Statutory QA guidelines for the work placement element of programmes. QQI is looking for more examples and any interested parties to join a working group. 

  • Aisling McKenna, Director of Quality Promotion, DCU, who also provided a short recording on an alternative approach to self-evaluation as part of the programmatic review process 

To close the event, Dr Michael Hannon, Head of Galway-Mayo College & Registrar, Atlantic Technological University, led a panel discussion joined by James Flynn, University Programmes UK & Ireland Lead, IBM, Naomi Jackson, Dean of Academic Affairs, CCT College and Aisling Reast, Director of Quality Enhancement, RCSI. Our learner panel member was unfortunately unavailable to attend on the day.

Watch contributions below

Presentations

Programme Accreditation and Innovative Practice - a PSRB’s Perspective (1.9 MB) Programme Design and Delivery through the lens of Academic Integrity (2.5 MB) DCU Futures - a radical re-imagination of the curriculum for the 21st century (4 MB) Quality and Digital Learning: Considerations and Tensions (1.1 MB)
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