Griffith College CINNTE review published

A proactive commitment to student wellbeing is a key tenet to Griffith’s efficient student-centred approach: Griffith College CINNTE review published

Griffith College is the third independent/private higher education institution (HEI) to complete the CINNTE review process - an institution-wide review process – which assesses and reports on the effectiveness of internal quality assurance systems. To date, only publicly regulated HEIs have undertaken CINNTE reviews. In 2024, Griffith College was one of four larger independent/private HEIs to undertake institutional review.

Through its CINNTE cycle of reviews, QQI assesses and reports on how effectively HEIs are maintaining and enhancing quality in education. The reviews explore how institutions have improved their teaching, learning and research systems, and how well institutions have aligned with their own mission, quality indicators and benchmarks. 

An independent team of national and international experts completed a comprehensive review of the effectiveness of the QA system in Griffith College, recognising instances of good practice which deliver impact for students and staff, and making recommendations on areas for improvement.

The review report is now published by QQI.

Griffith College was commended for:

• the robust and overarching monitoring of student opinion and wellbeing which is paramount and central to the institution’s efficient student-centred approach.
• the alignment and coordination of the IT staff and adjacent steering groups concerning IT management systems, data compliance and cyber risk management.
• the arrangements in place for the protection of enrolled learners (PEL). The institution has proven both responsible and responsive through proactively stepping in and supporting students from other private colleges that have closed.
• the camaraderie amongst staff and collegiate atmosphere across the institution provides a setting for efficient pedagogy, good pastoral care and high academic morals that are maintained across the institution.
• its strict but agile financial management, allowing for ambitious investment planning.

The review team also made a number of recommendations for improvements to Griffith College to:

• visibly consolidate, formalise and embed into the QAE system the current planning of institutional and programme development arrangements, to form a complete strategic management practice that complements the current agile way of action-planning.
• strategically diversify its governance structures, both in the managerial as well as in the academic realm, by incorporating independent peer review, objective externality and a stronger student voice.
• document a clear principle regarding academic staffing, which will provide clarity regarding full-time and part-time staff and the appropriate balance of each managing and delivering its programmes.
• manage increased student numbers and the changing profile of international students by further developing a multicultural atmosphere that corresponds to the institution’s ambitions on quality teaching and learning.
• define and align research ambitions with the institution’s long-term strategy to ensure that the necessary infrastructure (financial governance and staffing), as well as QAE policies and procedures, can be established within the institution to realise these ambitions in a coherent manner.

Speaking on the publication of the report, Professor Peter Purg, Dean of the School of Humanities, University of Nova Gorica (Slovenia), who chaired the Griffith College review, commented: 

“The review team was particularly impressed by Griffith College’s student-centred approach, which is reflected in a structured and responsive system of monitoring student opinion and well-being. The collaborative spirit among staff fosters a positive learning environment that enhances pedagogy, pastoral care, and academic integrity. The College has established a strong foundation of financial stability through strategic property ownership, sound financial management, and a proactive approach to investment planning. Additionally, its IT and cyber operations exemplify high standards of governance, ensuring security and efficiency through a well-managed digital transformation. The College has also demonstrated commendable responsibility and responsiveness in managing the Protection of Enrolled Learners, proactively ensuring continuity for students affected by private college closures while fostering positive partnerships. The review team acknowledges Griffith College’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement and extends its sincere appreciation to the staff, students, and stakeholders for their engagement in this process.”

Responding to the publication of the report, Professor Diarmuid Hegarty, President, Griffith College commented:          

“Griffith College is delighted to welcome the publication of this QQI CINNTE Institutional Review Report, and to thank the expert panel members for their insights, reflections and detailed evaluation throughout the review process.

I would like to acknowledge the collegiate approach engendered and sustained throughout the review by QQI, the Review Team, and the College’s community in embracing the process of meaningful reflection, evaluation and enhancement. The panel’s commendations confirm the maturity of the College’s long-standing values, its commitment to learners and to established academic quality assurance and enhancement processes. The recommendations affirm and advance Griffith College’s shared reflections, plans and proposals for its ongoing development on its path towards Delegated Authority.

The resulting and lasting benefits arising from this review for learners, staff and the entire College community are a tribute to all involved. Fifty years since the foundation of Griffith College, it’s a pleasure to see the many successes achieved to date, and we look forward with commitment and excitement to the many further developments in the years ahead.”

Finally, Cliona Curley, QQI Interim CEO, commended Griffith College on its engagement with the CINNTE review process, remarking:

"QQI's CINNTE review cycle is crucial for ensuring the quality of higher education in Ireland. This report marks a significant milestone as larger independent/private institutions are now part of the institutional review cycle. We welcome the review team's findings, which highlight Griffith College's efficient student-centred approach and strong collegiate atmosphere, as well as its commitment to proactively supporting students that have been affected by other institutional closures through its PEL arrangements. Equally, the recommendations outlined in the report will also further enhance Griffith College's educational offerings, ensuring high-quality outcomes for all students."

CINNTE reviews are one element of the broader quality framework for institutions which also includes Quality Assurance Guidelines; each institution’s Quality Assurance Procedures; Annual Quality Reports (AQR); and Dialogue Meetings. 

The CINNTE review cycle has run from 2017-2024, having been extended by a year to include four newly established technological universities and the four largest independent/private HEIs. During this period, QQI has organised and overseen the independent reviews of each of the universities, technological universities and institutes of technology.

Read the full review report for Griffith College here.

Read the Griffith College quality profile here.