If you have a question regarding any aspect of the Academic Quality Handbook or about the processes of accreditation, please email your query to Dr. Sereana Kubuabola

The following are some questions (and answers) that staff members have asked.

Q1. I've heard that the new faculties will each have a Faculty Board of Studies. Will these be like the old School Boards?

A1. There will be some resemblence, but also some major differences. Like the School Boards, the Faculty Boards are sub-committees of the Senate, and they report to the Senate. Many of the responsibilities of the old School Boards will be taken up by the new Faculty Boards. The big difference is in membership. The old School Boards had very extensive membership (about a hundred in some cases), and resembled what would now be described as staff meetings or forums in many other universities. The new Faculty Boards of Studies have memberships between 12 and 16, depending on the number of schools/departments within the faculty. (You can click here to see the membership and terms of reference of the new Faculty Boards of Studies.)

Q2. How often will the Faculty Boards of Studies meet?

A2. The schedule of meetings for each Faculty Board of Studies will be determined by the Dean of that Faculty. As there are currently 4 meetings of the Senate per year, it is likely that there will be at least 4 meetings of each Faculty Board of Studies per year, but might a faculty might arrange for more than this.

Q3. I've also heard of 'Program Advisory Committees'. What is the purpose of these committees?

A3. These are new committees associated with each faculty. Each Program Advisory Committee advises the Dean and the Faculty Board of Studies regarding the programs (curriculum and delivery), and the Vice-Chancellor in relation to the periodic in-depth review of programs. There is considerable flexibility in both the membership and operation of these committees, and they may vary from one faculty to another.

The primary function of the Program Advisory Committees is to facilitate the engagement and active involvement of employers and other external stakeholders in the monitoring and review of academic programs. The Committees will also include at least one senior academic from another university. This helps to ensure that academic standards are appropriate. For more information, click on Program Advisory Committees.

Q4. When will these Program Advisory Committees be set up?

A4. The composition of each Program Advisory Committee will be determined within the Faculty. It is expected that the members will hold very high-level positions within the region. In the first part of 2006 the Deans will invite members to serve on the Program Advisory Committees for terms of three years.

Q5. How often will each Program Advisory Committee meet?

A5. Scheduling of the meetings of Program Advisory Committees is the responsibility of each Faculty, but they are expected to meet at least once per year.

Q6. What has happened to the External Advisers?

A6. The External Advisers were senior academics from other universities who reviewed academic departments and programs. The monitoring and review of academic programs has now been taken over by the Program Advisory Committees. Each of these committees must include in its membership a senior academic from another university. You could say that the External Advisers system has now been absorbed into the Program Advisory Committees.

During the transition to the new system, External Advisers who have already been engaged to visit USP before July 2006 will go ahead with their visits.

Remember, you can ask your question by emailing it to Dr. Sereana Kubuabola