Statement on Telford Division, Lincoln

19 October 2016 | media

Universities New Zealand’s Committee on University Academic Programmes (CUAP) has considered thefindings of the Deloitte report. CUAP has determined the issues raised relate to funding reporting requirements, rather than academic quality.

CUAP does not consider that there are any grounds to withdraw approval for any of the programmes investigated by Deloitte. Those who have successfully completed the programmes will retain their qualification and will not be affected.

CUAP also acknowledges that Lincoln has been proactive in addressing the issues raised.  CUAP will monitor Lincoln University’s implementation of changes following the Deloitte findings.

Background

CUAP

  • The Committee on University Academic Programmes (CUAP) has delegated statutory authority (under the Education Act) to provide quality assurance of new or major changes to existing university programmes.  It determines what university qualifications can be registered on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. 
  • CUAP ensures that qualifications are of an appropriate quality before they can be offered and this includes ensuring that there is a graduate profile detailing what skills and capabilities a graduate will gain from a course, which is developed in consultation with industry, professions and other stakeholders. Under certain conditions CUAP can withdraw approval for a university to offer a qualification.
  • These sub-degree level courses  in Horticulture, Arboriculture and Farming, are between 10-52 week’s duration, with 50% to 90% of the courses made up of student-directed learning and work experience.
  • CUAP considers that the issue for 3 of the 4 courses relates to funding reporting requirements - not the quality of the programmes themselves; the 4th course involved a straight administration error concerning 1 student.

The Report

  • The Deloitte report found four sub-degree courses at the Telford division of Lincoln, which were outsourced to contractors, did not meet funding reporting requirements. 
  • The report recommended
    • The need to improve processes to recording learning hours.
    • The need to update the Ministry’s website (STEO) on a timely basis to reflect changes and ensure it is consistent with programme documents;
    • greater oversight of outsourced programmes.