Academic Audit report states AUT University is on the right track
The Academic Audit Report of the Auckland University of Technology released today has complimented the University for delivering on its education commitments and distinctive contribution to university education.
The senior management and Council were commended “on their responsiveness, agility and leadership in developing and implementing strategies which further the University’s mission.”
The audit by the New Zealand Universities Academic Audit Unit examined the University’s academic activities and progress towards its goals. It involved a site visit by a panel that included both international and New Zealand academic and professional members. AUT is the sixth university to undergo the Cycle 4 audit.
“The Report has commended our learning and teaching approaches, affirmed development of our research and commended our community engagement strategies”, says AUT University Vice Chancellor, Derek McCormack.
The Report noted the University’s strengths in preparing students for professional practice and employment, and the value placed on these by students and employers. Drawing on data from a 2010 survey of Australasian universities, the Report notes that students had rated AUT particularly highly with regard to class interaction, active learning and work-related learning.
Students interviewed for the audit praised their lecturers for always being accessible and approachable.
The audit report notes that the University has “made a significant investment” in increasing its research capability and infrastructure through investing in staff and resources. The University’s focus on increasing research productivity and reputation as well as developing postgraduate study and support for students was affirmed by the Panel.
The number of postgraduate students has increased from 903 in 2006 to 2,256 in 2010. Over that same period the proportion of students enrolled in degree qualifications has increased from 63% to 81%.
In the Report the panel remarked positively on the University’s quality framework and notes its “overall commitment to ongoing quality enhancement”. Recommendations made by the Panel extend the University’s existing development plan and indentify areas for further development. Overall the Report commends University staff on their understanding of the relevance of ethics and the extent to which these are embedded into the core activities.
The panel commended the “entire University community for the embedded ethos of support for the aspirations of Māori” and “to supporting and encouraging Pasifika staff and students and in its commitment to Pacific research”.
The report acknowledged “the energy and commitment of staff” and their contribution to the evolution of the University. A common theme from staff was “their appreciation of the opportunities that the University offered.”
AUT’s Vice-Chancellor affirms the importance of regular academic audits and commends the panel for their conduct and the usefulness of the report provided.
Ends
For more information please contact AUT Director of Corporate Affairs, Aimee Driscoll:
Ph: 09 921 9241 / 021 820 718 email: adriscol@aut.ac.nz
Notes to editors
- Kaupapa Maori is demonstrated at all levels of AUT
- The University offers a broad range of programmes in Applied Science, the Arts, Business, Communication Studies, Mathematical and Computer and Information Sciences, Creative Technologies, Dance, Design, Education, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Health Science, Hospitality, Tourism, Law, Māori Development, Medical Laboratory Science, Sport and Recreation and Visual Arts.
- Fifty-two new qualifications at bachelor’s, graduate and postgraduate levels have been developed since 2006.
- The number of diploma and certificate programmes has decreased by 23% over that period.
- Programmes are delivered from five faculties, each of which is headed by a Dean.
- The numbers of students enrolled at AUT University has increased since the previous audit by 21%, from 15,522 EFTS in 2006 to 18,787 in 2010.
- The most significant changes in the pattern of enrolments have been the increase in both numbers and proportion of postgraduate enrolments and a decrease in enrolments in certificates and diplomas.
- The percentage of students in full-time study rose from 75% in 2006 to 84% in 2010.
- The Manukau Campus in South Auckland opened at the beginning of 2010.
- Currently programmes from each faculty are offered with an expectation that Education, Nursing and Midwifery, Sports and Education are likely to grow.