Exploring enhancement-led approaches to managing quality

SHEEC and the Enhancement Themes

Rowena Pelik, Director QAA Scotland

Republic of South Africa’s CHE visit to Scotland

September 2015

The Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee (SHEEC)

SHEEC is the committee of Vice Principals Learning and Teaching which oversees the direction of enhancement activity in the Scottish university sector

Its vision is…A vibrant, reflective, collegial community of higher education leaders, promoting a culture of quality enhancement to empower staff and students and improve the experience of higher education in Scotland

SHEEC: main work strands

Oversees and provides strategic direction for:

The Enhancement and the Themes– http://www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk/sheec/descriptors-of-enhanceme

nt– http://www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk/enhancement-themes

Learning from International Practice projects– http://www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk/sheec/learning-from-international

-practice

Focus on… projects– http://www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk/sheec/focus-on

Evaluations and critical reflections – Eg:

http://www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk/sheec/theme-evaluation-project

SHEEC: Membership

Vice Principals Learning and Teaching (or equivalent)

Sector agencies attend (SFC, HEA, sparqs etc.)

Managed and supported by QAA Scotland

Normally meets three times a year

Enhancement Themes

Topics are chosen, planned and directed by SHEEC the Scottish Higher Education Enhancement Committee

Topics are of strategic relevance to the Scottish university sector

Topics are explored and developed to enhance the quality of the student learning experience through collaboration, sharing and learning across (and beyond) the sector

Aim is collective ‘step change’Funded by SFC Managed by QAA Scotland

How is a Theme managed?

SHEEC has strategic oversight

Delivery is led by the Student Transitions Theme Leaders Group (TLG)

Institutional teams (staff and students)

Student Transitions Student Network

QAA officers work in support of each group

Enhancement Themes to date

• Assessment and Integrative assessment (2003-04)• Responding to student needs (2003-04)• Employability (2004-06)• Flexible delivery (2004-06)• First year: engagement & empowerment (2005-08)• Research-teaching linkages: enhancing graduate attributes

(2006-08)• Graduates for the 21st century: integrating the Enhancement

Themes (2008-11)• Developing and supporting the curriculum (2011-14)• Student Transitions (2014-17)

Enhancement Themes website:www.enhancementthemes.ac.uk

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Registered charity numbers 1062746 and SC037786