Transcript Slide 1

ATEM Victoria Conference 2004
Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders
Collaborating for success
in developing postgraduate attributes
Teresa Tjia and Fiona Zammit
School of Graduate Studies
The University of Melbourne
www.gradstudies.unimelb.edu.au
Research Higher Degrees at
the University of Melbourne
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2783 PhD’s
1068 Masters by Research
Approx 10,000 postgraduate students
11 faculties
School of Graduate Studies
• Established in 1994
• Academic leadership by the Dean of Graduate Studies, staffed by 22
administrative staff
• Administration of research higher degrees
• Academic support and professional development opportunities for
RHD staff and supervisors
• Policy development and quality assurance of RHD programs
Vision
The University of Melbourne aims to provide its
postgraduate students with a distinctive education of
international quality.
This is supported by a University-wide integrated
program, Developing Postgraduates to Become Leaders
of Tomorrow, a comprehensive range of activities from
the beginning to the end of candidature.
Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders
Objectives
• Support and assist postgraduate teaching and learning,
with particular focus on research higher degrees
students and their supervisors.
• Develop leadership and professional skills of
postgraduates for successful careers.
• Foster a broad range of graduate attributes especially
among doctoral students.
Process
Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders is facilitated through a
three-stage process:
• Getting a Flying Start – Integrated orientation and
induction programs conducted at all levels of the
University.
• Adding Breadth to Depth: A Collaborative Strategy
– Coordinated skills development programs for
postgraduate students and academic staff.
• Heading for Leadership – Dynamic programs to
equip postgraduates with transferable skills and
assist in the transition to work.
Strategies
• The School of Graduate Studies (SGS), under the
academic leadership of the Dean, coordinates and
integrates a wide range of initiatives, programs and
resources across University.
• Postgraduate students participate in the decisionmaking, planning and delivery of many programs.
• The Graduate Centre is a dedicated world-class teaching
and learning facility available for all postgraduates
24hours/day and 7days/week co-managed by SGS and
Postgraduate Association.
Programs
• We offer around 200 orientation activities,
leadership programs, workshops, courses and
seminars annually attended by over 5,000
postgraduates
• For supervisors and staff we conduct 10-12
orientation programs and workshops per year
attended by over 400 staff
Strategies
• Policy and research on postgraduate study is developed and applied
by SGS.
• Quality assurance and feedback mechanisms are embedded
throughout the programs and initiatives.
• All initiatives and programs are continuously promoted to
postgraduate students and staff.
• Best practice is ensured by internal and external benchmarking.
• Targeted programs are developed and delivered to address special
teaching and learning needs and to ensure equitable opportunities
for all postgraduates.
Success Factors
• Collaboration
• Evaluation and Review
• Policy Framework
Collaboration
• SGS relatively new, celebrating 10 years in 2004
• Building long-term relationships and developing strategic
coalitions with individuals and departments across the
university crucial to success of programs and
implementation of Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders
strategy .
• SGS role varies eg. co-ordination, lead or initiate,
support and/or sponsor
• Alliances can lead to more cost effective and efficient
program delivery
Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders
Involves all parts of the university:
Departments
Faculties
Supervisors
UMPA – Postgraduate Association
MRIO – Research and Innovation Office
Postgraduate Coordinators
Associate Dean (RAGS)
Postgraduate student groups
Language & Learning Skills Unit
Information Division
Research Consultant
Percy Baxter Learning Centre
International Student Support
Transition Unit
Student Programs
Careers & Employment Committee
Counselling Service
RAGS Managers
SGS
Benefits of Collaboration
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Efficiencies
Sharing good practice
Best use of expertise
Sharing the load
Range of perspectives brought to programs
Mutual support and understanding of issues
Breaking down of “silos”
Accountabilities embedded across the University
Evaluation
Three broad purposes and uses
Accountability – outcomes, achievement of goals &
objectives, decision making about funding and resources
Development – improvement of programs, identify gaps,
new initiatives
Knowledge – insights into participants needs &
experiences, policy and administrative issues, marketing
& promotion
Evaluation
Outcomes are measured by:
• Participation rates in programs.
• Participants’ feedback and evaluation scores.
• Awareness and range of programs offered to
postgraduate students and staff throughout the
University.
• Feedback on the impact on the postgraduate
experience.
Policy Framework
• Programs are the implementation of
policies and/or develop from practice and
observation
• Programs can inform and improve policies
• A policy framework assists in the
sustainability and dissemination of good
programs and practice
Policy Development
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Research Higher Degree Committee
Research and Graduate Studies Committee
Regular consultations with Deans
Associate Deans of Research Training
Postgraduate Administrators Group
Postgraduate Marketing Group
SGS Executive
SGS Staff and Team meetings
Getting a Flying Start
The foundation for Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders is a comprehensive
orientation and induction program conducted at University, faculty,
department and course levels.
“Overall, I have been nothing short of impressed with the University, in
particular with the Graduate Centre and the events/seminars held by the
School of Graduate Studies … These seminars were invaluable and helped
to both make me feel a part of the University community and also give
myself and others a flying start.”
Postgraduate research student feedback on the quality of research supervision and academic
support. Report of the 2002 survey. University Planning Office, April 2003.
“It was great thanks! The best part of was that people care enough to have
one of these (orientation) days.”
Student comment, School of Physics Orientation Day
“Departmental staff were grateful for the opportunity to greet, meet and eat
with some of our new research students”
Faculty of Arts Welcome Day
Adding Breadth to Depth: a Collaborative Strategy
The University provides postgraduates with programs and activities
that develop skills and confidence for academic and professional
success.
‘The SGS in particular received acclamation for providing
“excellent”, “very good”, “impressive”, and “fantastic” seminars and
programs, among which the UpSkills programs received particular
praise … Described the courses as numerous, excellent and a
“fantastic help”.’
POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENT FEEDBACK ON THE QUALITY OF RESEARCH
SUPERVISION AND ACADEMIC SUPPORT. REPORT OF THE 2002 SURVEY. UNIVERSITY
PLANNING OFFICE APRIL 2003
Heading for Leadership
The University is committed to producing doctoral graduates with highly
developed academic, professional and leadership attributes that encompass
a broad range of transferable skills applicable in all sectors.
‘I can’t speak highly enough of the course. I had never done
anything as in-depth as this and it provides such a good transition to
work in the personal and professional sense of setting goals. From
day one I put what I had learned into practice and found it
extraordinarily successful.’
DAVID NOAKES; MASTERS BY RESEARCH IN LAW, MODULE: LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Conclusion
Collaboration + Evaluation + Policy →
→ Innovation + Quality Programs
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Client Focus
The Challenges
• Encouraging collaboration
• Formative evaluation
• Ownership of policy development and
implementation