An illustrative compact template

Transcription

1 An illustrative compact template A compact agreed between the University of Endeavour and the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia. 1. Preamble 1.1 University mission It is understood that the mission of the University is to: Mission The University at present The approach to this funding compact agreement is guided by four principles: Dynamism: Australian higher education needs to be responsive to changing needs and circumstances and always improving. Specialisation: universities offering higher degrees by research must be able to demonstrate that they can provide the right intellectual environment for quality research training. University autonomy and social responsibility: in order for universities to play their full role, on the one hand, they should be free to decide who they will employ as staff, who they will enrol as students, what and how they teach, what and how they research, and how they manage their internal operations; while on the other hand, they should have regard to broader public interests and contribute to the provision of education and related services. Transparency: public resources for universities should be allocated in an open and accountable way. This compact has three main parts: 1. Preamble: agreement on the mission of the university and its development direction. 2. Teaching and learning component: including the expected performance of the university, continuity of scholarship retainers in designated fields of education, and contributions to the national social inclusion agenda. 3. Research and research training component: excellent research performance, strengthening of research capability, quality research training in validated fields of research, and contributions to the national innovation agenda. Instructions Up to five key performance indicators can be attributed to each goal. What the University aspires to be What differentiates the University from others Major planned activities Academic Research Organisational Infrastructure Other PAGE 1 OF 5

2 2. Teaching and learning 2.1 Performance Government system goal: To provide high quality educational experiences that meet student needs and grow higher education attainment so that by 2025, 40% of all 25 to 34 year olds will hold a qualification at bachelor level or above. The following targets and performance indicators are agreed: Performance agreement Increased responsiveness to changes in student demand Volume of enrolments Changes in enrolments by field of education Changes in enrolments by level of education Core grant Year, Supplementation basis Performance funding (% of core grant) Increased responsiveness to labour market requests Destination of graduates Employer satisfaction with graduates Improved quality of the student learning experience Level of student satisfaction Level of graduate satisfaction 2.2 Scholarship continuity Government system goal: To sustain the availability of student learning opportunities and associated scholarship in field(s) of national importance. maintain staffing capacity at a level that is sufficient to meet a minimum threshold of student enrolments; sustain scholarship and research performance referenced to reputable international standards of quality; encourage collaborative arrangements with other universities and research institutions; and report annually on student enrolments and progress, staffing levels, and scholarly outputs. For its part the Australian Government undertakes to: provide a guaranteed level of funding annually, sufficient to support the agreed threshold staffing structure of the University in the designated field; and provide funding for student enrolments above the agreed threshold. Scholarship continuity agreement Maintain scholarship in the agreed fields Staffing Scholarly activity and output Student enrolments Annual minimum payment of X000 up to a student enrolment level of 25 EFTSL Annual minimum payment of Y000 per EFTSL for enrolments exceeding 25 Maintain scholarship in Southern Asian languages (Bengali, Hindi-Urdu, Khmer, Lao, Punjabi, Sanskrit) Staffing Scholarly activity and output Student enrolments Annual minimum payment of X000 up to a student enrolment level of 25 EFTSL Annual minimum payment of Y000 per EFTSL for enrolments exceeding 25 PAGE 2 OF 5

3 2.3 Contribution to the national social inclusion agenda Government system goal: To increase social inclusiveness in higher education and national productivity through raising the proportion of low socio-economic status participation to 20% by For its part the Australian Government undertakes to: provide a per capita funding loading for student enrolments from low socio-economic status backgrounds; and make funding available to support university strategies to increase the aspiration, readiness, access and success of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. For its part the University commits to the following goals: Social inclusiveness agreement Increase higher education readiness of students from low socio-economic status backgrounds 3. Research and research training 3.1 Excellence in research performance and the strengthening of research capability Government system goal: To ensure excellence in research performance and the strengthening of research capability at Australian universities. 1. Continue to enhance its research performance and build its research capability. 2. Participate fully in the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative. 3. Commit to the implementation of transparent costing of research and agree on an indirect cost rate of X% for the excellence element of the Sustainable Research Excellence (SRE) initiative. 4. Agree to participate in Collaborative Research Networks (CRN). Number of schools participating in aspiration raising programs Low SES students as a % of all commencing undergraduate students Increase success rates of first year students Student attrition at end of first year First year students provided with special support Increase completion of Indigenous students Indigenous progression rates Indigenous attrition rates University goal 4 Expand pathways for students from other tertiary education Number of students admitted with a VET qualification Access agreements with other education institutes For its part the Australian Government undertakes to provide funding through the SRE initiative (Sustainability, Incentive and Excellence elements), the Joint Research Engagement (JRE) initiative, the CRN initiative and Research Infrastructure Block Grants (RIBG). Research agreement Continue to enhance research performance and build research capability Research excellence as measured by ERA Increase research collaboration with other universities Number of collaborative research programs with other Australian universities 3.2 Provision of quality research training in validated fields of research Government system goal: To support research excellence and develop an internationally competitive research workforce in Australia through high quality research training. Purpose To agree upon those fields of research that are able to attract Australian Government funding for higher degree by research (HDR) enrolments. PAGE 3 OF 5

4 The University may be eligible to enrol publicly-funded HDR students on one of the following bases: a. comprehensively across all the fields where the University has a sustained record of high quality research performance; b. selectively across those particular areas where high quality research has been performed for a sustained period e.g. Econometrics, Economics, Education, English Literature, Linguistics, Marketing, Psychology, Sociology; or c. on a limited case by case basis where the University can demonstrate adequate capacity to perform high quality research e.g. nursing, sports science. Note: It is understood that for universities eligible for funding under (b) and (c) above, Australian Government funding will not be payable for HDR enrolments in any other field of research at the University. Where any university seeks to develop its capacity to provide research training in other than the agreed fields it may do so on a self-funded basis. 1. sustain research performance either comprehensively or in the agreed fields, and be able to demonstrate the quality of its research referenced to reputable international standards; 2. provide an appropriate environment for research training, and be able to demonstrate the quality of its research, research culture, supervision and mentoring; and 3. provide adequate facilities and services for its research students. For its part the Australian Government undertakes to allow the use of public funds, as allocated through the relevant funding arrangements (including the Research Training Scheme (RTS), Australian Postgraduate Awards (APAs), International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS) and the Commercialisation Training Scheme (CTS)), for research training in the agreed research areas. For universities covered by (b) or (c) above, the above disciplinary and cross-disciplinary research areas are agreed. Research training agreement Strengthen collaborative research networks and mobility opportunities for HDR students Number of HDR students enrolled in joint degree programs with other universities Number of HDR students who spend one month or more conducting research at another institution, in industry or in the field Improve the quality of research resources and infrastructure for HDR students Number of HDR students with campus workspace of at least 6.5 m 2 Number of HDR students with access to standard academic staff infrastructure and facilities Improve the quantity and quality of supervisor training and recognition Number of discipline-based modules in the university s supervisor training program University goal 4 Increase the number of HDR completions Number of HDR student completions 3.3 Contribution to the national innovation agenda Government system goal: Build a national innovation system which contributes to economic growth and prosperity through collaborative links with industry and other domestic and international research institutions and an increase in multidisciplinary solutions to emerging issues. Purpose To agree the main ways and means by which the University will contribute to national innovation. Innovation agreement Increase research collaboration with Government and other research organisations Number of collaborative agreements Number of jointly supervised HDR students Increase research linkages with industry Number of research agreements with industry Amount of industry-funded research Increase impact on public policy University members participating in Government committees, advisory boards etc. Number of consultancy contracts with Government agencies PAGE 4 OF 5

5 Declaration This compact is agreed on the following understandings: This compact relates to the period 1 January 2011 to 30 December Undertakings by the parties to the compact may be subject to annual review by either of the parties for the life of this agreement. The parties will jointly review progress of the undertakings in An independent evaluation of the results of the compact will be undertaken prior to the commencement of any further agreement after The evaluator for this purpose will be agreed between the parties to the compact. External review There is a role for an external evaluator to be involved in the agreement setting process and at review points in the life of the compact. The external party would ideally have extensive experience in the management of a university to ensure a realistic view of what level of incremental change can be achieved in a given period with the available level of funding. It would be expected the external party could also provide advice to government on the interplay of different objectives for teaching and learning, and research. It is envisaged that the compacts will provide the broad strategic overview for the mission of the university. This would guide funding processes outside the compact such as NCRIS, EIF and funding from other government agencies (federal, state and territory), to ensure the outcomes are built into the universities stated objectives and reflect their capabilities. On behalf of the University of Endeavour Sample University Name On behalf of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia Sample Government Name Timing Agreements would cover a five year time period, with a mid-term review. The re-negotiation of the compact would commence in the final year of the agreement including an extensive assessment of performance against stated objectives. At any point in the agreement either party could request a review. Signature Signature 13/11/2010 Date 13/11/2010 Date PAGE 5 OF 5