Renewal of course accreditation in teach out mode

Report on renewal of accreditation of four higher education courses of study in teach out mode offered by Asia Pacific International College Pty Ltd

On 17 August 2017, TEQSA varied, under subsection 185(2) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), decisions made by a delegate of TEQSA. The decisions as varied, made after considering an application by Asia Pacific International College (APIC) for internal review, were to:

a. reject, pursuant to subsection 56(1) of the TEQSA Act, APIC's application for renewal of accreditation of the following courses with effect from 31 December 2018:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Business Management (MBM)
• Graduate Diploma of Business Management (GDBM)
• Graduate Certificate in Business Management (GCBM)

b. impose the following three (3) conditions on the courses under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act:

Condition 1

APIC is not to offer any student a place in any of the above higher education courses, or enrol or commence any students in these higher education courses, effective from the date on which APIC is notified of this decision.

Condition 2

APIC must provide each person who is currently enrolled in one of the above courses with a written notice containing the following information no later than 21 days after APIC is notified of this decision:

• That the accreditation of the courses will end on 31 December 2018; and
• The options available to students currently enrolled in the courses, including the possibility of exiting APIC with a higher education award, receiving a refund of fees or transferring to a course of study at another (specified) higher education provider.

Condition 3

By no later than 28 days after APIC is notified of this decision, APIC must provide TEQSA with evidence of how it has complied with Condition 2, as well as the steps APIC proposes to take in relation to each student currently enrolled in one of the above courses to:

• Transition the student to a course of study at another higher education provider; or
• Provide a student with a refund of fees; or
• Confer a higher education award on the student.

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was not satisfied that the courses of study continue to meet the following Provider Course Accreditation Standards (PCAS):

1. PCAS 1.7, in relation to extent to which the courses of study provide for appropriate engagement in intellectual inquiry consistent with the nature and level of the units being taught and the expected learning outcomes for the courses of study;
2. PCAS 4.1, in relation to staffing for the courses of study;
3. PCAS 5.4, in relation to the extent to which APIC maintains, monitors and acts on comparative data on the performance of students in the courses; and
4. PCAS 6.1, in relation to arrangements for review of the courses of study.

No new enrolments are permitted in the above course(s).

Renewal of course accreditation in teach out mode

Report on renewal of accreditation of four higher education courses of study in teach out mode offered by Asia Pacific International College Pty Ltd

On 17 August 2017, TEQSA varied, under subsection 185(2) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), decisions made by a delegate of TEQSA. The decisions as varied, made after considering an application by Asia Pacific International College (APIC) for internal review, were to:

a. reject, pursuant to subsection 56(1) of the TEQSA Act, APIC's application for renewal of accreditation of the following courses with effect from 31 December 2018:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Business Management (MBM)
• Graduate Diploma of Business Management (GDBM)
• Graduate Certificate in Business Management (GCBM)

b. impose the following three (3) conditions on the courses under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act:

Condition 1

APIC is not to offer any student a place in any of the above higher education courses, or enrol or commence any students in these higher education courses, effective from the date on which APIC is notified of this decision.

Condition 2

APIC must provide each person who is currently enrolled in one of the above courses with a written notice containing the following information no later than 21 days after APIC is notified of this decision:

• That the accreditation of the courses will end on 31 December 2018; and
• The options available to students currently enrolled in the courses, including the possibility of exiting APIC with a higher education award, receiving a refund of fees or transferring to a course of study at another (specified) higher education provider.

Condition 3

By no later than 28 days after APIC is notified of this decision, APIC must provide TEQSA with evidence of how it has complied with Condition 2, as well as the steps APIC proposes to take in relation to each student currently enrolled in one of the above courses to:

• Transition the student to a course of study at another higher education provider; or
• Provide a student with a refund of fees; or
• Confer a higher education award on the student.

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was not satisfied that the courses of study continue to meet the following Provider Course Accreditation Standards (PCAS):

1. PCAS 1.7, in relation to extent to which the courses of study provide for appropriate engagement in intellectual inquiry consistent with the nature and level of the units being taught and the expected learning outcomes for the courses of study;
2. PCAS 4.1, in relation to staffing for the courses of study;
3. PCAS 5.4, in relation to the extent to which APIC maintains, monitors and acts on comparative data on the performance of students in the courses; and
4. PCAS 6.1, in relation to arrangements for review of the courses of study.

No new enrolments are permitted in the above course(s).

Renewal of course accreditation in teach out mode

Report on renewal of accreditation of four higher education courses of study in teach out mode offered by Asia Pacific International College Pty Ltd

On 17 August 2017, TEQSA varied, under subsection 185(2) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), decisions made by a delegate of TEQSA. The decisions as varied, made after considering an application by Asia Pacific International College (APIC) for internal review, were to:

a. reject, pursuant to subsection 56(1) of the TEQSA Act, APIC's application for renewal of accreditation of the following courses with effect from 31 December 2018:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Business Management (MBM)
• Graduate Diploma of Business Management (GDBM)
• Graduate Certificate in Business Management (GCBM)

b. impose the following three (3) conditions on the courses under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act:

Condition 1

APIC is not to offer any student a place in any of the above higher education courses, or enrol or commence any students in these higher education courses, effective from the date on which APIC is notified of this decision.

Condition 2

APIC must provide each person who is currently enrolled in one of the above courses with a written notice containing the following information no later than 21 days after APIC is notified of this decision:

• That the accreditation of the courses will end on 31 December 2018; and
• The options available to students currently enrolled in the courses, including the possibility of exiting APIC with a higher education award, receiving a refund of fees or transferring to a course of study at another (specified) higher education provider.

Condition 3

By no later than 28 days after APIC is notified of this decision, APIC must provide TEQSA with evidence of how it has complied with Condition 2, as well as the steps APIC proposes to take in relation to each student currently enrolled in one of the above courses to:

• Transition the student to a course of study at another higher education provider; or
• Provide a student with a refund of fees; or
• Confer a higher education award on the student.

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was not satisfied that the courses of study continue to meet the following Provider Course Accreditation Standards (PCAS):

1. PCAS 1.7, in relation to extent to which the courses of study provide for appropriate engagement in intellectual inquiry consistent with the nature and level of the units being taught and the expected learning outcomes for the courses of study;
2. PCAS 4.1, in relation to staffing for the courses of study;
3. PCAS 5.4, in relation to the extent to which APIC maintains, monitors and acts on comparative data on the performance of students in the courses; and
4. PCAS 6.1, in relation to arrangements for review of the courses of study.

No new enrolments are permitted in the above course(s).

Renewal of course accreditation in teach out mode

Report on renewal of accreditation of four higher education courses of study in teach out mode offered by Asia Pacific International College Pty Ltd

On 17 August 2017, TEQSA varied, under subsection 185(2) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), decisions made by a delegate of TEQSA. The decisions as varied, made after considering an application by Asia Pacific International College (APIC) for internal review, were to:

a. reject, pursuant to subsection 56(1) of the TEQSA Act, APIC's application for renewal of accreditation of the following courses with effect from 31 December 2018:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Business Management (MBM)
• Graduate Diploma of Business Management (GDBM)
• Graduate Certificate in Business Management (GCBM)

b. impose the following three (3) conditions on the courses under subsection 32(1) of the TEQSA Act:

Condition 1

APIC is not to offer any student a place in any of the above higher education courses, or enrol or commence any students in these higher education courses, effective from the date on which APIC is notified of this decision.

Condition 2

APIC must provide each person who is currently enrolled in one of the above courses with a written notice containing the following information no later than 21 days after APIC is notified of this decision:

• That the accreditation of the courses will end on 31 December 2018; and
• The options available to students currently enrolled in the courses, including the possibility of exiting APIC with a higher education award, receiving a refund of fees or transferring to a course of study at another (specified) higher education provider.

Condition 3

By no later than 28 days after APIC is notified of this decision, APIC must provide TEQSA with evidence of how it has complied with Condition 2, as well as the steps APIC proposes to take in relation to each student currently enrolled in one of the above courses to:

• Transition the student to a course of study at another higher education provider; or
• Provide a student with a refund of fees; or
• Confer a higher education award on the student.

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was not satisfied that the courses of study continue to meet the following Provider Course Accreditation Standards (PCAS):

1. PCAS 1.7, in relation to extent to which the courses of study provide for appropriate engagement in intellectual inquiry consistent with the nature and level of the units being taught and the expected learning outcomes for the courses of study;
2. PCAS 4.1, in relation to staffing for the courses of study;
3. PCAS 5.4, in relation to the extent to which APIC maintains, monitors and acts on comparative data on the performance of students in the courses; and
4. PCAS 6.1, in relation to arrangements for review of the courses of study.

No new enrolments are permitted in the above course(s).

Revocation of accreditation condition

Report on revocation of condition imposed on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Photography Holdings Pty Ltd

On 20 March 2018 a delegate of TEQSA revoked, under section 53 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), Condition One imposed on the accreditation of the following course offered by Photography Holdings Pty Ltd (refer public report of 23 June 2017):

• Bachelor of Photography

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the condition has been met.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Top Education Group Pty Ltd

On 30 June 2017 a delegate of TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following courses offered by Top Education Group Pty Ltd, for a period of four years until 30 June 2021:

  - Master of Professional Accounting

  - Master of Professional Accounting Services (formerly known as Master of Professional Accounting and Business).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made the decisions in light of risks that Top Education Group Pty Ltd may not continue to meet the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011:

1. Provider Course Accreditation Standards (PCAS) 5.1, in relation to assessment tasks for the courses of study providing opportunities for students to demonstrate achievement of the expected student learning outcomes.

TEQSA's assessment considered Top Education Group Party's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of two higher education courses of study offered by Top Education Group Pty Ltd

On 30 June 2017 a delegate of TEQSA:

• renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following courses offered by Top Education Group Pty Ltd, for a period of four years until 30 June 2021:

  - Master of Professional Accounting

  - Master of Professional Accounting Services (formerly known as Master of Professional Accounting and Business).

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made the decisions in light of risks that Top Education Group Pty Ltd may not continue to meet the following provisions of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011:

1. Provider Course Accreditation Standards (PCAS) 5.1, in relation to assessment tasks for the courses of study providing opportunities for students to demonstrate achievement of the expected student learning outcomes.

TEQSA's assessment considered Top Education Group Party's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Renewal of course accreditation

Report on renewal of accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by Sydney Institute of Health Sciences Pty. Limited

On 16 March 2018 a delegate of TEQSA renewed, under section 56 of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), the accreditation of the following course offered by Sydney Institute of Health Sciences Pty. Limited, until 11 October 2020:

• Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Main reasons for the decision

TEQSA made this decision on the basis that it was satisfied that the course submitted by Sydney Institute of Health Sciences Pty. Limited for renewal of accreditation continues to meet the Provider Course Accreditation Standards of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2011 and it was appropriate to align the period for accreditation of the course with the registration period.

TEQSA's assessment considered Sydney Institute of Health Sciences Pty. Limited's arrangements for delivery at all Australian sites.

Registration

Report on registration of Sydney Institute of Health Sciences Pty Limited

TEQSA has agreed to orders made by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal under which Sydney Institute of Health Sciences Pty Limited registration is renewed from 11 October 2017 for the period of three years pursuant to section 36 of the Tertiary Educational Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (the TEQSA Act). The orders also provide for six conditions to be imposed on the registration of Sydney Institute of Health Sciences Pty Limited pursuant to section 32 of the TEQSA Act.

Condition 1:

Not later than 4 weeks prior to the commencement of each semester for its higher education course, the Applicant must provide TEQSA with a report in relation to each staff member proposed to teach one or more units in a Sydney Institute of Health Sciences (SIHS) higher education course, describing:

1. the highest qualification in the discipline of the course being taught;
2. the units proposed to be taught;
3. the professional experience held; and
4. where a staff member does not have a qualification in the discipline of the course taught which is one AQF level higher than the course being taught (or equivalent having regard to the country education profiles published by the Department of Education and Training), the basis on which the experience of the staff member has been assessed as being equivalent to a qualification which is one AQF level higher than the course being taught.

Condition 2:

By 1 February 2018, the Applicant will provide TEQSA with evidence of:

1. the engagement of personnel with risk management experience or qualifications; and
2. the development of a Risk Management Policy and Plan.

Condition 3:

1. The Applicant must engage a suitably qualified independent expert (with the agreement of TEQSA to the identity and terms of reference of the expert, which agreement is not to be unreasonably withheld) to undertake an independent external review of the Applicant's corporate and academic governance arrangements. The review will focus on the implementation of key documentation, including the Applicant's Governance Charter, Quality Assurance Framework and Terms of Reference of governing bodies.
2. The independent expert must:
   
   1. be suitably qualified to undertake the review;
   2. not be a past or present member of the Applicant's staff or governing bodies;
   3. not have been engaged as a consultant to SIHS; and
   4. not have any other conflict of interest.
3. By 1 November 2018, and prior to engaging the independent expert, the Applicant must provide to TEQSA for TEQSA's approval:
   
   1. proposed terms of reference for the review, focussing on the implementation of key documentation, including the Applicant's Governance Charter, Quality Assurance Framework and Terms of Reference of governing bodies; and
   2. the name and resume of the proposed independent expert.
4. By 1 February 2019, the Applicant must report the outcomes of the review to SIHS's Academic Board, Board of Directors and TEQSA.
5. The Applicant must report to TEQSA on the implementation of the outcomes of the independent review on 1 August 2019.

Condition 4:

The Applicant must provide TEQSA with:

1. the Terms of Reference of its planned review of the CEO's performance one month in advance of each teaching year; and
2. the outcomes of that review on its completion, no later than 31 March in each year.

Condition Five:

1. By 1 February 2018, the Applicant must prepare a schedule for a comprehensive review of SIHS' policies and procedures relevant to its higher education operations, including a gap analysis against the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015.
2. The Applicant must provide to TEQSA:
   
   1. by 1 December and 1 June each year (commencing in 2018) with a report which specifies the documents which have been reviewed in the six months prior to the date of the report;
   2. by 1 February and 1 August each year with evidence of the implementation of the policies contained in the Applicant's policy register.

Condition Six:

By 1 February and 1 August each year, the Applicant must provide to TEQSA copies of the following for the previous six month period:

1. minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors and meetings of the Academic Board which demonstrate a process consistent with the TEQSA Guidance Notes for the relevant bodies on the matters the subject of discussion and specify the extent to which the discussion took account of external advice or input; and
2. each report to the Board of Directors on risk management and review.