The University Senate is the highest academic authority in the University. The functions and roles of the University Senate are as follows:
- To deliberate, make policy decisions about, and give formal approval to, all academic matters relating to:
- Research, inquiry and discovery
- Knowledge asset management and knowledge transfer
- Learning and teaching
- Programmes, awards and qualifications
- Range and content of the curriculum
- Academic standards and benchmarking
- Procedures for assessment and examination of the academic performance of students
- Procedures for academic quality assurance and enhancement
- Monitoring, evaluation and review of programmes
- Academic partnerships and franchise programmes
- Internationalisation
- Criteria for the admission of students
- Staff qualifications and experience
- Staff development and scholarly activity
- Infrastructure for student learning and staff research
- Procedures for the formal designation of research units
- Links with business, professions and government organisations
- Employability
- Equality of opportunity
- The appointment and removal of external examiners
- Procedures for conferring academic distinctions of the university, including professorial designations, awards of academic prizes and honorary academic titles
- Procedures for the expulsion of students for academic reasons.
- To receive reports from Faculty Boards and from Senate Committees on responsibilities delegated to them; and to consider recommendations and other matters arising.
- To evaluate the academic performance of the University by consideration of student achievements, Performance Indicators, Statistical indicators, external grading systems and other relevant data; to plan and implement strategic improvement where required; and to advise the Vice-Chancellor accordingly.
- To participate formally in the strategic planning cycle for the development of the University; to receive, deliberate and approve annual plans from Faculty Boards and from Senate Committees; and to advise the Vice-Chancellor accordingly.
- To consider environmental trends leading to potential growth or change in the academic activities of the University; to advise the Vice-Chancellor and the University Council accordingly; and to make recommendations to the University Council on matters of mission, vision, principles and priorities.
- To make reports and responses to external bodies on academic matters
- To receive, consider and if required act on external advice and policies; and to secure compliance with academic regulation.
- To establish Standing Committees, non-standing Committees and/or ad hoc Committees, as it considers necessary, to enable it to carry out its responsibilities effectively and efficiently (within resource constraints set by the Vice-Chancellor).
- To advise on other such matters as the University Council or the Vice-Chancellor may refer to the Senate about.
The Management Committee (known as Top Management) is the advisory body set-up by the Chief Executive to assist in the administration, management and operations of the university.
Terms of Reference
- The Management Committee meets weekly to share information, brief each other and seek advice, as appropriate, on current or imminent activities and issues, to jointly decide and provide advice to the Vice-Chancellor on:
- major matters requiring approval by the Vice-Chancellor;
- actions arising from the University Council and Senate;
- development and proposal of University-wide operational policies;
- the framework and direction for the planning and management of the University;
- the performance of the University against the University Strategic Plans;
- key strategic opportunities and initiatives, including major infrastructure developments;
- development and review of the annual operating budget of the University;
- development, integration and monitoring of the University Plans;
- development and monitoring of the Operational Plans of Faculties, Divisions and Schools, inclusive of new programme/Department/School/Faculty development;
- management of major change; and
- other matters referred to the Committee by the Vice-Chancellor
- The Management Committee is responsible for:
- contributing to the development of strategies, policies and an annual operating plan in support of delivery of strategic objectives and the effective operation of the University and exercising management responsibility for their implementation and delivery;
- contributing to monitoring, measuring, and evaluating the University’s performance in relation to the pursuit of its strategic objectives and Key Performance Indicators and ensuring appropriate actions are implemented to ensure successful delivery and achievement of targets;
- contributing to and ensuring effective communication to inform and disseminate the decision making and actions of the University Council and Senate
- maintaining managerial oversight of all managerial activities in the University;
- ensuring adherence to all externally-imposed requirements which fall on the University;
- maximising the resources available to the University and ensuring their effective, efficient and economical use;
- securing the effective and orderly development and delivery of the University’s work across all its campuses;
- fostering a coherent and cohesive approach to the management of the University
- The activities of the Management Committee are reported, where appropriate, to the University Council through the Vice-Chancellor and to the Senate through the relevant Administrative Officers and Academic personnel as appropriate.
The University Examination Board (UEB) is a Board which is formed to oversee the overall implementation of the examinations system within the University. This Board reports to the University Senate and has the power to:
- Deliberate and investigate cheating cases, irregularities in the conduct of final examinations and errors in final examination question papers.
- Ensure the timely submission of results from each Faculty / School / Academy / Institute through the relevant School Examination Board at the end of each semester and timely processing and handing over of such results to the Registrar’s Office for further action.
- Ensure the total and comprehensive submission of results from each Faculty / School / Academy / Institute at the end of each semester with no results being withheld.
- Ensure that the results are assessed objectively, without prejudice, fear or favour towards any parties.
- Approve results that are deemed satisfactorily assessed and reject those that are otherwise.
- Obtain endorsement and approval from the University Senate for the release of the semester’s results.
- Tabulate and report to the University Senate the classification and progression of the students leading to the University awards.
- Deliberate and make decisions on all cases submitted by relevant School Examination Board pertaining to results.
- Deliberate and make decisions on appeal cases submitted by students pertaining to results of the UEB’s decision on cheating cases, irregularities and any other matters of appeal.
- Address, analyse, investigate, approve/reject any changes and amendments of results after they are released.
- Make decisions on exceptional cases pertaining to results including deciding the best course of corrective actions and refer to the Human Resource Department for further action in cases involving staff.
- Notify relevant students on the outcomes of cheating cases and/or appeals.
- Incorporate the additional scopes of work which may fall within the purview of the UEB.
This is a Board responsible to the University Senate for all academic aspects concerning the development and award of UCSI University undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and for assessing the viability of proposals of new programmes and courses and to recommend such proposals to the Senate for final approval.
The functions and roles of the Board are as follows:- To ensure that every proposal for new programme and course of study leading to the award of UCSI University undergraduate degrees conform to:
- the University’s vision, missions and educational goals;
- the University’s direction and strategic planning;
- the University’s academic standards and quality;
- the University’s governing policies;
- MQF/MQA requirements, other relevant regulatory framework and regulations, professional bodies’ requirements and international benchmarks
- To ensure that students will be provided with a range of carefully designed and innovative learning opportunities to achieve identified and agreed upon intended learning outcomes.
- To validate and assess the programme proposal for academic coherence, current practice and completeness of the academic content.
- To ensure appropriate resources and support such as staff, space, library, and other relevant infrastructure are available.
- The Board is chaired by Deans or Director. Its membership includes the following:
- Permanent members:
- Senior academic staff
- Head, Library Services
- Registrar
- Bursar
- Student Affairs and Alumni
- Student Enrolment Centre
- Others by appointment:
- Head of Department/Head of Programme
- Members of a Faculty not associated with the programme (minimum of one)
- External Assessor (minimum of one)
- Industry Advisory Panel (minimum of one)
- Permanent members: