2010 EXCEL Award

Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence to Professional Staff

The AUQA Team led one of the most significant projects within the University for 2010.  Comprising staff from different parts of the organisation the Team was formed to assist the University to prepare for the 2010 Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) Audit.  Whilst maintaining their primary focus of ensuring the University had a successful and productive Audit, team members also engaged with staff about a range of higher education sector-wide issues with consideration for the University's long-term.

During preparations for the Audit, the Team was responsible for some significant achievements, including the development and implementation of a multi-faceted communication, engagement and training plan to inform and prepare staff.  In addition, they proactively interacted with University staff to improve the knowledge and practice of quality processes, particularly in regard to teaching quality, the management of attrition, course evaluations and benchmarking.  As a result of their efforts the Audit preparation exercise developed into part of a continuing process for evidencing the quality of the University's activities which will be benefit the University in innumerable ways.

The Team produced a Performance Portfolio comprising 114 pages, 233 web links, 52 tables, 6 appendices and 86 supporting documents.  In addition, they co-ordinated the provision of an additional 165 documents that were requested following the submission of the Portfolio.  Members briefed 450 staff, students and external stakeholders from the University's Campuses extending from Melbourne to Rockhampton and across to Singapore, in preparation for the interviews with the AUQA Auditors which were scheduled at six different sites over a 10 day period.  They worked collaboratively with staff across the University, with C Management Services Pty Ltd staff and with external stakeholders using an innovative approach to deliver a professional and quality outcome for the University.  Their consistent and diligent endeavours on a project spanning more than 12 months often entailed working long hours, and on weekends at crucial stages, to ensure the best possible result for the University.  The legacy of the work of the AUQA Team is that the University is now in a far stronger position to address a range of important aspects of its core activities.

It is for these reasons that the AUQA Team of Jo Miller, Joanne Perry, Di Merrick, Jo Waterhouse, Jeannette Delamoir and Peter Reaburn are worthy and deserving recipients of a 2010 Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence to Professional Staff.