to the development of relevant and accreditable programmes. CAPQP staff also support departments and faculties in the approval of professional programmes by professional bodies. Importantly, the CAPQP team works actively to stay up to date with developments in quality and the higher education sector. Internal, formal and informal capacity-building activities include the ‘Coffee Table’ discussions, ‘Ask us Anything’ initiatives, and the open Quality Discussion Forum meetings, which are held once a semester. Coffee table discussions Coffee table discussions are an initiative started by a member of a CAPQP team in which any subject or concept (in quality assurance) is discussed in detail. These range from questions like “What is a credit actually?” and “What is a good outcome?” to discussions on higher education policies and frameworks. These sessions are worthwhile, providing the team with skills across various QA functions. Ask us anything initiative The primary goal of the ‘Ask Us Anything’ project is to provide staff members with the ability to engage with colleagues from different UJ environments on any issue related to their work. As a team, we have learned that this initiative gives employees the confidence to discuss their work. It also allows other employees to hear and learn about what others are doing within their own environments. This approach benefits the entire university. We recently received the following comment from a UJ colleague who worked with CAPQP staff: “The academic year 2023 proved very busy for the [faculty] in terms of quality assurance matters and academic developments. CAPQP once again was an invaluable internal partner to the [faculty], with the department’s colleagues going beyond the call of duty to assist [us] with resolving queries, confirming QA parameters for programme design and guiding critical areas for documentation completion. [Faculty] extends its gratitude to the CAPQP team for its friendly collegiality, expedited responsiveness, and hands-on helpfulness. We couldn’t complete these processes without you.” Image 1: CAPQP Team: Back row: Mthu Vongo, Zahida Myburgh, Akhona Neka, and Kea Mablane; Front row: Gloria Castrillon, Amu Nghonyama, and Portia Mashinini We look forward to engaging with you on quality in your domain and contributing to the ongoing excellence of UJ programmes and activities. The QAF requires institutions to develop a quality assurance system which places learning and teaching, and curricula at the centre. In other words, academics and many other university employees will be capacitated to recognise and perform the roles they play in this integrated approach to quality. To serve this end, academic planning and quality promotion cannot be treated as distinct, as they had been previously. The recent institutional audit assessed the University’s internal quality assurance system, with a focus on the extent to which quality measures are effective and efficient. This includes developing a coordinated and streamlined approach to CHE qualification accreditation, as well as peer assessment and self-approval of linked programmes by universities. The CAPQP team has established a strong presence at UJ and in the sector. The Centre has worked consistently to change how it is perceived, and perceptions of its work have shifted from punitive processes to elevating quality activities which align with the scholarly work of the academics and ultimately result in excellence in learning and teaching, and curricula. UJ can be proud of the new whole and short learning programmes that are of high quality. Structures such as the Programme Working Group (PWG) encourage and create space for robust discussions on new programmes and changes to existing programmes. PWG processes ensure that delays in SENEX approval are minimised. CAPQP, which provides secretariat services for the PWG, contributes Teaching Innovation for the 21st Century | Showcasing UJ Teaching Innovation Projects 2024 135
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