APPENDIX 3: TWINNING ARRANGEMENTS – ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
For twinning arrangements, assessment of the program will focus on the following factors:
- approval
- equivalence of curriculum
- quality of instruction
- reliability of assessment
- adequate and accessible facilities
Approval
- Approval of each program by the higher education providers’ academic board (or equivalent body)
- Approval by the relevant government authorities (if required)
Equivalence of curriculum
- Advanced standing provisions that are aligned with the country’s higher education quality requirements
- Identical programs and teaching materials to those of the award granting higher education providers’ program, including minimum duration of program and equivalent teaching hours
Quality of instruction
- Well-qualified local lecturing and tutorial staff with at least a recognised bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to their teaching responsibilities
- Adequate and timely feedback to students on defined tasks
- Sufficient, appropriate, ongoing contributions by academic staff from the award granting higher education provider
- Demonstrated evidence of learning outcomes
Reliability of assessment
- Control over assessment procedures (e.g. stringent security for exam papers) are monitored by the award granting higher education provider
- Minimum sixty per cent of continuous assessments (assignments, mid-semester tests, presentations etc.) are marked by staff from the award granting higher education provider
- A sample of the continuous assessments marked by local staff are moderated by staff from the award granting higher education provider
- Identical (or equivalent) exams and assignments are set by the award granting higher education provider and its staff
- All final exam papers marked and moderated by staff from the award granting higher education provider
Adequate and accessible facilities
- Adequate teaching and staff facilities (classrooms and staff accommodation)
- Adequate library facilities including relevant journal holdings, either on site or online (e.g. via the award granting higher education provider)
- Adequate learning resources including access to computer facilities to support the program
- If a program is delivered totally offshore, flexible learning support material must be provided (including adequate reading and reference material)
- Online support from academic staff from the award granting higher education provider must also be available to local academic staff and students