3 July 1998 Lincoln University commended by Academic Audit Unit

Lincoln University has been commended for its recent repositioning process by the New Zealand Universities Academic Audit Unit.

The academic audit report of Lincoln University was released today (3.7.98).

"Lincoln University is explicitly repositioning itself to focus on its areas of strength and enhance its commercial position," says the report summary.

"The audit panel found an appreciation of the leadership, and a general acceptance that change has to occur, and therefore broad acceptance of possibly unwelcome implications of change. There are high levels of commitment to Lincoln University."

The report notes that "the degree of support for students, particularly for undergraduates, is a notable feature, with staff being readily accessible".

It says that the Lincoln University community gives an impression of caring for its members and has a positive approach to solving problems.

The Academic Audit Unit comments on the appropriateness of the quality assurance procedures in place at New Zealand universities. The audit report also looks at the extent to which these procedures are implemented and are effective in practice.

Dr David Woodhouse, Director of the Unit, says the audit process "does not attempt to rank New Zealand universities, rather it provides a commentary based on its observations of academic processes".

After being involved in the Academic Audit Unit's pilot programme in 1996, Lincoln University is now the last New Zealand universities to be audited by the AAU in the first cycle of audits. In carrying out these audits, Dr Woodhouse says that his brief is to "consider and review the mechanisms of New Zealand universities for monitoring and enhancing the academic quality and standards which are necessary for achieving their stated aims and objectives".

Lincoln University's Vice-Chancellor, Dr Frank Wood, welcomed the AAU report and in particular the way it affirms the University's recent repositioning activity. He is particularly pleased with the high levels of commitment to Lincoln University by staff which the panel found during their visit to the University.

"Although redirection and change can be painful for some staff, it is essential to address resourcing issues which are referred to in the report," he says.

"The current refocusing activity is aimed at increasing efficiencies and reducing costs and is essential to enable the University to meet opportunities presented in the external environment."

Dr Wood agrees with the panel's findings that Lincoln University is generally perceived as a caring institution, in which most of its members appreciate its personal and welcoming atmosphere. The degree of support for students, particularly for undergraduates, is a notable feature, with staff being readily accessible.

Some areas where Lincoln University can improve academic processes are identified in the report. In many cases these are areas where the University has already commenced activity. Dr Wood says he will continue working with staff and students to bring about the improvements required.

Dr Wood sees the report as a key step in "continuous quality improvement and assurance mechanisms which are applied to all aspects of the University's operations". He also believes that the quality issues in the report are consistent with the expectations of Government policy.

"These quality items are likely to be covered in the White Paper in August 1998 under the section to do with tighter quality assurance and financial viability measures," he says.

Professor Roger Field, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand