DAPs visit 29th September to 1st October
21 September 2009
What is DAPS? Degree Awarding Powers, i.e. the authority to award degrees in the name of SOAS instead of only on behalf of the University of London.
Why apply? Degree-awarding powers are essential to the School’s stated intention to be “an autonomous, self-directed and sustainable institution strengthened and supported by collaborations with its partners” [Vision and Strategy for the Centennial]. Colleges of the UoL were advised by the VC in 2006 that it was sensible for them to apply for DAPs even if they did not intend to use them straight away: most have done so.
When is it happening? The first visit of the QAA assessors will take place over three days from the 29th September to the 1st October.
Who are the assessors?
Trained auditors:
Ms Susan Blake, Associate Dean of the School of Law at City University
Dr William Boyd, Emeritus Dean of Science at Bristol University
Mr Philip Lloyd, Head of Academic Standards & Quality Enhancement at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Plus an Assistant Director of the QAA, Professor Robert Harris, and a team secretary, Miss Gillian Hooper.
What will happen at their first visit? Assessors will meet the Senior Management Team and some of the senior administrative staff who have a role in maintaining quality and standards; selected lay members of Governing Body; academic staff; and students. At these meetings, the assessors will be asking broad questions, to help them decide which areas they will need to return to. After the visit they will propose a timetable of further visits for the rest of the year.
Will they attend a meeting I'm at? The assessors can ask to attend meetings anywhere in the School, and will certainly want to observe some Departmental and some Faculty meetings, as well as School committees. They will attend meetings as observers, and will not participate in any way. By the end of the year you may hardly notice when they are present: but they will still be observing closely.
And what if they ask to meet me? If this happens we would ask you to treat it as a very high priority, even if the time is inconvenient, and to consider yourself an ambassador for SOAS.
What are the criteria against which the School will be assessed? The 50, tightly specified criteria include areas such as HR, planning and finance, but the main focus is on Governance and Academic Standards. The assessors will be particularly interested in how well policies and procedures are communicated, understood and implemented across the School.
Vice Principal Nirmala Rao said: "I am sure colleagues will realise the importance of this process. If we are successful in our bid to acquire DAPs, it will have a major impact on our standing and reputation. Mandy Bentham (mb68) and Jenni Rhodes (jh12) will be briefing colleagues across the School after the initial visit and can answer any questions you may have."
