Within the Australian higher education sector there are 166 providers accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards  Agency (TEQSA), of which 41 are Australian universities, 2 are overseas universities and 123 are higher education providers (as at July 2017).

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The non-university higher education provider (NUHEP) sector is growing steadily, enrolling  close to 10 per cent of students in higher education degree programs.  As in the University sector, strong academic governance is essential to assuring the quality and ongoing improvement of academic programs, teaching, learning and research in the NUHEP sector.  Central to the academic governance structures in most institutions is a high functioning Academic Board.   

 

The Chairs of Academic Board Forum for non-university providers was established in 2012 to support the work of Academic Boards by providing opportunities for Chairs of academic boards, and their members, to discuss current developments and issues in higher education and their implications for academic governance. The collective  leadership arising from the high level of knowledge and experience of members provides a powerful voice for influencing the development and the quality of the Australian non-university higher education sector.  

Membership

Members of the Forum are the Chairs of Academic Boards from  institutions that offer higher education qualifications, but are not universities. The Chairs are able to extend invitations to their respective board members and senior managers to attend the Forums. 

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The Objects of the Chairs of Academic Boards Forum

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1. To provide leadership in academic governance

2. To inform government agencies, the higher education sector and other interested parties on academic governance/standards

3. To contribute to the development and dissemination of appropriate academic standards

4. To encourage quality assurance and benchmarking in the Chair’s respective institutions and industry-wide

5. To act as a source of independent expertise and advice on academic governance/standards

6. To provide a forum for Chairs of Academic Boards to discuss issues of significance to higher education

7. To provide continuing professional education for Chairs of Academic Boards

8. To facilitate collaboration on academic governance/standards between universities, industry bodies and NUHEPs.

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Operation of the Forum

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1. The Forum meets biannually.

2. It is understood that meetings of the Forum are conducted under Chatham House rules and that any views expressed by the Forum are not necessarily those of any particular NUHEP.

3. One institution acts as host for the Forum, with the Chair of the Board from that institution to act as Chair of the Steering Committee.

4. The selection of a host institution takes place at least a year, and preferably two years in advance of a particular institution hosting the Forum. The host institution convenes the two meetings for the next year.

5. A Steering Committee is selected at the second meeting of the year, with the Chair of the Forum and Steering Committee coming from the host institution

6. The Steering Committee acts according to its Terms of Reference. 

 

Steering Committee: Terms of Reference

 

The Steering Committee will:

 

1. Comprise no less than three members, taking into account gender representation, with the Chair coming from the host institution

2. Meet at least quarterly

3. Provide Chairs with advice on approaches to enact the Objects of the Forum and an avenue to communicate with the Steering Committee on matters related to the Objects of the Forum

4. Maintain a register of Chairs of Academic Boards

5. Establish the topics, speakers, dates and location for two meetings a year.

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