Quality Assurance
Academic Council
The Academic Council is the principal academic authority of Open Training College, with responsibility for safeguarding the standards and quality of programmes leading to QQI awards.
Role of the Council
The Academic Council operates under terms of reference approved by the governing body of the College. It provides independent academic oversight, ensuring that decisions about programmes, assessment and learners are made on academic grounds and in line with QQI requirements.
The Council typically meets at least three times per academic year, with sub-committees and Programme Boards reporting into it on operational quality matters.
Key responsibilities
- Oversee the academic standards and quality of all programmes of education and training.
- Approve programme design, validation, revalidation and discontinuation recommendations.
- Monitor learner outcomes, progression, retention and attainment.
- Monitor learner outcomes, progression, retention and attainment.
- Approve assessment regulations, marks and standards, and external authentication arrangements.
- Receive and consider reports from Programme Boards, External Examiners and the Quality Office.
- Recommend the Annual Institutional Quality Report to the governing body.
Membership and structure
Council membership is drawn from across the academic community of the College, with strong learner and external representation to ensure independence and balance.
Chair
Independent Chair appointed by the governing body, with senior experience in higher education.
Director of the College
Ex-officio member representing the executive of the College.
Head of Academic Affairs / Quality
Senior academic officer responsible for quality assurance and academic standards.
Programme Leaders
Programme Leaders representing each validated programme of education and training.
Academic Staff Representatives
Elected representatives drawn from the academic and tutor body of the College.
Learner Representatives
Current learners nominated to represent the learner voice across programmes.
External Members
Independent external members from higher education and the disability and human services sector.
Named members and current terms of office should be confirmed with the College’s Quality Office.