Media Release
September 1, 2004
UniSA wins high praise from Australian university auditors
The University of South Australia has won a clear stamp of approval
for its local and international relationships in the August 2004 quality
audit conducted by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA).
The rigorous audit process is something all Australian universities undergo on a five year cycle to support quality education standards across Australia. The auditors spent four days in Adelaide, visited three countries to research UniSA’s offshore programs and interviewed close to 400 people, including students, staff, University council members and industry and education partners.
UniSA received 16 commendations for good practice in the audit report, highlighting good governance and strategic management, high quality assurance standards for offshore education programs, flexible degree program delivery, strong support for students and a positive focus on innovation and contributing to the community.
The auditors found that UniSA has, “a culture of innovation, combined with a willingness to abandon ideas if they do not work…. is good at leveraging opportunities with speed and flexibility… [and] new ideas are acknowledged and appreciated...”
The report stated, “the far-reaching aspirations of the University and its ability as an organisation to consistently move towards them, are notable”.
Vice Chancellor of the University of South Australia, Professor Denise Bradley said she was especially pleased with the commendations of UniSA’s provision of quality education internationally and its role in serving the community.
“As an institution established just 13 years ago, UniSA has grown with a determination to make a difference to the community and the students who study with us in South Australia and around the world.
“Here at home we have been working to ensure people understand the opportunities education can give them. We are doing that by encouraging exchange between students and staff and the communities in which they work and study – through programs such as UniSA Northern Adelaide Partnerships (UNAP).
“Another clear goal for us has been to engage with the international environment, not only through teaching offshore and encouraging international students to come and study with us – but also by understanding that all students need to have a world view and need to be prepared to work and research across cultures and countries.”
Professor Bradley said the audit had been invaluable in highlighting UniSA’s success and particularly the strong commitment UniSA staff had to providing quality education and services to students.
“The message from the report is that the audit team found the institution to be dynamic, flexible, well governed and sure of itself and its directions,” she said.
Go to the UniSA AUQA resources website for more detailed information.
Media contact
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Michèle Nardelli office (08) 8302 0966 mobile 0418 823 673 email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au