Principal's Column

Enhancement Led Institutional Review is not a term that runs off the tongue lightly. ELIR, its acronym, is slightly easier but has about it a hint of ELIXIR. In its dictionary definitions an elixir is "a preparation which could turn metals into gold", "a remedy for all ills", and "a preparation supposedly able to prolong life indefinitely". But back to the ELIR...

For those requiring a "catch-up", the Enhancement Led Institutional Review is part of the new approach to quality in Scotland's universities and consequently of enormous importance to the University's reputation. The main focus of the review is the institution's strategy for continually improving the student learning experience. It will also examine an institution's ability to manage the standards of its academic awards and the quality of the learning opportunities it provides for its students.

Each of these three parameters is fundamental to the excellence of the University and every member of staff has a role to play in enhancing and continuing to develop these to the full.

At the core of ELIR is the self-evaluation document, the Reflective Analysis, submitted by the institution. Over recent weeks and months Vice Principal James Calderhead has been working hard with the academic affairs office and a task group of academic staff to develop a fair, true and accurate picture of the University of Dundee in 2004.

The Reflective Analysis has now been distributed to the faculties and administrative units. Each unit is strongly invited to comment on the draft and also to make its own contribution, indicating, with examples, how the quality of learning and teaching within their area is constantly being enhanced. In particular examples would be welcomed from the faculties and units demonstrating clearly where problems have been identified, tackled and put right. The value of these examples at "grass roots" level cannot be overemphasised. Contributions should be sent by mid June for the final document to be submitted in August. The draft Reflective Analysis can be viewed at www.dundee.ac.uk/learning/qau/info/info_home.htm

The Reflective Analysis, as submitted, will then be used by an external review team in meetings with staff and students to develop themes for exploration and discussion during the review process. These themes will concern the University's internal monitoring of quality and standards and public information; its strategy for quality enhancement; and the student learning experience. The resulting report gives a judgement on the University’s management of quality.

Quality is a subject we continually return to. If the University had a totem it would be built around quality: quality of teaching and learning, quality of research, quality of staff and students, quality of life. In our every day activities we draw on that quality; we must make sure that in whatever we are doing we also enhance it.

Alan Langlands
May 2004