05 Control and Conduct of Programmes

5.1 New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) 5.2 NACCQ 5.2.2 Objects 5.3 Association of Polytechnics of New Zealand (APNZ) 5.4 Academic Boards 5.5 LAC

5.1 New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)

5.1.1 General NZQA acts as a neutral arbitrator, co-ordinating tertiary qualifications throughout New Zealand through: > Approval of programmes (and parts of programmes) to ensure relevance, consistency of standards, etc. > Accreditation of institutions to teach approved programmes (ensuring they have suitable facilities, qualified staff and appropriate procedures to enable the programme to be offered to the appropriate level). > Moderation of programmes (through oversight of a national system of moderation between Polytechnics) to ensure national standards are maintained. 5.1.2 NZQA responsibilities for CBC/DipBC/NDBC These qualifications are approved by the NZQA and awarded by those Polytechnics accredited by NZQA to offer the programme(s). NZQA has the right to revoke the approval or to require modifications and changes to programme(s) in order to maintain that approval.

5.2 NACCQ   top

5.2.1 GENERAL NACCQ is the recognised Association of Polytechnics of New Zealand (APNZ) subject forum for the field of Computing and Information Technology. This committee takes responsibility for the national co-ordination and representation of opinion about the CBC, DipBC, NDBC and other Computing and Information Technology programmes. Its members are professionally involved in business computing and/or education, and serve on a voluntary basis.

5.2.2 Objects   top

5.2.2.1 To offer support and advice to APNZ and the polytechnic sector in relation to the field of Computing and Information Technology. 5.2.2.10 To liaise with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and other relevant national bodies (e.g. the New Zealand Computer Society) over national issues relating to these courses (e.g. course approval, accreditation, moderation, assessment, professional registration, etc.) in conjunction with APNZ. 5.2.2.11 To support the availability of a full range of vertically integrated vocational computing qualifications for New Zealand. 5.2.2.12 To ensure co-operation and effective communication between industry and training providers is achieved. 5.2.2.13 To offer guidance and advice on programme management. 5.2.2.14 To co-ordinate the development of resources for the use of academic staff. 5.2.2.15 To encourage national and international recognition of the qualifications. 5.2.2.16 To co-operate with any other body, whether incorporated or not, whose objects are altogether or in part similar to those of the NACCQ Forum and to procure from and communicate to any such body such information as may be likely to forward the objects of the NACCQ Forum 5.2.2.2 To negotiate with the appropriate Government agencies on issues relating to the field of Computing and Information Technology. 5.2.2.3 To co-ordinate information relating to the field of Computing and Information Technology. 5.2.2.4 To promote the teaching, learning, research and development in the field of Computing and Information Technology 5.2.2.5 To co-ordinate the partnership of industry and Polytechnics in the field of Computing and Information Technology. 5.2.2.6 To maintain a high quality of Polytechnic graduates for industry in the field of Computing and Information Technology. 5.2.2.7 To contribute (on behalf of Polytechnics/APNZ) to the development of prescriptions for vocational computing and information technology courses in New Zealand. 5.2.2.8 To contribute (on behalf of Polytechnics) to the maintenance of the relevance of developed prescriptions to meet the changing requirements of the New Zealand Computing and Information Technology industry by suggesting timely changes to programme prescriptions in response to industry developments. A full review of all programmes to be carried out at least every two years, utilising appropriate external expertise to maintain the quality of programmes. 5.2.2.9 To provide a central support for training providers offering these programmes. 5.2.3 The NACCQ is funded primarily through voluntary contributions from Polytechnics offering these programmes based pro-rata on their number of equivalent full time students. Income may at times also be generated through the sale of programme prescription books, publicity material, tutor resources (teaching notes, texts, videos on assessment), etc. 5.2.4 The NACCQ prepares its business plan and budget each year for approval by the NACCQ Forum Annual Conference. The NACCQ will also prepare an annual report. A copy of these will be forwarded to APNZ with whom the NACCQ has a reporting relationship as a subject Forum. 5.2.5 Members appointed to this committee should conform to the following general guidelines: > must have a current knowledge of the NZ computer industry > must have a current involvement in business computing training, either as an employer, student, training provider or practitioner with staff responsibilities > must be willing to participate beyond mere attendance at meetings > should come from a cross section of interests so that the committee is not dominated by a subset of viewpoints > must actively seek out and accommodate the opinions of all potentially interested groups (e.g. public and private sector computer installations, large and small business computing interests, large and small population centre interests, APNZ, NZCS, students, etc.). 5.2.6 Membership will consist of a maximum of 15 people, made up as follows: 5.2.6.1 Six Polytechnic appointees: strong consideration should be given to representing a variety of viewpoints: > levels of Poly involvement (teaching, management) > geographical spread > size (in EFTS and levels of qualifications offered). 5.2.6.2 Nine Non-Poly appointees: again, a variety of viewpoints need to be considered: > geographical spread > type and level of industry involvement > NZCS representative 5.2.7 Appointments are made for two years on a staggered basis. When the period of appointment expires members may offer themselves for reappointment. 5.2.8 Three Polytechnic members will retire at each annual conference. Replacement candidates must be nominated by at least two different Polytechnics and an election will be held at the conference, at which each Polytechnic receives one vote per vacancy.

5.3 Association of Polytechnics of New Zealand (APNZ)   top

APNZ has the responsibility to oversee Polytechnic academic matters on a national basis. Locally, the Polytechnic’s Academic Board carries out this role.

5.4 Academic Boards   top

The approval of programmes offered by each Polytechnic is the responsibility of the academic board of the Polytechnic or the appropriate body or delegated authority.

5.5 LAC   top

It is strongly recommended that each Polytechnic maintain links with industry through a Local Advisory Committee which advises on the selection of modules, the content, proposals for new modules, and other aspects of programmes.