Adopted by the University Board 15 May 2019. Revised by the University Board 22 November 2023.
The university’s Academic Affairs Committee is the University Board’s advisory and executive committee in matters pertaining to education at bachelor and master degree levels. The committee shall initiate strategic development work and contribute to the discussion of educational issues at various levels of the organisation.
1. Strategic development
The committee shall
- be an initiating and coordinating body in matters concerning the strategic development of UiA’s study programme portfolio, including further and continuing education, and other strategic development work in the field of education
- contribute to identifying strategic possibilities and challenges in the field of education, and give advice about how UiA should respond to these
- oversee the educational quality of the study programmes
- contribute to strengthening the link between education and research
- partake in developing the learning environment at UiA and cooperate with the Learning Environment Committee in matters that concern both committees
2. Statements to the University Board
The committee will submit statements to the University Board on the following issues:
- changes to the Regulations relating to study programmes and examinations at UiA and Regulations regarding admission to study programmes and courses at UiA
- changes to the quality system
- the university’s annual education and research report
- other matters of strategic importance in the field of education
3. Authority delegated by the University Board
The committee will make decisions in cases concerning:
- guidelines for the activities of UiA PULS - Centre for Learning and Teaching
- criteria for allocation of funds through the Program for Educational Quality
- guidelines for accreditation and reaccreditation of study programmes
- accreditation and reaccreditation of study programmes in accordance with delegation from the University Board
- joint templates, forms etc. for use in quality work
- instructions, guidelines and supplementary regulations as well as decisions in individual cases on behalf of the University Board, pursuant to the Regulations relating to study programmes and examinations at the University of Agder and the Regulations regarding admission to study programmes and courses at the University of Agder
- other cases by authority delegated by the University Board
4. Composition and term of office
The members of the committee are:
- the Vice-Rector for Education (chair)
- the Vice-Rector for for External Relations and Innovation (deputy chair)
- one representative from the management at each faculty and the Teacher Education Unit (Dean, Pro-Dean or Vice-Dean for education) with deputy member, appointed by the faculty/Teacher Education Unit. Faculty/unit without Pro-Dean or Vice-Dean, appoints Head of Department or Head of Studies as deputy member.
- one employee in a technical-administrative position with a deputy member, appointed by the University Director upon a proposal from the faculties/Teacher Education Unit
- three students with deputy members appointed by the Rector upon proposal from the Students’ Organisation
Representatives of the employees at UiA will be appointed for a period of four years. Student representatives will be appointed for one year.
Deputy memberships for faculty management and for Teacher Education Unit representatives and for employee in technical-administrative position are personal. Deputy memberships for student representatives are not personal.
Observers:
- The chair of the University Research and Innovation Committee is an observer with the right to speak.
- The leader of UiA PULS - Centre for Leaning and Teaching is an observer with the right to speak.
- The Director of Academic Affairs functions as secretary to the committee.
5. Permission to delegate
The committee may delegate the authority to make decisions to the chair of the committee in the following cases:
- Accreditation and reaccreditation of study programmes which do not lead to a degree
- Approval of programme descriptions after significant changes
- Minor changes to forms, templates etc.
- Minor changes to supplementary regulations
- Decisions in individual cases on behalf of the University Board, pursuant to the Regulations relating to study programmes and examinations at UiA and the Regulations regarding admission to study programmes and courses at UiA
- Final decisions on matters that have been processed by the committee