Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) briefing webpage for students, officers and SA staff 17 Apr 2024
sparqs has been working closely with the Scottish Funding Council on the Tertiary Quality Project and the co-creation of Scotland’s Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF), which is the new approach to quality assurance and enhancement for Scotland’s colleges and universities. To… Read More
Interview with Professor Alastair Robertson, Glasgow Caledonian University 15 Apr 2024
In this interview, we talk to Professor Alastair Robertson, Director of the Graduate School at Glasgow Caledonian University. He was until recently Pro Vice Chancellor for Learning and Teaching at GCU and has 30 years’ experience working in the HE… Read More
Our recruitment for 2024-25 Associate Trainers is now open! 05 Apr 2024
sparqs' 2024-25 Associate Trainer recruitment is open for applications - deadline 9.00am, Monday 20th May 2024! Calling all student reps! Do you have experience as a course/apprentice or other representative role? Will you be a student or apprentice during 2024-25? ....if so, and you would… Read More
Understanding the art of blending - publication of a new report 29 Feb 2024
We are pleased to announce the publication of a pioneering report on defining and delivering an effective and inclusive digital/blended learning offering in Scotland’s colleges and universities, the result of a joint ‘Tertiary Enhancement Topic’ project, instigated by the SFC and… Read More
Interview with Ellie Garraway and Jon Down, Grit: Breakthrough Programmes 25 Jan 2024
In this interview, we talk to Ellie Garraway and Jon Down, CEO and Director of Development respectively, at Grit: Breakthrough Programmes, a UK charity working across many levels of education to promote belonging, ownership and engagement in learning. Ellie has worked… Read More
Update on quality arrangements for colleges 2023-24 17 Jan 2024
While the sector continues to work on a joint approach to quality for colleges and universities, for the current academic year (2023-24) quality arrangements continue to be separate. sparqs has been supporting institutions and students’ associations through these changes, ensuring students… Read More
Interview with Megan McClellan, formerly City of Glasgow College Students’ Association 28 Nov 2023
In this interview, we talk to Megan McClellan, former President and Vice-President (Learning and Teaching) at City of Glasgow College Students’ Association. Since the summer of 2023, following her sabbatical terms, Megan has been Policy and Public Affairs Officer for… Read More
Creating and reviewing student engagement roles: launching our new resource! 03 Nov 2023
sparqs is pleased to publish a new resource, Creating and reviewing student engagement roles, to accompany the Professional Standards Framework for Student Engagement (PSFSE). The new resource is designed to support those seeking to create and review posts relating to… Read More
Interview with Libby Gill, Robert Gordon University 31 Oct 2023
In this interview, we talk to Libby Gill, Student Partnership Development Officer at Robert Gordon University (RGU). They began this post in April 2023, following a range of roles in heritage and education, including as an English language teacher. A… Read More
Launch of the new Student Learning Experience model 06 Oct 2023
Launched at the sparqs' 20th birthday event on 5th October 2023, we are delighted to share our new Student Learning Experience model, developed as part of the single tertiary approach to quality for colleges and universities. The new model seeks… Read More
Congratulations to our 2023 Student Engagement Award-winners! 05 Oct 2023
Congratulations to all of our Student Engagement Award-winners and thanks to everyone who joined us on Thursday 5th October 2023 for the Awards ceremony, which took place at our 20th birthday celebration event! #sparqs20years The Awards ceremony was superbly hosted by… Read More
Interview with Erica Russell-Hensens, Scottish Funding Council 29 Sep 2023
In this interview, we talk to Erica Russell-Hensens, Deputy Director for Student Interests, Access and Pathways at the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). After a sabbatical term of office at (what became) Queen Margaret University, Erica worked for two years at… Read More
sparqs' 2023-24 Course Rep Training is open for bookings! 31 Aug 2023
Bookings are now open for Course Rep Training during 2023-24 ....for delivery from week beginning Monday 18th September 2023 onwards. All the information you need is on our main CRT webpage. Please read the booking guidance before arranging your sessions and requesting dates. CRT delivered by… Read More
2023 Student Engagement Awards shortlists announced and sparqs' 20th birthday event on 5th October! 30 Aug 2023
We are delighted to announce the shortlisted nominations in sparqs’ 2023 Student Engagement Awards! Our biennial awards are back, and were open for nominations in springtime of this year. We’re grateful to everyone who submitted, and our judges – drawn from… Read More
Interview with Douglas Blackstock, ENQA 29 Aug 2023
In this interview, we talk to Douglas Blackstock, President of ENQA (the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education). He has held various roles, including six years as Chief Executive during nearly twenty years at the Quality Assurance Agency… Read More
Interview with Dr Claire Carney, City of Glasgow College 25 Jul 2023
In this interview, we talk to Dr Claire Carney PFHEA, Vice Principal (Student Experience) with City of Glasgow College. She has wide experience in education leadership, including previously as Associate Vice Principal Education at the University of the West of… Read More
That's Quality! 2023 07 Jul 2023
Our annual That's Quality! programme for student officers and students’ association got off to a great start on Thursday 6th July, concluding with a 2-day residential event on Monday 7th and Tuesday 8th August 2023 The 2023 event is split into… Read More
In memory of Professor Norman Sharp O.B.E. 27 Jun 2023
The team at sparqs were so saddened to receive news of the death of Professor Norman Sharp O.B.E. As the first Director of QAA Scotland, Norman was one of the architects of the Scottish Quality Enhancement Framework, introduced 20 years… Read More
sparqs' 20th birthday celebrations and 2023 Student Engagement Awards 03 May 2023
2023 sees 20 years since sparqs was founded, and we are delighted to be celebrating with a special event… and the return of our Student Engagement Awards! At a time of considerable change in our sector, the voice of students in… Read More
Interview with Manuel João Costa, University of Minho, Portugal 27 Apr 2023
In this interview, we talk to Manuel João Costa, Pro-Rector for Student Affairs and Pedagogical Innovation at the University of Minho (UMinho), in Portugal. With a background in biochemistry, he has been at the University of Minho since 2004. He… Read More
