A round-up from our annual That’s Quality! induction event for new college and university student officers and those who support them. The event is designed to help new officers engage in quality processes at the institutional and national level.
The 2024 event was split into three parts. The first part of That’s Quality! was a half-day, sector-specific online event for college and universities respectively, which took place in July. This was followed by an online self-study module, providing officers with a more detailed overview of quality in Scotland. Finally, we held a joint residential event in August at Queen Margaret University (QMU), with delegates from across the tertiary sector.
The first events to kick off That’s Quality! 2024 were the online half-day training events on Thursday 15th July. These events were the first opportunity for officers to get to know one another and to find out more about sparqs, to consider what makes a quality student experience, and to begin to explore how to ensure a quality student experience for all students, however and wherever they learn. The events were well attended, with a total of 54 participants across the events.
After the online events, all attendees were sent a link to the That’s Quality! online module, which provided more in-depth information about the quality landscape in Scotland. This module is accessible to officers throughout their year in post, so that they can refer to it on an ongoing basis.
On Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th August, participants from both colleges and universities attended a joint residential event at QMU in Musselburgh. We welcomed 64 delegates from across 30 colleges, universities and tertiary institutions. During the first day, we had sessions on exploring the Student Learning Experience; student partnership in quality; using the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework to make change; and the policy landscape in Scotland.
The second day of the residential event was given over to a simulation activity. Each tutor group became the new students’ association of our fictional tertiary institution, Central Scotland University College! Throughout the day, each group took parts in two ‘visits’ – one with Karen Gray and Stef Black from the Scottish Funding Council and one with Caroline Turnbull and Alastair Duthie from QAA Scotland. Alongside these scheduled visits, several ‘disruptions’ took place throughout the day, including drop-ins from Tina Harrison (The University of Edinburgh), Ann Baxter (New College Lanarkshire) and Niall McGeechan (NUS Scotland).
Many thanks to all those who joined us to take part in the visits and disruptions, helping to make the popular simulation part of the event a success once again.
In the post-event survey, respondents reported particularly appreciating the opportunity to network with other officers and student engagement staff; the interactive and realistic nature of the simulation; and the enthusiastic tutors.
We look forward to continuing to work with you all during the year and beyond!
For further information, please contact Megan Brown, Senior Development Consultant: megan.brown@sparqs.ac.uk.
