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 introduce participants to the quality enhancement agenda, look at why quality matters to students and explore how to use quality systems to make change.
The 2025 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! 2025 were the online half-day training events on Tuesday 22nd July. These online events provided an opportunity for participants to begin to get to know each other and build connections, as well as to introduce attendees to the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework and to explore how institutions and students’ associations can ensure a quality student experience for all students, however and wherever they learn. The events were well attended, with a total of 58 participants across the events.
After the online events, all attendees were sent a link 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 11th and Tuesday 12th August, participants from both colleges and universities attended a joint residential event at Queen Margaret University in Musselburgh. We welcomed 82 delegates from across 33 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 Stewart Squire from the Scottish Funding Council and one with Holly Thomas from QAA Scotland. Alongside these scheduled visits, several ‘disruptions’ took place throughout the day, including meetings with Vicky Underwood from College Development Network and Rachel Currie and Niall McGeechan from NUS Scotland.
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.
