Renewed Focus for Program Quality Assurance at Seneca | Academic Newsletter | Seneca Polytechnic

by Ivy Chiu Loke, Program Quality

in the June 2020 issue

The 2019-20 academic year has been a year of reflection and consultation for the Program Quality team. As the time approaches for us to begin preparations for the institution-wide audit by the Ontario College Quality Assurance Service in 2021-22, we have identified a number of possible enhancements to Seneca’s quality assurance policies, procedures, and tools.

In the next year, we will be updating Seneca’s program review and modification policies and procedures to increase emphasis on the quality assessment of curriculum content and delivery. With the support of Seneca service areas, such as the Teaching & Learning Centre and the Centre for Institutional Data and Enterprise Analytics, Program Quality aims to implement an annual program review that focuses on the renewal of curriculum and is based on quality metrics and evidence-informed teaching and learning practices. Annual program reviews will also continue to build on program action plans but have an increased focus on reflecting on the success of initiatives. Summative reviews will continue to take place every five-to-seven years.

Program Quality is also developing a policy and procedures, and updating the Terms of Reference, for Seneca’s Program Advisory Committees. Program Advisory Committees are an important resource for our academic leaders, faculty, and students, and contribute to the quality assurance of our academic programming. Program Advisory Committees advise on industry trends, identify and assess potential program revisions, and facilitate industry and experiential opportunities for students and graduates. In addition to the new policy and procedures, work has also begun to renew strategies for recruiting, orienting, and engaging Program Advisory Committee members. This is to ensure the activity is constructive and rewarding for all parties and contributes to the quality enhancement of the program. We have started to gather Seneca and sector best practices and aim to compile a resource for academic program areas.

If there are any suggestions regarding the implementation of an annual program review or Program Advisory Committee activities, please feel free to connect with us.

View the June 2020 issue of the Academic Newsletter.