University News Last updated 22 March 2012
The HEA, in partnership with Birmingham City University, has opened the call for Students as Partners, a new change programme designed to support HEIs as they develop and implement an institutional change initiative through a partnership between students and staff.
The programme, informed by Birmingham’s Student Academic Partners initiative, will develop the capacity of students to play a substantive role in transformative change. It will enable HEIs to develop methods of involving students in institutional change more rigorously.
HEA Chief Executive, Professor Craig Mahoney, said: “Through our Change Academy programme we have seen the impact that students can have on a wide range of change initiatives. They have made significant and lasting changes which have been of huge benefit to the student learning experience. The Students as Partners programme will build on this, with participating teams comprised of at least 50% students.
“All HEIs are working hard to develop their students as active partners in their learning experience. I am delighted that, along with Birmingham City, we can give institutions the skills and support they need to meet their goals.”
Initiatives may cover such areas as:
- curriculum design;
- quality assurance and enhancement;
- student participation in institutional decision making;
- student transition, progression and achievement.
Professor Stuart Brand, Director of Learning Experience at Birmingham City University, said: “We are delighted that the University’s innovative work in student engagement has been recognised by the Higher Education Academy. This recognition has only happened because of the enthusiasm and excellence of our students and staff in developing the creative projects that continue to improve the learning experience at Birmingham City University.
“We are delighted to be able to act as consultants to the HEA’s new ‘Student as Partners’ initiative and hope to learn much that can aid the continuing development of our student engagement activities at Birmingham City.”
The closing date for submissions is Monday 30 April 2012.