DWU receives independent external academic audit
5th December , 2011
In the 21st century, much discussion is around the impact of marketization and globalization on higher education and the challenges it has caused to the quality of academic programs and student identity. Universities in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are not free from those challenges.
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The current context and educational landscape of Higher Education in PNG and Vision 2050 makes a historical call on all of PNG’s universities to respond to those challenges by enhancing the quality of education, to seriously review the relationship between research, teaching and learning and to be more publicly accountable.
Divine Word University considering the extent of these concerns over its future responded by opening its door to an independent external academic audit conducted by a panel of independent academics from Australia. DWU is the first university in PNG which voluntary went through the external academic audit.
On the 22nd of November Dr Jeanette Baird the team leader of the auditing panel in person presented the audit report to the university Council and the following days will be presenting to each faculty and university’s administrative departments.
“ It is my belief that DWU or any other university has to demonstrate a system of accountability as an accountability culture is necessary and it is the frontrunner for development of the culture of quality in research, teaching and learning. It is my personal view that no university is immune from public accountability.” (Fr. Czuba)
The audit report reconfirmed the right direction DWU is heading, it reconfirmed DWU’s vision that higher education is a public good that delivers social, economic and cultural development, the university care and trust for its students and staff which forms the educational context at DWU.
“DWU Academic Community looks forward to receive all recommendations, which will provide constructive solutions to currently existing challenges at the university. The knowledge gained from the audit will be put to good use to enhance the quality of research, teaching, learning and community engagement at the university” (Fr. Czuba)
