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University Education Committee (UEC)

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University Education Committee (UEC)
Agenda

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION COMMITTEE (UEC)

A meeting of the University Education Committee will be held on Wednesday 24 September 2025 at 1:05pm, in the Committee Room 2, University Office, and on Microsoft Teams.

.

Ms Isabella Fausti, Administrative Officer

(isabella.fausti@abdn.ac.uk)

 

Agenda

FOR DISCUSSION
1. Approval of the Minute of the Meeting held on 22 April 2025 (UEC/240925/001)
2. Matters Arising/Actions

(UEC/240925/002)
3. Institutional Risk Register (UEC/220425/004)
  UEC Members are invited to consider and discuss the Institutional Risk Register
4. Academic Quality Handbook Guidance for Students' Work Affected by them Undertaking Paid Employment (UEC/240925/004)
  UEC Members are invited to approve the updated AQH Guidance for Students’ Work Affected by them Undertaking Paid Employment.
5. Update on the University-wide Enrtepreneurship Electives TFG (UEC/240925/005)
  UEC Members are invited to endorse the recommendations on Entrepreneurship Education approved by the Enterprise & Innovation Committee. 
6. Update on the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER)

(Oral Item)
  UEC Members will hear an update on the ongoing preparations for the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Review (TQER).
7. Programme Specifications (UEC/240925/006)
  UEC Members are invited to discuss the proposed Programme Specifications to ensure they align with relevant higher education guidance.
8. Degree Classification Report 2023-24 (UEC/240925/007)
  UEC Members are invited to discuss the Degree Classification Report 2023-24.
9. National Student Survey 2025  
  UEC Members are invited to consider the NSS Institutional Report 2025 and discuss the Action Plan
  (i) Institutional Report (UEC/240925/008)
  (ii) Action Plan (UEC/240925/009)
10. PGT Policy Review TFG Remit and Composition Draft (UEC/240925/010)
  UEC Members are invited to discuss the draft of the Postgraduate Taught Policy Review Task and Finish Group Remit and Composition, and seek input and volunteers from their respective areas, if appropriate.
11. Lecture Capture and Video Captions Support (UEC/240925/011)
  UEC Members are invited to discuss an update in respect of the availability of lecture capture and the existing support for making video more accessible, as well as the plans for future provision of support
12. Exam Room Arrangements 2025-26 (UEC/240925/012)
  UEC Members are invited to discuss the information on arrangements and challenges facing exam room arrangements for 2025-26.  
13. Dates of Next Meeting  
  The next meeting of the Committee will be held on Tuesday 5 November 2024 at 1:05pm, in the Court Room, University Office or by Microsoft Teams
14. Items for Information – see below  
     

Any member of the Committee wishing an item for routine approval or for information to be brought forward for discussion may ask at the meeting for that to be done. Any such item will be taken after item 1.

 

Declaration of interests: Any member and individual in attendance (including Officers) who has a clear interest in a matter on the agenda should declare that interest at the relevant meeting, whether or not that interest is already recorded in the Registry of Member's interests.
 
14.         FOR INFORMATION
14.1  Updates from the Employability and Entrepreneurship Committee (EEC):
  Members of the Committee are invited to note the updates from the EEC.
  (i) Minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2025 (UEC/240925/013)
  (ii) Remit and Composition

(UEC/240925/014)
14.2 Updates from the Student Support and Experience Committee (SSEC)  
  Members of the Committee are invited to note the updates from the SSEC.
  (i) Minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2025 (UEC/240925/015)
  (ii) Remit and Composition (UEC/240925/016)
14.3 Remit and Composition

(UEC/240925/017)
 

Members of the Committee are invited to note the changes to the Remit and Composition.
14.4 Note of QAA Institutional Liaison Meeting (ILM) (UEC/240925/018)
  Members of the Committee are invited to note the record of the QAA Institutional Liaison Meeting (ILM).
     
     

Previous Agendas
2024-2025
2023-2024

2022-2023
2021-2022
2020-2021

 

Previous Agendas for the former University Committee on Teaching and Learning

2019 - 2021

2021

2020

2019
2017 - 2019

2019

2018

2017
Minutes
Draft Minutes
2024/25
2023/24
2022/23
2021/22

 

Digest

UEC Digest

This digest provides a short summary of the outcome of the meeting of the University Education Committee held on 5 March 2024. Staff can access the full agendas and papers on the University website.

Risk Register

The Committee discussed the Risk Register, in particular the risks associated with the Education portfolio.

Update On the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Institutional Liaison Meeting (ILM)

The Committee received an oral update on the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) Institutional Liaison Meeting (ILM), held on 29 February 2024.

Student Surveys Update

The Committee received an update on 'survey season' and, in particular, on work ongoing in regard to the Aberdeen Student Experience Survey (ASES) and the National Student Survey (NSS).

Support for Study Policy

The Committee discussed proposed amendments to the Support for Study policy, on the recommendation of the Student Support and Experience Committee (SSEC).

Student Withdrawals Report 2022/23

The Committee received and discussed the paper providing data on withdrawal rates for on- campus degree students during the 2022/23 academic year.

Graduate Attributes and Skills

The Committee received an update in regard to Graduate Attributes and Skills and work underway to setup a working group to support work ongoing in this regard.

Induction, Transition and Employability Week (ITEW)

The Committee received an update on the Induction Transition and Employability Week (ITEW).

Work-Based Learning Courses and Ideas

The Committee received a presentation on Work-based Learning (WBL) Courses.

Updated Delivery of Education Principles

The Committee received a paper providing updated on the Delivery of Education Principles.

Update On Work on Generative AI In Education

The Committee received an update on work on Generative AI in Education.

Academic Integrity Resources

The Committee received an update on Academic Integrity Resources.

Online Education Forum

The Committee received an update on the Online Education Forum.

Retention Policy for Videos in Panopto

The Committee received a paper outlining current practice for managing video content (including audio) within Panopto and discussed the recommendation to implement a Panopto Video Retention Policy for academic year 2024-25. Members of the Committee agreed to support the recommendation.

Minutes From the UEC Sub-Committees Meetings

The Committee noted the minutes of the most recent meetings of the Employability and Entrepreneurship Committee (EEC) and the S tudent Support and Experience Committee (SSEC).

Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) Results

The Committee noted the Postgraduate Research Experience (PRES) results.

Video on Academic Integrity

The Committee noted a video (link - to follow) prepared in regard to academic integrity.

Any questions regarding the University Education Committee digest should be sent to academicservices@abdn.ac.uk.

Previous Digests
2023-24

2022-23
2021-22

Remit

Remit

(To be reviewed annually at last meeting of committee cycle and proposed changes considered by Senate for approval)

To be responsible to the Senatus Academicus for the strategic oversight of:

  1. education matters relating to undergraduate, postgraduate taught and taught elements of postgraduate research;
  2. the wider student experience relating to matters impacting on student success;
  3. the development of approaches to educational innovation.

The UEC shall:

  1. be responsible for the oversight, development and monitoring of the University's strategic approach to educational provision, its associated operational plan and risk register, and the alignment of these with School plans and with Aberdeen 2040 and its associated operational plans;
  2. comment on draft education policy where input sought by the Quality Assurance Committee and drive forward its implementation working in partnership with School Education Committees;
  3. highlight to the Quality Assurance Committee where policy related issues are identified requiring consideration;
  4. be responsible for the innovation and ongoing enhancement of the quality of educational provision and for ensuring the effective dissemination of good practice including oversight of the University's engagement with the QAA Enhancement Themes;
  5. Through its committees, be responsible for the development of actions at institutional level, and in Schools, based on analysis of national and internal data (e.g. National Student Survey, non-continuation, Graduate Outcomes, degree classifications and awarding gaps);
  6. Ensure that Education and the wider student experience is delivered inclusively;
  7. Through the Centre for Academic Development (CAD), develop, review and promote professional staff development opportunities in regard to the delivery of education, including assessment and feedback;
  8. Through the Centre for Academic Development, inform the support required by Schools for the development of educational innovations;
  9. consider recommendations from the Employability and Entrepreneurship Committee (EEC) in regard to the quality of provision of careers education, employability and the co-curriculum;
  10. consider recommendations from the Student Support & Experience Committee (SSEC) in regard to the quality of the delivery of effective, appropriate and consistent student support and the wider student experience;
  11. be responsible for the oversight of teaching-related credit-bearing activity related to student mobility;
  12. engage in horizon scanning to anticipate and prepare for new opportunities and likely future developments in education and the wider student experience.

Members' Responsibilities:

Each member of the committee will contribute to discussions and feedback on these to their respective areas for comment and further input. School leads ensure that they use their School Education Committees and other School forums to inform feedback into UEC and to raise matters relevant to UEC or for referral onto QAC as appropriate.

Composition & Membership

Chair: Professor Jo-Anne Murray

Clerk: Isabella Fausti

Email: isabella.fausti@abdn.ac.uk

Composition

Chair: Vice-Principal (Education)

Membership:

  • Student President of the Students' Association (or nominee)
  • Vice-President for Education of the Students' Association
  • School Directors of Education
  • Dean for Student Support and Experience
  • Dean for Educational Innovation
  • Dean for Employability and Entrepreneurship
  • Dean for Quality Assurance and Enhancement
  • Dean for Portfolio and Programme Development 
  • Dean for Postgraduate Research 
  • Director of Studies (Qatar)
  • Dean for International Student Pathways
  • Two representatives nominated by Senate (2-year terms)
  • QAA Enhancement Theme Lead
  • Academic Representative of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee

In attendance:

  • Director of Academic Services and Online Education/Director of People
  • Head of Online Education
  • Assistant Registrar
  • Head of the Centre for Academic Development (CAD)
  • Head of the Careers and Employability Service
  • Head of Student Support
  • Head of the Language Centre
  • Director of Digital and Information Services (or nominee)
  • University Librarian
  • Student Mobility Representative
  • School Administration Manager
  • Students' Association Staff Member

Quorum: 50%

Membership

Role

Name

Chair (Vice-Principal, Education)

Jo-Anne Murray

Student President of the Students' Association (or nominee):

Hannah Cowie 

Vice-President for Education of the Students' Association:

Samuel Seymour 

School Directors of Education:

-

School of Biological Sciences

Michelle Pinard

Business School

Russell Williams

School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History

Heidi Mehrkens

School of Education

Leigh Bjorkvoll

School of Engineering

Euan Bain

School of Geosciences

Josh Wright

School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture

Tim Baker

School of Law

Anne-Michelle Slater

School of Psychology

Helen Knight 

School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition

Colin Lumsden

School of Natural and Computing Sciences

Nigel Beacham

School of Social Science

Ezel Tabur

Representative nominated by the Senate:

Amudha Poobalan

Representative nominated by the Senate:

 Waheed Afzal

Dean for Student Support and Experience

Jason Bohan

Dean for Educational Innovation:

tbc

Dean for Employability and Entrepreneurship:

John Barrow

Dean for Quality Assurance and Enhancement / QAA Enhancement Lead

Steve Tucker

Dean for Portfolio and Programme Development

John Mynott 

Dean of Postgraduate Research School:

Stuart Piertney

Director of Studies (Qatar):

Lyn Batchelor

Dean for International Student Pathways:

Harminder Battu

Academic Representative of the EDI Committee:

Asha Venkatesh

In attendance:

Role

Name

Director of Academic Services and Online Education / People (or nominee)

Nick Edwards

Head of Student Support 

Jemma Murdoch
Online Education Representative Jenna Stuart 

Assistant Registrar 

Emma Tough 

Head of the Centre for Academic Development (CAD):

Patricia Spence

Head of the Careers and Employability Service

Tracey Innes

Language Centre Representative

Susan Caie 
Digital & Information Services

Ian Robotham

Library

Susan Halfpenny

School Administration Manager:

Kate Smith

Student Mobility Representative

Louisa Stratton

Students' Association Staff Member

Graeme Kirkpatrick/Scott Carle (shared role)

Clerk

Isabella Fausti

 

 

 

Attendance

Attendance Records

2025/26
2024/25
2023/24
2022/23
2021/22

Previous Attendance Records

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