We think universities should make more use of mediation (see our 2005 Annual Report).
OIA News
The Market Failure of Postgraduate Education
The National Postgraduate Committee (NPC) in collaboration with Graduate Prospects LTD (Prospects) undertook research in order to obtain evidence which would highlight the impact of financial and funding related issues in postgraduate studies. This was an online survey which targeted undergraduate, postgraduate students and any other interested parties. A brief introduction is given at www.npc.org.uk/currentactivities/themarketfailureofpostgraduateeducation. (At the end of this introduction you will find a link to the results of the of the research proposal.)
Postgraduate Study – Is it worth it?
This article gives brief insight to the value of postgraduate study despite the costs involved. Go to www.nusonline.co.uk/info/careers/274732.aspx to read this short article.
Higher Education Survey Reveals Continued Student Satisfaction
The third annual National Student Survey reveals that students have a high and sustained level of satisfaction with their experience of higher education. The results of the survey are at www.nusonline.co.uk/news/274649.aspx.
NUS comments ahead of "The Dearing Report: Ten Tears on"
A decade after the Dearing report into the future of Higher education
in the UK led the way for the introduction of variable fees, NUS
is concerned that the massive hike in costs to individual students
has not been matched by significant improvements in the student
experience.
Read further comments made by the NUS at www.nusonline.co.uk/news/274514.aspx.
The Right Course of Action
Despite increasing undergraduate debt, the demand for postgraduate
courses has risen by 41% in the past five years, compared with
just 8% for undergraduate courses. This article looks at the basics
of postgraduate study and whether adding another string to your
bow will help you in the fight to find that job.
Go to www.nusonline.co.uk/info/careers/274525.aspx.
New DIUS funding to dramatically increase the impact UK students’ unions have on the student experience.
Bill Rammel, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning and Further
and Higher Education was to announce in his keynote speech to UK
students’ union managers that a DIUS commitment of £280,000
to enable more students’ unions to participate in a new quality
initiative for student’s unions – the Students’ Union
Evaluation Initiative (SUEI).
Read more at www.nusonline.co.uk/news/274490.aspx.
OIA Events
Complaints and Appeals - Helping Students to stay On Track
An introduction to the OIA for Sabbatical Officers
11 November 2008 Guild of Students, The University of Birmingham
Sabbatical Officers are invited to attend this FREE, one-day workshop run by the OIA.
Most students do not want to make complaints or appeals, but for those that do, the OIA can be the end of the line. The journey may be lengthy, subject to diversions and delays and students may find themselves wishing they’d taken an alternative route. How can you make sure students get back on track and reach their destination?
In this workshop, delegates will have the opportunity to:
- Develop an understanding of the role and remit of the OIA
- Discover how the OIA investigates complaints
- Consider the role of sabbatical officers within a University's formal complaints or appeals procedures
- Discuss common themes in complaints and appeals
- Explore why student complaints and appeals are not upheld
- Meet other sabbatical officers and share experiences
The workshop will focus on putting principles into practice. Based on the OIA’s experience of more than 1800 complaints, we will share with delegates our views on the successful resolution of student concerns, including practical tips on making complaints to Universities and the OIA.
Places on this free workshop are limited. If you would like to attend, please complete the attached booking form by 17 October. We will be in touch to confirm your place and provide a full programme for the day. Please note that lunch will not be provided.
At this stage, we are inviting those individuals who indicated that they were interested in further training with the OIA at the recent ATA event. If you are aware of other sabbatical officers who may be interested in attending, please forward this information to them.
Provisional OIA Workshops for 2008/2009
| Date | Workshop | Target Audience | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 November 2008 | Informal Resolution of Complaints | HEIs & SUs | Birmingham: Aston Business School Conference Centre |
| 27 November 2008 | Academic Judgement: a themed discussion | By invitation | Reading: OIA offices |
| 22 January 2009 * | Informal Resolution of Complaints | HEIs & SUs | Reading: OIA offices |
| 5 March 2009 | Complaints about Student Accommodation | HEIs & SUs | Reading: OIA offices |
| 13 May 2009 | Introduction to the OIA | HEIs | Manchester: The Harwood Room, Barnes Wallis Building, University of Manchester |
| 14 May 2009 | Open Forum for Student Union advisers | SU advisors | Manchester: The Harwood Room, Barnes Wallis Building, University of Manchester |
15 May 2008 - Open Forum at the OIA
This event was well attended and most successful. Please see the report.
