Introduction
The QA Manual sets out the policies and procedures adopted by the College and agreed with QQI, which are designed to ensure the quality of programmes and services at the College. They are designed to be consistent with the policies, standards and requirements of Quality and Qualifications Ireland, which is the academic awarding body for ICHAS programmes and through that, with the Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).
Strategic Aims from 2018 to 2022
During the period of the Strategic Plan from 2012 – 2017, the College and its activities were significantly influenced by rapid and continuous changes in the economic, technological and political environment, as well as the changes underway in the Irish higher education. The College delivered on most of the stated strategic aims over the past five year cycle. However, given the economic climate, projected growth in student numbers was revised and a strategic decision was made to modify this aim and to achieve diversity through consolidation and collaboration. Therefore, the college has not substantially grown learner numbers and, as indicated, has decided to consolidate student numbers in the region of between 600 – 700 in total. It is expected that the College will not exceed those numbers in the next five years.
Therefore, the revised strategic aims for the period from 2018 to 2022 are as follows;
- To consolidate the diversity of learners and growth in learner numbers within a student population of between 600 – 700 students.
- To continue to develop a suite of relevant academic programmes and career-focused life-long learning alone and in partnership with other HECA Colleges.
- To enrich the teaching and learning experience for all learners and staff.
- To continue to employ and expand innovative approaches to programme support and delivery.
- To further strengthen external engagement and public confidence in the College
- To advance the governance structure and systems within the College.
GOVERNANCE AND APPROACHES TO QUALITY
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR DECISION MAKING STRUCTURES
Terms of Reference for the Board of Directors
Terms of Reference for Governing Authority
Terms of Reference for Academic Council
Terms of Reference for Board of Management
Terms of Reference for Programme Boards
Terms of Reference for the Examinations Board
Terms of Reference for the Grade Review Committee
Terms of Reference for the Disciplinary Committee
Terms of Reference for the Appeals Committee
Terms of Reference for the Ethics Committee
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR ADVISORY STRUCTURES
POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH QUALITY AT ICHAS
POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH PROGRAMMES OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH ACCESS, TRANSFER, AND PROGRESSION
POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH STAFF RECRUITMENT, MANAGEMENT, AND DEVELOPMENT
POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH TEACHING, LEARNING & ASSESSMENT
POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH STUDENT SUPPORTS
Policy associated with Accessing General Student Services
Policy on Learner Induction and Orientation
Policy on the provision of Pastoral Care
Policy on supporting students to engage with Blended Learning
Policy on Supports available to International Learners
Policy on Monitoring Attendance and Participation in Studies
Policy on Student Leave or Temporary Suspension of Studies
Policy on Learners seeking to Withdraw from Programmes
Policy on the Conduct of Ethical Research within the College
Policy on Code of Conduct for Engagement in Virtual Learning Environments
POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH INFORMATION & DATA MANAGEMENT
POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION
POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED IN TRAINING AND EDUCATION
POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH SELF EVALUATION, MONITORING, AND REVIEW
PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH QUALITY AT ICHAS
Procedure associated with Documenting the Effectiveness of Quality Assurance
Procedures associated with Risk Management
Procedures associated with Protection of Enrolled Learners
Procedures associated with assuring the Quality of Physical Learning Environments
Procedures associated with assuring the Quality of Blended Learning Environment
PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH PROGRAMMES OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH ACCESS, TRANSFER, AND PROGRESSION
PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH STAFF RECRUITMENT, MANAGEMENT, AND DEVELOPMENT
Procedures associated with Staff Recruitment, Management & Development
Procedures associated with Staff Induction
Procedures associated with Staff Communication
Procedures associated with Staff Development
Procedures associated with Staff Performance & Appraisal
Procedures associated with supporting staff engagement with Blended Learning
PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH TEACHING, LEARNING & ASSESSMENT
Procedures associated with Teaching & Learning
Procedures associated with Work Based Learning
Procedures associated with Assessment of Learners
Procedures associated with Marking, Grading and Certification
Procedures on the Formation of Assessment
Procedures associated with Examinations
Procedures associated with Grade Recheck and Review of Assessment Decisions
Procedures associated with Appeals
Procedures associated with Breaches of Academic Integrity
Procedures associated with Personal Extenuating and/or Mitigating Circumstances
Procedures associated with Reasonable Accommodation
PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH STUDENT SUPPORTS
Procedures associated with Accessing General Student Services
Procedures associated with Learner Induction and Orientation
Procedures associated with Academic support
Procedures associated with provision of Pastoral Care
Procedures associated with supporting students to engage with Blended Learning
Procedures associated with Complaints
Procedures associated with Breaches of the Code of Conduct
Procedures associated with Fitness to Practice
Procedures relating to Supports available to International Learners
Procedures associated with Student Engagement
Procedures associated with Monitoring Attendance and Participation in Studies
Procedures associated with Student Leave or Temporary Suspension of Studies
Procedures associated with Learners seeking to Withdraw from Programmes
Procedures associated with the Conduct of Ethical Research within the College
Procedures associated with College Code of Conduct for Engagement in Virtual Learning Environments
PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH INFORMATION & DATA MANAGEMENT
PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH PUBLIC INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION
PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH OTHER PARTIES INVOLVED IN TRAINING AND EDUCATION
PROCEDURES ASSOCIATED WITH SELF EVALUATION, MONITORING, AND REVIEW
