Engineering education quality assurance within the school of engineering: a holistic approach

Abstract
BACKGROUND
Quality assurance is a key element of engineering education at Deakin University and is monitored through various mechanisms which also include the process of collecting students’ feedback within the Schools and faculties. The information received are then looked at holistically and action plan is developed to implement. This has proven to be very effective to ensure feedback received from the students has been properly addressed.

PURPOSE
The School of Engineering at Deakin University, has initiated the formation of Engineering Educational Quality Working Group (QWG). The aim of QWG is to provide a focal point for learning and teaching quality and its assurance in undergraduate and postgraduate Engineering courses. The school approach complements Deakin University processes of collecting and analysing student feedback on unit curricula design, delivery and facilitator delivery performance; feedback regarding individual facilitator, unit evaluations and graduate course experiences.

DESIGN/METHOD
The data are collected through face to face feedback from both on and off campus students. Feedback received from the end of trimester student evaluation process was also analysed.

RESULTS
The motivation behind the practise is to close the loop for the feedback received from the students and take appropriate action against the feedback. This is to enhance overall delivery of engineering education at Deakin University.

CONCLUSIONS
This paper outlines the activities planned by the QWG and elaborates on quality assurance approaches and key strategies to be implemented by the working group to achieve the desired quality as well as efficacy of those recommendations/actions undertaken at the school level.