New agreement sees better collaboration on academic matters

A new Student Partnership Agreement between ANU Academic Board and the University's student organisations is expected to improve student ability to provide feedback on their university experience.

The Student Partnership Agreement was signed on 20 November by the Chair of the Academic Board Professor Jacqueline Lo, ANU Students Association (ANUSA) President James Connolly and ANU Postgraduate and Research Students Association (PARSA) President Alyssa Shaw.

The Agreement covers broad themes around student feedback from student surveys, feedback forums and existing university initiatives that ANU, ANUSA and PARSA have agreed to work on together.

But the Agreement also has key identified areas that all parties want to work on for student benefit. These include improving student-course representation, consulting with students on reforms around admissions, scholarships and accommodation, as well as other key areas of concern around student well-being and the student learning experience from undergraduate through to postgraduate coursework.

The Agreement also includes a commitment to boost the number of student-representatives on the Academic Board from two to four.

ANU Students Association President James Connolly said it is a significant moment on the part of the University.

"A Student Partnership Agreement at the ANU represents a move within the Australian higher education sector toward student-centred learning, which has already taken place in the international higher education sector," he said.

"Actioning this Agreement means that we will see enhanced student representation where students are empowered to participate."

Professor Jacqueline Lo, who is also CASS Associate Dean (International), said ANU is proud of its commitment to student engagement and representation as well as working with the students to support a positive learning experience for them.

"This agreement will help maintain and support effective relationships between the institution and student bodies and in turn, further enhance the quality of student engagement throughout the country ensuring that the ANU continues to be a beacon of success for other universities to aspire to follow," Professor Lo said.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt said the Partnership is seen as an essential part of future development at ANU.

"The Agreement reflects on the culture of inclusion and enablement of ANU and is based on mutual respect," he said.

"It is hoped that this Student Partnership will provide a focus for discussions around how students and ANU can work together to improve."

The Student Partnership Agreement will be reviewed jointly by the ANU Academic Board, ANUSA and PARSA on an annual basis.