q ualifications from the s tudent v iewpoint john nowakowski capa president [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
OVERVIEW
What is CAPA? CAPA’s role in developing the AQF Strengths from the new AQF Issues that need to be considered
THE COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIAN POSTGRADUATE ASSOCIATIONS
The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) is the national representative body for Australia’s 300,000+ postgraduate students, including 51,000+ higher degree research students.Founded in 1979, CAPA is a membership-based non-profit organisation. CAPA's main role is in protecting and promoting the interests and needs of Australia's postgraduate students.
OUR ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW AQF
Ongoing consultation and feedback Submissions throughout the
development Discussions during our annual council
meetings Distribution of knowledge throughout
our constituent organisations
STRENGTHS WITHIN THE NEW AQF
Standards are set for quality degrees Clarification around the different types
of Masters degrees is introduced Clearer understanding of pathways for
students Confirmation of the PhD and
Professional Doctorates as the peak qualification in Australia
ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED
Time framesNot all universities run on a semester basis
(CQU, Deakin, and Bond being notable examples)
Consideration need to be given if 1.5 years equates to three teaching periods, or 4.5 trimesters to balance the 3 semesters
Negative impact on these institutions, particularly for international enrolment
ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED
Generic Skills in the PhDFrequently spoken of as needed by
industryNot part of the AQF – only a substantial
body of work or learning that is an original contribution
Current PhD programmes not well enough funded to allow for extensive additional teaching
Seen as being “like an add-on Masters”
ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED
Parallel teaching and re-badged degreesBoth need to be addressed with the TEQSA
standardsParallel teaching – mixing level 7 and 9
students in the same class to reduce number of classes
Re-badged degrees – moving a level 7 to a level 9 so that fees may be charged
ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED
Mixed modes of studyExample – Bachelor of Science/Masters of
Nursing; Bachelor of Arts/Juris DoctorStudents expected to work multi-modally
without being taught how each stage is different
