Accreditation 15 August 2013 updated 06 March 2014

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of three higher education courses of study offered by Nan Tien Institute Limited

On 15 August 2013, TEQSA determined to grant accreditation of the following higher education courses of study offered by Nan Tien Institute Limited for a period of seven years until 15 August 2020 in accordance with subsections 49(1) and 49(6) of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011 (TEQSA Act), subject to conditions:

• Master of Arts (Health and Social Wellbeing)
• Graduate Diploma of Health and Social Wellbeing
• Graduate Certificate in Health and Social Wellbeing

On 15 August 2013, TEQSA imposed, under subsection 52(1) of the TEQSA Act, six conditions on the accreditation of the three courses of study. Refer to the Addendum of this report for information relating to the revocation of the conditions.

Background to Decision

Nan Tien Institute Limited submitted an application for accreditation of three courses of study to the NSW Department of Education and Training (NSW DET) on 2 August 2011. TEQSA subsequently received the application for accreditation under the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2011 (the TEQSA Transition Act). Subsection 45(4) of the TEQSA Act requires a registered higher education provider who is not authorised to self-accredit the course of study to apply to TEQSA for accreditation. Subsection 49(6) enables TEQSA to grant accreditation of a course of study for a period not exceeding seven years.

Main Reasons for the Decision

TEQSA determined that the three higher education courses of study submitted by Nan Tien Institute Limited for accreditation comply with the Provider Course Accreditation Standards. The course accreditation covers delivery at all Australian sites.

TEQSA considers that the decision to apply conditions to accreditation of the three courses of study is consistent with the basic principles for regulation in Part 2 of the TEQSA Act as Nan Tien Institute is at risk of not complying with a number of the Threshold Standards. TEQSA considers that the risks of non-compliance with the Threshold Standards involve a number of matters that may affect Nan Tien Institute's capacity to manage and deliver its higher education awards.

TEQSA imposed the conditions on the accreditation to ensure:

• An appropriate academic body with responsibility for the courses is established.
• The courses are considered by that body prior to any students commencing the courses.
• The way in which the courses meet the relevant AQF application of knowledge and skills descriptors is clarified.
• The courses are not delivered until a senior academic leader is appointed and further evidence of academic workforce planning is provided to TEQSA.
• Funds to teach-out the courses will be available to Nan Tien Institute if required.

Addendum to Public Report on 6 March 2014: Conditions Revoked

On 15 August 2013, TEQSA imposed the following six conditions on the accreditation of the Master of Arts (Health and Social Wellbeing), the Graduate Diploma of Health and Social Wellbeing and the Graduate Certificate in Health and Social Wellbeing:

a) By no later than 30 November 2013, Nan Tien Institute must establish a course advisory committee for the three courses being accredited and provide to TEQSA the terms of reference and membership.

b) Prior to commencing delivery of the courses, Nan Tien Institute must:

1. Ensure that the course advisory committee meets to consider the three courses and provide advice to the Institute, including advice that the courses clearly focus on social wellbeing and developing research skills.
2. Provide to TEQSA a mapping of the three courses against the current AQF level descriptors for application of knowledge and skills.
3. Provide to TEQSA an academic staffing plan for ensuring that appropriately qualified academic staff shall deliver and assess each of the units in the courses, and oversee and assess research projects in the Master of Arts (Health and Social Wellbeing).
4. Engage a head of program whose predominant academic expertise is in health and social wellbeing.
5. Satisfy TEQSA that it has a binding agreement with the International Buddhist Association of Australia or another entity under which the Institute will receive funding to teach out the courses in the event that this is required.

In accordance with subsections 53(2) and 53(3) of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the accreditation of a course of study, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.

TEQSA made a decision on 6 March 2014 to revoke the six conditions imposed on the accreditation of the three courses.

TEQSA's decision to revoke the six conditions was made on the basis that Nan Tien Institute had demonstrated that the requirements of each of the conditions had been met:

• In response to Condition (a), Nan Tien Institute established a course advisory committee for the three courses, and on 9 October 2013 provided TEQSA with the terms of reference and membership.
• In response to Condition (b)(i), on 24 December 2013, Nan Tien Institute provided to TEQSA evidence that the course advisory committee had met to consider the three courses and provide advice, including advice that the courses clearly focus on social wellbeing and developing research skills.
• In response to Condition (b)(ii), on 9 October 2013 Nan Tien Institute provided TEQSA a mapping of the three courses against the current AQF level descriptors.
• In response to Condition (b)(iii), on 24 December 2013 Nan Tien Institute provided to TEQSA an academic staffing plan for the three courses.
• In response to Condition (b)(iv), on 24 December 2013 Nan Tien Institute provided to TEQSA evidence that a head of program for the three courses had been engaged to commence in January 2014.
• In response to Condition (b)(v), on 7 February 2014, Nan Tien Institute provided to TEQSA evidence of a financial guarantee under which it will receive funding to teach out the courses in the event that this is required.