Accreditation Rejection 22 January 2020

Course accreditation

Report on accreditation of one higher education course of study offered by National Institute of Organisation Dynamics Australia Ltd

TEQSA has agreed to orders made by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) that provide for the accreditation of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) course to be offered by the National Institute of Organisation Dynamics Australia Ltd (NIODA), pursuant to section 49 of the TEQSA Act. Five conditions have been imposed on the accreditation of NIODA's PhD course (as detailed below).

Background

NIODA applied to TEQSA for the accreditation of the PhD course pursuant to s49 of the TEQSA Act.

A delegate refused the course accreditation application. NIODA sought internal review of the delegate's decision and TEQSA decided to affirm the delegate's decision. TEQSA's decision to affirm the delegate's decision was made on the basis that TEQSA was not satisfied that the course met the following requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015:

1. Standard 4.2.2 of Part A in relation to NIODA establishing the necessary depth and breadth of an institutional Doctoral level research study environment
2. Standard 4.2.3 of Part A in relation to providing supervisory support for doctoral research students
3. Standard 3.2.3 of Part A in relation to staff being equipped for their supervisory support for students.

NIODA sought review of TEQSA's decision at the AAT.

Main reasons for the decision

After reviewing the further material submitted by NIODA, TEQSA was satisfied that the course meets the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (Threshold Standards). However, TEQSA considered that a number of risks remained in respect of the course which justified the imposition of conditions.

On this basis, TEQSA agreed that it was appropriate to substitute TEQSA's decision to affirm the delegate's decision to refuse the course accreditation application with a decision to register the PhD course for a period of 7 years with conditions.

The conditions are designed to address the following requirements of the Threshold Standards:

1. Regarding the need for NIODA to equip staff with responsibilities for academic oversight and those with teaching and supervisory roles in courses or units for their roles (Standard 3.2.3)
2. Regarding the need for NIODA to provide a supervisory and study environment of research activity (Standard 4.2.2)
3. Regarding the need for NIODA to support each research student by continuing supervisory arrangements (Standard 4.2.3).

Application to withdraw conditions

In accordance with section 53 of the TEQSA Act, TEQSA may vary or revoke a condition imposed on the accreditation of a higher education course of study, either on its own initiative, or upon application by the provider for variation or revocation.