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Uni is already improving its teaching

Friday, 12 August 2005

The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide said today it has instituted a range of measures over the past three years to improve quality of teaching.

The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ was reacting to a controversial league table that for the first time compares teaching performances across ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥. Of the country's 38 universities, the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide was placed 35th. The methodology of this table has already attracted widespread criticism.

"This comes as no real surprise as the data relates to a period (1999-2002) when, as is well known, the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ was experiencing some difficulties. However, we realise where our responsibilities lie and we have been making every attempt to improve matters," said Professor James McWha, Vice-Chancellor of the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide.

"In terms of the measures to improve our teaching, we are involved in a number of ways such as investing in key learning and teaching facilities and infrastructure; increasing resources and staffing for our learning and teaching support; and developing a better system for getting student evaluations of our teaching and ensuring that these perceptions have an effect," said Professor McWha

Professor McWha said there is already strong evidence the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ has moved forward since the survey was conducted.

The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ has a high percentage of students employed within four months of graduation; it has the third lowest overall student-staff ratio; and is in huge demand as a first-choice tertiary institution.

"The data used in the report show that employment outcomes of ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide graduates are among the best in the country," he said.

Professor McWha said the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ continues to grow and is in huge demand as a first-choice tertiary institution.

"The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide's first preference applications as a percentage of all preference applications are significantly higher than the corresponding measure at the other South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Universities, showing a long-standing measure of demand over time and between institutions.

"There is an increasing trend in the proportion of top-scoring school leavers who have applied for admission to the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide. The increase in the proportion of both first preferences and all preferences shows that the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide is enhancing its traditional place as the institution of first choice for these students," he said. In medicine, for example, a record 2,300 applications were received this year.

The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide also has the third lowest overall student-staff ratio nationally and the lowest in South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

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