“”Systematic shortcomings” have been identified at the universities quality watchdog in the Republic of Ireland. An expert review panel acting for the Higher Education Authority (HEA) said that some universities had become so detached from the Irish Universities Quality Board (IUQB) that they had suspended quality-assurance activities for unspecified periods. “There is a sense … of a lack of full engagement with the IUQB by some university leaderships,” said the panel. “Because of competing priorities, the quality agenda experienced some slippage.” The IUQB had shown “sustained, systematic shortcomings” in following up its recommendations to universities in some instances …” (more)
[Melanie Newman, Times Higher, 23 October]