Guidelines on Standards

5. ACADEMIC STAFF/FACULTY

The quality of academic staff is the most important component in assuring the quality of higher education and thus every effort must be taken to establish service, development and appraisal policies that are conducive to staff productivity and to ensure that every programme has appropriately qualified staff sufficient for the number of students enrolled. Wherever there is difficulty in recruiting suitably qualified staff, measures such as providing the best affordable working conditions to retain staff, giving incentives, devising collaborative arrangements with other agencies or establishing joint and honorary appointments are feasible options.

Teaching, research and providing expert services are three interrelated academic activities. Nevertheless it must be acknowledged that not all academic staff can be equally involved in all three activities if the institution is to excel in its three core missions of teaching, research, and service. For each appointment, the institution should provide a clear explanation about the responsibilities, roles and equitable distribution of the various roles in teaching, research, consultancy/expert services and administration as well as community involvement that contributes to the quality of education, civic responsibility and improvement of the quality of life the community. The equitable work distribution is used in recognizing meritorious contribution for the purpose of promotion, salary determination or other incentives. It is also crucial to provide systematic training for upgrading all aspects of academic skills.

5.1 RECRUITMENT POLICY

Basic standard
The institution must have a clear staff recruitment policy related to qualifications, responsibilities, expertise and incentives that are essential for delivering the curriculum.

The staff : student ratio for each programme must be identified and must be appropriate for the student size and teaching-learning methodologies.

The minimum number of staff for implementing each programme must be determined.

Quality development
The recruitment policy should seek a balance between senior and junior academic staff, between academic and non-academic staff, and between full-time and part-time staff. The responsibilities of each must be explicitly specified.

The criteria for staff selection should include recognition of meritorious academic activities that can be measured by formal qualifications, professional experience, research and teaching output as well as peer recognition.

5.2 SERVICE POLICY AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Basic standard
The staff policy must address matters related to service, development and appraisal of staff.

The staff policy must clarify the roles and equitable distribution of these various roles which include teaching, research, consultancy, community services and administrative functions, and to reflect a balanced distribution of responsibilities among the staff.

The equitable work distribution and meritorious academic roles must be recognized and appropriately rewarded through promotion, salary increment or other remuneration using clear and transparent policies and procedures.

Academic staff development must be systematically provided.

Quality development
Faculty development should be given as formative guidance and mentoring should be provided for new staff.

Faculty appraised should take into account participation in professional, academic and other relevant bodies as well as community involvement.