In December 2018/January2019 we collated your feedback on behalf of the Department of Education and Training (DET) for a Ministerial briefing on the posibility of increased regulation of higher education course accreditation.
With our Members we researched and compiled a comprehensive briefing draft that we delivered to DET in January 2019.
It is our understanding that the facts put forward in our briefing draft dissuaded the Minister’s office from rushing into new regulation of the accreditation of higher education courses.
TEQSA Industry Professional Bodies Forum
As a TEQSA MoU Partner since February 2017, we represented our Members at the “Industry Professional Bodies Forum” held by the Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) in December 2018.
The event was intended to provide bodies who have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TEQSA to articulate their thoughts and experiences.
Professionalism and Ethics Forum 2018
We held a Members-Only Forum on Professionalism and Ethics on 17 November 2018 in Melbourne. Dr Wim VanDeKerckhove PhD, Co-Director of the Centre for Research on Employment and Work (CREW) at the University of Greenwich UK and a global leader in whistleblowing management standards gave the keynote. This was followed by presentations by A/Prof Eva Tsahuridu from RMIT and Barrister Philip Argy, Law Council of Australia.
A very comprehensive discussion ensued on how professionalism and its underlying culture of ethics (e.g. “Doing the Right Thing when Nobody is Looking”) defines our society and ensures its well‐being ‐ by professionals defending our citizens from the ill effects of “alternative facts”, “fake news”, “self‐appointed experts” and “profits before clients” conduct.
Our Professionalism and Ethics Commitee is planning to progress the outcomes of the Forum at a larger event next year.
Brenda Aynsley Tribute
“On behalf of the Board of the Australian Council of Professions, I am saddened to advise of the passing last weekend of our friend, colleague and former President, Brenda Aynsley OAM FACS CP.
ACoP President Klaus Veil, 15 August 2018
Brenda was respected by us all as a leader and mentor within the Australian Computer Society, the Australian Council of Professions and across the professions that our organisation represents. She was fearless in her advocacy of the value of professionalism and the maintenance of the highest standards of professional and ethical practice.
Brenda served as our President in 2017-18 and as President of the Australian Computer Society in 2014-15. She was chair and immediate past chair of the International Professional Practice Program (IP3).”
Please see the tributes to Brenda Aynsley in the ‘InformationAge’ newsletter of our member, the Australian Computer Society ACS.
At the Tribute event for Brenda hosted by our Member Association the Australian Computer Society in Melbourne, we were honoured to announce the Brenda Aynsley Memorial Lecture on Professionalism.
Vale Brenda Aynsley OAM FACS CP
AFR Client Choice Awards 2018
International Womens Day 2018
In March we participated in the International Women’s Day celebration hosted by the AIBC Canberra and supported by our Member Association SSSI.
National Accreditation Best Practices Summit
AQF Terms of Reference Review
In February 2018 we explored and collated our Members‘ views and opinions by convening a Members‐Only Forum to provide formal input into the “Australian Qualifications Framework
(AQF) Review Terms of Reference” project conducted by
Prof Christine Ewan for the Federal Department of Education and Training (DET).
Creating a Culture of Professionalism – The Board’s Role
How do Boards create a culture of professionalism?
Read the keynote of our President Brenda Aynsley OAM FAC CP at the Association Forum’s 2018 CEO & Chair Symposium here
PA signs MoU with TEQSA
The Australian Council of Professions (“Professions Australia”) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will allow for greater collaboration and sharing of information between the two organisations.
TEQSA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Anthony McClaran, said the signing further strengthened the existing relationship between two organisations who both share a strong interest in protecting the quality of Australian higher education. “I am very pleased for the opportunity to formalise this arrangement with Professions Australia which will see us work closely to share information,” Mc McClaran said. “The relationships we are building with industry professional bodies will ultimately assist TEQSA to streamline regulation and reduce the accreditation demand on providers.”
Professions Australia Chief Executive Officer, Ms Liz Lang, said she was delighted to sign the agreement on behalf of member associations who represent more than 420,000 professionals nationwide. “This MoU will help TEQSA to reach out and increase its engagement with the professional associations represented by Professions Australia and enable information sharing and collaboration between TEQSA and the professions,” Ms Lang said. “We have a mutual interest in maintaining and improving the quality of higher education for students who graduate and practise as professionals across Australia.”
Read the TEQSA Press Release.
If you are interested in more information about our collaboration with TEQSA, please contact us on 1300 664 587 or CEO@Professions.org.au.