Update on institutional audit of UCT by CHE

Dear colleagues and students

In 2021, I wrote to you regarding the Council on Higher Education (CHE) Institutional Audit of the University of Cape Town (UCT). I am now writing to update you on the preparation and submission of the self-evaluation report (SER) and the forthcoming site visit to UCT.

In my last communication I advised that workstreams established by the university’s Institutional Audit Steering Committee (IASC) – under the leadership of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC): Teaching and Learning, DVC: Research and Internationalisation and the Director: Institutional Planning Department (IPD) – was in an evidence-gathering phase in relation to the four focus areas and the corresponding standards (four per focus area) identified in the CHE Institutional Audit Framework in order to draft the SER. The SER was required to demonstrate that the institution has effective internal quality management systems at all levels to ensure the quality of all core functions.

In December 2021 the IASC commenced with consolidating the evidence collected by the institutional audit workstreams to prepare and compile the report. The first draft was given to critical readers and was revised by me. The second draft was then submitted to Senate and Council in March 2022. The document was approved by Senate on 4 March 2022 and submitted to CHE on 31 March 2022.

UCT staff and students may use their credentials to access the SER and a brief overview of the development of the report via the online repository of quality reviews on the Institutional Planning Department’s website.

Under the direction of the UCT executive and the IASC, IPD is now preparing for the site visit which will be conducted by the CHE appointed audit panel from 15 to 19 August 2022. The site visit is a significant aspect of the entire audit. The panel will develop a schedule of interviewees, request a tour of the institution’s sites and also require additional documentary evidence that speaks to UCT’s provision. On the basis of the above and the assessment of UCT’s self-evaluation report, the audit panel’s comprehensive assessment of UCT against the 16 audit standards will be encapsulated in a draft audit report including commendations and recommendations for improvement.

The institutional audit is an opportunity to reflect on our internal quality management system. Participation from all UCT stakeholders is crucial. I encourage you to respond positively to interview and document requests and to review the SER prior to the site visit in order to support the planning for this site visit.

For further information on the institutional audit, you may contact Amanda Barratt.

Sincerely

Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
Vice-Chancellor

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• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements