TEQSA e-News | June 2024

Message from the CEO

Welcome to our June e-News as we delve into the second half of the year.

Since my last update, it's been another very busy month at TEQSA as we continue work on a number of substantial sector and regulatory projects to assure the quality of higher education in Australia for students and providers.

Of particular focus for us at TEQSA this month is our request for information issued to all registered higher education providers. As most of you will know, we’re seeking a credible action plan from each provider, oversighted by the appropriate governance mechanisms, to address the risk that generative artificial intelligence (generative AI) poses to the integrity of Australian qualifications.

TEQSA continues to closely monitor the rapid enhancement of generative AI tools, and what they mean for teaching, learning and assessment practices. This request aims to ensure institutions are meaningfully reflecting on the risks of generative AI.

With the diversity of higher education providers within our sector, we’re looking forward to understanding the varying approaches to address this emerging challenge. Later in the year, and with permission, we plan to share innovative approaches with you to support good practice across the entire sector.

Another important piece of sector engagement for TEQSA has been the external consultations for our service charter, stakeholder engagement strategy and the fit and proper person amendments. I want to thank everyone who contributed their valuable insights to these consultations. We're currently carefully considering the feedback we have received, and next steps will be shared with our stakeholders in the coming months.

Following the successful launch of our TEQSA Talks series earlier this year, we're excited to bring another webinar to your screens on 4 July. Over 400 people have already registered to attend, and key themes to be discussed by TEQSA's panel will be regulatory updates and issues around student protests and the international education space. I hope you'll join us.

Finally, I want to share with you an update about the search for TEQSA's next Chief Commissioner and Commissioners. The recruitment is being led by the Department of Education and will fill the vacancy left following the resignation of the former Chief Commissioner in May. The recruitment process will also aim to recruit for several Commissioner roles to ensure the continuity of the Commission when considering expiry of terms.

I'll share more news and updates with you next month.

Kind regards,

Dr Mary Russell

CEO

Providers asked to respond with action plan

TEQSA has issued its request for information (RFI) to all registered higher education providers.

The RFI asks for a credible institutional action plan, oversighted by the appropriate governance mechanisms, addressing the risk generative AI poses to award integrity. Providers have been asked to respond with their action plan by Wednesday 3 July.

To learn more, access a recording of TEQSA's recent webinar and FAQs on our website, or contact integrityunit@teqsa.gov.au with questions.

TEQSA submission published on AI impact

The Senate Select Committee on Adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) has published TEQSA's submission on AI's use and impacts in higher education.

The committee consulted on the opportunities and impacts for Australia arising out of the uptake of AI technologies, including consideration of trends, risks, approaches, opportunities and threats. TEQSA's submission is No. 157.

A final report from the committee to the Australian Parliament will be handed down by 19 September 2024.

• Access TEQSA's submission

Save the date and register for our next webinar

The next TEQSA Talks webinar is on Thursday 4 July 2024, from 2-3pm (AEST). Registrations are now open, so be quick to reserve your virtual seat.

The webinar series aims to inform the sector about our regulatory work, quality assurance matters and risk. At each event, providers and other stakeholders can participate in a Q&A with the panel if they wish.

Thanks to everyone who attended the TEQSA Talks #1 webinar. If you missed out, a recording is on our TEQSA Talks page and YouTube channel.

• Register for TEQSA Talks #2

Submit your question for the panel Q&A

Based on feedback from our first TEQSA Talks webinar, we're inviting questions to be submitted in advance of our July session.

Please use our form to submit your question for TEQSA Talks #2 by 12pm (AEST) on Monday 1 July 2024.

We may combine questions about specific topics or themes in order to answer as many questions as possible during the webinar. There will also be the opportunity to ask questions during the webinar.

• Submit a question in advance

Have you already registered? Please read this

The next TEQSA Talks webinar, and all webinars moving forward, will use the Zoom platform. This follows feedback from attendees and our own concerns that technical issues with the MS Teams platform could not be resolved satisfactorily.

This means that for those of you who have already registered for TEQSA Talks #2 (via the MS Teams link), you'll soon be automatically registered to attend via the new Zoom platform. No action is required from you, and there is no need to register again.

You will be emailed the link to join the Zoom webinar closer to the date.

We look forward to welcoming you online on Thursday 4 July.

Recruitment underway for executive role

TEQSA has commenced recruitment of the full-time senior role of Executive Director of our Regulatory Operations Group.

Reporting to the CEO, and working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, the Executive Director Regulatory Operations is crucial in advising the TEQSA Commission on strategic regulatory matters and representing TEQSA to external stakeholders. Davidson is managing the recruitment process.

Applications for the role close on Friday 28 June.

Thanks for having your say to inform our work

Thank you to everyone who completed TEQSA's annual stakeholder survey.

We use the survey's valuable insights to inform continuous improvement, sector-wide risk management and our future engagement activities.

As with previous years, TEQSA will issue a response to the survey findings in due course and communicate this via our regular channels.