Meeting 1 and 2 (January and March 2026)

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Meeting 1 and 2 (January and March 2026) (PDF 165KB)

Overview

Across its first two meetings of 2026, Academic Board focused on strengthening academic governance, endorsing key institutional frameworks, and responding to a complex and evolving regulatory environment.

Priority areas included curriculum transformation, academic integrity, artificial intelligence (AI), student experience, and transnational delivery, with an increasing emphasis on risk-based oversight, data-informed decision making, and governance capability.

Program Approval

• Approved the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health (GD009) for delivery from 2027, strengthening UniSC’s postgraduate offerings and responding to workforce demand in public and environmental health.

Academic Integrity and Assessment

• Noted an increase in academic integrity cases, driven by improved detection and monitoring capability.
• Supported refinement of policy and processes to introduce clearer misconduct categories, strengthen educative and proportionate responses, and improve communication across diverse student cohorts.
• Reinforced the importance of assessment design that assures learning, particularly in the context of generative AI.

Curriculum and Teaching Transformation

• Noted continued implementation of the PACE initiative as UniSC’s primary learning and teaching transformation program.
• Confirmed the role of the Curriculum Design Framework in supporting: consistency of academic standards; student engagement, retention and progression; and, discipline-specific flexibility within a coherent institutional model.
• Highlighted forward planning for academic calendar and timetabling changes from 2027.

Student Experience, Equity and Wellbeing

• Noted that financial stress and equity of access continue to affect student engagement and learning outcomes.
• Acknowledged strong collaboration with the Student Guild to strengthen welfare and advocacy support, and enhance services across regional and partner campuses.
• Reinforced the importance of timely and fair complaints processes, early intervention and clear communication, and maintaining student safety as a core aspect of academic quality and governance.

Strategic and Regulatory Environment

• Noted significant developments in the higher education sector, including ATEC legislation reforms, evolving TEQSA expectations and regulatory frameworks, and increased emphasis on governance, student safety, and academic integrity.
• Identified key risks including international student visa volatility and policy uncertainty.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Confirmed establishment of a cross institutional AI Task Force to oversee responsible adoption and risk management.
• Considered progress on institutional AI governance and strategy, including development of an AI Position Statement.
• The delivery of an institution-wide AI use survey, and strengthened education and capability-building for staff and students.
• Identified risks and challenges relating to varied understanding of AI use and equity of access to AI tools.
• Confirmed an institutional approach centred on responsible, human centred AI aligned with University values.

Research Performance and Governance

• Noted improvements in research performance and discipline rankings.
• Identified key strategic considerations relating to HDR funding pressures, increasing open access publication costsforeign interference and research compliance obligations.
• Reinforced the need for sustainable research investment and strong governance oversight.

Third-Party Operations and Transnational Delivery

• Noted improving outcomes for UniSC Adelaide, with increasing focus on engagement, submission behaviour, and student success.
• Reported positive trends in student satisfaction (eVALU8) across 2025, including strong outcomes for new international students.
• Confirmed development of a new enterprise analytics (BI) dashboard to enable cross-campus comparisons, link satisfaction, engagement and performance data, and support evidence-based interventions.
• Agreed to develop a coordinated strategy to improve student engagement, integrity and success at Adelaide.
• Supported a strategic pause on UniSC Sydney (Parramatta), maintaining readiness while external conditions stabilise.

Key Actions

• Review and refine references to AI within the Curriculum Design Framework.
• Develop and present a strategic approach to improving student engagement, academic integrity and success at UniSC Adelaide.

Meeting 3 (June 2026)

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Academic Board Communiqué Meeting 3 2026 (PDF 156KB)

Academic Board made the following decisions: 

Program Approval – Master of Philosophy 

Academic Board approved the new Master of Philosophy (MR001) for delivery from 1 January 2027. The new program will consolidate several existing Masters by Research programs into a single degree, simplifying the University's research training portfolio, improving clarity for prospective candidates, and aligning with contemporary sector terminology. Academic Board noted the importance of effective transition arrangements and clear student support throughout implementation.

Academic Program Review Responses 

Academic Board endorsed the response and action plans arising from the 2025 reviews of Mental Health and Neuroscience, and Human Services and Social Work. The endorsed action plans will guide ongoing enhancement activities and support continuous improvement across curriculum, student experience and academic quality.

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Academic Board also considered the following matters: 

Academic Governance and the External Environment 

Academic Board considered significant developments across the higher education sector, including the formal establishment of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC), evolving policy settings and increasing regulatory expectations. Discussions highlighted the growing emphasis on outcomes-based assurance, evidence-informed decision making and governance accountability. Members also reflected on challenges risks relating to public confidence in universities and the importance of communicating the value and impact of higher education, alongside UniSC's commitment to widening participation and access.

Learning, Teaching and Curriculum Transformation 

Academic Board received an update on the Program Assessment and Curriculum Enhancement (PACE) initiative, noting progress in curriculum redesign, governance arrangements and project planning. Members emphasised the importance of clearly defining success measures, demonstrating benefits for students and staff, and maintaining strong governance and assurance throughout implementation.

Academic Board also noted progress in preparing for TEQSA re-registration, including development of the University's submission, evidence base and assurance activities. The Board was advised that the project remains on track for submission later in 2026.

Artificial Intelligence in Education 

Academic Board considered progress on the University's approach to artificial intelligence (AI), including work being undertaken through the AI Taskforce and Education Working Group. Discussion focused on AI capability development, governance arrangements, curriculum integration, ethical use and academic integrity. Members reinforced the importance of maintaining a values-based and risk-informed approach while preparing for emerging regulatory expectations. The Board also discussed the opportunities and challenges associated with generative AI, including implications for assessment design, student learning and institutional risk management.

Student Experience, Safety and Wellbeing 

Academic Board received updates on student representation and engagement through changes to the Student Guild governance model and transition to a Student Representative Council structure. Members highlighted the importance of meaningful student participation in governance and opportunities to strengthen engagement between Academic Board and student representatives.

The Board also considered the Gender Based Violence Prevention Taskforce Report, noting increasing confidence in reporting and disclosure processes, ongoing support provided to affected students and staff, and the importance of prevention, education and continuous improvement.

Academic Integrity, Research and Research Training 

Academic Board noted continuing increases in academic integrity referrals, reflecting enhanced detection and monitoring capabilities. Members discussed initiatives to improve administrative processes, reduce investigation timeframes and strengthen communication with students. The Board also considered research performance, research funding pressures and Higher Degree by Research (HDR) candidate experience. While survey results were broadly stable, members discussed opportunities to strengthen supervision, student support, internships and researcher development initiatives to improve HDR outcomes and reduce identified risks.

Academic Risk, Quality Assurance and Third-Party Operations 

Academic Board reviewed the University's academic risk profile and key risk indicators, with discussion focusing on student wellbeing, work-integrated learning pressures and ongoing risk treatment activities.

The Board also received updates on third-party operations, Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) compliance and implementation of internal audit recommendations. Members noted continuing progress in strengthening oversight arrangements, while recognising the ongoing complexity associated with partnership management, shared systems and data governance.

Library Services and Student Learning Resources 

Academic Board considered the 2025 Library Annual Report and discussed the evolving role of Library Services in supporting teaching, learning and research. Members noted initiatives aimed at improving access to digital resources, managing copyright obligations and reducing student costs through expanded use of open educational resources and innovative licensing arrangements.

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Looking ahead 

Academic Board reaffirmed its focus on academic quality, student success, research excellence and strong governance in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Key priorities over the coming months include TEQSA re-registration, implementation of the PACE initiative, further development of the University's approach to artificial intelligence, strengthening academic integrity processes, monitoring student wellbeing and continuing oversight of academic risk and quality assurance activities.

Academic Board will also continue to focus on evidence-based governance and ensuring the University remains responsive to emerging sector challenges and opportunities.

Meeting 4 (September 2026)

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Academic Board Meeting 4 2026 (PDF 160KB)

Academic Board made the following decisions:

Program Approvals – Mental Health Nursing

Academic Board approved the new Master of Mental Health Nursing (MC009) and the associated Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Nursing (GC010) for delivery from Trimester 1, 2028. The programs have been developed in response to national mental health workforce needs and will expand postgraduate nursing education opportunities. 

Policy Amendment – External Referencing

Academic Board approved significant amendments to the External Referencing policy and procedures. The amendments respond to matters identified during the previous TEQSA re-registration process and provide a more cohesive framework for external referencing and benchmarking. Academic Board acknowledged the collaborative consultation process and noted the importance of designing policy and procedures so they can be implemented effectively and monitored for intended outcomes.

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Academic Board also considered the following matters:

Academic Governance and the External Environment

Academic Board considered the reports of the Chairperson and the Vice-Chancellor and President on developments across the higher education sector, including increasing government oversight of domestic and international growth, research priorities, student safety and governance, and ongoing discussions with the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) on funding allocations. Discussions highlighted the growing sector focus on academic governance and the importance of Academic Board being able to evidence active engagement, rigorous scrutiny and effective assurance.

Academic Board also considered the draft TEQSA re-registration submission, including the self-assurance report and the Research Quality Report. Members emphasised that the submission should demonstrate not only that policies and governance processes exist, but also their implementation, effectiveness and impact, supported by clear evidence and an open, non-defensive tone.

Learning, Teaching and Curriculum Transformation

Academic Board received an update on the Program Assessment and Curriculum Enhancement (PACE) initiative, noting that implementation is now just over one year in, with continued progress across curriculum change, timetable reform, assessment change, systems and staff support. Members noted that a key stage gate for the TimeEdit timetabling system had been passed, with go-live planned for Trimester 1, 2027. Members emphasised the importance of ongoing monitoring of resources and outcomes, and of smoothing workload and timelines for future curriculum change.

Artificial Intelligence in Education

Academic Board considered an update on the University's approach to artificial intelligence (AI). Discussion focused on adaptive capability, evaluative judgement, critical thinking and ethical reasoning, and on assessment assurance, including authentication and verification of authorship and process. Members noted the move toward an assured learning statement, the importance of transparency in staff use of AI, and that academic integrity considerations extend beyond AI to other forms of outsourced authorship. Members reinforced the University's human-centred approach and noted that further work on implementation, monitoring and assurance is expected through the AI Taskforce and Education Working Groups.

Student Performance, Enrolments and UniSC Adelaide

Academic Board considered the 2025 Student Performance Monitoring and Assessment Report, noting positive trends in student success and reductions in attrition. Members highlighted the importance of proactive student support, including use of the early warning system dashboard, and continued attention to the experience and support needs of the growing postgraduate cohort. Academic Board also received an update on 2026 enrolments, noting significant growth against the enrolment plan.

The Board also received an update on UniSC Adelaide, including student experience, outcomes and academic partnership governance. Members noted work undertaken to understand and manage attrition, including cohort-based analysis, and that the new Academic Partnerships Management Committee will establish a clear and consistent reporting format across academic partnerships.

Academic Integrity, Research and Research Training

Academic Board received an update on academic integrity, noting that approximately 500 cases had been recorded in 2026 to date, alongside expansion of the team and increased outreach across the University. Members discussed the introduction of academic misconduct panels, the need to review how academic integrity operates across the University, and the opportunity presented by new case management software to improve processes and use data to inform prevention activity. The Board also considered the Animal Ethics External Review and Action Plan, the 2025 annual research reports for University Research Concentrations, the review of internal grant schemes and the Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Candidature Report. Members noted reduced HDR attrition and fewer missed candidature milestones, while discussing opportunities to strengthen supervision quality, research impact and the return on investment of internal grant schemes.

Academic Risk, Quality Assurance and Third-Party Operations

Academic Board received the internal audit report on Work Health and Safety processes for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and placement disclosures, noting the strong commitment to student safety among those consulted.

The Board also noted the University's self-assessment of amendments to the Higher Education Standards Framework (HESF) Threshold Standards and identified areas of improvements to Academic Board’s Terms of Reference to align to the new threshold standards. Members received a status update on UniSC policy and procedures, discussing the implications of policies being overdue for review and the need for a pragmatic approach to coordinating consultation where regulatory timeframes are limited.

Regulatory Consultation

Academic Board discussed the recent TEQSA consultation on the Statement of Regulatory Expectations relating to the definition of antisemitism. Members noted that the consultation concerns broader expectations for preventing, identifying and responding to racism, and that the matter is complex and will require careful consideration.

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Looking ahead

Academic Board reaffirmed its focus on academic quality, student success, research excellence and strong governance in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Key priorities over the coming months include finalising the TEQSA re-registration submission, continued implementation of the PACE initiative, further development of the University's approach to artificial intelligence, strengthening academic integrity processes, implementing the Work Integrated Learning internal audit action plan, responding to the amended HESF Threshold Standards and the TEQSA consultation, and continuing oversight of student performance, research training and academic quality assurance activities.

Academic Board will also continue to focus on evidence-based governance and ensuring the University remains responsive to emerging sector challenges and opportunities.