In August 2021, Wales was the first UK nation to have full commitment to the QAA Academic Integrity Charter. In September 2021, the HEFCW-funded Welsh Integrity and Assessment Network (WIAN) was established to build on this commitment.

The Network is chaired by Professor Michael Draper (Swansea University) and Dr Mike Reddy (University of South Wales) who are also members of the UK Academic Integrity Advisory Group.

The WIAN is representative of staff and students from all regulated and funded higher education providers in Wales, which includes the nine universities and two further education colleges, and NUS Wales. The Network is committed to promoting academic integrity, combating academic misconduct, and promoting authentic and inclusive assessment practice.

Through grant arrangements with HEFCW, QAA has supported two Collaborative Enhancement Projects in 2022-23 in the topic areas of digital learning and micro-credentials.

The Welsh Collective: Digital Learning and Teaching Enhancement

The immersive learning project, The Welsh Collective: Digital Learning and Teaching Enhancement, has been developed by the Universities Wales Learning and Teaching Network, to further work from the HEFCW Higher Education Investment and Recovery (HEIR) Fund. The project is being led by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and involves all universities in Wales. The aim of the project is to sustain and further enhance digital learning, with a particular focus on immersive learning. The project developed a collaborative networking event for immersive learning, to support pan-Wales learning and share practice. The networking event was hosted on 21 June 2023 at Y Fforwm on the Swansea Campus of University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

Providers who were involved in the event are currently developing case studies, which will be published on the QAA Website in 2023-24. Read Steph Tindall's blog for some of the highlights and key talking points from the event.

This project and network will continue via HEFCW Grant funding in 2023-24. 

Implementation of a Micro-credential Planning Framework

The micro-credentials project, Implementation of a Micro-credential Planning Framework, has been led by Cardiff Metropolitan University in partnership with Wrexham University and Gower College Swansea. The main aim of the project was to progress the understanding of the systemic issues that will impact the development of micro-credential provision in higher education, through the refinement of a model for the practical design, approval and implementation of micro-credentials. The project lead presented at the micro-credentials webinar on 24 May.

QAA undertook an enhancement project examining current practice in peer observation of teaching in Wales. The project includes the publication of an overview report covering practice in the regulated and funded providers in Wales, and how this compares to practice across the UK.

To undertake the project, QAA distributed a survey to all 11 providers (nine HEIs and two FEIs) and subsequently undertook a series of interviews with these providers. The project also involved desk-based research looking at practice across other parts of the UK, including 25 HEIs in varying structure, size, and type.

The project has also produced a checklist of key questions to consider when implementing a peer observation of teaching scheme.

In addition to the report, a webinar took place on Tuesday 27 June to share the findings from the project and share practice.

The webinar included the following presentations:

QAA undertook an enhancement project exploring current practice in the sector in relation to micro-credentials, building on case studies that HEFCW developed and published in December 2022. The project explored current use of the QAA Micro-credentials Characteristics Statement (published May 2022).

To undertake the project, QAA distributed a survey to all participating providers (nine HEIs and two FEIs) and subsequently undertook a series of tailored conversations with these providers.

The conversations provided an opportunity to explore some of the approaches in more detail; any challenges and ways in which they were being addressed; the use of the QAA Micro-credentials Characteristics Statement and whether any revisions to it would be helpful at this stage; and any other areas that might be valuable for the sector to explore to enhance practice.

The project also held two webinars and the resources can be found below.

Quality Assurance processes (24 May 2023)

Practicalities of delivery (7 June 2023)