Strategic and Governance Services

Academic committees

University Governance ensures that the business of the academic committees is professionally managed through to the relevant delegated approving authority - the Academic Board, the Vice-Chancellor or University Council.

We provide support to the following committees and their Chairs:

• Academic Board;
• Education Committee;
• Research and Higher Degrees Committee; and
• Internationalisation Committee.

We also provide support to sub-committees and working groups of the academic committees and other high-level University committees.

Academic Board

The Academic Board is established under the Edith Cowan University Act, which endows it with overarching responsibility for the academic functions and the academic governance of the University. Its scope ranges across all aspects of courses, student admission, enrolment and academic progress, teaching and learning and research, and services to students.

It is supported by its three senior committees, whose Terms of Reference align with those of the Board (which are laid down in the Act), and which make recommendations on policy and procedures, Rules, and high level University strategy. The Act states that “the Academic Board shall have all such powers as may be necessary to discharge its functions”, ensuring its independence. International students, programs and activities are included in the scope of responsibility of the Board and all its committees, and all have the power to establish working groups where required. These committees are listed below.

Education Committee

Established in 2017 by combining the previous Curriculum Teaching and Learning Committee and the Academic Services Committee, the Education Committee advises and makes recommendations to the Academic Board on Rules, policies, procedures and services relating to academic services for all student groups. It also makes recommendations on matters relating to the curriculum and delivery of academic programs; resource requirements and infrastructure planning with regard to educational programs; the improvement of teaching and learning; course standards, quality and evaluation; the quality of teaching and learning delivery in all locations and modes of delivery; flexible learning; and academic staff development relating to teaching and learning.

The Education Committee reviews all proposals for new courses, unit sets, specialisations, and course re-accreditation, and, if satisfied with their quality and compliance, recommends them to the Academic Board for approval.

Research and Higher Degrees Committee

The Research and Higher Degree Committee (RHDC) makes recommendations to Academic Board on policies and procedures relating to research and development (including commercial research and development and research consultancies); internal and external research funding; contract research; research institutions and centres; procedures and quality of research training for graduate students and staff; the legal requirements for ethical conduct in research involving human and animal subjects; work health and safety; and bio-safety, hazardous substances and the use of radioactive materials. The RHDC develops and reviews the University Research and Research Training Functional Plan.

Internationalisation Committee

ECU’s International Portfolio is responsible for leading the University's international growth, engagement and the establishment of new international education and commercial enterprises. The Internationalisation Committee provides leadership, strategic advice and quality assurance in international activities, offshore operations, and global partnerships.