Anthony McClaran to leave QAA and take over at Teqsa

The chief executive of 바카라사이트 Quality Assurance Agency has announced that he is to step down.

Anthony McClaran, who has led 바카라사이트 QAA since 2009, will leave in October to become 바카라사이트 chief executive of Australia¡¯s higher education regulator, 바카라사이트 Tertiary Education Quality Standards Agency. He has been appointed to serve a five-year term at Teqsa.

¡°It has been a privilege to serve 바카라사이트 UK higher education during my time at Ucas and QAA, and to work with supremely committed and professional staff,¡± Mr McClaran said.

¡°I am now looking forward to making my contribution to supporting 바카라사이트 highest quality of teaching, learning and research in Australia¡¯s higher education institutions.¡±

The announcement comes amid a major review of quality assurance in England, Wales and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland sparked by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England announcing last year that it would invite external bodies to bid for quality assurance work.

A subsequent consultation has resulted in 바카라사이트 proposed abolition of regular institutional reviews by 바카라사이트 QAA. Instead, under 바카라사이트 plans, established higher education providers would be monitored using data on student outcomes.

Mr McClaran, 바카라사이트 former chief executive of admissions service Ucas, said in June that he supported 바카라사이트 principle of a risk-based regulatory system but hinted that 바카라사이트 end of ¡°widely respected¡± periodic peer reviews would be a mistake.

Teqsa has had a turbulent time of late with Mr McLaran¡¯s predecessor, Carol Nicoll, who held 바카라사이트 titles of chief executive and chief commissioner, opting to retire when legislative reforms split 바카라사이트 roles.

The organisation¡¯s funding had previously been cut drastically and The Australian that 바카라사이트 Teqsa reform bill had originally been designed to remove much of Teqsa¡¯s quality assurance role, until this proposal was watered down.

The QAA said that 바카라사이트 process of appointing a new chief executive had already begun and that Douglas Blackstock, currently 바카라사이트 organisation¡¯s chief operating officer, would serve as interim chief executive.

Christopher Banks, chair of 바카라사이트 QAA board, thanked Mr McClaran for his ¡°valued contribution¡± and said that Mr Blackstock would lead 바카라사이트 organisation as it ¡°works positively¡± to develop ¡°practical policy solutions¡± for 바카라사이트 planned teaching excellence framework.

¡°The QAA board will continue to be actively engaged with 바카라사이트 leadership team to continue to drive QAA¡¯s future success,¡± Mr Banks said.

Christopher Pyne, Australia¡¯s minister for education and training, said: ¡°I look forward to working with Mr McClaran to ensure Australia¡¯s higher education providers deliver teaching, learning and research of 바카라사이트 highest quality and institutions are not overburdened with red tape.¡±

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com