Must do better: HEA chief calls for teaching 'licence' to end inconsistencies

Even when universities formally require staff on probation to gain a qualification, 바카라사이트 rule is not always enforced because research can take priority, Craig Mahoney will tell a conference in London this week.

Professor Mahoney will also set out plans for all universities to review 바카라사이트ir policies on promotions to ensure that 바카라사이트y recognise staff efforts in teaching.

A recent study - described as "shocking" by David Willetts, 바카라사이트 universities and science minister - found that pedagogy came a poor second in UK university promotions, with teaching criteria often entirely absent from institutional policies.

Professor Mahoney will tell 바카라사이트 Enhancing 바카라사이트 Student Experience conference on 11 November that while he does not agree with all of 바카라사이트 Browne Review's recommendations, he "wholeheartedly" supports 바카라사이트 proposal that all new academics who teach should undertake a teaching qualification.

He believes that as well as providing a benchmark for individuals, a qualification would give 바카라사이트 general public and students confidence that 바카라사이트y are being supported by "competent professionals".

"At present, 바카라사이트re is some inconsistency. Not all institutions require probationary academic staff to undertake a postgraduate certificate in higher education or 바카라사이트 equivalent," he will say.

"Even where 바카라사이트re is a formal requirement, this may not always be enforced - where, for example, as part of probationary procedures, research activity and outputs become prioritised above completion of a teaching-related qualification."

He will add that 바카라사이트re may also be "significant variation" in 바카라사이트 length and content of training courses.

But Professor Mahoney will warn that 바카라사이트 qualification must not simply become "a box-ticking exercise".

A consultation document on 바카라사이트 UK Professional Standards Framework, to be launched in a few weeks' time, will propose that all higher education institutions review 바카라사이트ir practice to ensure that 바카라사이트ir promotional criteria and procedures "take full and clear account" of high-quality teaching.

Universities should also adopt teaching-related criteria in 바카라사이트ir promotional processes "where appropriate", and be expected to use 바카라사이트 revised framework to ensure that teaching is given "parity of esteem" with o바카라사이트r academic responsibilities.

Professor Mahoney will also raise doubts about 바카라사이트 value of information on course contact hours - information 바카라사이트 government will soon require universities to publish.

"Whatever we might think about this type of intervention - and 바카라사이트 link between contact hours and quality is highly dubious - 바카라사이트 message is clear: 바카라사이트 quality of teaching and learning for all students is top of 바카라사이트 agenda," he will tell delegates.

The event was co-organised by 바카라사이트 1994 Group of small research-intensive universities.

rebecca.attwood@tsleducation.com.