Higher Degree by Research Committee

General information

• Committee name: Higher Degree by Research Committee
• Reporting to: Academic Board
• Contact: Ms Belinda Bern — Director, UQ Graduate School
• Version (effective date): version 15 (19 April 2018)
• Sub-committees: nil
• Quorum: 50% of voting membership plus one
• Notes: abbreviated as HDRC

Terms of Reference

The Higher Degree by Research Committee is responsible for the provision of advice to the Provost and the Dean of the Graduate School on policies and practices for research higher degree programs (PhD and MPhil) and professional doctorates eligible to be supported via the Research Training Program (RTP). The Committee consults other senior officers of the University as required.

Specifically, the role of the Committee is:

• to advise the Provost and the Academic Board on higher degree by research  programs;
• to formulate recommendations on policy for the strategic development of higher degrees by research in the context of the University’s strategic plan;
• to promote a standard of excellence in higher degrees by research;
• to recommend to the Academic Board policies and procedures governing higher degree by research programs; and
• to advise the Academic Board on matters relating to admission, monitoring and support of international higher degree by research students.

Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021

Higher Degrees by Research Committee contributes to the University of Queensland meeting the requirements of the following Domains and Standards within the Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 (HESF 2021):

• Domain 1 Student Participation and Attainment
  • Standard 1.1 – Admission
  • Standard 1.3 – Orientation and Progression
  • Standard 1.4 – Learning Outcomes and Assessment
  • Standard 1.5 – Qualification and Certification
• Domain 3 Teaching
  • Standard 3.2 – Staffing
• Domain 4 Research and Research Training
  • Standard 4.1 – Research
  • Standard 4.2 – Research Training
• Domain 5 Institutional Quality Assurance
  • Standard 5.1 – Course Approval and Accreditation 
  • Standard 5.2 – Academic and Research Integrity
  • Standard 5.3 – Monitoring, Review and Improvement
• Domain 6 Governance and Accountability
  • Standard 6.1 – Corporate Governance
• Domain 7 Representation, Information and Information Management
  • Standard 7.2 – Information for Prospective and Current Students

Composition

Ex-Officio           

• Dean,  UQ Graduate School (Chair)
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) or nominee
• Deputy Dean, UQ Graduate School
• President, Academic Board or nominee
• University Librarian or nominee

Appointed  

• One representative from each faculty, appointed annually be the Executive Dean
• One representative from each institute that directly reports to a member of the UQ Senior Executive and directly enrols research higher degree students, appointed annually by the Director of the Institute.
• One representative of research higher degree students, appointed by the UQ Association of Postgraduate Students
• Two elected members of the Academic Board, appointed by the Academic Board Standing Committee

Administrative Arrangements

Secretariat support provided by UQ Graduate School.

* As of 13 September 2021