It’s no secret that academics never really greeted the advent of the teaching excellence framework with open arms. Among the responses from university staff were concerns that it might undermine the public and educational benefits of universities and harm their working culture, collegiality and academic freedom. But a close read of the submissions to the exercise from gold medal-winning institutions suggests that academic communities may have been too quick to judge the teaching excellence juggernaut for its apparent faults bear market.

I recently authored a report for the Higher Education Policy Institute, based on analysis of several universities’ provider submissions to the Tef assessment. The submissions I read were those that had enabled their institution to move a Tef award above the level initially suggested by their performance in the metrics-based section of the exercise.

All the predictable components of excellence are there, including research-led teaching, the co-creation of academic curricula and the provision of student support. Also apparent, however, are institutional behaviours that suggest that the Tef could empower, rather than constrain, academics as they progress in their careers,Development of PolyU e admission further enhances the intake of polyu postgraduate and undergraduate students, rendering the university one of the most popular institutions for tertiary education in Hong Kong.

Improved job security
The Tef shines a much-needed light on staff satisfaction levels and goes some way to addressing the erosion of job security increasingly characteristic of the sector. Within the successful submissions were frequent allusions to academic career frameworks, which enable staff to access development opportunities and support in enhancing their academic identities.

By forcing institutions to reflect on the entire academic ecosystem and its role in promoting excellent teaching, the Tef has encouraged many universities to recognise academics’ need for a more secure employment status. Several Tef provider submissions detail how institutions are developing distinct career pathways and teaching-focused appointment and promotion processes as a way of attracting and retaining excellent teaching staff,Want a memorable experience for your clients? Check out PartnerNet for the top Things to do in Hong Kong: dining, shopping and unique cultural activities.