University of Queensland management policies, procedures and processes compare well against those of other international universities, results from a Commonwealth Universities Management Benchmarking Club show.
According to the Club's 1997 international benchmarking exercise, the University's processes in managing postgraduate supervision and policy planning and management with respect to teaching and learning are 'leading edge'.
The University's development of a data warehouse also was described as 'leading edge', University of Queensland Secretary and Registrar Douglas Porter said.
'The overwhelming impression gained from discussion with the other participants and with the external assessors was that the University of Queensland was travelling well,' he said.
Eight other universities (Sydney, Victoria University of Technology, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Liverpool, Auckland, Cape Town, Natal and Hong Kong) participated in the exercise which covered areas of policy and strategy, research management, human resource management, student support services and external impact.
Examples of international best practice elsewhere have highlighted opportunities for improvements in developing, monitoring and reviewing financial strategies, Mr Porter said.
'Lessons to be learned also apply to the allocation of resources, particularly in respect of measurement of outcomes and performance indicators,' he said.
An independent assessor evaluated the performance of each institution against a set of benchmarking criteria.
In August, Mr Porter presented the University's submission on the management of teaching and learning at a Club workshop at the University of Natal, South Africa.
A final report from the workshop will provide a basis for examining University policies and practices and instituting improvements.
'The report should provide more detailed information about specific sources of good practice which might provide models for self-improvement,' Mr Porter said.
The Club, set up in 1996, provides a way in which the University can pursue its commitment to world-best practice.
The University of Queensland will host the next workshop in September 1998.
For more information, contact Secretary and Registrar Douglas Porter (telephone 07 3365 1310).
