Internal NCI Staff CINNTE SharePoint site:
CINNTE - SharePoint
Institutional Review: Purposes
- To encourage a quality culture and the enhancement of the learning environment and experience within institutions.
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To support systems-level improvement of the quality of higher education.
- To encourage quality by using evidence-based, objective methods and advice. To improve public confidence in the quality of independent/ private providers by promoting transparency and public awareness.
- To provide feedback to institutions about institution-wide quality and the impact of mission, strategy, governance and management on quality and the overall effectiveness of their quality assurance.
Institutional Review: Objectives
- To encourage a quality culture and the enhancement of the learning environment and experience within institutions.
- To improve public confidence in the quality of independent/ private providers by promoting transparency and public awareness.
- To support systems-level improvement of the quality of higher education.
- To encourage quality by using evidence-based, objective methods and advice.
- To provide feedback to institutions about institution-wide quality and the impact of mission, strategy, governance and management on quality and the overall effectiveness of their quality assurance.
Why was the CINNTE Institutional Quality Review Important to NCI
The CINNTE Institutional Review was an opportunity for NCI:
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Continuously develop and implement QIE, supporting NCI in achieving its strategic ambitions.
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Explore Quality and Quality Assurance frameworks within NCI.
- Demonstrate education, training, research, governance, and services in line with NCI’s policies and procedures.
- Ensure a positive review, maintaining NCI’s status as an institution of learning and positively impacting the student learner experience.
- Reflect, self-evaluate, and analyse policies and processes across NCI, identifying potential areas for improvement.
How did NCI manage the preparation of CINNTE?
The College had an internal management structure to oversee the preparation of our submissions to the CINNTE process and approve the final submissions.
The Executive Group (EG) acted as a Steering Group for the CINNTE project. With the support of the Academic Council, the Executive Group recommended the final versions of the following documents to the Governing Body (GB) for approval prior to submission to QQI:
- (CINNTE) Institutional Profile (IP).
- (CINNTE) Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER).
A CINNTE Advisory Group was established in November 2023. Through the Director of QIE or the Registrar, this group reported to each scheduled Executive Group meeting on the progress of the work. It sought direction/instruction from EG on specific aspects of the work, as needed, and proposed draft versions of individual chapters or sections within the above documents for review and approval. It advised on how best to undertake consultation with staff, students, and external stakeholders. Students, staff, and stakeholders were encouraged to participate in the process within their faculty/department and were encouraged to contribute through surveys, workshops, and the submission of case studies.
The Director of QIE, Patricia Maguire, was responsible for developing and monitoring the overall CINNTE project plan. The project required consultation with staff, students, and other stakeholders and the drafting of document chapters and case studies prior to GB approval and submission of the documents to QQI. The process then continued towards the Institutional Review panel's visit to NCI and their report. This will be followed by NCI's subsequent response and follow-up action plan.
The Registrar, Karen Jones, working with Director of QIE, Patricia Maguire and the EG members, led the NCI submission
CINNTE Advisory Group:
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- Registrar, Karen Jones (Chair)
- Vice-Dean (UG), School of Business: Dr Danielle McCartan-Quinn
- Vice-Dean (PG and Research): Dr April Hargreaves
- Vice-Dean, School of Computing, Dr Christina Hava Muntean
- Nominee of the Director of CELL: Dr Michael Goldrick
- Director of Student Registry: Niamh McAuley
- Head of Communications: Teresa Murray
- President of the Student's Union (2024/25: Tre Robert)
- Director of QIE; Patricia Maguire (overall Project Manager for CINNTE and DA application process)
Co-opted member, as required and with approval of the Executive.
The secretariat for the group is provided by the CINNTE Project Officer, Rhonda Hill (rhonda.hill@ncirl.ie).
What needed to be done and by when for the CINNTE Institutional Quality Review
Important milestones for the CINNTE Institutional Review were:
- Submission of the Institutional Profile (IP) to QQI on the 14th of June 2024, under the oversight of Programme Lifecycle Manager Shauni Hegarty, who held the position of project manager. The (IP) introduced NCI to the Review Team and was the first document they read.
- Submission of the Self-Evaluation Report (ISER) to QQI on the 26th of August 2024, under the oversight of the QIE Director, Patricia Maguire. This formed the basis of the CINNTE Institutional Review.
- A Review Team site visit took place from the 2nd to the 5th of December 2024. The purpose of the visit was for the Review Team to meet with students, staff, and stakeholders to discuss and consider the ISER, providing feedback and recommendations post-visit. NCI's response and necessary actions to follow.
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The Institutional Profile (IP)
As part of the cyclical review process, NCI had to provide an Institutional Profile (IP) to QQI, which was then published on QQI's website in July 2024. This profile offered details on the institution's history, structure, mission, governance, quality approach, staff and student demographics, including international students: Institutional Profile (IP) 2024
The Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER)
The Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER) produced by NCI following the self-evaluation process was the core document that was considered by the review team in advance of, and during, the main review visit. The ISER provided the review team with sufficient information and evidence to assess the effectiveness of quality assurance within the institution. It offered the review team documented evidence, or references to evidence, to support claims that the institution was meeting the objectives and criteria set out in the relevant terms of reference. The ISER was published by QQI in November 2024: Institutional Self- Evaluation Report 2024
What is the purpose of the CINNTE Institutional Quality Review Team?
The Review Team consists of external experts appointed by QQI: Meet the Review Team
There was a change in the chair of the review team in October 2024, with the new chair stepping into the role
- The review was carried out by a Review Team of independent experts and peers, who reviewed NCI’s education and training provision to ensure that agreed quality standards are being met.
- NCI undertook comprehensive consultation with students, staff and stakeholders.
- The Review Team expected to see solid Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement frameworks in place and appropriate policies and procedures allowing the delivery of higher education programmes, meeting obligations in terms of standards for higher education and training.
- The findings from the CINNTE institutional Review will be published in a CINNTE Review Report in February 2025.
CINNTE Consultation Fortnight, 11th - 24th of April 2024.
NCI staff had the opportunity to directly inform NCI's Institutional Self-Evaluation Report during the CINNTE Staff Consultation Fortnight, from 11th to 24th April, through a series of in-person and on-campus focus groups.
Further information for NCI internal staff