• Section 1 - Key Information
• Section 2 - Purpose
• Section 3 - Scope
• Section 4 - Key Decisions
• Section 5 - Policy Statement
• Section 6 - Procedures
• Section 7 - Definitions
• Section 8 - Authority and Associated Information

Section 1 - Key Information

Section 2 - Purpose

(1) This Policy establishes La Trobe University’s processes for developing, executing, documenting and managing educational partnerships.  All activities under formal agreements with educational partners are also governed by all relevant University policies.

(2) The University is committed to developing a range of educational partnerships that:

1. are mutually beneficial to the parties involved
2. support the University’s overall mission and strategy, including the recruitment strategy and diversification of the student cohort
3. ensure academic rigour, the quality of the student learning experience and student safety.

(3) Through all its educational partnerships La Trobe University maintains responsibility for the quality of its courses and compliance with regulatory requirements, including those of the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency and the Higher Education Standards Framework; the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS); the National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students; and the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

Section 3 - Scope

(4) This Policy applies to all educational partnerships, including:

1. articulation and pathway arrangements, where students having completed a course of study at a partner institution are considered, under formal agreement, to have met entry requirements and/or are provided with advanced standing towards a La Trobe course of study
2. third party teaching arrangements, where La Trobe students are enrolled in a La Trobe award or non-award course of study while based in whole or in part at the partner’s premises or online space and are taught in whole or part by teachers employed by the third party
3. courseware licensing arrangements where La Trobe courseware is provided to the partner institution for incorporation into the partner institution’s courses
4. student mobility arrangements, where La Trobe students are provided with opportunities to undertake a study experience either at the premises of or facilitated by the partner
5. work-based learning arrangements, where La Trobe students are provided with opportunities to undertake industry experiences either at the premises of or in partnership with an external organisation
6. related activities or combinations of these activities, as may be determined by the University from time to time.

Section 4 - Key Decisions

Section 5 - Policy Statement

(5) La Trobe University will establish educational partnership arrangements with reputable organisations that will maintain the quality of La Trobe University’s educational offerings and delivery. This means that:

1. all educational partnership arrangements are subject to a due diligence and risk assessment and formalised by an agreement, the complexity of which is proportionate to the type of agreement and identified risk level, as laid out in the relevant procedures;
2. information on the roles and responsibilities of, and to, all relevant parties to an arrangement is accessible, consistent, up to date and enables effective operation of the agreement;
3. all agreements include robust arrangements for the protection of the rights of individuals, including for safety, security, and the assurance of appropriate arrangements for students in the event of the unexpected cessation of an arrangement;
4. all educational partnership agreements are registered in the University’s educational partnership registers; and
5. educational partners are made aware of the requirement to abide by all University policy and relevant external regulatory requirements and all arrangements are monitored regularly for compliance.

(6) Educational partnership arrangements undergo continuous quality assurance monitoring and improvement cycles. This means that:

1. a quality and standards review cycle for all agreements is established with the frequency of review commensurate with the level of complexity and risk associated with the type of agreement;
2. all third party delivery of educational activities involves regular contact and collaboration between the parties;
3. all parties are required to provide immediate notification of any issues that require remediation for the protection of students, quality assurance or formal notifications under policy or legislation.

(7) Arrangements for the delivery of student learning enhance the learning experience for both current and potential La Trobe students and the students of partner institutions. This means that:

1. partnerships are implemented to address barriers to learning, are socially just and socially inclusive;
2. programs and arrangements are designed to ensure equivalence of educational and staffing standards, learning experiences and outcomes, access to resources and support for all students;
3. all students are provided with clear and accurate information regarding the nature of any arrangements and responsibilities of each provider in relation to student experience and welfare;
4. clear channels are provided for students and staff to raise any issues with either the partner organisation or the University.

Section 6 - Procedures

(8) The following procedures form part of this suite:

1. Educational Partnerships Procedure - Third Party Arrangements
2. Educational Partnerships Procedure - Work-Based Learning

Section 7 - Definitions

(9) For the purpose of this Policy:

1. agreement: a signed document between the University and a partner institution outlining agreed conditions for an activity or activities.
2. arrangements: the exact terms of all the activities that are proposed or implemented under one or more agreements with a partner.
3. partnership: a relationship between the University and a partner institution that is supported by one or more agreements.

Section 8 - Authority and Associated Information

(10) This Policy is made under the La Trobe University Act 2009.

(11) Associated information includes:

1. Educational Partnerships (Intranet)