Developing Effective Governing Bodies and Advisory Committees

Good Governance is at the Core of any Higher Education Institution.

A governing Board provides the highest level of governance in all types of institutions: public and private, for-profit and non-for-profit. Accreditation bodies expect to see both a governance structure that is fit for purpose and evidence that governance processes are effective. This course identifies what’s needed to make the top governing body effective and examines how academic governance cascades down through an institution.

Many universities also establish various types of Advisory Committees to help improve the operations and innovations of the institution. Evidence suggests that most are ineffective, even though they usually comprise senior, influential individuals who are keen to help. Attention to a few key features of committee structure and operation can ensure that the wisdom and networks of advisory committee members can be harnessed.

This course will take you approximately 8 hours to complete. A learner who explores the material in more depth will take approximately 10 hours and a learner who skims the course content will take 4 hours.

Course Content

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Module 1: Types of Boards and Committees 3 Topics | 3 Quizzes

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Module Content

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Topic 1: Institutional Governance in the University Sector

Module 1 Topic 1 Quiz

Topic 2: Boards and Sub-Committees

Module 1 Topic 2 Quiz

Topic 3: Non-governance Committees

Module 1 Topic 3 Quiz

Module 2: Getting the Most out of the University’s Governing Board 4 Topics | 4 Quizzes

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Module Content

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Topic 1: Reason for Being

Module 2 Topic 1 Quiz

Topic 2: Who should be on the Board?

Module 2 Topic 2 Quiz

Topic 3: CEO and Board Chair – A Critical Double-act

Module 2 Topic 3 Quiz

Topic 4: Top Tips for Maintaining an Effective Board

Module 2 Topic 4 Quiz

Module 3: Getting the Most out of an Advisory Committee 3 Topics | 4 Quizzes

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Module Content

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Topic 1: As the name suggests… “Advisory”

Module 3 Topic 1 Quiz

Topic 2: Constructing the Committee

Module 3 Topic 2 Quiz

Topic 3: Top Tips for Getting Good Advice

Module 3 Topic 3 Quiz

Course Final Quiz

Reflective Practice

Complete the Reflective Practice Exercise

About Instructor

director

Emeritus Professor Robert Whelan, BSc (Hons), PhDProfessor Whelan’s principal research interest is in fire ecology, and he continues to be active in that field. He is the author of a major research monograph, The Ecology of Fire, published by Cambridge University Press in 1995. He has published over 130 scientific papers in fire ecology, conservation biology and pollination ecology and has supervised over 40 Masters and PhD research students. He is currently a Steering Committee member of the Bushfire Risk Management Research Hub, based at the University of Wollongong and funded by the New South Wales Government. His roles in senior administration at several universities created an interest in strategic planning, management and leadership in higher education, leading to a number of projects in Australian and overseas institutions.Awards and Accolades: 2014: Emeritus Professor, University of Wollongong, Australia2007: Carrick Institute Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning – Australian Government1993: Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching – University of Wollongong, Australia1989: Fulbright Senior Fellowship – for research into bushfire ecology in Florida and California

1 Course