The high quality teaching provided by University staff is reflected in the numerous awards and grants  that the University receives each year and the quality of the graduates it produces.

1. Internationally competitive
2. Quality assurance
3. Teaching and Learning performance indicators
4. Learning and Teaching Performance Fund
5. Australian Learning and Teaching Council
6. Teaching Quality Indicators Project

Internationally competitive

The University aims to provide an internationally competitive educational experience for all students by focussing on the attributes that characterises the world's leading universities:

• focus on the development of critical thinking and higher order conceptual, reasoning and analytical skills
• focus on the ability to master the discipline
• an intellectual dynamic where students are challenged and equipped to confront personal values and make ethical judgements
• preparation of students for citizenship and leadership in diverse, global environments
• the quality of the student experience which extends beyond the classroom
• the promotion of liberal education
• a rich interaction between staff and students in a research-intensive environment.

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Quality assurance 

UWA is an excellent, high quality, well-managed university with a bold vision, a strategic objective of becoming a top 50-ranked university in the world by 2050 and a strong commitment throughout the University to pursue this objective.

Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) audit report

Quality assurance and improvement are fully embodied in the University's planning and decision-making processes. The University is committed to systematically monitoring and accounting for its performance in relation to its plans through its Cycle of Planning and Accountability.  

As a result of the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA) audit report of 2009, the University has received national recognition and commendation for a number of significant achievements:

Commendations

1. AUQA commends UWA for the creation of a shared vision of the University’s short‐term top‐100 goal and in the long‐term to be in the world’s top‐50 universities
2. AUQA commends the Vice‐Chancellor for his widely acknowledged open door policy, support for staff and students and relationship with the broader community
3. AUQA commends UWA for the wide and successful consultation process leading up to the future introduction of new course structures
4. AUQA commends UWA for the consistent way of gathering a wide range of data for planning and accountability purposes
5. AUQA commends UWA on the range and success of its various transition, flexible entry and pathway programs
6. AUQA commends UWA for the mandatory use of an online module to familiarise all students with issues of academic integrity
7. AUQA commends UWA for the overall management of postgraduate and higher degree by research students that contributes to a positive student experience
8. AUQA commends UWA for the improvements that have taken place in teaching performance during the past five years
9. AUQA commends the Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning at UWA on the range of programs and workshops, including the Teaching Month project
10. AUQA commends UWA on the induction processes for new staff on the Crawley campus and the availability of mentoring for staff
11. AUQA commends UWA’s Student Guild for its successful operation and UWA for its support for the Guild and extent of engaging the Guild
12. AUQA commends the UWA Library’s approach to providing targeted services and support to staff and students at discipline level
13. AUQA commends UWA for achieving strong support for students by UWA’s partners in offshore programs
14. AUQA commends UWA for enhancing of the student experience through well-supported inward and outward exchange programs
    

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Teaching and Learning performance indicators

The University is committed to continual improvement and uses a range of teaching and learning performance indicators to assess the performance of its faculties (including majors and fields of study) and the University as a whole, against key targets and strategies contained in its planning documents and compared to other universities. 

Composite Teaching and Learning Indicators data are annually circulated and used throughout the University to identify aspects of present performance for both commendation and for focussed attention for improvement.  These indicators are provided both in hard copy and via the University’s Executive Information System (EIS).

In addition, Teaching and Learning Indicators are used primarily by the Federal Government to award universities for excellence in teaching via the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund.

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Learning and Teaching Performance Fund

The Learning and Teaching Performance Fund, established by the Federal Government from 2006-2009, rewards universities that best demonstrate excellence in undergraduate learning and teaching. During this period the University has received more than $15.5m in acknowledgement of its excellence in learning and teaching within a national context.

All of these funds have been used by the University specifically to improve the student learning experience.

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Australian Learning and Teaching Council

The Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) is dedicated to improving the student learning experience by supporting quality teaching and practice across higher education institutions within Australia.

The UWA ALTC Support Office raises the profile of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council University-wide and assists University staff in attracting grants and awards from the ALTC.

The University has a history of excellence in receiving national recognition for its teaching. Since 2006 the University has received 28 Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, five Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning, two Awards for Teaching Excellence and two ALTC Fellowships. 

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Teaching Quality Indicators Project

The University is implementing a number of proposals that it piloted in 2007-2008 as part of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council project for the development of a framework of teaching quality indicators and outcomes.

From 2009 the TQI project includes introduction of a new Teaching Criteria Framework for academic staff preparing portfolios, and a benchmarking exercise to be carried out with Macquarie University.

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