The University of Newcastle, its company UON Singapore Pte Ltd and PSB Academy welcome the Audit Report by the Australian Universities Quality Agency (AUQA).

AUQA is Australia's principal national quality assurance agency in higher education with the responsibility of providing public assurance of the quality of Australia's universities and other institutions of higher education, and assisting in enhancing academic quality.

AUQA's audit covered the University's activities in Australia and Singapore, and focused on the themes of admission, progression and retention, and internationalisation. Interviews by the audit panel included the staff and students in Singapore.

The Report described the University of Newcastle as a 'vibrant and well-managed institution with enthusiastic staff and students'.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nicholas Saunders, said "This Report is a tribute to the commitment and engagement of staff and students and a tribute to our close relationship with PSB Academy."

The Report acknowledged the strength and success of the partnership with PSB Academy, and noted the very positive comments from students about the University's programs.

CEO of PSB Academy, Dr Steve Lai, said the Report's positive findings were in line with the priority PSB placed on the quality of all academic programs and the success of its graduates.

"The AUQA Report is an endorsement of the strong foundation of our partnership with the University of Newcastle. True success is determined by the quality of our programs and the achievements of our graduates. Many of our graduates from all over Asia have landed good jobs and are contributing meaningfully to the workplace."

CEO of UON Singapore Pte Ltd, Professor Tim Roberts, added that the Report would further strengthen the quality and success of Newcastle's graduates in Singapore.

The Report on the University's and PSB Academy's activities in Singapore highlighted the high quality contribution of the academic lecturers, the outstanding initiative, multiskilling and commitment of Singaporean support staff, and the strength of recent academic appointments. The Report suggested that student support services, and study and learning spaces will need to increase as student numbers grow.

Overall, the Report contained 11 commendations for the University particularly highlighting financial health, strong benchmarking results with other universities, new processes for onshore and offshore teaching, and robust academic integrity measures.

The Report also made seven affirmations and five recommendations including further improvement to teaching and course delivery, and the implementation of better systems to report back to students on their feedback.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Kevin McConkey, said the Report reinforced the direction of the University and added value to its continued growth and improvement.

"The audit findings provide impetus for the distinction that we are all building for the University of Newcastle and a key aspect of that in Singapore is our relationship with PSB Academy," Professor McConkey said.

Media comment is available from Professor Kevin McConkey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic); Dr Steve Lai, CEO PSB Academy; or Professor Tim Roberts, CEO UON Singapore Pte Ltd.