Synopsis for operationalizing the office of DPGS
Introduction
The Directorate of Postgraduate Studies (DPS) is a new directorate at St. Francis University College of Health and Allied Sciences (SFUCHAS). It is established in order to enhance the colleges’ image as a premier academic institution of international rank. The Directorate has the responsibility to co-ordinates, monitor and organize postgraduate programmers at the College. Directorates activities are tailored to feed into the college’s programmes development and improvements. It will enable the college to design and deliver up-to-date and relevant PG programmes that meet the needs of society and the world at large. The directorate will be responsible for the overall management of postgraduate training programmes at SFUCHAS. Currently the Directorate of Postgraduate Studies is expected to start offering Master of Medicine (M.MED) programmes in clinical disciplines such as Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics and Child Health, Internal Medicine, MSc in Public Health, MSc. Parasitology and MSc. Medical Entomology.
These programmes are geared toward producing highly skilled and competent medical/health specialists specifically prepared to face and solve various health related challenges within Tanzania and beyond. The programmes are responsive to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania’s call to reduce shortage of human resources for health, and ultimately create health and productive communities. Our graduate programmes adhere to the fundamental moral ethical values, integrity, and professionalism
- Objectives
The main objectives of the PGS directorate are
- To safeguard the quality of postgraduate programmes, supervision, examinations, and postgraduate awards
- To ensure compliance with institutional and TCU policies and regulations
- Promote continuous review and improvement of postgraduate curricula
- Provide oversight of postgraduate research proposal development process to graduation and promote timely completion of theses and dissertations
- Support quality supervision through guidelines, training, monitoring, strengthening supervisor – student relationships and accountability, resolving supervision related challenges and conflicts
The directorate will consist of three core units and a post graduate committee. Each unit will have defined roles and responsibilities to ensure proper functioning of the directorate.
- Admission unit
- Academic programme and curricular unit
- Thesis, dissertation and graduation unit
- Higher degree committee
Admission Unit
The unit will be headed by a postgraduate admission officer. The unit will be responsible with postgraduate student admissions in collaboration with colleges admission office. The unit will be responsible with receiving, screening and processing postgraduate applications. The unit will coordinate selection of PG students in collaboration with academic department, manage registration and keep enrolment records, and student files. The unit will maintain postgraduate admissions database
Academic programme and curricular unit
The unit will be headed by an academic programmes officer. The unit will coordinate development and review of postgraduate curricula and ensure that programmes are in alignment/ compliance with TCU requirements/guidelines. The unit will liaise with departments on course timetabling and delivery. Monitoring of programme performance and progress reports. Development and Review of curricula in collaboration with departments.
Thesis, examination and graduation unit
The unit will be headed by thesis, examination and graduation officer. The unit will coordinate student research proposal development, submission and approval in coordination with Research directorate. The unit will be responsible with assigning and tracking supervisors in collaboration with departments. The unit will monitor student research progress, organize thesis exermination (internal, external and VIVA) and determination of theses/ dissertations and graduation eligibility.
Higher degree committee
The post graduate committee will be an important organ in the directorate’s operationalization. This committee will ensure proper development and review of postgraduate policies and regulations as well as alignment with TCU guidelines. Recommend approval of new postgraduate programmes and periodically review and update curricula. The committee will review and approve postgraduate applications by ensuring that applicants meet entry requirements. Recommend admission decisions to college academic committee. Recommend for approval for appointments of supervisors and co-supervisors. Review and approve research proposals for dissertation.
Resources needed
The directorate will require Three fully furnished offices capable of accommodating the directors and other three personnel working in directorate units. Specifically, one office for the DPG + secretary, one office for the deputy director and a pool office for other staff working in the directorate units.
- Director of PGS
- Administrative officer/ DPG secretary,
- Associate/Assistant/deputy DPGS
- Academic officer PGS