SETTING THE STAGE FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS’ GOOD GOVERNANCE: SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK Professor Dato’ Dr. Hassan Said Vice Chancellor & President

2 Foundation of Student Affairs Shared philosophy on the needs to be done Greater knowledge on the tasks to be accomplished Ability of the practitioners of the profession to effectively link their theoretical knowledge, practical wisdom and skills to larger organisations and society. (Arthur Sanden, Margaret J. Barr,2006)

3 Principles of Good Practice In Student Affairs Engage students in active learning Help students to develop coherent values and ethical standards Use systematic inquiry to improve student and institutional performance Use resources effectively to achieve mission and goals Forge educational partnership that enhances student learning Build supportive and inclusive communities (Blimling and Whitt,1999)

Student Affairs Framework – Taylor’s Model Institution Vision Institution Mission & Core Values Student Affairs Mission Student Affairs Structure Student Affairs Constitution Student Affairs Policies & Procedures Student Affairs Key Values Key Thrusts & Priorities Student Experience & Engagement Graduate Capabilities GOVERNANCE SUPPORT

Student Learning experience ______________________________________________ Academic Student Affairs/Experience Wholesome Experience 5

6 Roles of Student Affairs & Student Experience Provide a wide range of support services Taking care of students’ needs & goals Provide wide range of students activities and programmes Enhancing their leadership skill for global community Ability for them become well-rounded individual

Main & Supporting Roles 7

Challenges Profession and skills of practitioners – complexities of the roles  Experience and know how  Are we innovative enough to handle day- to- day operations? Social Cousciousness  Background of students  Sense of belonging Internationalisation – international experience & global exposure of Students  Cultural exchange & understanding  International students – borderless world Size and structure of the unit – resources constraint  Student engagement activities – reach out to a larger pool of students  Student welfare and wellbeing matters – complicated/dynamic environment Cost centred unit of private institution/ROI  Expenses and returns – always increase and never decrease  Intangible results Graduate capabilities  Employability  Career advancement

Opportunities Periodically reinforce development programmes for practitioners  Short courses, conferences, forum, research activities  To be active learners & INNOVATIVE  Place emphasis on core values & ethics Structured Programmes  Realignment programmes and activities  Key Values & social consciousness in the structured programmes Good measurement system  Feedback measurement & self-examination  Satisfaction survey analysis and improvement plans (for short term & long term) Quality improvement culture  Quality assurance  KPI and achievement driven International engagement activities  Good practices to be adopted from other universities  Collaboration and networking activities External engagement and life experience  Structure  Infrastructure  Dedicated team

Conclusion A clear structure and framework of student affairs Student Affairs practitioners play significant/important roles Support and work hand in hand with the academics Reinforce development programmes for students affairs practitioners Effective programmes that emphasise on social consciousness Keep abreast with the latest development of the industry Internationalisation

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