Conferral of Awards and Graduation Policy

Purpose

This policy outlines Metavision Institute’s quality assurance requirements for the conferral of higher education awards and documentation of student results. The policy ensures the integrity of Metavision Institute’s higher education awards and that completing students have met all course requirements prior to the conferral of awards.

Scope

This policy applies to all higher education qualifications and awards offered and conferred by Metavision Institute.

Definitions

AQF: The Australian Qualifications Framework

Record of Results: The document issued by Metavision Institute on completion of the course that includes the full name of units undertaken, credit point weighting of units, the semester and year in which they were completed, credit granted, grades achieved for each unit and the grading key.

Statement of Results: Students who have completed one of more units may apply for an authorised statement of results.

Testamur: the certificate issued by the authority of the Governance Board of Metavision Institute and presented to a graduate when a qualification is conferred.

Relevant TEQSA Threshold Standards

This policy aligns with requirements of Sections 1.2 Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning, 1.5 Qualifications and Certification, 6.1 Corporate Governance, and 6.3 Academic Governance in the Higher Education Standards Framework 2021.

Policy

1. Metavision Institute awards qualifications only when a course of study leads to the award of that qualification and all of the academic requirements of the course and institutional obligations have been met.
2. Metavision Institute issues graduates with authorised certification documentation, including testamurs, records of results and statements of results, that meet the requirements of the Australian Higher Education Standards Framework and the AQF.
3. Certification documentation includes appropriate recognition of the qualification under the AQF. Qualifications that do not align with the AQF will not use nomenclature that may indicate or imply recognition under the AQF or equivalency to an award under the AQF.
4. Metavision Institute ensure its certification documentation is readily distinguishable and is protected against fraudulent use or reproduction by using printers’ paper watermarked with the Metavision Institute design.
5. Students who complete one or more units of study that do not lead to the award of a qualification may request a statement of results for the units of study undertaken.

Implementation

1. The Academic Director assesses the eligibility of students to graduate from Metavision Institute’s higher education courses on the basis of records in the Student Management System. Students are eligible to graduate when they have met all course and institutional requirements.
2. The list of graduating students is submitted to the Academic Board at the end of the second semester in each calendar year. The Academic Board confirms that the nominated students have met all academic and institutional requirements and are eligible for graduation on the recommendation of the Academic Director.
3. The Chair of the Academic Board submits the list of graduating students to the Governance Board and confirms that the students have met all course and institutional requirements and are eligible for graduation. The Governance Board approves the graduating students. The Chair of the Governance Board signs the testamurs of confirmed graduands.
4. If a student has been assessed by the Academic Director as not eligible to graduate, the student may apply to the Chair of Academic Board for a review of the decision. Metavision Institute aims to undertake the review within 20 working days of the request being received. The reasons for the review decision will be communicated to the student in writing.
5. The Academic Director will communicate formally with confirmed graduands about Metavision Institute’s arrangements for the graduation ceremony. This communication includes the academic award and record of results to be provided to graduands and details of the graduation ceremony, including date, location, dress requirements, and guests. As award conferral is public information, Metavision Institute may publish graduates' names, awards conferred and conferral dates.
6. Confirmed graduands may elect to graduate in absentia. Award documentation will be mailed to such graduates following the graduation ceremony by registered post. Metavision Institute may withdraw or revoke any award that has been issued in error to maintain the integrity of Metavision Institute’s awards and the higher education sector in Australia. In such an event, Metavision Institute will formally communicate the reason for the withdrawal or revocation in writing, and arrange for the return of the award documentation.
7. If an enrolled student dies before completing the qualification, the Academic Director has the discretion to recommend to the Academic Board the award of the qualification in aegrotat, when the student would have reasonably been expected to complete their course of study and had already completed a substantial proportion of the requirements (e.g. two thirds).
8. Metavision Institute will engage with family members with sensitivity and discretion in such circumstances, and will consider their wishes.
9. If a testamur has been lost, damaged or destroyed, or if the student's name has changed, a replacement testamur may be issued. Prior to issuing a replacement, Metavision Institute requires the return of the original testamur, or a statutory declaration if lost or destroyed, and proof of name change if applicable. The wording of the replacement testamur indicates that it is a replacement. The replacement testamur is signed by the Chair of the Governance Board. An administrative fee will be charged to cover administrative costs in re-issuing the testamur.
10. Metavision Institute maintains a register of all testamurs issued, and retains student results according to the Records Management Policy.

Responsibilities

The Governance Board has responsibility for the oversight and implementation of this policy.

All staff are responsible for following this policy and ensuring the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework are met for the conferral of awards and issuing of award documentation for eligible students.