The Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA)
Click the following link for the signatory page The Australian Institute of Architects
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What are the mission statement, goals, and objectives of your accreditation agency? Please share a short statement of how objectivity and integrity are assured in your accreditation system.
Note that the accreditation and course recognition program is a joint program between the accrediting bodies, which are the 8 state and territory boards of architecture in Australia, and the Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) as the recognition authority.
The Australian Institute of Architect’s (RAIA) mission is Uniting architects to advance architecture. Its 26 objectives are set out in the Institute’s Memorandum of Association. Specifically related to the course recognition process are:
- The examination of applicants for membership
- To represent generally the views of the profession, to preserve and maintain its integrity and status, and to suppress dishonourable conduct or practices
- To encourage and reward the study of architecture. The Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA) is recognised as the national organisation responsible for establishing, coordinating and advocating national standards for the registration of architects in Australia and for the recognition of Australian architects overseas by the relevant Registration Authorities.
AACA is constituted of nominees from each of all the State and Territory Architects' Registration Boards in Australia. It is not a Registration Authority and can only make recommendations to the various Boards. The decision for the registration of architects lies solely with the Boards.
Objectivity and integrity in the joint Accreditation & Course Recognition Process is achieved by:
a) Australian Architecture Program Accreditation & Recognition Procedure (DOC APARP 01) published jointly by the AACA and RAIA and published in January 2006, after a review of the process. This document sets out the process by which architecture programs in Australia are accredited and recognised.
b) Principles for the formation of National Visiting Panels are set out in the procedure document (as above) and are summarised below:
- The overriding concern is that panels have appropriate expertise and work with a common purpose to maintain high professional standards in the interests of the community and the profession
- A majority of members must have expertise and experience in architecture and/or architectural education
- Inexperienced members must be fully briefed by the nominating authority
- The Chair and Deputy Chair must have had previous experience on a National Visiting Panel (NVP)
- At least one member of the panel must have served on the previous NVP for the institution
- Accrediting authorities may nominate members who are consumer representatives, after appropriate briefing
- NVPs are derived from nominees from three agencies to support the joint process of accreditation and recognition at both national and state or territory level
- The nominees will be drawn from a ‘standing panel’ approved by each nominating authority
- The AACA and RAIA will agree each year on the formation of panels and identification of the chairperson for each NVP for that year having conferred with the accrediting authority (boards) where necessary.
The principles cover expertise, previous panel experience and approved panel nominees. The inclusion of RAIA members (one a practicing architect and one an academic), one member of the RAIA National Education Committee (NEC) and an interstate academic and AACA nominees together with a student member help to ensure a wide range of expertise and experience.
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How do you achieve effectiveness in accreditation without unduly burdening the institution under review (issues of costs, time, and complexity)?
Effectiveness of the accreditation/course recognition process is achieved by:
- An established administrative process managed by the RAIA Education Unit
- A good working relationship between the AACA, the individual boards of architecture, the RAIA and the schools of architecture
- Standard, clearly worded documentation for the universities to complete prior to the NVP visit
- Standard reporting proformas for visiting panels to complete
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How do you respect diversity of culture and mission of institutions under review while maintaining minimum standards for the profession?
Each school has its own philosophical approach which is articulated in their documentation supplied to the visiting panel. The proforma states: The accrediting authorities and the RAIA acknowledge that each architecture school/program has a unique approach to development and delivery of its architecture program which might not exactly match the subject areas set out for reporting the NVP assessment. School/programs are therefore asked to define their program content as it best fits the AACA NCSA standards and RAIA Education Policy performance criteria.
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How does your agency inform itself about the needs of the profession, worldwide developments in the discipline of accreditation, and developments in education?
- Through Chapter education committees, NEC and the RAIA Education Manager
- Annual forum (Archivision) run by the RAIA covering topical issues in architectural education and bringing together academics and practitioners
- Accreditation and course recognition review held between the AACA and the RAIA every five years
- Active participation in international conferences and meetings, including UIA and ARCASIA
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In addition to the assessment of institutional resources and how they are allocated with respect to the institutional mission, how does your agency assess student performance outcomes?
The guidelines for documentation to be provided by the school/program prior to visits by assessing panels include methods of assessment and feedback to students in each subject area.
Student drawings/folios, written reports, computer images etc are to be provided and exhibited during the visit.
The final NVP Report requires the following to be stated (or deleted if appropriate):
The Master of Architecture program provided satisfactory documentary evidence of student outcomes and school processes to demonstrate:
- Achievement of relevant competencies from the AACA National Competency Standards in Architecture (NCSA)
- Compliance with the RAIA Education Policy Performance Criteria
- Assessment methodology that allows students to demonstrate achievement of required outcomes, and
- The necessary physical and human resources to deliver the program.
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How are your governance and secretariat functions organized to assure integrity and professionalism in the conduct of their operations?
The RAIA National Education Unit administers the Accreditation and Course Recognition Program through its National Education Committee (NEC). The RAIA Education Manager attends the NVPs as coordinator and secretary to the panel.
The NEC is a part of the RAIA Committee structure, and as such it reports to the National Council which is the board of directors for the Institute.
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What are your mechanisms to insure that expertise and experience in the applications of standards, procedures, and values are present in members of visiting teams, commissions, and staff (please supply an organization chart)?
The Australian Architecture Program Accreditation & Recognition Procedure sets out the requirements for panel members which ensure expertise and experience in the visiting panel members.
RAIA members who are on the panels are bound by the RAIA Code of Professional Conduct. Architects representing the boards of architects are bound by their individual architects’ acts.
RAIA staff have six-monthly performance reviews, and clear management reporting lines are in place.
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