Teaching, Learning and Assessment (TLA) Committee
????????Overview
The Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (TLA) Committee of the Faculty of Military Science (FMS), Stellenbosch 万博体育官网, serves as the faculty's primary governance body for overseeing academic quality in teaching, learning, and assessment. Operating under the broader institutional policy framework, the Committee ensures that academic practices within the Faculty are innovative, ethical, inclusive, and aligned with both Stellenbosch 万博体育官网’s strategic objectives and national academic standards.
The TLA Committee promotes excellence across all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, fostering curriculum relevance, credible assessment practices, and student-centred approaches that respond to the evolving needs of higher education and the unique demands of the military education context.
In accordance with its official Terms of Reference (Draft)??, the Committee may be reconstituted as the Faculty’s Academic Programme Committee when matters related to programme development, academic review, or renewal are under consideration (see Sections 12(b)(i) and 14(a)(v)). This dual role ensures integrated academic governance and quality assurance while maintaining operational efficiency and strategic oversight.?
Purpose
The TLA Committee is mandated to:
Enhance the quality, effectiveness, and inclusivity of teaching, learning, and assessment across FMS programmes.
Support academic staff development and innovative pedagogical approaches.
Guide strategic improvements and advise the Faculty Board on academic matters.
Ensure alignment with Stellenbosch 万博体育官网's Teaching-Learning and Assessment Policies.
Co?mposition
The Committee consists of:
Chairperson: Vice-Dean for Teaching and Learning.
Vice-Chairperson.
Secretary.
Representatives from each Academic Division.
Representative from the Faculty Ethics Committee (Ad hoc).
Representative from the Programme Leaders Working Group (PLWG).
Representative from the College Coordinators Working Group (CCWG).
Representative for the Special Interest Groups (SIWGs).
Chief Faculty Administrator.
Faculty Part-Time Studies Administrator.
?Additional members may be appointed by the Committee,??
Key Functions
Policy & Quality Assurance: Implements SU’s academic policies and ensures fairness, integrity, and transparency.
Curriculum & Programme Review: Oversees academic renewal and reconstitutes as the Faculty’s Academic Programme Committee when required.
Innovation & Resources: Promotes inclusive, hybrid teaching and supports educational technologies.
Assessment Oversight: Ensures credible assessment and moderation practices.
Ethics & Integrity: Upholds ethical academic standards, including responsible AI use.
Student Support: Provides formal channels for student feedback and academic wellbeing.
Strategic Advisory: Guides the Faculty Board on academic improvements and innovations.
College Coordination: Aligns academic delivery across SANDF colleges.?
Working Groups?
Three permanent Working Groups report to the TLA Committee:
Programme Leaders Working Group (PLWG): Focused on curriculum and operational programme matters.
College Coordinators Working Group (CCWG): Focused on college-specific academic delivery and quality assurance.
Special Interest Working Groups (SIWGs): Formed as needed to address specific topics, with either temporary or semi-permanent status.
?Meetings
Quarterly and Ad Hoc Meetings.
A quorum is formed with 50% + 1 of members.
Decisions are reached by consensus or majority vote; the Chair holds the casting vote.
?Funding and Service Requests
The TLA Committee manages an annual operational budget to support:
National Benchmark Tests.
School Evaluations?.
???Learning & Teaching Development.
Undergraduate Reading and Writing Course.
Operations TLA Committee.
Lecturing Assistance (temporary support).
?Funding Application Process
Applications can be submitted year-round via the FMS TLA Service Request Form? (click link). The process includes:
Submission with full documentation.
Committee review and decision via email/ad hoc.
Notification to applicant and Faculty Office.
Formal ratification at the next TLA meeting.
Post-approval SUNFin processing and reconciliation by the applicant.
????Calls for proposals may also be issued quarterly.
?Reporting Structure
The Vice-Dean (TLA) reports to the Faculty Executive Committee (ExCom), which in turn reports to the Faculty Board. Reports include:
Key TLA developments and innovations.
Compliance with institutional policies.
Strategic academic recommendations.
?????Resources and Downloads
Below are key faculty-specific and institutional documents that guide and support the Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (TLA) activities within the Faculty of Military Science. Click on the links to download each resource.
?FMS-Specific Documents
?SU Institutional Policies & Guidelines?
Link - Disciplinary Code for Students of Stellenbosch 万博体育官网.
Link - Guidelines for Programme Committee Chairs and Programme Leaders?.
Link - Policies of the RPL/CAT Assessment-CHE.????
Link - ??Policy for Quality Assurance and Enhancement at Stellenbosch 万博体育官网.
Link - Student Fe??edback on Modules, Lecturers and Programmes Policy.
Link - SU Academic Qu?eries, Complaints, and Grievance (ACGG) Procedure Guidelines - Infographic.
Link - SU Assessment Policy.
Link - SU Assessment Terminology.
Link - SU Interim Guidelines on Allowable AI Use and Academic Integrity.
Link - SU Plagiarism Policy_2016?.
Link - SU Position Statement on Ethical Use of AI in Research and Teaching and Learning.?
Link? - SU Procedure for the investigation and management of allegations of plagiarism_2016?
Link - SU Regulation for Internal and External Moderatio????n.
- Link - SU Teaching and Learning Strategy.?
?Contact
Chairperson: Dr I. Henrico (ivanh@sun.ac.za) - Acting Vice-Dean (TLA and Research).
Vice-Chairperson: Dr N. Taylor (ninamari@sun.ac.za).
Secretary: Ms K.C. van der Merwe (kristin@sun.ac.za).
