Academic planning

Overview

Academic planning is one of the most critical administrative functions in any higher education institution, particularly in private universities where quality assurance, operational efficiency, student satisfaction, and institutional sustainability are essential for long-term success. It is a systematic process that involves the design, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of academic programmes, policies, and activities to ensure that the institution achieves its educational objectives while complying with regulatory standards and meeting the expectations of students, employers, and society. Academic planning also plays a central role in ensuring compliance with the guidelines established by regulatory agencies such as the National Universities Commission (NUC) in Nigeria and similar accreditation bodies worldwide. These agencies prescribe minimum academic standards regarding programme structure, staff qualifications, student-teacher ratios, course content, learning outcomes, facilities, and quality assurance procedures. Through comprehensive planning, universities can prepare adequately for accreditation exercises, maintain programme approval, and ensure continuous compliance with regulatory requirements.

Director of Academic Planning

Director, Academic Planning

Functions

Advising and assisting the Vice-Chancellor on matters relating to the academic thrusts of the University such as staffing and academic development programmes.
Quality control of the University activities by guiding each unit on operation of the University academic brief.
Seeking Clarification from National Universities Commission (NUC) on academic matters and providing such to appropriate sections of the University through the Vice- Chancellor.

Maintaining a computer-based data bank on student and staff statistics for use in planning, budgeting and other management requirements.
Coordinating the preparation of periodic strategic plans for the University, as well as coordinating and collating information for NUC for national planning purposes.
Participation in the review of academic programme curricular of the University and evaluation of proposal for new academic programmes.
Playing advisory role in the establishment of new additional unit, programme, faculty and college.
Processing proposals of new programmes, faculty and college to NUC.
Coordinating and guiding academic units/departments for purposes of programme accreditation and continuous quality assurance.
Coordination of NUC accreditation exercise of all existing academic programmes in the University.
Coordination of accreditation exercise of Professional bodies such as CLE, NMCN, MLSCN, COREN, ARCON, MDCN, CIBN, and ICAN

More Functions

Determination of the carrying capacity for programmes of the University
Promoting of the quality of teaching, learning and research in the University through periodic evaluation of academic activities in the University.
Initiation of policies for identified priorities in the academic development of the University for the consideration of Senate through the Academic Planning and Curriculum Development Committee.
Providing academic liaison between McPherson University and external bodies, both local and foreign, e.g., Association of West African Universities (AWAU), Association of African Universities (AAU), Association of Commonwealth Universities.