Curriculum Development and Evaluation Committee (CDEC)

• To scrutinize the undergraduate curriculum considering content of the subjects, methods of teaching, timing of subjects, assessment methods, marks distribution etc.
• To review and assess all new courses, or revisions to existing programs and report recommendations
• To provide consultation and support to departments that are impacted by any changes to the undergraduate curriculum
• To be available to discuss details and address questions on curriculum matters with the faculty and administration
• To study trends in curriculum development, medical education, examination procedures and related policies and initiate appropriate curriculum changes
• Conduct internal review of the course
• Organise curriculum review meetings/workshops as and when required
• Periodically carryout curriculum amendments both major and minor
• Make recommendation to the Dean and FB on new/revised curricular
• Monitor the implementation of changes to the curriculum
• Consider and advise the Dean on measures of the quality of teaching and learning in the Faculty and on student progression
• Consider ways to enhance and improve the learning experiences of Medical students
• To communicate curriculum developments with the FM WEB Page
• To orient sub-committee members, if necessary, on the functions, responsibilities, policies and procedures of the CDEC
• To advise in the preparation of the curricular content of the students’ prospectus of the FM and all other relevant curriculum-related materials
• To invite, with the approval of the Dean, FM, in an ad hoc basis, to its meetings any person whose expertise/skills may advance its objectives
• Record the minutes, prepare reports, new forms, templates, and other relevant documents in accordance with the committee’s decisions
• Report the outcome of such meetings at the Faculty Board Meetings

Members

1. The Dean
2. The Chair – Appointed by the Faculty Board. Must be senior academic who has experience in curriculum development and evaluation.
3. The Secretary – Appointed by the Faculty board. Must be an academic who is confirmed in the post
4. Members: 
   1. All departmental heads
   2. All senior professors and professors
   3. Pre clinical coordinator
   4. Para clinical coordinator
   5. Clinical coordinator
   6. Coordinator for PPDS
   7. Coordinator for EBPRM
   8. Head MEU
   9. Coordinator/IQAC
   10. Two senior consultants from Teaching Hospital, Jaffna. The two members will be nominated by the relevant heads and appointed by the FB
5. Co-opted members

The Curriculum Committee can co-opt members in order to achieve or maintain gender balance, where the membership does not include at least two women and two men. At the discretion of the Chair, the Committee can also invite individuals as non-voting observers to attend regular or individual meetings, provide appropriate expertise as necessary, and contribute to discussion.

Reporting

The Curriculum Committee reports to the Faculty Board.

 

Meetings

The Curriculum Committee will meet monthly at least eight times per year or otherwise as required in order to perform its functions. The date will be fixed to first Thursday of the month at 14.00hours.  The memos will be circulated prior to the meeting but urgent papers will be taken up if needed.  Special meetings may be conducted based on the needs

 

Meeting papers

Unless the Chair directs otherwise, CDEC meeting papers are distributed to members and official attendees, at least seven days prior to the meeting, or such shorter period as is practicable. Urgent papers will be taken up at the meeting itself.

 

Quorum

At any meeting of the Committee, one half of the voting membership plus one constitutes a quorum.

 

Conduct of the meeting

 Attendance  

Where owing to leave of absence, illness, or other cause, the Head of a Department is temporarily unable to attend the meeting a senior lecturer can be nominated from the department. It is mandatory that all members must attend all the meetings.  If any member is unable to attend, he/she should send an excuse or nominate another member from the department at senior lecturer level. 

 

Decision making:

If there is a division of opinion voting is permitted. If unable to come to a conclusion a special subcommittee can be appointed to resolve the problem.

 

Communication:

The head of the department must convey the decisions of the meetings to the rest of academic staff through departmental meetings. 

 

Use of technology

For its functions, meetings and otherwise to conduct its activities, the CDEC and its members may use technology including telephone, videoconferencing, telepresence, email, and internet as arranged by the Chair and/or Secretary.

 

Secretarial services to the CDEC

The administrative staff of the Dean’s office will provide secretarial and administrative support to the CDEC

 

Confirmation of minutes

Unconfirmed minutes will normally be circulated to members for comment promptly after each meeting. At the next meeting, the minutes (with any necessary changes) will be circulated for adoption by the CDEC. The minutes will be finalised and adopted when they have been approved by most of the members that were present at the relevant meeting. Alternatively, if any urgent matters the minutes may be presented in the same meeting and confirmed.  The minutes will be proposed, seconded, and recorded in the minutes. 

Once annually the CDEC shall devote part of one meeting to the review of its policies, practices and procedures over the preceding twelve months.