5.3.1     Internal response

It is essential that the academic unit and the relevant Dean(s) or their designate(s)/Divisional Head make clearly separate responses to the External Review Report(s) and recommendations. The exception to this requirement for separate responses is in the case of single-department Faculty (or equivalent), where the Dean (or equivalent) is essentially the Divisional Head.

5.3.2     Final Assessment Report and Implementation Plan

1. The IQAP will describe how a Final Assessment Report (see Guidance) will be drafted. The Final Assessment Report provides the institutional synthesis of the external evaluation of the program and strategies for continuous improvement, and:
   1. Identifies significant strengths of the program;
   2. Identifies opportunities for further program improvement and enhancement with a view towards continuous improvement;
   3. Lists all recommendations of the external reviewers and the associated separate internal responses and assessments from the unit and from the Dean(s);
   4. Explains why any external reviewers’ recommendations not selected for further action in the Implementation Plan have not been prioritized;
   5. Includes any additional recommendations that the unit, the Dean(s) and/or the university may have identified as requiring action as a result of the program’s review;
   6. May include a confidential section (for example, where personnel issues need to be addressed); and
   7. Identifies who will be responsible for approving the recommendations set out in the Final Assessment Report.
2. The Final Assessment Report must include an Executive Summary, excluding any confidential information, which is to be published on the institution’s website alongside the associated Implementation Plan.
3. The Final Assessment Report will also include an Implementation Plan that: Sets out and prioritizes those recommendations that are selected for implementation;
   1. Identifies the group or individual responsible for providing resources needed to address recommendations from the external reviewers or action items identified by the university;
   2. Identifies who will be responsible for acting on those recommendations; and
   3. Provides specific timelines for acting on and monitoring the implementation of those recommendations.