Policies and Procedures

Policies and Procedures

1. Student Code of Conduct

The purpose of the Student Code of Conduct is to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all students at Villa College. The Student Code of Conduct sets forth the standards of behaviour expected of all students and serves as a guide for acceptable behaviour while studying at Villa College.

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2. Procedure for Student Admission and Enrollment

The purpose of this procedure is to describe the standard operational procedures for student admission and enrolment to Villa College in accordance with the Policy on Student Admission and Enrolment.

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3. Anti-Bullying and Harassment Policy for Students

The purpose of this Policy is to state the College’s position on bullying and harassment, and to raise awareness amongst the student community. The policy provides guidance on informal and formal means of dealing with any act of bullying and harassment by students.

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4. Student Disciplinary Policy

This Policy is to ensure that students adhere to the College rules and regulations, show respect for persons and property, and behave in way that is fitting as a student of Villa College, it order to ensure that the College has a conducive learning environment.

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5. Policy on E-Learning

This e-learning Policy ensures that the academic programmes offered by Villa College meets the expected standards that meet the needs of the students and comply with all external regulations including the regulations as required by the Maldives Qualification authority.

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6. Villa College Quality Assurance Policy

The policy describes the College’s approach to quality assurance and continuous improvement and development. Quality is one of the five pillars of VC and is reflected in the value statements of Villa College as well indicating the importance laid on Quality and Quality Assurance.

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7. Student Grievance Procedure

The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidance and outline the processes involved from filing a student grievance to its investigation processes.

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8. Student Grievance Policy

The purpose of the policy is to provide a framework to address and resolve student grievances in a timely, fair and just way. It outlines the expectations and responsibilities of staff and students engaged in the process.

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9. Procedure for Administrative Promotion

The Administrative Employee Promotion process at Villa College will be an annual process based on the performance of the staff. This procedure follows the VC Promotion Policy, the purpose of which is to assist the administrative employees of Villa College apply for promotion, and act as a guide throughout the process. All individuals who are part of the process are recommended to refer to the document and follow it consistently.

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10. Administrative Promotion Policy

One of the main objectives of Villa College is to attract, develop and retain high quality employees by offering timely opportunities for promotion. The purpose of this policy is to establish a system of administrative promotion where employees are recognised and rewarded for excellence. Each year, Villa College considers applications for financial promotion and career level promotion based on merit. This policy details how the administrative employees who can demonstrate sustained excellence in carrying out the support functions of the College can be promoted.

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11. Procedure for Academic Promotion

The Academic Promotion process at Villa College will be an annual process based on the performance of the academic staff. This procedure follows the Promotion Policy, which assists the academic employees of Villa College apply for promotion and act as a guide throughout the process. All individuals who are part of the process are recommended to refer to the document and follow it consistently.

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12. Academic Promotion Policy

The purpose of this Policy is to establish a system of Academic Promotion where staff are recognised and rewarded for excellence. Each year, Villa College considers applications for financial promotion and academic career level promotion based on merit. This policy details how staff who can demonstrate sustained excellence in research, teaching, consultancy, and leadership maybe promoted. The College understands that in order to establish Villa College as a source of quality in teaching, research and engagement as a whole can be achieved through appreciating and rewarding the individuals who drive these functions within the institution.

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13. Student Health and Wellness Policy

The purpose of this policy is to establish a system and mechanisms for the provision and promotion of mental health and wellbeing services at Villa College. This policy will guide the College to develop specific policies, procedures, strategies and initiatives about health services that will promote awareness about the development of students’ mental health and healthy lifestyles while they study at the College.

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14. Student Guidelines for Online Examinations

This document intends to provide guidance for students to take their examinations online during the COVID-19 situation. This Guideline applies to all Villa College and UWE students and steps identified in this Guideline must be undertaken to ensure the online examination process goes smoothly.

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15. Policy on Programme Development and Review

The objectives of this policy are to: promote coherent programme structures, programme rules and clear programme completion requirements; set clear responsibilities and accountabilities for the development, approval and review of programmes and modules; ensure that programme and module learning outcomes are apparent for each qualification and are in alignment with Villa College graduate attributes; and meet all relevant national regulatory requirements, including the relevant standards.

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16. Policy on administration and use of Learning Management System

The purpose of this policy is to describe expectations in the administration and the usage of Villa College’s Learning Management System (LMS), which has the objective of creation, integration and articulation of learning materials and to ensure the curriculum related content, assessments details, assessments, and other academic resources are made available and communicated to the students and teaching staff. It is intended that the learning management system provides an organized, consistent and systematic mechanism for disseminating and using programme-related resources between faculty and students. Effective use of the LMS is intended to assist faculty with course administration while supporting student engagement, increasing flexible learning opportunities, and enabling quality learning experiences.

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17. Procedures on Conferral of Awards and Awarding of Certificates (Updated)

This document supports the implementation of the Policy on Conferral of Awards and Awarding of Certificates.

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18. Standard Operating Procedure for attending to work during New Normal

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is intended to outline the arrangements taken to ensure the safety of the workplace and to outline the responsibilities and conditions all staff must meet in order to resume work in the New Normal after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. This guideline is based on the requirements stipulated by authorities including the HPA Guideline on Workplace Safety.

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19. Procedures for conducting Monitored Online Examinations

These procedures provide directions on conducting non-classroom-based monitored online examinations for students of Villa College.

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20. Guidelines for Online Delivery of Programmes

The purpose of this guideline is to outline the strategies and procedures to be followed for online delivery of programmes at Villa College where a full programme or part of a programme is offered online. The guideline aims to ensure that the standards of the programmes are maintained and that students are provided with an excellent learning experience throughout their programme. While the College aims to enhance the accessibility and flexibility of our programmes through online delivery, every effort will be made to ensure graduate qualities are maintained and learning support, library facilities and other student services are provided in par with the arrangements available for students attending campuses.

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21. Student Guidelines for Online Examinations

This document intends to provide guidance for students to take their examinations online during the COVID-19 situation. This Guideline applies to all Villa College and UWE students and steps identified in this Guideline must be undertaken to ensure the online examination process goes smoothly.

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22. Student Guidelines for Online Classes

The purpose of this Guideline is to comprehensively outline the procedures to be followed for online delivery of classes, online etiquette, and steps to be followed by students when conducting online classes.

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23. Lecturer Guidelines for Online Classes

The purpose of this guideline is to comprehensively outline the procedures to be followed for online delivery of classes at Villa College, online etiquette, and steps to be followed by lecturers when conducting online classes. This guideline is to be shared only with lecturers teaching at Villa College. It is important that all lecturers adhere to the following points which are intended to provide guidance on supporting online teaching and learning in a manner that will achieve the learning objectives of each modules.

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24. Student Guidelines for Online Learning

The purpose of this guideline is to comprehensively outline the process to be followed by students for online learning. The College understands that the COVID-19 pandemic caused stressful situations for all of our students and therefore decisions have been made to provide as much as support for the students.

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25. Guidelines for Online Teaching and Learning

The purpose of this guideline is to comprehensively outline the strategies to be followed for online teaching and learning. Although this guideline is developed and adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, to support the online teaching delivery for May 2020 / (and) September 2020 Semester, this guideline is also intended to outline the detailed processes associated with teaching and learning online even beyond that.

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26. Exceptional Regulation of Villa College in response to COVID-19

This Regulation has been developed with the objective of outlining the principles of operation related to teaching and learning in the current covid-19 situation and shall cease to have effect after Villa College returns back into its normal operation.

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27. Online Examination Guidelines

This document intends to provide a guidance on administration of uncontrolled online exams during exceptional circumstances when regular administration of exams face to face is not possible and a pragmatic solution is required.

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28. Procedure on Access Provision to Moodle

The purpose of this procedure is to outline the steps and processes involved with providing access to Moodle for the partner institutes who require access to Villa College Moodle.

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29. Procedure on Single Use Plastics

The purpose of this procedure is to lay down procedures for the implementation of the “No single-use plastic” ethos across Villa College campuses. This document provides detailed procedures on the implementation and continuation of the procedure.

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30. Policy on Minimum Standards for VC Atoll Campuses and Learning Centres

This policy describes the minimum standards that must be met by Villa College (VC) Atoll Campuses. It facilitates an organised and systematic provision of resources and facilities to all VC Atoll Campuses for the efficient running of campuses. This policy also ensures the provision of equal experiences to all students enrolled in VC programmes irrespective of geographical location.

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31. Villa College Student Finance Policy

This policy describes the guidelines and principles regarding all student-related financial activities. This policy will also set out how Villa College will process student payments including outstanding payments, and what actions will be taken by the college to recover outstanding debts.

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32. Visiting Lecturers Recognition Policy

The purpose of this policy is to establish a framework to recognize and reward visiting lecturers for their continued and sustained performance and services to Villa College This policy outlines the incentives which can be granted to the visiting lecturers.

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33. Guideline for administering Government Grant Scheme

The purpose of this Standard Operating procedure is to outline the process Villa College will be following with regard to Government Grant Scheme. Also this guideline intends to define the roles of Students, departments and faculties and to set a timeline for the completion of the process.

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34. Procedure for Personal Circumstances

The Procedure for Personal Circumstances is established to ensure that all students are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged by circumstances beyond their control.

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35. Procedure for Development and Administering Policies and Related Documents

The purpose of this procedure is to outline the format and steps involved with the numbering of policies, procedures, guidelines and rules used within the College.

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36. Policy on Conferral of Awards and Awarding of Certificates

The purpose of this policy is to establish the conditions, procedures and processes for issuing awards and graduating students from programmes of study at Villa College.

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37. Policy on Student Achievement Awards

This Policy establishes the criteria, decision- making processes and methodology for achievement awards such as the Qasim Ibrahim Award for Excellence, College Medal and Book Prize. It also intends to outline the process and circumstances under which a student achievement award can be rescinded.

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38. Procedure on Recognition of Prior Learning

This procedure aids in implementing the College's policy in relation to Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

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39. Villa College Research Policy

The purpose of this policy is to strengthen research capacity and output of Villa College, as well as guide and accelerate the generation and application of knowledge creation through good research practice at Villa College.

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40. Villa College Research Grant Policy

The purpose of the Research Grant Policy is to develop the required financial support and policy environment at Villa College which encourages independent research and dissemination of research knowledge. The policy ensures that Villa College Research Grants are provided and managed in accordance with the grant agreements, relevant financial managements status and relevant policies of the Villa College.

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41. VC Policy on Alumni Relations

The Policy on Alumni Relations aims at enhancing and harmonizing Villa College’s alumni relations through the implementation of a formally structured Alumni Association; and its chapters and branches that will facilitate coordination and collaboration between the College, its alumni and other stake holders.

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42. Student Retention Policy

This policy is framed to create a positive learning environment, and to ensure that students are supported and directed towards a successful completion of their programmes at Villa College. It aims to retain students in an admitted programme of study until they achieve the award. This policy outlines the principles, definitions, procedures and implementation to substantiate the information for reporting and decision-making about student retention.

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43. Procedure on Academic Integrity

This procedure encompases all aspects of students’ academic activities, including but not limited to all lectures, tutorials, presentations and assessments. The College takes allegations of assessment offences seriously; and lecturers will be responsible for ensuring that the procedure is followed in order to ensure academic integrity among all students.

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44. Policy on VC Staff Excellence Awards

At Villa College, we are committed to recognizing, rewarding and encouraging excellence in teaching, research supervision and services provided by our staff. These awards recognize individuals who value the importance of the education process and provide support to Villa College in the pursuit of excellence in teaching and research all the while assisting VC in fostering the academic climate that fosters teaching at its best.

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45. Policy on Villa College Diamond Award for Excellence in Quality

At Villa College (VC), quality is given utmost importance. We strive to maintain high quality in all our programmes, activities, services and products. Quality is achieved by the combined effort of all departments of the college. This award will contribute towards developing and maintaining Villa College as a widely recognised centre of excellence in Maldivian higher education.

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46. Policy on Student Assessment and Learning

Villa College Policy on Student Assessment and Learning describes the way assessment is conducted in Villa College for all levels of academic teaching. The policy intents to provide consistent, fair and transparent assessment process for all students enrolled in Villa College.

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47. Policy On Recognition of Prior Learning

The College's RPL policy and procedures provides an opportunity for individuals to have their different types of learning recognized and counted. It is a testament to Villa College's approach to education which supports innovation, productivity and flexibility.

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48. Policy on Learning Support

The purpose of this policy is to provide opportunities for students to receive academic support in their studies while ensuring that all students have similar or equivalent levels of access. It helps to identify the different areas in which students need assistance and encourages students to seek the available learning support, based on students’ needs.

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49. Policy on Development and Administration of Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

The purpose of this policy is to describe the process of development, approval, publication and management of Villa College policies, procedures and guidelines. College policies, procedures and guidelines shall support the mission of Villa College and establish clear and well understood standards, clarify the institutional expectation, be consistent in compliance with the law, mitigate risk and support productivity in administration of all the college affairs.

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50. Policy on Admission and Enrolment

The purpose of this policy is to establish the standard processes which will be used for admission and enrolment of students to Villa College. The policy sets out the definitions of terms, guiding principles, policy description, and administrative matters and responsibilities related to admission and enrolment.

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51. Guidelines on Referencing

This guideline is meant to set out different considerations in the use of referencing styles for Villa College students, and also for staff and faculty. There is a need for consistency in the use of referencing across different faculties and programmes and this guideline will ensure consistency.

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52. Procedure on Assessment and Learning

The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidance on assessment practices for programmes in a manner that is consistent, transparent and standardized to ensure quality control in all aspects related to assessments. This procedure intends to: outline the key stages of assessment; articulate assessments as an integral part of learning process and as the means by which academic staff form judgements about the extent to which students have met the learning outcomes; facilitate the good practices and establish a standard across the College in administration of assessments, and; align with the requirements of Maldives Qualifications Authority.

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