Faculty of Science
School of Computer Science
Minutes of the Staff/ Student Feedback Committee Meeting
Autumn 2009 – 2010
Date:
Time:
Venue:
20 November 2009 (Friday)
11.00 am -12.00pm
Room BA43
Faculty of Science
Staff Members:
Chairman:
1. Mr Ho Sooi Hock - Associate Professor (HSH)
Staff Representatives
1. Prof Andrzej Bargiela – Director Of Studies (AB)
2. Mr K.R Selvaraj - Assistant Professor (KRS)
4. Puan Salma Abdul Kadir – Faculty Administraror (SAK)
5. Ms Dipa Patel (DP)
Student Representatives:
Year 1:
1. Sabesan Mahalingam (SM)
Year 2:
1. Ofentse Ketshubetswe (OK)
2. Piyumi Narmada Jayawardana (PNJ)
Year 3:
1. Woo Wen Chern (WWC)
Secretary:
Item
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Puan Sabariah Amin (SA)
Particulars
Action by
Welcome & Introduction
1.1
The meeting was called to order at 11.10 am. Apologies for absences
were received from Saleha Shahab Ghani and Nguyen Xuan Bao
Chairman welcomed all staff and student representatives who were
present in the meeting.
2
Terms of Reference
2.1
HSH briefly explained the structure and objectives of the SSFC meeting
to the committee especially to the 1 st Year representatives, i.e. SSFC is
one of many communication channels available for students to be held
at least once per semester. As student representatives, they are
responsible for effectively collecting feedback from their fellow
students, representing those views at meetings, and disseminating
feedback from the meetings. It is not expected that every action
requested by student representatives will be implemented but it is
expected that they be given proper considerations, and if they are not
implemented, reasons will be explained. All issues discussed will be
minuted for action and reviewed in the follow up meetings. The student
representatives are encouraged to be more specific when bringing up
issues, not just general statements; addressing behaviour instead of
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personal attack; provide constructive criticisms by coming up with
suggestions to overcome problems or issues.
2.2
For distribution of items discussed, HSH explained that SA will email
the minutes to the student representatives and the staff members.
HSH mentioned that SSFC minutes used to be pinned up on the School
notice board but it was not done since the School was moved from
Faculty of Engineering to the Faculty of Science. Instead of hardcopy,
AB & SAK suggested posting the electronic copy in the School web
page, with access protected by password.
Action: To coordinate posting the softcopy minutes in the School web
page with password protection so that it can be accessed by all
students in the School.
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Year 3
3.1
SA
Module G53DBC
WWC informed that this module is way behind schedule, only 5
lectures have been conducted so far and the 2nd assignment has not
been released due to unavailability of the module convenor. HSH
explained that the School is aware of this as the lecturer was stuck in
China due to immigration problem. The School is looking into getting
an alternative resource to catch up cancelled lectures before the
expected return of the lecturer sometime next week. For the
assignment, the School will try to release it as soon as possible and
submission will be postponed to a later date.
Action: Arrange for an alternative resource to cover this module before
the return of the module convenor. Review submission date so that
sufficient time is given to students to complete Assignments 2.
4
Year 2
4.1
HSH
Classroom (BA05)
PNJ voiced out her classmates’ concern on room BA05. The room
seems to be too stuffy and congested for the number of students
taking G52MAL module.
AB suggested using the teaching lab but the lab is nearly fully utilized
at the moment.
Action: To highlight to the Central Admin on this issue and arrange for
an alternative venue if possible.
5
Year 1
5.1
HSH
G51PRG
SM indicated a number of problems for this module as below:



A number of last minute class cancellations without earlier
notifications and class replacements;
No feedback on 2 assessments taken although the module
convenor indicated that it will be done earlier;
Course outline and lecture plan not made known to students.
Action: Specifically to G51PRG, HSH will discuss with module convenor
on the need for replacement classes and expedite on assessment
feedback to students.
HSH
In general, HSH will re-emphasised the need to provide course outline
and lecture plan at the start of semester in the School meeting; and
AB will emailed to all lecturers on the procedures for class
cancellations.
HSH/AB
2
6
Any Other Business
6.1
HSH informed that all the lecturers have not received the attendant list
from the Faculty Office.
6.2
Action: SA will give the current attendant list and ensure that the list is
ready as early as possible in the Spring semester.
SA
SAK suggested including an item on staff feedback in the agenda for
next meeting which is agreed by all committee members.
SA
SAK also suggested holding the meeting a bit earlier i.e. week 5 or 6
so that any problem arising can be caught earlier.
HSH
AB clarified that instead of waiting for SSFC meet, any problem that
arise should be brought up as early as possible with either tutors,
senior tutors or the Director of Studies.
6.3
Next meeting will be held in the 5th or 6th week in the Spring semester.
There being no other matters the chairman thanked the staff and students. The meeting
adjourned at 12.00 noon.
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