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The statement of graduate qualities of the University of South Australia

The following list of 7 qualities was agreed by the University of South Australia community as appropriate to the University’s distinct mission and profile.

A graduate of the University of South Australia: 

  1. operates effectively with and upon a body of knowledge of sufficient depth to begin professional practice 
  2. is prepared for life-long learning in pursuit of personal development and excellence in professional practice 
  3. is an effective problem solver, capable of applying logical, critical, and creative thinking to a range of problems
  4. can work both autonomously and collaboratively as a professional 
  5. is committed to ethical action and social responsibility as a professional and citizen 
  6. communicates effectively in professional practice and as a member of the community 
  7. demonstrates international perspectives as a professional and as a citizen.

Each of the qualities has a set of indicators which serve as a guide to their development.

 

Indicators of graduate qualities

1 A graduate of the University of South Australia operates effectively with and upon a body of knowledge of sufficient depth to begin professional practice.

A graduate will:

  • demonstrate an understanding in broad outline of a whole discipline or professional area (concepts, theories, proponents) including a knowledge of the boundaries
  • apply knowledge (demonstrate application of theory to practice in real situations, appreciate limitations of theory, use materials, devices, safety codes and practices, specific equipment and techniques appropriately)
  • identify the methodological and substantive limitations of the field and apply the discipline or professional area’s mode of inquiry
  • recognise the social and historical context of knowledge
  • demonstrate an understanding of the needs, interests, protocols and perspectives of Indigenous groups
  • demonstrate appropriate understanding of current research areas in the discipline or professional area.
2 A graduate…is prepared for lifelong learning in pursuit of personal development and excellence in professional practice.

A graduate will:

  • locate, evaluate, manage and use information in a range of contexts – ie be information literate
  • understand the limitations of, and have the capacity to evaluate, their current knowledge
  • understand and accept personal weaknesses, strengths and preferred learning styles, have knowledge of a range of learning strategies, and take responsibility for their learning and development
  • respond confidently to change in a flexible and adaptable manner
  • maintain a positive concept of self as capable and autonomous
  • sustain intellectual interest and critical thinking as a mature professional.
3 A graduate…is an effective problem solver, capable of applying logical, critical and creative thinking to a range of problems.

A graduate will:

  • gather, evaluate and deploy relevant information to assist problem solving – ie analysis and synthesis
  • define researchable questions in the discipline or professional area
  • initiate creative responses to problems and frame such responses as opportunities
  • apply strategies to conceptualise problems and formulate a range of solutions.
4 A graduate…can work both autonomously and collaboratively as a professional.

A graduate will:

  • work in a self directed way
  • use logical and rational argument to persuade others, to negotiate with others
  • work collaboratively with different groups, identify the needs of others and build positive relationships
  • provide leadership within a team context by understanding responsibilities for organisation, planning, influencing and negotiating
  • work in a team (cooperate with all team members, share ideas, forgo personal recognition, negotiate solutions when opinions differ, resolve conflict, recognise strengths of other team members, share responsibility, convey a shared vision for the team, display a commitment to make the team function effectively).
5 A graduate…is committed to ethical action and social responsibility as a professional and citizen.

A graduate will:

  • demonstrate a commitment to personal ethical actions within professional contexts
  • define social aspects of a particular technology (political, economic, legislative, sociological, environmental etc)
  • appreciate the impact of social change, the political decision-making process and economic imperatives of business and industry
  • recognise social justice issues relevant to the discipline and professional area
  • recognise the potential social and economic impact of enterprise activities upon particular social groups
  • appreciate the importance of sustainable development
  • demonstrate responsibility to the community – be aware of safety, efficiency, innovation, cost-effectiveness
  • consider the relationship between the construction of power and privilege and the ability of discipline knowledge to perpetuate or dismantle social inequality with respect to Indigenous groups.
6 A graduate…communicates effectively in professional practice and as a member of the community.

A graduate will:

  • demonstrate oral, written, mathematical and visual literacies as appropriate to the discipline or professional area
  • display sensitivity to their audience in organising and presenting ideas
  • communicate appropriately with professional colleagues and the public.
7 A graduate…demonstrates international perspectives as a professional and as a citizen.

A graduate will:

  • display an ability to think globally and consider issues from a variety of perspectives
  • demonstrate an awareness of their own culture and its perspectives and other cultures and their perspectives
  • appreciate the relation between their field of study locally and professional traditions elsewhere
  • recognise intercultural issues relevant to their professional practice
  • appreciate the importance of multicultural diversity to professional practice and citizenship
  • appreciate the complex and interacting factors that contribute to notions of culture and cultural relationships
  • value diversity of language and culture
  • appreciate and demonstrate the capacity to apply international standards and practices within the discipline or professional area
  • demonstrate awareness of the implications of local decisions and actions for international communities and of international decisions and actions for local communities.

 

Developments in other ATN universities

 ATN project

Generic capabilities of ATN university graduates

This report is the outcome of a reflective, developmental process involving six academic development staff and thirteen course teams in the five ATN universities. The project involved the analysis of case studies from each institution, a review of the existing literature on graduate capabilities and reflection on the issues highlighted through the integration of the case studies with the literature. 

 

ATN universities

Curtin University of Technology

 

Queensland University of Technology

 

Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology

 

Developments in other Australian universities

 

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