Why the Review and Approval Process Matters

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The development of any new academic program at Divine Word University (DWU) is not simply a matter of drafting a curriculum and submitting it for teaching. It is governed by a structured framework — the Program Development and Approval Policy (AC6) — designed to safeguard academic quality, institutional credibility, and national alignment. For a program like the proposed Master’s in Foreign Policy Analysis, this process is not just procedural; it is essential to ensuring the program’s long-term viability and acceptance across PNG’s higher education sector.

DWU’s Program Development and Approval Policy (AC6), last updated November 2023, provides the framework for accreditation and quality assurance of all academic programs.

The first step in the process is the preparation of a Program Specification Document (PSD). This is not a bureaucratic formality but a comprehensive dossier that captures the program’s rationale, structure, intended learning outcomes, graduate attributes, resource requirements, and unit outlines. By requiring such detail upfront, the policy ensures that program designers think holistically about student learning, staffing, infrastructure, and sustainability before the proposal enters the approval pipeline.

Once prepared, the PSD undergoes sequential committee scrutiny — Faculty Curriculum and Assessment Committee, Faculty Board, Quality Assurance Committee, Academic Board, and finally the University Council. At each stage, reviewers test the program against quality standards, institutional priorities, and compliance with external regulations. This stepwise structure introduces accountability, prevents oversight, and ensures that the program carries the endorsement of multiple governance layers.

A critical element is the requirement that programs align with the PNG National Qualifications Framework. For example, a Master’s degree must sit at Level 9, demanding clear demonstration of advanced knowledge, critical analysis, and independent research capacity. The PSD must show how learning outcomes, assessment strategies, and credit hours match this level, ensuring that graduates earn a qualification that is recognised nationally and internationally.

The review process also forces program initiators to demonstrate strategic relevance. Every proposal must show how it supports Vision 2050, Medium Term Development Plans, and DWU’s Strategic Master Plan. For a program in foreign policy analysis, this means making explicit links to PNG’s need for stronger policy capacity, its evolving role in the Pacific, and the professionalisation of public service expertise in diplomacy and international relations.

Equally important is the policy’s insistence on stakeholder consultation and resource planning. Program proposals must show evidence of engagement with government, industry, or professional bodies, and they must detail whether staffing, library holdings, ICT platforms, and facilities can support delivery. This not only guards against under-resourced rollouts but also creates ownership among stakeholders who will later employ or support program graduates.

The AC6 framework also embeds a culture of continuous review. Programs are not fixed permanently once approved. Major revisions, delivery in new modes (e.g. flexible learning), or eventual discontinuation must all return through the same approval channels. This ensures that academic offerings remain current, responsive to demand, and aligned with sector standards. For a Master’s program designed for PNG’s foreign policy community, such built-in adaptability is crucial in responding to the fast-changing geopolitical environment.

Finally, the rigour of this process signals to students, employers, and external partners that a DWU program is credible and quality-assured. In an era where higher education offerings are scrutinised for relevance and accountability, adhering to the AC6 policy provides a shield of legitimacy. For the Master’s in Foreign Policy Analysis, it ensures that when the first cohort graduates, their qualification will stand on firm institutional and national ground.

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