Academic Board met on 15 October 2026 and subsequently concluded four decisions by online vote. The meeting considered MIT’s strategic direction, course development and review, recognition of teaching and research excellence, and significant questions about assessment, curriculum and research governance.

MIT’s strategic direction

The Board welcomed Dr Rowena Coutts, Chair of the Board of Directors, who outlined the Institute’s strategic priorities in a changing higher education environment. Discussion addressed financial sustainability, the effects of government policy on international enrolments, opportunities for course differentiation and diversification, academic quality and the student experience, and the impact of artificial intelligence. The Chairs will explore opportunities for more regular engagement between the two Boards.

Recognising teaching and research excellence

The Board agreed that the 2026 Teaching Excellence Awards should proceed, with an assessment panel comprising the Executive Dean and a representative nominated by each School. Staff not nominated through the School process will have an opportunity to raise concerns with the Executive Dean. Members raised concerns about some aspects of the arrangements; the entire process will be reviewed after the awards before arrangements for 2027 are settled. 

The Board also approved the introduction of Research Excellence Awards in 2026, recognising research achievement and excellence in higher degree research supervision. The selection-panel arrangements are to be clarified, and the inaugural scheme will also be reviewed after completion.

Research master’s degrees

Following the mid-cycle review, the Board accepted the School of IT and Engineering’s response and formally approved changes to the Master of ICT Research, effective retrospectively from 13 August 2026. The revised structure introduces research methods earlier in the course. The Board clarified that earlier endorsement of the review response had not itself constituted approval of the changes, and called for clearer approval and implementation processes. SITE will report on outstanding review actions in March 2027; any required regulatory notification is to be confirmed. 

The School of Business response to the Master of Business Research mid-cycle review is expected at the next meeting, following consideration by the Learning and Teaching Committee.

Data Analytics review and course development

The Board endorsed the full-review recommendations for the Bachelor of Data Analytics and Master of Data Analytics, together with SITE’s responses. It requested further justification for the proposal to remove the distinction between cognate and non-cognate entry pathways, and progress reporting on continuing actions in March 2027. 

The Board also approved proposed changes to the two courses, subject to an appropriate list of software engineering electives. The courses must still complete the formal re-accreditation process; the changes are not to be implemented before that approval.

New Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence

Following external scrutiny and consideration by the Course Advisory Committee and Learning and Teaching Committee, Academic Board endorsed the proposed Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence. It has recommended accreditation to the Board of Directors, which is the final accrediting authority. The full documentation and completed compliance checklist will accompany that recommendation.

Course monitoring and annual reviews

In online decisions following the meeting, the Board accepted the 2025 annual course reviews and action plans for four School of Business courses: the Master of Business Research, Bachelor of Business, Master of Business Analytics and Master of Professional Accounting. It also accepted MIT’s 2025 Interim Monitoring of Courses and Units Report.

Assessment and generative AI

The Board, through an on-line resolution approved following the meeting, directed the Executive Dean to prepare an institutional policy explaining how assessors should judge whether students have used generative AI appropriately in assessed work. A key principle is that no single technological tool should determine an assessment or academic-integrity finding. The draft policy will come to the next Academic Board meeting for approval.

Graduate attributes and learning outcomes

The Board, through an on-line resolution approved following the meeting, agreed that MIT should take a staged approach to reviewing its Graduate Attributes, followed by Course Learning Outcomes and then Unit Learning Outcomes. The Executive Dean will present a proposed method and delivery timetable at the next meeting. This is a substantial curriculum exercise intended to ensure alignment from institutional expectations through to individual units.

Research ethics and supervision

Research Director Professor Stephen Teo reported that some areas need attention in research ethics and higher degree research supervision, including training, consistency of ethics applications with research designs, procedures for amendments and adverse events, and the feasibility and oversight of some projects. Academic Board supported work to strengthen these processes and the guidance available to supervisors and research students.

Academic Board membership and communication

The Board recommended an appointment as the School of Business student representative from Sydney, subject to Board of Directors approval. It also noted Ted Turner’s appointment as Academic Board representative on the Student Experience Committee. The Board supported wider distribution of this newsletter to MIT staff.

Looking ahead

At its next meeting in November 2026, the Board expects to consider further research-degree and Data Analytics matters, the proposed generative-AI assessment policy, and the plan for reviewing graduate attributes and learning outcomes.

Professor Doug Grant
Chair, Academic Board
October 2026