Section 2: Academic Council

2. Academic Council (1) The Academic Council shall consist of— (a) the Director-General, who shall be the chairperson; (b) the Executive Director of the Tertiary Education Commission or his representative; (c) a representative of the University of Mauritius; (d) a representative of the University of Technology, Mauritius; (e) the Chief Technical Officer of the Ministry responsible for the subject of education or his representative; (f) 2 representatives of public tertiary level institutions having developed partnerships with the Open University, to be nominated by the Minister; (g) the Directors of the Academic Affairs, Multimedia and ICT Services, Quality Assurance and Capacity Building Divisions and the Directors of the Confucius Institute and Language Institute; (h) 3 Heads of Schools, Centres or Units of the Open University, to be nominated by the Director-General; (i) a representative of learners, to be nominated by the Board; (j) a representative of the academic staff elected by and from the academic staff; (k) such other members, not exceeding 3 in number, as may be co-opted by the Board, including one person with experience and interest in research. (2) The Registrar shall be Secretary to the Academic Council. (3) (a) The members referred to in subparagraph (1) (f), (h) and (i) shall hold office for a term of 3 years and shall be eligible for re-nomination for not more than one further term of 3 years. (b) The member referred to in subparagraph (1) (j) shall hold office for a term of 3 years. O6A – 15 [Issue 4] Open University of Mauritius Act (4) A person shall cease to be member of the Academic Council upon— (a) the completion of his term of office; (b) his resignation or removal from office; (c) his ceasing to be a member of the academic staff of the Open University; or (d) his ceasing to be a learner, as the case may be. (5) Where a vacancy occurs in the membership of the Academic Council, the vacancy shall be filled by a person who shall hold office for the remainder of the term of the office of the member in whose place he has been nominated or elected. (6) Half of the members of the Academic Council shall form a quorum. (7) The Academic Council may otherwise regulate its proceedings as it thinks fit. (8) The functions and powers of the Academic Council shall, in addition to those set out in the Act, be to— (a) advise the Board on— (i) all academic matters including the control, general direction and management of any research or resource centre or other teaching and research facility; (ii) the institution, alteration, suspension or suppression of academic posts and the qualifications and experience of the academic staff; (b) make recommendations to the Board regarding— (i) postgraduate teaching and research; (ii) the qualifications to be presented for teaching; (iii) the conferment of honorary degrees or other distinctions; (iv) the institution and award of fellowships, scholarships, prizes and medals; (v) the promotion of collaboration between the private and public sectors and the Open University; (vi) the schemes to set up such Schools, Centres and Academic Support Units as may be necessary for academic purposes of the Open University; (vii) the setting up of local and overseas regional centres, study centres and such other Centres for purposes of advising, counselling and providing other assistance required by learners; (c) appoint external examiners; (d) issue instructions to examiners; (e) approve the results of exa ation between the private and public sectors and the Open University; (vi) the schemes to set up such Schools, Centres and Academic Support Units as may be necessary for academic purposes of the Open University; (vii) the setting up of local and overseas regional centres, study centres and such other Centres for purposes of advising, counselling and providing other assistance required by learners; (c) appoint external examiners; (d) issue instructions to examiners; (e) approve the results of examinations and the award of degrees, diplomas and other academic qualifications in accordance with the Statutes and the regulations; (f) report to the Board on any matter referred to it by the Board. (9) The representative of learners shall not participate in the deliberations of the Academic Council on any matter pertaining to— (a) examinations; (b) staffing. [Issue 4] O6A – 16 Revised Laws of Mauritius