The Undergraduate Academic Manager is a pivotal managerial role within the Programme Office, responsible for the seamless execution of academic operations, the integrity of examination processes, and the strategic management of academic technologies. This role ensures that the undergraduate journeyspecifically within STEM disciplinesis supported by robust systems, rigorous accreditation standards, and forward-thinking operational planning.
Key Responsibilities
1. Academic & Learning Systems Management
- Academic Management System (AMS): Serve as the functional lead for the AMS, overseeing student records, course registrations, scheduling, and academic progression tracking.
- Learning Management System (LMS): Optimize the LMS (e.g., Canvas, Moodle) to enhance the pedagogical delivery of STEM curricula. Ensure faculty and students are trained and that digital course materials meet institutional standards.
- System Integration: Ensure interoperability between the AMS, LMS, and other institutional databases to maintain one version of the truth regarding student data.
2. Examination & Assessment Management
- Examination Management System (EMS): Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of assessments, from paper setting and secure storage to digital proctoring and result processing.
- Integrity & Compliance: Implement rigorous protocols to ensure the security of examination data and the fairness of assessment outcomes.
- Results Analysis: Utilize EMS data to provide insights into student performance trends and identify areas for academic intervention.
3. Operations & Strategic Planning
- Academic Calendar Management: Lead the planning and execution of the annual academic cycle, including semester start-ups, enrolment windows, and graduation audits.
- Resource Allocation: Manage the logistical planning for classrooms, laboratories (especially for STEM-heavy requirements), and invigilator staffing.
- Process Improvement: Continuous auditing of Programme Office workflows to reduce administrative friction for both faculty and students.
4. Accreditation & Quality Assurance
- Standard Compliance: Lead the data collection and reporting efforts for national and international accreditations (e.g., ABET, AACSB, Washington Accord, or equivalent bodies).
- Quality Audits: Ensure that the undergraduate curriculum and delivery methods align with the requirements of professional bodies and internal quality frameworks.
- Documentation: Maintain comprehensive records of program changes, faculty qualifications, and student outcomes required for accreditation visits.
5. STEM Discipline Focus & Emerging Tech
- STEM Pedagogy: Apply a deep understanding of the unique challenges in delivering STEM education (e.g., lab-based learning, project-based assessment, and mathematical rigor).
- Emerging Technologies: Stay abreast of developments in AI in education, Virtual/Augmented Reality for labs, and Data Analytics to future-proof the academic experience.
- Industry Liaison: Coordinate with external partners to ensure the UG program remains relevant to the evolving technological landscape.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Education
- Master's degree in education management, Information Systems, or a STEM-related field.
Experience
- Academic Management: Minimum of 4-7 years of experience in higher education administration or a Programme Office environment.
- STEM Background: Proven track record of managing or delivering undergraduate programs within Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics.
- System Implementation: Hands-on experience in implementing or migrating Academic (AMS), Examination (EMS), or Learning (LMS) Management Systems.
- Accreditation Leadership: Demonstrated experience in leading a department through a successful accreditation cycle.
Key Skills & Competencies
- Data Literacy: Ability to interpret complex data sets from management systems to drive decision-making.
- Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication skills to bridge the gap between technical IT teams, academic faculty, and undergraduate students.
- Agile Planning: Ability to pivot operational plans in response to emerging technologies or institutional shifts.
- Project Management: Proficiency in PM tools to track accreditation milestones and system rollouts.
Performance Indicators
- Accuracy and timeliness of student records and examination results.
- Successful maintenance and attainment of program accreditations.
- System uptime and user satisfaction rates for the AMS/LMS/EMS.
- Efficiency of the academic timetable and resource utilization.
