General Overview

Training and development of the International Association of Research Scholars & Administrators (IARSA) are educational and research processes where members and other people interested in education and research can learn new information, re-learn and reinforce existing knowledge and skills, and most importantly have time to think and consider what new options can help them improve their effectiveness at work. Effective trainings and development of IARSA convey relevant and useful information that inform participants and develop skills and behaviours that can be transferred back to the workplace.

IARSA Training and development are offered as skills development for individuals, institutions and groups which involve presentation and learning of content along with practicing new skills as a means for improving workplace behaviours and enhancing performance.

These two processes, Training and Institutional/Organisational Development are often closely connected. IARSA Training is used as a proactive means for developing skills and expertise to prevent problems from arising and is also an effective tool in addressing any skills or performance gaps among staff. Our Institutional/Organizational Development is used to create solutions to workplace issues, before they become a concern or after they become an identifiable problem.

Mission Statement

To promote and support membership development, organizational and institutional effectiveness by providing high-quality educational training programmes and to develop trainings and developments programmes in meeting individuals, groups or departmental and institutional needs and objectives.

Purpose:

The Committee will provide IARSA member institutions and companies with multiple, resource-efficient, opportunities for learning and development initiatives through a variety of delivery channels. The committee is also available as partners and a resource to other IARSA Committees (including various technical training committees) to respond to member institutions and companies learning and development needs; to guide and sponsor professional development skill activities that improve individual, institutions and corporate performances in all sectors.

Mandate:

Support the Association's goal of building individuals, organisational and institutional capacity in a strategic manner through integration and co-ordination;
Plan and implement six (6) general meeting seminars.
Conduct training needs assessment survey as required.
Administer an Internship Programme for members, students and affiliate membership progression.
Seek funding to host educational and research programmes in collaboration with the other institutions or any other organisation whose aims and objectives are compatible with IARSA.

Function:

The committee’s primary function is to anticipate the needs of member institutions and companies, investigate possible training or training-related functions to meet those needs, and provide guidance to IARSA staff, member institutions and companies.

Goals:

Provide training development activities for members, researchers, educators and professionals.
Establish linkages with local, regional and international educational institutions and Human Resource bodies to facilitate life-long learning and continuing professional development.
Create specific action steps and commitments that focus people’s attention on incorporating their new skills and ideas back at work.

Objectives:

Act as a centralised repository for membership training and development needs [team and division operational plans, standing committee operational plans, direct input (employees, volunteers, students).
Identify and make recommendations for IARSA-wide training initiatives.
Provide consultation on the development, maintenance, and monitoring of policies, procedures, programmes, and initiatives with respect to training and development including the Association’s training and development operational plan.
Develop an inventory of self-learning resources, courses, and web seminars.
Promote training, development, and educational opportunities.
Participate in the evaluation of the training and development framework.
Liaise with key stakeholders (i.e., standing committees, working groups, internal subject matter experts) to integrate and co-ordinate training and development efforts.
Promote a culture of continuous learning and development.

Professional Development Opportunities

IARSA supports its members in the development of professional skills, and in pursuit of on-going personal development. On an ongoing basis, the Training and Development Committee organizes training programmes such as legal updates for supervisors, sexual harassment awareness training, women gender, faculty and performance evaluation training, in addition to a wide range of topics including leadership, team development, change and transition, time management, communication skills and more.

Membership

The Chair, in conjunction with the Management Committee, will solicit nominees for committee membership. Members will have a commitment to lifelong learning and an interest in organizational effectiveness and will be able to represent members, employees, volunteers, and students.

Members will sit on the committee for three years with the option of renewal for an additional three years. Annually, a membership review will be completed to determine if membership recruitment and selection are necessary. Wherever possible, membership will be staggered to ensure continuity.

Roles

Member Responsibilities

Participate in 1 to 2 annual face to face meetings (as well as other opportunities for the committee to meet at other IARSA conferences and workshops)
Participate in virtual meetings
Active participation in planning and developing annual activities and projects or aspects of projects pertaining to the member’s respective areas
Active participation in designing, building, editing and producing 2 learning & development programs per member annually
Engage monthly via email addresses of members to support learning forums

Key Competencies and Characteristics of Committee members

Actively participate in the association. Seek to understand the bigger association picture and be an Ambassador for IARSA
Knowledge of continuing professional development theory and practice;
Expertise in education research and/or continuous quality improvement;
Experience with the development of standards relevant to educational and research programmes;
Ability to demonstrate strategic thinking relating to lifelong learning processes and programmes;
Ability to contribute to establishing and implementing a vision and strategic direction for the IARSA Programme; and
Experience in the development of policies relevant to the promotion and evaluation of the IARSA Programme’s goals and objectives.

Committee Leadership:

With the multiple engagement, that this, committee experiences, a multi-level governance structure is adhered to so as to spread responsibility and to diversify engagement for committee members. In general, the committee will focus on the following leadership positions:

Chair

Responsible for calling meetings, soliciting agenda items, and facilitating the meeting conference calls
Create an atmosphere for sharing and developing
Prime the committee – get them to help out or participate to accomplish committee goals
Responsible for ensuring the timely recording, accuracy, and distribution of the minutes.

Vice Chair

Supports the Chair in leading the group in the absence of the Chair or requests help (including facilitating meetings and conferences)
Grows into the chair position after serving two years as vice chair

Secretary

Leads the programming Task Force for a year
Facilitates meeting and conference calls of the task force
Guides members to stay on task and achieve goals
Grows into Position as vice chair and eventually chair

Accountability

Recommendations from this committee that require approval will be forwarded to the Governing Council as appropriate.

Decision-making

Decisions within the scope of the committee's mandate and objectives are made by consensus.

Meetings

The committee will meet quarterly, or more frequently as needed.

Quorum

Quorum is a majority of committee members (50% plus one member).

Minutes

Minutes will be kept according to policy of Standardization of Documents. Minutes are typed, copied, and distributed by the Training and Development Programme by the secretary to the Committee.

Communication

A copy of the minutes will be made available electronically on Committee members email addresses.

Training and Development Committee