DIA launches recognition programme for Australian Design Courses
James Harper, National President of the Design Institute of Australia (DIA), has announced details of a new DIA Education Policy and Design Course Recognition programme.
The new DIA Education Policy takes into account changes in design course structure, qualification levels and the current skills surplus.
The associated Design Course Recognition programme – which was officially launched at the DIA stand at designEX in Sydney on 28th May 2014 – will provide formal recognition of selected design courses and assist students and parents looking to identify appropriate design courses.
It also aligns with the federal government’s Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), which is the national policy for regulated qualifications in the Australian education and training system.
‘I am very pleased that this important new DIA policy has now come to fruition,’ said James Harper.
‘The new DIA Design Course Recognition programme will officially recognise courses at AQF level 6 (Advanced Diploma / Associate Degree) and above for most disciplines and AQF level 5 (Diploma), for disciplines where this is the highest qualification available.
‘Programmes such as this are widespread among professional institutes and education internationally.
‘Some are relatively complex and expensive to administer, requiring accreditation panels and annual reviews to be carried out. Others leverage existing government accreditation schemes (where they exist) and focus more on providing a direct conduit between education and the profession.
‘The DIA programme is very much focused on the latter.’
Institutions offering DIA-recognised design courses will maintain a conduit to the design profession via Educational Membership with the DIA, providing industry intelligence, awards programmes and access to professional designers who can provide input into curriculum reviews and sit on course advisory and review panels.
Full policy details at www.dia.org.au/education.
