Restructuring and Consolidation of Statistics Programme at USP - Progress Report

1. THE OFFICIAL STATISTICS PROGRAMME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE SOUTH PACIFICProgress Report on Restructuring and Consolidation Saqib Jafarey School of Economics (SOE) University of the South Pacific 4th HOPS Meeting Noumea, New Caledonia 22-26 July 2013

2. BACKGROUND B.Com offered since 2006. Introduced to help increase statistical capacity in the region. Supported by regional NSOs, training partners, development partners, financial support from UNFPA. Two previous reviews were carried out. Cook [2010]; Lal and Singh [2011]. Main themes: greater flexibility of provision in order to increase reach. balance between academic and vocational content. Growing calls for integration and accreditation of multiple strands of OS training offered in the region (SPC, SIAP, ABS).

3. KEY CONCERNS Clarity of the underlying structure. Gaps in the curriculum: statistics, index number theory, survey design, sampling design. Under-subscription and the need for marketing/targeting. Space for non-degree/professional students. Coverage of expertise needed by Statistical Offices. Scope for offering different pathways to specialisation. No postgraduate offering although on the books. Need to engage external providers (ABS, SIAP, IMF, other universities).

4. KEY MODIFICATIONS I Introduction of distinct learning streams to cater to different professional interests: Statistical Methods, Systems of OS, Statistical Frameworks and Subject Specific (Economics, Demography, Social Science, Environment, etc). Professional development and flexible learning catered for: Modularisation of full semester courses. Accreditation of courses taken with external providers. Significant changes to existing curriculum and programme structure. Closer involvement of regional training partners.

5. KEY MODIFICATIONS II Significant changes to half of the existing courses: Level 1 course on Statistical Frameworks will cover all the tools for statistical integration. Level 2 course will cover the full statistical cycle and not just data collection. Course on national accounts to be revised on the basis of SIAP’s existing material and possibly delivered by them. Two new courses to be provided by external partners: Statistical Methods for OS (Level 2) – SIAP? IT and Information Management for OS (Level 3) – ABS? USP staff to co-coordinate: tutorials, applications, assessment. Level 1 courses on Introductory Statistics (School of Mathematics) and Geographic Techniques (School of Geography) to be included in the OS programme.

6. MAIN LEARNING STREAMS Statistical Methods: Basic maths, stats, sample design, survey design, non-sampling errors, business/household survey frameworks, administrative data, index numbers, seasonal adjustment, analysis and presentation. System of OS: Systems involved in the design, collection, production, dissemination and evaluation of official statistics, institutional arrangements and the role of National Statistical Offices. Statistical Frameworks: Key statistical frameworks that underpin official statistics, tools for statistical integration (classifications, standards, common units, common registers), international standards Subject Specific Streams:Sufficient understanding of the subject to work effectively on the production and dissemination of relevant stats.

7. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE (DOUBLE MAJOR WITH ECONOMICS OR DEMOGRAPHY)

8. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE (DOUBLE MAJOR WITH ECONOMICS OR DEMOGRAPHY)

9. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE (DOUBLE MAJOR WITH ECONOMICS OR DEMOGRAPHY)

10. UPDATE: PROGRESS AND TIME LINE The programmestructures are almost finalised: Routes include Single Major, Double Major, Minor, Diploma and Certificate. Needs of professional development catered for by modules and sub-degree options. Courses structured around modules. Learning streams through Single OS Major ad through Double Majors. Consultations with NSO chiefs, development partners, training partners at various meetings, and with internal USP stakeholders. Detailed course outlines with weekly breakdown almost finished. Potential course coordinators identified and involved in preparing formal outlines. Final report is expected in August. The School submission to USP to seek approval for the new programme in October. Targeted roll-out: February 2014 for Level 1. Pending work: Accreditation of courses taught by training partners (some identified but more needs to be done). Recognition of incremental progress: certificates of completion. Postgraduate options (some thinking done, targeted roll out = 2015).

11. UPDATE: ARRANGEMENTS WITH EXTERNAL PROVIDERS* SIAP: Co-coordination of “Statistical Methods for OS”. USP responsible for tutorials, local applications, marking; SIAP for developing materials, online/print delivery, preparing assessments, face-to-face visit, and possible training of local coordinator. Giving USP access to materials, particularly on National Accounts, for fine-tuning and delivery by USP coordinators. ABS: Co-coordination of “IT and Information Management for OS”. Similar allocation of roles but plans for face-to-face visits from ABS staff. NZStats/Victoria University, IMF/PFTAC, others: Offer courses which could be used for PG degrees + could help with thesis supervision. Modes of collaboration are still not clear. * These plans are still under discussion, no commitment is implied.

12. OTHER ISSUES USP push for online course conversion. SIAP led initiative for MOOCs or MROCs. Internet issues in the region, including at USP campuses.

13. POINTS FOR FEEDBACK Comments on the curricular changes? Software: Excel and CS-Pro built into the proposed redesign, but should other packages be included (R, SPSS)? NSOs: What database management systems are used? Suggestions on increasing enrolment and reaching out to professional staff of NSOs? Arrangements for accreditation of external courses. Overall financial responsibility for the programme?

14. THANK YOU.