The Integration Project Committee (IPC) is pleased to report that integration issues are progressing well, in accordance with the Implementation Plan Framework.

The Unity Project Office has been established at AMC comprising Richard Easther, Project Director and Kelli Roach, Project Support Officer.

Significant progress is being made on the integration of administrative services by the Administration Working Party. Working Groups have been formed for all major areas of administrative activity and a ‘Review of Services’ document has been prepared as a guideline to progress integration of administrative areas. Scoping studies are underway to determine which ICT systems can be integrated by 1 January, 2008.  Priorities identified in the ICT Business Plan are the integration of telecommunication networks realignment of AMC’s business processes and functions to those of UTAS around:

• Identity management
• Student services
• Finance and
• Human Resources

IPC has approved the Student Systems and Process Integration Project Plan.

A number of joint appointments have been put in place to facilitate integration of staff under a common management structure. Redeployment opportunities for staff are being progressed and appointments have been made to assist with change management, workforce planning and HR advice.

A post-integration administrative structure of AMC is currently being developed.

A Retreat involving all members of the Administration Working Party and the co-chairs of the Working Groups is scheduled for 1 May.

A joint meeting of the Administration and Academic Working Parties will be arranged during May.

On the academic side, two business majors have been developed by UTAS and AMC and will be offered from semester 2, 2007.

IPC has approved the formation of three working groups to progress integration initiatives in Fisheries Aquaculture and Marine Resource Management, Engineering and Seafaring and Management.

A Level D position has been approved for advertising aimed at product and course development.

The Chairs of Academic Senate and the AMC Academic Board have been tasked with finalising protocols for the formation of the AMC Board of Studies, for the next IPC meeting.

An open forum is being organised for July to enable the Vice-Chancellor and AMC President to update staff on all areas of integration.
 
The Steering Committee met in early March. It is hoped that the enabling legislation will be drafted shortly for submission to Parliament.

IPC has agreed that any delay in passing the legislation, due to drafting or Parliamentary scheduling should not impact on the momentum which has been generated in progressing integration issues. Appropriate administrative instruments eg service level agreements will be put in place to ensure integration activity continues as quickly as possible.

Application has been made to the Commonwealth for the second round of funding ie $2.5 million from CASR funding for integration activities in 2007.

IPC has recommended the appointment of a dedicated resource providing formal communication on areas of integration to staff, industry and other key stakeholders.

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