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Meeting 6, 17 October 2008 The University Council met in the Council Room, Sandy Bay Campus, Hobart on Friday 17 October 2008. Agenda items included-
Retirement of Professor Gail HartCouncil received the report on the retirement of Professor Gail Hart, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), expressed its appreciation for Professor Hart’s significant contributions to UTAS (including her work with the Council), and wished her well for the future. Professor Hart, has declared her intention to retire from academic life at UTAS at the end of this year. UTAS will deeply miss Gail's professionalism and her on-going and profound influence on the UTAS learning and teaching agenda. The Vice-Chancellor states – “We owe Gail a deep debt of gratitude for bringing UTAS into the top echelon of universities in the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund. This is only one highlight of the excellent work that she has undertaken from the grass roots up as well as making significant advances in our strategic thinking in relation to learning and teaching. I trust that Council will join in wishing Gail the very best of luck in her future endeavours. Discussions regarding the nature of the PVC (T&L) portfolio are ongoing. It has been proposed that International Services be included in the portfolio.” New Senior Executive OfficerThe Chancellor welcomed Ms Louise Lindsay, Senior Executive Officer, Vice-Chancellor’s Office, to her first Council meeting. UTAS Academic OrganisationCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on ‘Building on Strengths: Adapting and Evolving UTAS Academic Organisation’, noting that information on proposed changes must be kept flowing through the organisation and that the Vice-Chancellor will provide an update in December. Academic Senate meeting – 12 September 2008Professor Williamson, Chair of Academic Senate, reported that major items discussed at Academic Senate (other than those forwarded separately for approval or noting by Council) were –
Council also received the draft minutes of the Academic Senate meeting of 12 September 2008. Bradley Review of Higher EducationCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on the Bradley review – report delayed to allow panel to engage government over the priorities that are likely to come out of the review Revision of Academic DressCouncil made the amended Ordinance of Academic Dress and resolved that it is to be sealed, noting that academic dress will be reviewed over the next few years. Distinguished ProfessorCouncil approved the creation of the new title ‘Distinguished Professor’ and the Distinguished Professors Policy. Tasmania University Union 2008 Election ResultsCouncil received the report on the 2008 Tasmania University Union election results and congratulated Rob Meredith and Kevin Redd on their re-election. Implementation of the recommendations of the review of student complaintsCouncil made the revised Ordinance 8 included in the papers, to implement the changes to the Student Complaints process that were recommended by Ms Jan O’Grady, and resolved that it is to be sealed. Research to Reality: UTAS Research PublicationResearch to Reality is a new publication with a contemporary format. It is designed to promote the excellence of research at UTAS. There are plans for 3-4 editions a year, replacing the formerly annual publication. This more regular output will enable UTAS to keep stakeholders more up to date with research activity. News from the Faculty of EducationPublic Lectures Tender for the provision of Youth Clearinghouse Services – Faculty of Education’s ACYS National Curriculum Review
International Program Dean’s Review Committee Program Growth Significant AchievementsCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on significant achievements by UTAS, its staff and students. Meeting Dates for 2009Council noted the 2009 meeting dates-
Council were also advised that –
Update on Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)The ERA is the system being developed by the Federal Government to assess the quality of research in Australian Universities. The first assessment is scheduled for 2009, and the cluster to be assessed is the Physical Sciences. The Australian Research Council (ARC) has been given the task of managing the national assessment. The ARC is running two technical trials in 2008:
Cutler Review of InnovationThe report of the Federal Government’s Review of Innovation was released on 9 September. At a presentation on the report to the recent meeting of all Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Pro Vice-Chancellor’s (Research), Terry Cutler emphasised that their research showed that Australia has fallen behind globally in innovation and research. He also noted that:
He made the case that there is a need for more informal collaboration and networks, as well as the larger more formal ones and that there should be incentives for developing these. He quoted the census of the Australian Innovation Research Centre (AIRC) in Tasmania that showed that the number of linkages with the university from business were surprising high, much higher than had been supposed. In summary, the report recommends:
The report also recommends that the ERA be used as a basis for allocating funding. This indicates a potential change in direction, as earlier ERA documents have stated that the first cycle of ERA assessment will be developmental only, with no funding outcomes. Rising StarsThe Rising Stars Awards are for existing UTAS employees from Levels A to C who have the potential to be the research leaders of tomorrow.
Linking with EDGE2 the awards recognise excellence and growth in research at UTAS. Of the 55 applications received, 15 awards were made to -
The Peer Assisted Study Sessions ProgramThe Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) Program has completed a very successful first semester of the three-year strategic plan, supporting 10 units across five faculties at both the Hobart and Launceston campuses. 614 of a possible 1718 students attended PASS sessions, representing a 36% engagement with the PASS Program by those students who had access to it. The overall average final mark for students who attended PASS consistently was 10% higher that those students who did not attend PASS sessions. Student feedback on their participation in PASS was very positive. The majority of students reported that PASS assisted their learning of the subject, particularly in relation to clarification and improved understanding of concepts and improved study techniques relevant to the discipline they are studying. Students also reported that participating in PASS contributed to their sense of belonging to the group and broader university campus community. The UTAS PASS Program has this year employed 32 high-achieving students in the role of PASS Leader. The Australian National PASS Centre recently announced the winners of the 2008 Peer Leader Achievement Awards in Recognition of Excellence and Contribution to Student Learning: The UTAS PASS Program had two PASS Leaders apply for these inaugural awards and both our UTAS applicants won an award, from a total of seven awards! These Leaders were presented with their awards at the National PASS Forum in Sydney on Tuesday, 30th September, 2008, where the UTAS PASS Program Coordinator was also invited to speak about PASS as a leadership pathway for high-achieving students and its contribution to the development of the generic attributes of graduates from the University of Tasmania (UTAS). International Education Strategy Review ReportThe Adams Report was received in August (180 pages). Some specific elements have already come under discussion. For example, issues such as the executive responsibility for International Services was discussed by Planning and Resources Committee on 25 September and the section dealing with research higher degree students has been referred to the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research). The remainder of the report will be subject to a detailed investigation by the Senior Executive before the VC reports fully to Council. International College UpdateThe International College model, outlined in the Adams Report, was endorsed by Planning and Resources Committee on 25 September. An Implementation Steering Committee has been set up and will be chaired by Professor Gary O'Donovan, Dean of the Faculty of Business. News from the Faculty of BusinessThe Faculty is running two community engagement forums in late November, one in Launceston and one in Hobart, designed to assist in integrating our international students into the community and the work force. It is intended to invite employers who have employed our international students to talk about their experiences and to also allow representatives from our international student body to provide an insight into the issues they encounter. Professor Victoria Wise, current Head of School of Accounting and Corporate Governance, has resigned effective from February 2009. The Head of School position will be assumed by Ms. Sue Hrasky for a period of 3 years from that time. The Australian Innovation Research Centre (AIRC) has been commissioned by the Tasmanian State Government to develop the State’s innovation strategy. A preliminary proposal will be delivered by the end of 2008 with the strategy set to be completed by late 2009. This was announced by the Premier, Mr. David Bartlett at a recent CEDA lunch at Wrest Point. The Faculty has commenced teaching its undergraduate programs in the new semesters at the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) and Shanghai Ocean University (SOU). At ACK the Faculty has 44 new enrolments and 37 continuing students. At SOU the Faculty has 204 new enrolments and 400 continuing students. Professor of Economics and Finance Mardi Dungey is joining the School of Economics and Finance from Cambridge University at the end of September. Professor Dungey is a world expert in the behaviour of financial markets. Honorary AppointmentsIn accordance with the Honorary, Visiting, Clinical and Adjunct Appointments Policy, new Adjunct Professors are-
Graduation in Absentia and Conferring of AwardsThese students graduated in absentia at the meeting-
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