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Meeting 7, 5 December 2008
The University Council met in Meeting Room 1, Newnham Campus, Launceston on Friday 5 December 2008.
Agenda items included-
Council reappointed Mr Rod Roberts as Deputy Chancellor for a 4-year term from 1 January 2009.
Council approved the Environment Management Plan (noting that it would be amended to include procurement) and the Sustainable Built Environment Policy and thanked the Built Environment Committee and the Environmental Management Group for their work in this area.
Professor Judi Walker, Deputy 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 31 October 2008.
Council noted that-
Council received the Vice-Chancellor’s report on significant achievements by UTAS, its staff and students.
Significant press advertising began on 29 October in the Australian (Higher Ed supplement). The advertisement also appeared in The Times Higher Education (UK), as well as the Chronicle of Higher Education (USA). Follow-up advertising appeared in all three papers over the ensuing weeks. Advertising has also appeared in discipline specific outlets. Applications close on 19 December (5 January for the Astronomy position – due to press scheduling), with short-listing to occur during January and to be completed by 6 February. The final selection process will begin shortly thereafter. The campaign has a web presence and the site has received considerable interest to-date.
Council received an update from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) & Provost on University rankings.
The post-Voluntary Student Unionism environment saw an amalgamation of the two UTAS student organisations (into the new Tasmania University Union (TUU)) and the drafting of a new Constitution for the merged body that came into effect on 1 April 2008. It was agreed at the time of the amalgamation that a review of the new Constitution would be undertaken after one year of operation. The Executive Director Finance and Administration has provided the draft Terms of Reference for the review which was considered by a meeting of the Student Advisory Committee on 19 November.
Following on from the presentation provided at the October Council meeting, the Vice-Chancellor presented at the Heads of School Retreat in late October. At the retreat Heads of School were invited to form discussion groups to work through the issues raised in the original Building on Strength paper and the powerpoint presentation. The Vice-Chancellor’s visits to Schools, Institutes and Faculties continue and engagement with Administrative divisions is planned for early 2009. The Vice-Chancellor provided an update at the October Academic Senate meeting and then asked all Deans, Heads of School, Heads of Institute and Heads of Division to submit a formal proposal on behalf of their area by February 2009. Once the formal submissions are received, the Committee will form smaller working parties to address the five main themes that have emerged from the feedback process. Updates have been published in UniTas and on the Building on Strength web site. The second BOS Committee meeting was held on 21 November and the Vice-Chancellor presented a summary of the feedback received to date as well as a summary of the group discussions held at the Heads of School Retreat. This information stimulated a productive discussion centred on the major issues/themes and on the process to be adopted for communication with both internal and external stakeholders.
The title of Distinguished Professor is accorded to eminent professors of exceptional distinction who have made an outstanding and sustained contribution in their field and to the University of Tasmania. Professor Jim Reid, Dean of Science, Engineering & Technology, has accepted the nomination as the inaugural Distinguished Professor. Professor Reid has enjoyed a long and illustrious career in Plant Genetics and has been a major contributor to agriculture, forestry and the broad discipline of Plant Sciences. Jim has contributed comprehensively over a significant period of time and at an outstanding level to the achievement of many of the University’s goals. His enthusiasm and sustained energy in a number of areas has considerably impacted the quality of infrastructure and the embedding of best-practice at UTAS and more particularly in the Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology.
The Aboriginal Policy Advisory Committee has been created to provide advice to the Vice-Chancellor on the development, review and implementation of the University’s Policy on Indigenous Governance, as well as monitoring and reporting on relevant indigenous issues within the University context.
Members of the Committee include the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) & Provost, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) (or nominee), Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching & Learning) (or nominee), Director of Riawunna and the Executive Director Planning and Development (or nominee). Expressions of interest are being sought from across the State for five Aboriginal people external to the University and up to two Aboriginal student representatives to complete membership of the Committee.
The State Government and UTAS have committed to a conjoint appointment which will see Tasmania appoint a Chief Scientist and UTAS a Level E Professor. The position descriptions have been agreed and the documentation to formalise the arrangements is underway. The successful candidate will be appointed to the University and seconded at 0.6 to the State Government. It is expected that the position will be advertised in early 2009.
Discussions have been held with the Department of Justice regarding the establishment of a State Architect using a similar model to the Chief Scientist, and the position has been advertised.
In October the University’s Student Recruitment and Marketing team organised Principals’ Dinners in Launceston and Hobart. These annual events are hosted by the Vice-Chancellor and attended by members of the Senior Executive and the SR&M team, and provide an opportunity for the Principals (and their partners) of State, Independent and Catholic schools from around the State, to enjoy an evening of collegiality. The events also provide an excellent opportunity for the University to strengthen relationships and to provide these important stakeholders with information about new developments at UTAS.r.
Submissions closed on 31 July and the Review Panel will provide its final report in December 2008.
The Launceston Advisory Group met on 19 November and received a report from the Vice-Chancellor including an update on Building on Strength. Other items discussed included Launceston Planning Process, UTAS College Progress Report and reports from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) & Provost and the Launceston Engagement and Development Manager.
The results of the latest Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery round were announced in October. Eleven (11) UTAS projects were successful, for a total of $4,167,140. Our success rate was a low 12%. Table 1 below shows that those academics who submitted their applications to the voluntary Peer Review process had a much higher rate of success than those who did not.
As part of the strategy for improving performance in future ARC competitive grant rounds, a panel has been established to provide an early assessment of outline bids. The panel will give advice on whether staff should fully develop an application. The panel may advise against submission and will provide detailed feedback and advice. All full proposals will need to go through a peer review process before submission.
Table 1 ARC Discovery Grants analysis of scores
Category |
% Peer Review |
Number in category |
|
Yes |
No |
||
A+ top third of successful grants |
100% |
0% |
4 |
A middle third of successful grants |
100% |
0% |
3 |
A- lower third of successful grants |
100% |
0% |
4 |
B+ top 5% of unsuccessful bids |
66.6% |
33.3% |
3 |
B between top 5-20% unsuccessful |
66.6% |
33.3% |
3 |
C+ between top 10-25% unsuccessful |
53.3% |
47.6% |
15 |
C between top 25–50% unsuccessful |
45.4% |
54.6% |
22 |
D between top 50-75% unsuccessful |
13.3% |
86.7% |
15 |
E remainder of unsuccessful bids |
43.7% |
56.3% |
16 |
Disqualified/ineligible |
33.3% |
66.6% |
3 |
In October the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) announced the Project Grants for grants commencing in 2009. The following table lists the successful grants for the Menzies Research Institute/UTAS.
Chief Investigators |
Title |
Total Budget |
Dr Roger CHUNG |
How does the LRP receptor megalin promote regenerative neuronal growth? |
$392,750 |
Dr David Reid |
Cystic Fibrosis exacerbations |
$245,750 |
Prof David H Small |
The cause of nerve degeneration in familial amyloidotic |
$594,375 |
A/Pr Bruce V Taylor |
Factors that predict the rate of progression following a first episode of multiple sclerosis. |
$689,575 |
A/Pr Alison Venn |
How do life-stage transitions and depression affect the risk of |
$349,700 |
Prof James C Vickers |
Nerve cell damage following traumatic brain injury |
$385,125 |
Prof Mark R Nelson |
ABIDING |
$125,050 |
Dr Lisa Butler (The International Student Support Program) and Associate Professor Susan Jones have been awarded Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Awards for Australian University Teaching. Dr Butler and The International Student Support Program received a Program Award for Services Supporting Student Learning. This award recognises support programs and services that enhance learning and teaching and make an outstanding contribution to the quality of student learning and the quality of the student experience. Associate Professor Jones received her Teaching Award in the field of Biological Sciences, Health and Related Studies. The award identifies Sue as one of Australia’s most outstanding university teachers in her field and acknowledges her contribution to enhancing the quality of learning and teaching. Both Dr Butler and Associate Professor Jones will receive $25,000 and are scheduled to join 22 university teachers from across Australia at a presentation ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra on 25 November 2008.
An update on the latest financial modelling parameters (known as FC2) will be presented to the Council planning session in February. The Vice-Chancellor and the Executive Director Finance and Administration are holding staff forums at the three major campuses (Newnham - 20 November, Sandy Bay – 1 December and Cradle Coast – 3 December) to present the Fiscal Strategy and Budget.
That Federal Government has announced that from 2010, conditions of University CGS funding will be contingent upon meeting a number of National Access to Services Benchmarks, designed to guarantee a minimum set of services to students. From 1 July 2009, universities will have the ability to charge up to $250 per student to increase student amenities and services over and above those set out in the Benchmarks (noting that the requirement to meet the Benchmarks will apply regardless of whether or not a fee is levied). Students will be able to defer payment of their fee through a HECS-style loan. The Government is yet to draft the Benchmarks or the guidelines as to what the fee can be used for. However, it has released an indicative list and this includes services such as sport and recreation, child care, legal services and counselling services. Once UTAS has worked through the timing, amount and use for any fee it may levy, a detailed recommendation will be brought to Council through Finance Committee.
Members would be aware of the controversy surrounding the collapse of ABC Learning Centres. UTAS is confident our own arrangements that saw the operation of our campus child care centres outsourced to Lady Gowrie Tasmania (LGT). LGT is a not-for-profit, community-based organisation operating 27 child care centres in Tasmania. Our due diligence undertaken prior to outsourcing indicated that LGT is well-managed and financially sound. However, the university cannot afford to be complacent in this regard, given the unpredictable flow-on effects of any reduction in child care places Statewide, should the Federal Government’s subsidy to ABC cease at the end of this year. UTAS representatives are scheduled to attend LGT’s annual general meeting on 20 November.
The Student Centre front counter and foyer renovation has been designed to provide a modern, inviting and open area for future and current student enquiries as well as general or specialised advice. The foyer has three distinct areas which are the Recruitment and Marketing prospective student area, the counter area and the eStudentCentre area which is furnished with 12 computers for student usage. The foyer area will also be utilised for small student information sessions, for example, running eTours for eStudentCentre, Course and Unit and Lecture timetables and the 5.30pm acceptance sessions.
The Critical Incident Management (CIM) Team undertook a desktop scenario exercise, led by Ross Campbell and Associates, on 16 October. It was the first time that the new team structure had been tested. A further exercise was held on 26 November 2008.
Hobart, Launceston and Burnie Council’s Parking Fine amounts have been reviewed and Asset Management Services advises that no changes are required to the University By-Laws for 2009.
Giblin Lecture
The School of Economics and Finance and the Tasmanian Branch of the Economics Society of Australia held the annual Giblin lecture on 28 October in the Centenary Theatre, Hobart. The lecture on Climate Change Policy was presented by Professor Warwick McKibbon from ANU, who is also a member of the Reserve Bank Board. It was extremely well attended with around 180 attendees.
ARC Discovery Grant
Professor Mardi Dungey from the School of Economics and Finance was awarded an ARC Discovery Grant for $230,000 over 2009-2011 for work on Trade Durations in US Treasury markets.
National Climate Change Adaptation Research Network
The Head of the School of Economics and Finance, Dr Sarah Jennings, is member of the successful bid to host the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Network for Marine Biodiversity and Resources, which has attracted funding of $400,000 per year for five years from the Federal Government.
ARC Linkage Grant
Dr Angela Martin from the School of Management was awarded an ARC linkage grant with Sanderson, K. Scott, J. & Brough, P. The research project is titled ‘Promoting employee mental health through the development of managers' psychological capital: A controlled field experiment’. The grant’s value is ARC: $245 000 and industry partners $140 000. The industry partners are Beyond Blue, Workcover and the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Australian College of Kuwait
The Dean, Professor Gary O’Donovan is travelling to Kuwait in early November to conduct the annual quality assurance visit with the Faculty’s partner in Kuwait, the Australian College of Kuwait. It is also noted that the President of ACK, Dr. Nic Gara has recently resigned and the new President is Dr. Vishy Karri, recently resigned from the School of Engineering at UTAS.
MBA Health Management
The Faculty’s Sydney based online MBA Health Management course was the topic of an article published in a health careers supplement in the Weekend Australian on Saturday 8 November. The course coordinator, Mr. David Kronenberg, Professor Gary O’Donovan and Mr. Simon Fishwick (Lecturer in Management) were interviewed for the article.
The Faculty has held very recent separate discussions with the Schools of Geography and Environmental Studies, the Faculty of Education and the School of Pharmacy about collaboration in developing postgraduate coursework programs with a similar structure to the MBA Health Management consisting of a combination of business units with relevant units from these Schools.
Australian Innovation Research Centre
Keith Smith and Kieran O’Brien from the Australian Innovation Research Centre (AIRC) have produced two more working papers from the Tasmanian Innovation Census project: ‘Technical and methodological issues in the Tasmanian Innovation Census’ (Working Paper TIC/02/08) (pp.37), and “Structure, business demographics and innovation in Tasmanian manufacturing” (Working Paper TIC/03/08) (pp.45). Mr Smith and Mr O’Brien have also presented results from the Tasmanian Innovation Census to a team from the Department of Economic Development on 30 October 2008; the Department Secretary and staff members of the Department of Primary Industries and Water on 4 November 2008; the ‘Our Economy’ Task Force at Department of Economic Development on 15 October 2008; and, a team from the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources on 21 October 2008.
Grant Successes
In addition to the six ARC grants currently held by Faculty of Education staff members, the Faculty has been successful in the ARC Linkage Round 1 funding, announced recently. The Dean, Professor Ian Hay, is a Chief Investigator in a three year project entitled, ‘Implementing and evaluating the Life Needs Model for young people with cerebral palsy,’ to be administered by the University of New England.
Higher Degree Successes
In October, three Faculty of Education students received notification that the Board of Graduate Research is recommending to Academic Senate that they be awarded Research Higher Degrees: Tammy Jones, Doctor of Philosophy (Tammy is also a staff member); Rodney Linhart, Doctor of Education; and Darren Postema, Doctor of Education.
Faculty Events
On 13 October, the Dean, Professor Ian Hay, presented his Inaugural Professorial Lecture. The event was hosted by Professor David Rich, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) & Provost, while Ms Kim Boyer, Chair of the Tasmanian Academy, provided an introductory speech. Held in the Sir Raymond Ferrall Centre in Launceston, Professor Hay’s lecture, entitled ‘Exploring Pathways to Effective Learning,’ drew an audience in excess of 200 people who came from the Faculty, the wider University community and the Education sector.
In mid-October, the Launceston and Hobart campuses each hosted a student conference, ‘Teaching On Show,’ presented by the fourth year Bachelor of Education and second year Bachelor of Teaching students. The students presented on a range of topics and at a high standard.
Between 20 and 28 October, the Faculty hosted an exhibition celebrating children’s thinking and creativity inspired by the philosophy of ‘Reggio Emilia’ in the University Gallery (Newnham). Organised by members of the Tasmanian REsearch Network and entitled ‘Who is the I that we are?’ the exhibition drew a large audience to the campus, including numerous classes of primary school-aged children.
On 25 November, the Faculty is hosting an Honours Presentation Evening, to celebrate the achievements of its Honours students and provide an opportunity for members of the Faculty and the Education sector, as well as family and friends, to become acquainted with their research. Each student will present a poster outlining their project and give a short talk. The event will conclude with informal refreshments.
Korea
Professor Ian Hay will travel to Korea in late November to explore opportunities for the establishment of a 1+3 (or similar) Bachelor of Education program with KrEdu (a Korean education company currently cooperating with UTAS), as well prospects for the promotion of the newly-badged Master of Education (TESOL). Professor Hay will also represent the University at a graduation ceremony for the first cohort of KrEdu’s UTAS Pathway Program. The trip will provide Professor Hay with an excellent introduction to the University’s internationalisation agenda and the opportunities this affords the Faculty of Education.
New Appointee
In October, the Faculty welcomed Mr Dean Mundey, who has commenced the role of Senior Project Officer. He will focus on special projects within the Faculty, providing valuable support to the academic and general staff.
Visiting Academics
In October, Associate Professor Neil Cranston from the School of Education at The University of Queensland visited the Faculty. Associate Professor Cranston works in the area of school leadership at UQ, and has particular interest in leadership and management; the principalship (aspiring principals, principal development and middle-level school leaders); teacher leadership; organisational culture; change and its impact on leaders; ethical dilemmas for leaders; school and organisational reform; senior management teams; and leading in ethno-culturally diverse schools. He spoke at length academic staff in the Faculty at both the Hobart and Launceston campuses.
Faculty Response to Audit Committee – Risk Management
On 14 November the Dean met with the University Audit Committee on Risk Management. With the support of Bernard Griffiths, Manager, Risk Management and Audit Assurance, the Faculty has prepared a Risk Register of its top 10 risk areas. The Faculty looks forward to cooperating with the University to further develop its risk management policies and procedures.
Teaching Matters
The Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology will offer the following new programs/majors in 2009:
A Master of Forestry and a Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Forestry as part a National Forestry Masters Program offered by consortium of four universities [the Australian National University (ANU), University of Melbourne (UMelb), Southern Cross University (SCU) and University of Tasmania (UTAS)].
The introduction of two new majors for the Bachelor of Computing in Games Technology and Human Interface Technology.
Graduate Certificates in Science Education, Renewable Energy Power Systems and Infrastructure Asset Management are awaiting final amendments and approval.
The existing Bachelor of Environmental Design has been revised, to introduce three specialisations – Architecture, Interior Design and Furniture Design. The degree is one of the first to be translated into the new common course structure. The Bachelor of Computing and Bachelor of Information Systems have also been revised to conform to the new course structures.
The suite of environmental management postgraduate courses, offered by the School of Geography & Environmental Studies, has been revised. The Natural Environment Management and Environmental Studies specialisations are to be discontinued resulting in five awards being discontinued. Only one stream in Environmental Management will be offered. As a consequence, a Graduate Diploma of Environmental Management has been introduced which will articulate to the Master of Environmental Management.
National Adaptation Research Network
On 30 October, the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, announced that the UTAS application to host the National Adaptation Research Network for Marine Biodiversity and Resources had been successful. It is one of seven national networks which will be part of the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility, hosted by Griffith University. Senator Wong said the networks will bring together the best brains in Australia to advance our understanding of how specific sectors and regions will be affected by climate change and what action is needed to reduce the risks. The University was awarded $400,000 per year for four years to set up and run the network. The Network Convenor is Associate Professor Neil Holbrook of the School of Geography and Environmental Studies.
ARC Funding
The following Faculty members were successful in the recent round of Australian Research Council (ARC) funding-
Review
The ARC is conducting a 3 year Review of CODES ARC Centre of Excellence in Ore Deposits in November. The review consists of a submission by the CODES Director, and a separate submission by UTAS. The review panel visited the Centre on November 14 for a round of interviews with researchers, students and external stakeholders. A successful review will result in a further 3.5 years of ARC funding to 2013. Results of the Review of all ARC Centres of Excellence will probably not be announced until early 2009.
Vote of Thanks
At a Faculty Meeting in October a vote of thanks was moved and carried unanimously that the Faculty recognised the sterling service of Jim Reid as Dean and expressed much regret that he is stepping down as Dean.
2008 has been an exceptionally busy and productive year for the Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies (TILES) and the Institute has been engaged in exciting collaborative research projects with agencies outside the University during the year. Projects have included evaluating programs for the Migrant Resource Centre (South), Mission Australia, The Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (DIER), the Clarence City Council and Metro Tasmania. Collaborative projects with UTAS colleagues have also continued to open up exciting opportunities for interdisciplinary work.
TILES completed three major projects in 2008-
Social Norms Analysis Project (SNAP)
The SNAP Project funded by the Alcohol Education Rehabilitation Foundation (AERF) was completed in June. This project, which addressed the problem of alcohol misuse among young people on the West Coast and in the Huon Valley, enabled TILES to conduct the first Australian trial of the Social Norms methodology. The Final Report will be launched by Mr Daryl Smeaton (CEO, AERF) on Monday 1 December at the University Club. TILES’ submission for UTAS pre-seed funding for 2009/2010 was successful and will allow the Institute to continue developing the Social Norms methodology in the Australian context.
Community Policing and Refugee Settlement in Regional Australia – A Case Study of Tasmania
This project was funded through the ARC Linkage Projects scheme with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the Tasmanian Department of Police and Emergency Management (DPEM) as industry partners. It provided a PhD scholarship for Danielle Campbell who has worked closely with personnel from both agencies over the past three and half years. Danielle recently briefed the Parliamentary Secretary on Multicultural Affairs and Settlement, Mr Laurie Ferguson MP, on the outcomes of the project. A Final Report will be completed by the end of this year and Danielle will complete her PhD thesis in 2009.
Rules of Engagement: policing anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related violence in and around licensed premises
Funded by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) this project, conducted by Professor Jenny Fleming, examined law enforcement strategies developed around Australia to address the problem of alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour in and around licensed premises. The Final Report will be published by BOCSAR in December 2008
Other TILES News
Dr Rob Hall has been working closely with Commander Donna Adams and Sharon Von Bertouch from the Tasmania Police Academy to revise the Bachelor of Social Science (Police Studies) degree to incorporate an In-Service pathway for Tasmania Police recruits and early career Officers. Approval for the program has recently been given by the Faculty of Arts Teaching and Learning Committee and will be forwarded for approval to the February meeting of the University Committee. It is anticipated that the program will start in mid-2009.
News from ACROSS
Pfizer Analytical Research Centre
On 5 September the Pfizer Analytical Research Centre (PARC) was launched and the opening attended by the Premier, David Bartlett. The establishment of PARC provides an opportunity for UTAS to welcome a major new industrial partner to UTAS. The Pfizer brand has instant recognition worldwide and having such a significant collaboration with Pfizer is of great importance to UTAS. Interactions between researchers in PARC and Pfizer will allow research to be focused into areas having significant outcomes to the pharmaceutical industry.
The establishment of PARC will further the objectives of UTAS through the following avenues:
internationalisation - of the 10 current appointees to PARC, 60% have been recruited from overseas (Egypt, Sweden, Israel, Malaysia, Iran and Slovenia);
-
expansion of international research profile;
-
increased research outcomes, especially publications; and
-
increased grant income. For example, the collaboration with Pfizer has already resulted in a $600,000 ARC Linkage grant (eg ARC).
Annual Report
Council received the 2007 annual report for the Australian Centre for Research on Separation Science..
In accordance with the Honorary, Visiting, Clinical and Adjunct Appointments Policy, Ms Lena Busch Nielsen has been appointed Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
