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Meeting 2, 31 March 2006
Agenda items included-
AVCC PlenaryCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor's report on the AVCC Plenary. A report on the Plenary was tabled. Governance FrameworkCouncil received a report on the governance framework project. Draft Financial Reports for the year ended 31 December 2005Council received the draft financial reports for the year ended 31 December 2005. Progress Report on Draft Academic PlanAt the 27 February meeting of the Senior Management Team, it was agreed that the scope of the Academic Plan would be reduced to avoid duplication with existing plans. The Academic Plan now focuses on the student learning experience, a process for the review of academic profile, the development and delivery of courses, and the distinctive academic culture of the three main campuses. The academic plan highlights four key strategic initiatives:
Members of SMT (in pairs) will meet with Schools and administrative sections over the next few weeks to discuss Academic Planning, using the future scenarios as discussion triggers, and listening to staff views on their ‘vision' for each campus, and their perspective on the distinctive academic culture of each campus. These visits have been scheduled and will be completed before Easter. An academic planning website has been developed to enable staff to keep abreast of current activity. The website will be updated as new information becomes available, and can be viewed at http://www.utas.edu.au/academicplan/. Federal Ministerial VisitsThe Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, visited the Cradle Coast Campus on 20 February. The purpose of her visit was to announce a grant of $124,000 to the University of Tasmania (School of Agricultural Science/TIAR) for a Scoping Study for the establishment of a National Primary Industry Centre for Science Education to be located at the Cradle Coast Campus. The proposed Centre aims to address the need for more higher education graduates to lead innovation and development in primary industry. It draws on strategies already in place in the University that encourage young people from schools into higher education science courses, particularly agricultural science programs. The model includes schools (teachers and students), industry and higher education. The Minister for Health and Ageing, Tony Abbott, formally opened the Rural Clinical School Teaching, Research and Administration Centre at Burnie on 23 February. Provision of the new facilities, including student accommodation, continues the University's commitment to training doctors to work in rural areas. Aboriginal Partnership AgreementOn April 24, 2001, the University of Tasmania (UTAS) convened a Vice-Chancellor's Forum on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Equity. One of the key recommendations from the Forum was to develop a formal Partnership Agreement between the University and Aboriginal people. The Riawunna Board also endorsed this recommendation. After wide consultation with stakeholders, the Partnership Agreement between UTAS and representatives of the Aboriginal People of Tasmania has been prepared for signing. Academic Senate endorsed the draft agreement on 24 February 2006 and Council approved it at this meeting. This Agreement aims to:
Teaching and Learning Development Plan 2006 - 2008Council approved the Teaching and Learning Development Plan 2006-2008. The Plan is in a slightly different format this year, stressing the key issues for 2006 and focussing more on outcomes than just process. Academic Senate has endorsed the Plan. Risk Management Progress ReportCouncil received a progress report on risk management. Power OutageCouncil received a report on the recent power outage as the University. Report on 2006 enrolmentsCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor's report on 2006 enrolments, including the tabled update. Changes to Ordinance of Academic SenateCouncil approved in principle the changes recommended by Academic Senate to Ordinance 13 (Academic Senate) and asked the Legislation Committee to make the changes. Adjunct ProfessorsAs currently required under the Honorary, Visiting, Clinical and Adjunct Appointments Policy, the Vice-Chancellor reports that he has appointed Professor Paul Robertson as an Adjunct Professor in the Graduate School of Management for the period 16 February 2006 to 16 February 2011. The Vice-Chancellor also reports that he has appointed-
as Adjunct Professors in the Conservatorium of Music for the period 16 February 2006 to 16 February 2009. Honorary AppointmentsCouncil received the Vice-Chancellor's report on honorary appointments. News and BriefsStudents have enrolled in the new five-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) for the first time. The Australian Medical Council gave its final sign-off to the new degree, so both the five year and the remainder of the six-year degree program are accredited until 2011. The five-year degree introduces a new curriculum and is designed to produce graduates who are competent to practice as interns in Australia and New Zealand, with an appropriate foundation to undertake further training. Teaching incorporates a case-based learning approach from Year 1 onwards. This provides an engaging and interactive framework to deliver the course objectives. The University in conjunction with the Royal Hobart Hospital has appointed Dr Michael Humphrey as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Director of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Dr Humphrey comes to us from the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne and has a distinguished career in both academic and clinical obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Queensland, James Cook University, the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Perth, and the National Women's Hospital, Auckland. Dr Humphrey is currently Editor of the Journal of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Chair of the Board of Examiners of that College. The State Government announced funding of $1.5 million over 3 years for the Australian Innovation Research Centre (AIRC) in the Faculty of Business. The Faculty of Business, represented by the Dean, the Associate Dean Teaching and Learning, the Associate Dean International and the immediate former Dean, attended a celebratory graduation reception in Singapore for approximately 40 students and 100 attendees to mark the completion of their programs as part of the final group of students completing their Bachelor of Commerce courses under a current agreement. The Dean and Associate Dean International visited Malaysia with a view to establishing a partnership to offer Business programs. Negotiations are progressing well with two colleges emerging as strong candidates to commence programs in 2007. The Faculty also has an opportunity to be involved in an extensive MARA* recruitment campaign in Malaysia. The Associate Dean International and the Director International Services will be discussing this possibility with the Malaysian Minister for Education. Majlis Amanah Rakyat (People's Trust Council, commonly abbreviated as MARA) is a Malaysian government agency. It was formed to aid, train and guide Bumiputra (Malays and other indigenous Malaysians) in the areas of business and industry. The Catalyst Program, aiming at improving retention, has been introduced in Hobart by the Faculty of Arts after a successful pilot in Launceston in 2005, and a new Advanced (Direct Entry) BA Honours program has been inaugurated in Hobart. Other new programs commencing in 2006 in the Faculty of Arts are:
Two strategic academic appointments (Humanities and Social Sciences), funded jointly by the Faculty of Arts and the University strategic fund have been made on the Cradle Coast Campus (both starting in March). Significant achievementsCouncil received a report on significant achievements by the University, its staff and students. Academic Senate meeting –24 February 2006Council received the report on the Academic Senate meeting of 24 February 2006. Major items discussed were- § The Acting Vice-Chancellor's reports on:
§ Revised Academic Promotions Policy, Procedures and Advice to Applicants § Research Quality Framework (RQF): The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) reported on the current status of the RQF. § Board of Graduate Research 2005 Annual Report Academic Senate 2005 Report to CouncilCouncil received the Academic Senate 2005 report to Council. Academic Senate will be focusing, in line with its aim to be more strategic, on two significant items:
Academic Senate Self Review Report and Implementation PlanCouncil received the Academic Senate self review and implementation plan. Academic Senate supports Council view on future building requirementsCouncil noted Academic Senate's support of the Council view on future building requirements. Minutes of Academic Senate and Council CommitteesCouncil received the non-confidential minutes of Academic Senate and the Audit Committee. University of Tasmania Foundation Inc. 2005 Annual ReportCouncil noted the University of Tasmania Foundation Inc. 2005 Annual Report. Tasmania Law Reform Institute 2005 Annual ReportCouncil noted the Tasmania Law Reform Institute 2005 Annual Report. Graduation in absentia and conferring of awardsThese students graduated in absentia at the Council meeting-
Last Modified: 17-Apr-2006 |
