Welcome Back, Reviews, "Place", Plans and Darwin Medallist

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome back to those of our colleagues who have been away over the past weeks. During the period between semesters, many take the opportunity to participate in conferences in Australia and abroad while others are in the field – with or without students – pursuing their work.

A very warm welcome to returning students too – and to new students who are commencing programs next week. I hope the semester ahead is rewarding for you all.

Orientation for Semester 2 happens on campus this week. Even as we get this study period underway, the University also gears up to encourage students to choose JCU for study commencing 2009. Some of our colleagues went to TSXPO in Brisbane earlier in the month and JCU Open Days happen next month on August 17 in Cairns and August 24 in Townsville. As mentioned via email a little while ago, I encourage you all to participate in Open Day activities. It is an opportunity to showcase our programs and our research and to bring the community into what we do.

Shortly the much anticipated Innovation Review report will be released. It is due on July 31. As you’ll recall, the Panel visited both Townsville and Cairns campuses and we were very pleased to provide a forum for the Panel to explore issues of tropical science, knowledge and innovation as well as traditional knowledge with members of indigenous communities.

Last Friday, I was in Canberra attending the IRU Australia consultation with the Bradley Review committee. You’ll recall that committee is charged with examining Australia’s higher education sector with a view to providing recommendations for Government on the future of the sector. It was a very interesting meeting. The Panel visits Townsville on Monday 28 July – consulting with a broad range of people on this issue. I feel very grateful that the Panel has chosen to gather information in our part of the world.

On Monday 21 July, I participated in one of a series of seminars about the Bradley Review convened by the Centre for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Melbourne. I suggested that we need to bring “place” back in to any consideration of the future of higher education, noting the importance of avoiding ‘on average’ assumptions, analyses and solutions. Sweeping statements or solutions about higher education misses the highly variable and textured nature of the sector and the continent. The presentation is located at http://www.cshe.unimelb.edu.au/investinginthefuture/SH%20Presentation.pdf .

Closer to home, it is a particularly busy time for faculties and divisions as work proceeds on their 2009-2011 plans and budgets. The critical issue is to ensure that these plans speak to the University Plan, itself aimed at actioning the University’s strategic intent. These will be finalized in September, in discussion and against the level of performance we need to achieve across the University.

Finally, I’d like to bring some outstanding news to your attention. Professor Terry Hughes, Director of the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, hubbed at JCU, has received yet another award. He recently received the prestigious Darwin Medal from the International Society for Reef Studies for his contribution to biological science, particularly “…for his work on understanding the impact of climate change, pollution and bleaching on coral reefs.” (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/07/13/2302259.htm) I’m sure you join with me to congratulate Terry on this latest entry in his very long list of prestigious awards and eminent achievements.

Cheers,
Sandra