New blog

My blog has moved to http://www.jcu.edu.au/blogs/vc/

Please change any bookmarks you have to this new url.

Have your say, launches, Singapore and Solar09

Dear Colleagues,

The Staff Opinion Survey was released today by Stephen Schmideg from Sicore International – the group retained to provide this service for us. We have all received an email from the group with a link to the survey. As Stephen noted, all responses are anonymous. The completed surveys remain the property of Sicore and will never be shared with the University. We will, of course, receive the combined results and while informative at the University level, these are particularly important at the School/Office, Faculty/Division level. I would greatly appreciate it if you would take the time to have your say so that we can work towards achieving a better work environment for all.

Today was an interesting day for a couple of other reasons.

First, the Hon Kate Jones, Queensland Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, visited the Townsville campus to officially open the Campus District Cooling facility. The thermal storage tank that is part of the facility is the largest tank of its type in Australia. It holds a vast quantity of water at 5 degrees C, chilled overnight and pumped around the campus to provide energy efficient air-conditioning. The annual reduction in our emissions as a result of the new system is equivalent to taking 2600 cars off the road. What’s more, the savings for the University as far as the costs of powering the campus are concerned are enormous – at around a 30 percent reduction in costs. All those involved in seeing this project through to completion are to be warmly congratulated. And we are delighted that Ergon Energy plan to partner with JCU and will provide funding in recognition of the saving achieved over the next 5 years.

Second, we launched ResearchOnline@jcu – our new research publications repository. It can be accessed through the website (go to the Library from the front page and see the link there) and means that the work of JCU’s researchers will be readily available to view and/or download. It also means that all our research is discoverable by the major research engines, including Google. Already this accessibility is securing better connectedness – with, for example, the BBC using it to locate a JCU researcher whose work is relevant to a documentary they are making. Theses are also accessible via the site, providing exposure to original work by our talented students. Our colleagues from the Library also revealed that papers in the repository have a higher citation rate than those that are not in the repository. Citations are important for building research activity and reputation – and for building careers.

Important to also let you know that on the weekend just gone, we held a Graduation Ceremony in Singapore. In all, 320 JCU Singapore graduands were presented with their degrees and diplomas. Always a happy occasion, the enormous diversity of the graduates in terms of their country of origin was particularly striking. Students from Norway to the Maldives to Chile, as well as Singapore, India, China and so many more countries of origin were present on the day. That happy event was followed by a terrific alumni function. Around 250 alums came along. It was easy to see how much these past students enjoyed catching up with their former classmates. Congratulations to the team in Singapore for putting together such wonderful occasions and to Roger Yeldham who organizes, manages and oversees events across JCU so very well.

Finally, back to today, congratulations are due to our colleague Associate Professor Ahmad Zahedi from the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences for organizing ANZSES Solar09 conference being held at Jupiter’s in Townsville. Around 200 delegates from industry, government and academia have come along to examine renewable and clean energy technologies. Expressing leadership in areas of importance to the University is critical for us and a focus on sustainability in this way aligns powerfully with JCU’s strategic intent. Well done Ahmad.

Cheers,
Sandra

Founders' luncheon, Open days - and the tropical agenda

Dear Colleagues,

Last Sunday was a very special day at the Cairns campus. Not only did we experience a very successful Open Day, with around 3200 visitors on campus, we hosted the ‘Founders’’ luncheon. This was an opportunity to honour members of the FNQ community who, 21 years ago, had been involved in fundraising for the purchase of the land on which our campus was built and supporting the development of JCU in Cairns.

Dr George Chapman provided the occasional address. It was interesting to hear about the group, their approach to achieving a University campus based in Cairns and, from George’s point of view, his hopes for the future of the University in Cairns.

Among other elements of the luncheon, the Chancellor and I sealed a time capsule, to be opened on the 50th anniversary of the launch of fundraising for the campus. That will be in 2038. A number of items had been placed in the capsule, including programs from current events around the city and, from the JCU’s Cairns-based law students, a list of laws that they hope they may have seen changed by 2038. It was a terrific occasion on a glorious, busy day on campus.

Tomorrow is Open Day in Townsville and I’m sure it will be just as successful as the Cairns event. Thanks to all staff who participated in the Cairns Open day and thanks also, but in advance, to all who’ll be involved tomorrow in Townsville. So important for us to showcase the University to the community – and prospective students.

Earlier in August, I spoke at Queensland’s ‘Science in Parliament’ day. The address was about the tropical agenda as one of the Next Big Things for science and for Queensland.

And while on the topic of the tropics, Queensland’s Chief Scientist Prof Peter Andrews and I recently hosted the ‘Torrid Zone Symposium’, with the much appreciated funding support of a Q150 grant from the Queensland Government. We had 43 invited participants to the 2 day event – folk from around the world and representing NGOs, business, the research community (universities, AIMS and CSIRO by means of Board member Dr Terry Cutler) and government, including an AusAID representative and Western Australia’s wonderful Chief Scientist, Professor Lyn Beazley) and members of the Troplinks Inc. Board and new CEO Graham Poon.

While all were welcome and made invaluable contributions, I must say it was fantastic to have Terry there. His focus on the tropics in the report of his review of the national innovation system, venturousaustralia, shone the spotlight on the potential of tropical solutions. Gotta love Annex 11. I know that Terry is serious about seeing this through.

It was an intense time as we examined the issues of the tropical world and then approaches to addressing these, including foreign aid, philanthropy, social entrepreneurship and business investment. A report is being drafted as I write that signals specific action that can and should be the subject of attention. Stephanie Hunter from my office did a champion job organizing the symposium, managing delegates and so much more besides.

Then, Peter Andrews and I took the tropical agenda to the Australian Leadership Retreat, run by the Australian Davos Connection (ADC) combining with the World Economic Forum. It was another excellent conversation with new ideas emerging about how to approach encouraging business to engage with the enormous opportunity of the growing tropical economy.

Much more happened this month, but maybe that enough for now……

Cheers,
Sandra

The expanding tropics, JCU in the frame, IRU and compacts

Dear Colleagues,

July 2009 saw the release of a major review paper authored by Dr Joanne Isaac and Professor Steve Turton, concluding that the tropical region of the world is expanding. Of course the lines on the map are not changing - they represent a mapping convention. However, climatically, the tropics has widened and there is every expectation that the tropical zone will continue to expand. The implications of this ‘finding’ are immense. Not the least, the issues that our University focuses upon are becoming more relevant for more of the world.

We released this review to coincide with a presentation to the United Nations Youth Association Conference where some very smart and committed university students from across Australia and abroad were encouraged to engage with the issues of the tropical world. A week or so later, our new information campaign aimed at informing the community about JCU, what we do and how well we do it, commenced. Taken together, these initiatives are helping to raise the profile of our University and have been well received. In particular, the review paper has been picked up and reported on around the world.

Professor Steve Turton has had a particularly successful time of it. The review and his media commentary in support of it, but he also led JCU’s bid to become one of seven universities worldwide to develop and offer a Masters in Development Practice, with very generous funding support from the US-based MacArthur Foundation. Other members of this international university network include NY’s Columbia University and China’s Tsinghua University. This means that we will be responsible for offering an outstanding program aimed at training development professionals for and in our part of the world. All faculties will be involved. This is an exciting prospect for us and for our students and speaks directly to our aim to build a brighter future for the tropics.

In addition to these very important developments, regular university life has continued during the month. We have had the semester break, with many academic staff taking the opportunity to take a break or change the rhythm of their work to focus on research for a while.

VCAC members attended the IRU senior staff conference at Murdoch University in Perth. The sessions canvassed a range of higher education policy issues, with presentations from senior Federal Government officials and from industry and higher education policy experts. We also provided each other with an update on progress on a number of projects being undertaken across the group. The big news of the event was the announcement that Charles Darwin University has joined IRU, adding to the geographic reach of the group, our diversity by virtue of CDU’s dual sector nature and our strength as a result of CDU’s impressive research outcomes. CDU is a pioneering institution, tracing its roots to the 1950s development of post-secondary education in the Northern Territory. We were all delighted to welcome CDU to the IRU family.

Finally, the Federal Government has released a consultation paper on ‘compacts’. An extensive consultation process will guide the implementation of this policy. As anticipated, each University will negotiate a compact – an agreement - with the Federal Government identifying a distinctive focus in education and research as well as agreed performance targets. For 2010 temporary agreements will be made with compacts being finalized during 2010 for implementation in 2011. Given the work undertaken on JCU’s strategic intent and the University Plan, we are well placed for this new era.

Cheers,
Sandra

PS... I've recently signed up to Twitter and aim to tweet on a fairly regular basis. Just so you know.....

T&L, research, external matters and farewell Scott Bowman

Dear Colleagues,

It is difficult to know where to start for this post. So much has happened in recent weeks. Here is a sample.

Outstanding teaching and learning at JCU was recognized at functions in Townsville and Cairns. The broad range of activities covered in citations for these awards for excellence represent terrific exemplars for our community and beyond. Helen McDonald of FAESS was acknowledged as the JCU Citation winner for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning for sustained research informed and imaginative curricula design, assessment and teaching resources. She was acknowledged among a strong field of academics, all of whom were recognized for their excellence in teaching and learning. Other faculty based winners are: Robyn Lunn, Peter Jones, Dr Anne Swinbourne, Dr Tracey Walker, Aileen Sorohan (FAESS); Kate Galloway, Katja Fleischmann, Dr Janelle Rose (FLBCA); Dr Suzanne Munns, Dr Marion Gray, A/Prof Tarun Sen Gupta, A/Prof Linda Crane, Ray Park, Florence Schaeffer, Yasmin Panache (FMHMS); Dr Shaun Bellwood, Dr D’Arcy Mullamphy, Dr Ronald White, Patrick Higgins, Dr Ickjai Lee (FSE).

On the research front, Prof Jon Gollege won a substantial NIRAP grant to support his leading edge work on AAA biomarkers, in collaboration with colleagues at a number of Australian universities and Stanford University. Dr Rob Beaman and Dr Nick Graham, have each received Smart Futures Fellowships. The total won for these fellowships is around $1.2m and the grants will enable high level coral reef research, in one case utilizing contemporary technologies to prepare a 3-D model of the GBR to a much greater depth and in the other to drive better understanding of reef resilience, particularly promoting reef recovery after disturbance.

Prof John Tomany and Prof Simon Marginson both visited JCU to deliver seminars to staff. John works at the Newcastle University (UK) and spends time at Monash University too. He is a specialist in regional development and provided terrific insight into the roles universities play in their regions. Simon is a very well known University of Melbourne-based expert in higher education policy. His address provided insight into the contemporary environment. A critical observation that is well worth thinking through is the likely public policy shift towards supporting more discovery-based research after a focus over the past 15 years or more on more applied research. With JCU’s particular profile, we would welcome greater balance and a focus on funding for more discovery-based research endeavours.

At the recent VCAC retreat, a wide range of issues were considered. These included, progress on the curriculum refresh, JCU’s risk management process, taking JCU’s tropical agenda forward, internal communications, future EIF bids and more. We also focused on refreshing the University Plan 2010-2012. You’ll recall that the plan was developed last year in response to the Strategic Intent. The idea is that this plan has a 3-5 year outlook. Therefore, we didn’t expect to make any significant changes to the plan for the next triennium – rather elaborating and filling in some gaps in light of its first year of operation. The 2010-2012 Plan will be signed off by VCAC on July 1 before forwarding to Council on July 9. There is no change in direction – the plan aims to give continuing effect to JCU as Australia’s University of the Tropics.

As far as some external activities are concerned, in mid-May, a JCU delegation attended the Queensland-Washington State meeting in Seattle. Participants and speakers were Prof Chris Cocklin, Dr David Ireland, Prof Alan Nimmo, Dr Patrick Schaeffer, Prof Rocky De Nys and I. All JCU presentations were well received. A few of us continued onto a meeting at Boeing in Seattle, followed by attendance for varying lengths of time at meetings associated with the BIO International meeting in Atlanta. The real work happens now, with follow up on various research and commercial opportunities. We expect a series of visitors to our campuses alongside the AusBiotech meeting in Melbourne in October.

Last week, I attended the Vice-Chancellors’ Forum organized alongside the 17th Commonwealth Education Minister’s Meeting in Malaysia as an invited speaker on the business of higher education (as opposed to higher education as a business). The presentation was well received and is available at http://www.jcu.edu.au/office/vc/presentations/index.htm . I took the opportunity to spend two days at our Singapore campus on my way home, with a number of meetings internally as well as external to campus. The campus serves JCU very well as a physical presence in Singapore and in SE Asia.

We continue to be actively involved in local, state and national developments are far as higher education and research are concerned, with a number of us involved in meetings, briefings and policy discussions in recent weeks.

Finally, this week heralds the departure of Prof Scott Bowman from JCU. He is the VC-designate of Central Queensland University and will take up his appointment on August 1. Scott has made a fantastic contribution to JCU since joining the University in 2004. He has had a variety of senior management roles and has been the University’s senior executive in Cairns. His activities resulted in a far closer and more positive set of relationships between the University and the Cairns community. Certainly, many of us will miss him, his contribution - and his wry sense of humour. Scott, all the very best for your time as VC of CQU.

Cheers,
Sandra

Budget 2009

Dear Colleagues,

Last night’s Federal Budget is a leap forward for higher education and research in Australia, with $5.6 billion committed.

It is especially pleasing that better indexation has been delivered, albeit being stepped in for full implementation in calendar year 2012.

While in the past we have received funding for particular projects or buildings, and that was very welcome too, better indexation funding, when it comes, will go straight to the bottom line. It is funding that we can apply to teaching and learning and to assist to cover the gap in increases in staff costs. More funding for universities to support low SES students is also an excellent measure, one that had been supported by us and by IRU Australia.

Students have done well with better funding ro support their studies, although this is accompanied by some tighter controls on eligibility. As part of the access and equity measures, there are additional funds to help students relocate and student start up scholarships.

The regional loadings to those universities that receive them, we do, will be examined, in accordance with Bradley’s recommendation, with a view to ensuring that the extra cost of operating in regional locations is understood and acknowledged.

Over the whole of Government, the boost in research funding of in excess of $8 billion represents the largest increase in funding to research, science and innovation since records began in the late 1970s. Moving towards full cost funding for research is just what is needed.

The only sobering note on the night for JCU was that our two EIF bids were unsuccessful. We had sought support for a new School of Education on the Douglas campus and for the Cairns Institute. We will receive official feedback on our bids and will need to see what we can learn with a view to putting in refreshed bids to EIF round 3 later this year. It seems that the fact we were looking for funding for items that did not involve collaborative partners and external funds committed may have been important. We will get the facts and look to do better next time.

There is a lot of coverage today about the good news – my blog post included. The devil is always in the detail, however, and it will be interesting to see what more we learn as the detail emerges.

Cheers,
Sandra

Money, money, money

Dear Colleagues,

Much of the talk in the sector and beyond is about the up-coming Federal Budget. Like other Australian universities, we are looking to the Government to make a funding commitment to the issues raised in the two national reviews relevant to the sector: Bradley and Cutler.

Bradley identified that Australia’s universities have been under-funded for years and both support a significant increase in funding to universities, to assist students undertake and complete their studies and to innovation. The Deputy Prime Minister has set some challenging, but attainable, targets for the sector – and that is all good. Now we look for the funding support so that we can see this through properly.

Of course, times are tough. Growing unemployment is testimony to that as are what have become regular downgrades in the performance expectations of many firms. A consensus view is apparent, predicting that Australia will go into recession, but with a lighter touch here compared with many other developed economies. In Australia, Governments are spending on infrastructure, to create jobs while creating assets, and providing funds to consumers so that they (we) will continue to spend.

Universities have benefited from around an additional $1.5 billion from the Federal Government for capital expenditure since May 2008, with $1 billion of that being shared across all universities and the remainder being granted through HEEF. This has been just terrific for the sector – and there is every reason for Government to extend this in the Federal Budget.

A recent report released by Universities Australia demonstrates that increasing funding for universities is a sound investment that will yield significant returns to the Australian economy. The report, prepared by KPMG, estimates that if the Bradley reforms are fully funded, the economic rate of return of that investment in the Australian economy is around 14-15 percent. This is a staggering number and a far better rate of return that one would expect from most investments. And KPMG modeling clearly demonstrates that better funding for universities not only assists the sector, it also provides a platform for the revitalisation of Australian economy as well. [The report is available at http://www.universitiesaustralia.edu.au/content.asp?page=/publications/policy/economic/index.htm ]

Since my last post, the Queensland Government election has been fought, with Labor securing an historic fifth term and seeing the election of the first woman Premier of any Australian State. Since then, significant changes have been made to the Queensland Public Service, with the creation of super-departments. Education and Training is a key portfolio for us, of course, but we also take a great interest in several other areas, including Health and Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. We can expect the continued roll out of the Government’s Q2 strategy, a strategy that we can work with to play our part to secure a stronger Queensland. The up-coming Queensland Budget will be just as interesting – and impactful in its consequences – as the Federal Budget. We’ll be watching that space with great interest too.

Cheers,
Sandra

JCU and the responses to Bradley and Cutler - so far

Dear Colleagues,

I have been waiting for the complete set of announcements by the Federal Government on the Bradley Review recommendations before preparing this post. While there is more to come – at Budget time if not earlier – I thought I’d share with you my thoughts on the response so far.

Let me start by saying the Government’s response is very good for James Cook University and very good for the sector and the country.

A student demand driven model is appropriate. Universities will be paid for each student who studies at that University. It means that each University will have to be clear about its particular strengths and ensure that programs are high quality and distinctive – worthy of student interest and attention.

Of course, higher education isn’t a perfect market. Professional accreditation amd associations moderate what can be offered where, and there are likely to be some rules about who offers what. Maybe the latter will be made plain through compacts agreed between universities and the Government.

Some are worried about larger metro unis expanding hugely and compromising the ability of others to attract students. I suspect a more likely response by the metro unis is to focus on quality, particularly where greater $$ per student are on offer. No matter what others’ response might be, the point for us is to continue with our curriculum refresh and ensure that our programs are high quality and distinctive – worthy of students’ attention.

The bold equity and participation targets confirmed by the Government – 40 percent of 25-34 year olds holding a bachelors degree by 2025 and 20 percent of students to come from low SES backgrounds – are good targets. They represent a worthy aspiration for our country and are likely to lead to enhanced national productivity and international competitiveness. JCU – and other universities like us (Flinders, Newcastle, La Trobe, Murdoch and Griffith) - were established to provide enhanced educational opportunity, in places that the older universities would not or could not service. Accordingly, most have always featured a high proportion of low SES students. Certainly, more than 20 percent of JCU's student body comes from low SES backgrounds. Furthermore, it is in regional Australia and in outer metro areas where the population whom we need to engage in higher education to approach these targets resides. Our University will continue to play a leading role in this.

A new regulatory agency is nothing to fear. Why would we be concerned about a rigorous test of the quality of our programs and activities? Like audits in general, the aim is to secure improvements in what we do and how we do it. I’m always very happy to accept any help we can to ensure that we are performing in an optimal way – and to secure advice about how we can improve.

Finally, the research announcements, while less specific than the education announcements, serve to confirm the Government’s concern to ensure that research excellence is pursued in Australia. We should have no argument with that either.

The challenge for the Government will be to ensure that the new approach provides the opportunity for fresh areas of research excellence to emerge in new places. The alternative would be to freeze-frame current research excellence. Imagine if that had happened in, say, the 1950s or 1980s. Much of the exciting research activity emergent since then would not have happened or perhaps would have been stillborn. I'm sure the Government is alert to this issue and the policy challenge it represents.

Of course, we don’t yet have a lot of detail. Nor do we understand the level of funding that might accompany the announcements and directions identified. And the devil is always in the detail. But from my perspective, we should warmly welcome the announcements to date and look forward to participating fully in the future of higher education in Australia.

I’ll pick up some of these themes and more in the Staff Forums planned for the end of this week in Townsville and early next in Cairns. I look forward to discussing all this and more with you then. Staff can add their thoughts to this post on our Discussion forum.

Cheers,
Sandra

First for 2009

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to academic year 2009. I’ve been back for a few weeks now, as have many in our community. Of course, there are those who worked through to progress their research in the quieter period, to ensure that we had students in place and so that our facilities would be ready for the New Year. Thanks to all those who have been working over the summer – I trust you have the opportunity for a break soon.

2009 will be a big year for higher education and for James Cook University. Most of all, this week is the opportunity to welcome new students and welcome back to campus continuing students. I think we are lucky as an industry that every year we have the opportunity to start fresh. From my perspective, the energy and enthusiasm brought to our campuses by incoming students is invigorating and a regular reminder of the importance of our activities.

Of course, there is the Global Financial Crisis. The global economy has deteriorated even since my last post in December 2008. We are in uncharted waters and it is difficult to know how long these tough times will last or to anticipate just how difficult they might become.

Interestingly, in tough times, when labour markets weaken, there is often a flight to education. Upgrading skills holds in prospect a more favourable position in the labour force. I think we may be seeing the beginning of this effect in our backyard.

Certainly, we have seen welcome, additional support for the sector from the Federal Government. As far as JCU is concerned, we received a share of an unexpected funding pool to assist with our infrastructure needs. More recently, we received some additional funding in recognition of our efforts in teaching and learning – not a huge sum, but very welcome all the same.

The Federal Government is releasing further capital funds for ‘shovel ready’ projects as part of its big infrastructure spend. The Government’s response to the Bradley and Cutler Review reports is being finalized and while the current context means there is likely to be less funding available in aggregate than there might have been, the sector continues to press the case for support. Certainly both review reports express a profound understanding of the need for additional support. The challenge will be to see that turned into reality.

So onwards, into 2009. The global context of our operation is without recent precedent. There will be challenges and opportunities for us in the current environment. But, the way I see it, our historic role endures and has become even more important. What we do matters.

Remember, there is now an intranet staff discussion site available to all. You can access this at www.jcu.edu.au/discuss . Please feel free to comment on this article, start a conversation or simply to contribute.

Cheers,
Sandra