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.....