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Issue 6, Monday 28
August 2005 |
DEST success for Peninsula academic
Peninsula campus IT academic Dr Asad Khan has been part of a
successful consortium that was recently awarded $3.2 million in Department
of Education, Science and Training funding.
The successful project, Dataset Acquisition, Accessibility and Annotation
e-Research Technologies (DART), will develop technology that will provide
better access to research data and encourage research collaboration.
As well as Dr Khan from the Peninsula School of Information Technology,
the multidisciplinary research team includes bid team leader Dr Andrew
Treloar from Monash ITS and colleagues
from James Cook University, University of Queensland and the CRC for
Enterprise Distributed Systems Technology.
Dr Khan's component of the grant is valued at $247,500, which will be
utilised to build upon the Sun Fire
Grid infrastructure, which was established through a prestigious industrial
grant from Alphawest and Sun Microsystems in 2004.
According to Dr Khan
the DART project will draw upon the diverse needs and discipline
perspectives of various research communities.
"By leveraging expertise in marine
science and sensor grids, expertise in distributed systems, database
research and large data set management, DART will provide solutions
to deal with the life cycle of a research project," he said.
The DART project was awarded the grant by the DEST Research Information
Infrastructure Framework for Australian Higher Education "as a strategically
important project of interest to many institutions who are taking up the
challenge of e-Research".
Boosting Collaborative Research opportunities on
campus
Following the campus's successful Research Collaboration day held at
Morning Star Winery in July, representatives
from all faculties
and centres
outlined a range of collaborative research opportunities.
Issues
that need to be
addressed in order to achieve the
desired outcomes were sought and categorised under nine topic headings.
The content and progress on each of these is outlined below:
|
CATEGORY |
IDEAS |
PROGRESS |
| Research support at Peninsula |
Examples include the availability of
methodological expertise, research office support with grants |
MRGS is seeking university funding to
support initiatives in this area, and the Academic Director has
supported the proposal. |
| Establishment of a 'Wellness'
Research Centre/Institute |
The establishment of this type of
organisation was seen as key to providing a distinctive direction to
research at the campus. The exact nature and coverage of the centre was
still to be determined. |
The establishment of the centre would
be a priority of the Research Director. An appointment is expected to be
made in the near future. |
| A conference to build up knowledge
on the integration of research into courses |
Expressions of interest
from staff interested in assisting in the organisation of the seminar
have been canvassed and the inaugural meeting is to be held on 30
August. |
| A place and a process to develop
and explore collaborative ideas |
A range of suggestions were raised
under this broad banner including crossfire, bulletin boards, physical
space (Seahorse), morning tea, space in the
time table, improved catering support (Chinese cook, noodle trolley,
cappuccino cart) and a 'Speed dating'
forum (for collaboration and methodological engagement) to include
Peninsula and external people |
It was
decided that the way forward was to build on the research seminar
program by having 1-2
pm on Monday's timetable
free in 2006
Have an
activity every week, or simply encourage a get together (starting 1
September)
Meet in
the Seahorse tavern (back room) and bring
lunch |
| Running or hosting research
conferences at the campus |
This suggestion included the running
of local conferences by HDR students (and their supervisors), noting
that MRGS had funds for this type of activity. |
The campus would provide support if
opportunities arose. |
| Developing a higher profile for
campus research |
Suggestions included a campus
research report, advertorial in local paper, web-page links (noting that
a structure is needed), and research and posters and brochures around
the campus (e.g. library). It was noted that resources/research officer
are needed to support this activity. |
It was agreed to progress this item
on two fronts. Firstly faculties and centres could make use of space
(library and cafeteria) on an ad hoc basis, and secondly a research
communications plan would be developed to identify priorities and
opportunities |
| Research directory |
This idea was that a directory
indicating the availability of research material could be developed
based on a health services directory developed in IT. |
Further investigation indicates that
the Monash Research Directory has the propensity to meet most of the
requirements discussed and this option would be pursued. |
Preparation
for the implementation of the Research Quality Framework (RQF) |
This item noted the upcoming
introduction of an RQF, which would determine how research funds were
allocated. |
This item will be followed up with
Professor Max King (MRGS) when the details of the RQF are known. |
| Internships and professional
education |
This idea covered the holding of
professional practice education workshop or conference that explored a
range of issues in relation to exposing students to professional
practice – work placements, internships, site visits. |
An initial meeting of a steering
group has taken place and the seminar is proposed for November. The
first workshop, probably half a day would be aimed at generating a
common understanding of how different areas deal with issues in this
space. |
Lunchtime research seminar series
In line with facilitating collaborative research opportunities on
campus, a range of seminars have been scheduled. All seminars will
be held in the Seahorse tavern from 1-2 pm on the date indicated. BYO
lunch.
|
Date |
Topic and Speaker |
|
5
September |
'Tips for
submitting grant applications', by Professor
Graeme Shanks |
|
12
September |
Dr Linda Dawson,
topic to be advised |
|
19 September |
'Oestrus
cycle of the sugar glider', by Dr Wayne
Sturrock |
|
26 September
26 September |
Semester Break - No formal
topic but an opportunity to get together |
| 3 October |
'Issues
for PhD and Masters Supervision', by Professor Max King |
| 10 October |
'Measurement
properties of the Development Test of Visual Motor Integration: An
application of the Rasch Measurement Model',
by Dr Ted Brown |
Equal Opportunity training
The Equity and Diversity Centre offers regular workshops on equal
opportunity rights and responsibilities to staff on all Victorian campuses.
These workshops are designed to challenge and inform participants and
provide insights into appropriate response when sensitive issues arise.
Consider the following:
Do you know what kinds of discrimination are unlawful?
- What are the university's obligations under the Disability
- Discrimination Act? Are there implications for staff and students?
- Are you aware that the legal test for sexual harassment does not
require intent (or even knowledge of the harassment) by the harasser?
- What would you do if you became aware of someone's experience of
discrimination, sexual harassment or vilification in your area?
These issues and others are covered in the training.
The Equity and Diversity Centre also coordinates a network of
Discrimination and Harassment Grievance Advisers who support students and
staff with any equal opportunity concerns.
Peninsula campus in particular is currently under resourced due to the
recent departure of three advisers and any staff who may be interested in
this role are encouraged to attend the following workshop in September.
Workshop Details
NAME: Equal Opportunity: What you need to know
WHEN: Tuesday 13 September
VENUE: Conference Room
TIME: 10 am to 1 pm
Morning tea will be provided.
If you have any questions about the training or would like to enrol,
please contact Leah Zaks.
For more information about the training visit the
Equity and Diversity website.
First aid training
Do you need to update your first aid skills? Have
you registered yet for the First Aid Level 2 Course scheduled for September
at the Peninsula campus.
Participants will be trained in general emergency
first aid procedures and management of common injuries and minor disorders
such as cuts, fractures, burns, bruises and sprains. Participants will be
asked to complete an examination on day two of the
course.
Details of the course are as follows:
- WHEN: Wednesday 7 and Friday 9 September
2005
- TIME: 8.30
am to 4.30 pm
Those wishing to attend should complete the
slip
attached and fax it to
extn 52580
no later than Wednesday, 31st August 2005. Details confirming
enrolment and venue etc. will be provided prior to course commencement.
Monash Peninsula Staff Social Club news
Following the Monash Peninsula Staff Social Club Annual General
Meeting, a new committee has been elected as follows:
- President - Sue Schuwalow (Business and Economics).
- Vice President - Rod Rodway (Security)
- Treasurer - Pauline Nelson (Mailroom)
- Secretary - Judy Hopley (Library)
- Committee members - Michael Mirra (Mail Room), Andrew Healy (Monyx
Food and Beverage), James Anderson (Student Residences), Jenny McGrath
(Nursing and Health Sciences), Julie Baxter (Campus Administration)
The first activity planned by the staff social club will be a 'Step into
Spring' BBQ combined with a membership drive on Thursday 1 September.
Membership for the social club has remained the same as last year at $15
per person, $20 for a family and $10 for students. Anyone who joins up on
Thursday will go in the draw to win two Village cinema tickets
This is a great opportunity to take a break from your desk and catch up
with other staff and students on campus. The cost of the BBQ is only $2 per
head and it will be held in the conference room from 12 noon.
Peninsula notes
Free conference tables and chairs
The student Union has the following table and chairs to give away.
- 4 tables, 118cm x 248cm
- 16 chairs with arms and castors
- 2 visitors chairs (no arms or castors)
First come, first served. Available to anyone who can collect them no
later than Wednesday 14 September (Week 9).
Authorised by the Office of the Academic
Director -
Peninsula
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