31 August 2005
31 August 2005
One of the most accomplished cancer experts in the US, Professor Bryan Williams, will take up the directorship of the Monash Institute of Medical Research from January 2006.
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Professor Williams (pictured) is chairman of the Department of Cancer Biology at the Lerner Research Institute of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, a position he has held since 1991.
The Monash Institute of Medical Research is an initiative of Monash University and Southern Health. The institute's acting director, Professor Adrian Walker, said Professor Williams was a well-credentialled researcher who would be an exceptional leader and advocate for the institute.
"Bryan's outstanding abilities will enhance the institute's growth and prominence in research," Professor Walker said.
"His extensive skills will aid our partners in the Monash health research precinct and the university to achieve goals in both medical and biotechnology research. He is a worthy successor to the outgoing director and institute founder, Professor David de Kretser."
Professor Williams has a distinguished history in cancer research. He has worked in New Zealand, England, Canada and America, specialising in the molecular biology of tumour suppression, and focusing on the role tumour suppressor genes may play in regulating cell growth, cell maturation and programmed cell death.
He is internationally recognised for his research on Wilms Tumour -- a cancer of the kidney that primarily affects children -- and for studies on the protein kinase R, an important cellular signalling molecule.
Monash dean of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Professor Edward Byrne, said Professor Williams' appointment was an exciting development for Monash and Victoria.
"Professor Williams is one of the most outstanding scientists to be recruited to Australia in recent times," Professor Byrne said.
"This institute is already well positioned on the world stage in a number of areas, including reproductive biology. As well as providing outstanding leadership for the institute overall, Professor Williams will bring a new research strength in the field of cancer biology. Undoubtedly, under his direction MIMR will continue to go from strength to strength."
Professor Williams said he was honoured to accept the directorship.
"The institute already has an enviable world-ranking in research, and I will be privileged to work with the staff to take it forward to the next phase," he said.
31 August 2005
Senior deputy vice-chancellor Professor Stephen Parker put aside his normal duties for an afternoon last week to experience student life at Monash's Caulfield campus.
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| Professor Parker chats with his guide, Mr Andy Poon. |
His schedule reflected a normal afternoon in a student's week and gave Professor Parker an opportunity to meet Caulfield student representatives.
He started his undergraduate experience by meeting his student host, Monash University Student Union Caulfield vice-president Mr Andy Poon, who took him on a walking tour of the Caulfield campus.
Professor Parker then met students from around the campus for an exchange of views on the student experience at Caulfield.
After that, it was off to a lecture on marketing situation analysis.
Professor Parker said although some aspects of his experience brought back memories there were also some important differences, including the need for many students to undertake paid work and the level of debt incurred while a student.
During the exercise, Professor Parker identified areas for improvement that he said may not otherwise have come to the attention of senior university management.
Since last year, he has been a 'student for a day' three times, dividing his time between the Clayton and Caulfield campuses.
"We are starting to build up a picture of the everyday circumstances of Monash students, and we have identified opportunities for improvement," Professor Parker said.
"While there is clearly wonderful teaching at Monash, there are also some issues about the timeliness and usefulness of feedback on students' work and the communication skills of some teachers which need further investigation.
"I have found the students who have helped me with these exercises to be constructive, critical friends of the university, who are committed to the importance we attach to excellence in education," he said.
31 August 2005
Shadow puppetry exponent and Monash Asia Institute honorary research fellow Ms Jane (Jai) Hartnell is heading to Cambodia next month as one of Australia's Youth Ambassadors.
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| Youth ambassador and community cultural education officer with World Education/Cambodia, Ms Jane (Jai) Hartnell. |
While in Cambodia Ms Hartnell will link up with World Education and work with shadow puppetry troupes to further their professional development and financial viability.
Her 12-month trip has been funded by AusAid's Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development Program. The program places skilled young Australians aged 18 to 30 in developing countries through the Asia Pacific region for three to 12 months.
The institute and Monash's Department of Fine Arts at the Caulfield campus provided a joint submission to AusAid to fund Ms Hartnell's project.
Ms Hartnell completed a Bachelor of Fine Art (sculpture) degree in 2004, and works as a puppet maker.
This is her second trip to Cambodia. In 2004 she received the Handspan International Study and Travel grant and spent three months working with shadow puppet troupes in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, as part of the Cambodian Living Arts' annual cultural delegation.
"My role will be to assist in increasing the financial sustainability of shadow puppetry troupes, boost ongoing recognition of puppetry as an important cultural tradition and help ensure these traditions do not disappear altogether," Ms Hartnell said.
"I also plan to create and tour an educational shadow puppet show utilising traditional forms to combat contemporary problems."
The institute's director Professor Marika Vicziany said it was exciting that Jane was contributing to the further enrichment of music and traditional puppetry in Cambodia.
"This is also an excellent opportunity to develop new ideas from Cambodia with puppeteers in Australia," Professor Vicziany said. "Bringing together the international love for puppets will help keep these traditions alive."
The Monash Asia Institute has provided Jane with a video camera to compile a documentary on Cambodia's unique puppetry traditions.
Professor Bernard Hoffert, head of the Department of Fine Arts and Associate Dean External Affairs, Faculty of Art and Design, said the department was delighted at Jane's selection in the program.
"Jane's interest in Cambodia and its culture, and her passion for puppetry make her an ideal person to participate in the program," Professor Hoffert said.
"Her energy and enthusiasm as well as her sound artistic understanding will help ensure the project achieves it goals."
31 August 2005
More than 300 visitors attended Monash South Africa's Open Day last weekend, including about 130 prospective students.
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| Student volunteers at the MSA Open day on Saturday 27 August. Top from left: Bushe Sitale and Kenneth Ramakoloi; bottom from left: Sammy Njugana and Wame Kethusegile. |
The visitors attended introductory presentations about the campus and were taken on tours by student volunteers. Students also staffed tables where they provided information on the clubs and recreational activities available at Monash.
Visitors had discussions with academic and administrative staff about the different degree, study and residence options. They were also able to watch Monash South Africa sporting teams in action with basketball, volleyball and soccer matches played against teams from the Midrand Graduate Institute.
Community Services was a popular venue where prospective students undertook an online career assessment followed by a personal interview and analysis of their results.
Monash South Africa marketing manager Mr Andre Lubbe said he had been impressed with the quality of the prospective students.
31 August 2005
Four Monash staff have received national bravery awards for their courage during the tragic shooting at the Clayton campus in October 2002.
Econometrics lecturer Dr Lee Gordon-Brown was awarded the Star of Courage Medal, and Mr Alistair Boast, who was an honours student and tutor at the time, received a Bravery Medal.
Associate Professor Brett Inder and econometrics tutor Mr Bradley Thompson also received commendations in the Australian Bravery Decorations announced by the Governor-General on Monday 29 August.
31 August 2005
Monash last week continued preparations for the introduction of the federal government's Research Quality Framework with a series of information sessions on the framework and the UK's Research Assessment Exercise.
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| From left: Professor Edwina Cornish, Dr Robin Jackson and Ms Nicola Sainsbury. |
The government is developing the framework - as part of its Backing Australia's Ability II package - to assess the quality and impact of publicly-funded research. It is expected to be introduced in 2007/2008.
Monash staff received briefings from Dr Anne Bryne, director of the Department of Education, Science and Training's Research Quality Assessment Framework Team; Dr Robin Jackson from the Higher Education Funding Council for England and Ms Nicola Sainsbury from the Quality Assurance Office at King's College London.
Deputy vice-chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish said the briefings helped prepare the Monash community for the framework's introduction.
"Monash supports the development of a framework that will ensure Australia maintains and enhances the international standing of its research," Professor Cornish said. "If, as a country, we do not continue to maintain a commitment to supporting research that is of an international standard in terms of excellence, future generations will not have the capacity to compete internationally.
"The other main objective for introducing it is to provide a mechanism to assure the Australian community and Commonwealth Government that appropriate returns on investment are resulting from their investment in research."
31 August 2005
The Monash Asia Institute has facilitated the donation of almost 1100 books to the University of Kabul library in Afghanistan.
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| Books for Kabul team of volunteer packers. Back row (from left): Mr Ahmad Sarmast, Ms Jowati Juhary, Mr David Treisman, Mr David Templeman, Mr Dinesh Kumar. Front row (from left): Ms Jimaima Lako, Mr Guibin Zhang, Mr Sanjeev Veloo. |
The institute's director Professor Marika Vicziany saved the books from the Faculty of Business and Economics' Donald Cochrane Library at the Clayton campus when it was undergoing refurbishment in 2003.
The duplicate books include journals and other publications covering economics, politics, foreign policy and the social sciences. They were stored at the institute until a way of delivering them to Afghanistan could be found.
This problem was solved through Mr Ahmad Sarmast who recently completed a doctorate on the music of Afghanistan at Monash's School of Music-Conservatorium, and who is now an honorary research associate at the institute and the school.
Mr Sarmast, a central Asia musicologist and the son of Afghanistan's most famous musician -- Ustad Mohammad Salim Sarmast - is well connected in Melbourne's Afghan community. He made contact with Dr Nouria Salehi at Afghan Volunteers Australia and the shipment was quickly organised.
Over a week, institute postgraduate students and research fellows worked as volunteers, packing 108 boxes of books.
The boxes were dispatched last week, loaded into a container bound for Afghanistan via Iran. The journey is expected to take between two and nine months.
Professor Vicziany said the University of Kabul library was completely destroyed during the rule of the Taliban and subsequent bombings. "This is an opportunity to help rebuild Afghanistan and make a difference by nurturing cultures that became divided," she said.
"Most of these publications, which date from the 1960s, can no longer be bought and are not available on CD Rom, which makes them even more valuable."
Mr Sarmast said the books would be greatly appreciated by the University of Kabul's library.
"They have very little over there and will be very happy to receive the books," he said.
Mr Sarmast, a musicologist and musician who plays trumpet and piano, is working on a joint project with the Monash Asia Institute, the Monash Science Centre and the School of Music-Conservatorium to establish a centre in Kabul for the revival of music in Afghanistan.
31 August 2005
Monash is one of three universities to lead a new centre aimed at driving financial research in Melbourne.
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| Professor Godfrey with Mr Haermeyer at the launch of the Melbourne Centre for Financial Studies. |
The Melbourne Centre for Financial Studies was launched by the Victorian Minister for Financial Services, Mr Andre Haermeyer, earlier this month.
The centre is led by Monash, the University of Melbourne and RMIT University.
Mr Haermeyer said it would enhance Victoria's international reputation for innovative financial services and a skilled and educated workforce.
The consortium will drive research in financial studies, including banking and financial services, Australian and Asia-Pacific financial markets, funds management and derivatives and tradeable markets.
The centre will be at 330 Collins Street, Melbourne -- close to many high-profile and well-known financial services organisations.
Monash's consortium representative and head of the Department of Accounting and Finance, Professor Jayne Godfrey, said the department was proud to continue linking finance and accounting with high-quality research, consulting and training.
"The centre is part of the Victorian government's plan to showcase Melbourne as a leader in financial research," she said.
"It will be an outstanding collegial venture with our colleagues at the University of Melbourne and RMIT.
"The consortium will open doors for sponsorship and contract research opportunities.
"We will also work with the government and businesses to shape the research agenda of the centre and ensure Melbourne's place as the financial centre for the region is firmly established," she said.
The centre's research activities will be overseen by an advisory board that will include senior representation from the financial services industry.
31 August 2005
Professor Bernadette McSherry, Monash Law School associate dean (research) and holder of the Louis Waller Chair of Law, has presented the chair's inaugural lecture.
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| Professor McSherry (left) with Professor Waller. |
The chair was created at the start of this year, and Professor McSherry was appointed to the position, named in honour of Emeritus Professor Louis Waller.
Professor Waller has been a professor at the Monash Law School since 1965 and continues to teach as an honorary lecturer. He was dean of the faculty from 1968 to 1970 and was the longest serving professor in the Faculty of Law when he retired from the Sir Leo Cussen Chair of Law in 2000.
The title of Professor McSherry's lecture, 'Sex, drugs and evil souls: is preventive detention justifiable?', reflects her interest in an area she has researched extensively and is passionate about.
Preventive detention enables certain individuals to be detained for the perceived protection of the community, even when they have not committed a crime. These include people with mental illnesses or infectious diseases and the detention of certain 'dangerous prisoners' after the expiry of their sentence.
Professor McSherry discussed the controversial policies underlying preventive detention and asked whether such detention could ever be justified.
She said it was an enormous honour and pleasure to present the lecture. "I can't thank Louis enough for the mentorship he has provided and for being such a good role model," she said.
Professor Waller said Professor McSherry made a deep impression on everyone who met her, heard her speak or read what she had written.
"During her time at Monash, Bernadette has made an outstanding contribution to teaching, research and community service," Professor Waller said.
"These are the three principal responsibilities of a university, and Bernadette has excelled in all of them."
31 August 2005
The chair of the Aboriginal Committee of The Victorian Bar Mr Colin Golvan SC has visited Monash to speak to Law faculty staff and Indigenous students about the The Victorian Bar Aboriginal Law Students Mentoring Program.
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| Monash Law student Mr Matt Hansen (right) discusses The Victorian Bar Aboriginal Law Students Mentoring Program with Mr Golvan. |
The program is available to Aboriginal law students in Victoria. It links students with practising barristers to encourage undergraduates to practise law upon graduation and consider a career as a barrister.
Mr Golvan said the program aimed to build the confidence of Indigenous law students and make them aware of the options available to them.
"The mentoring program is designed to introduce students to the Bar and dispel any misconceptions they may hold," Mr Golvan said.
"Aboriginal graduates typically go into government and communal legal positions - which are important roles - but we would also like to see more Aboriginal students become barristers, because it's an important springboard for senior positions in the legal profession, including judicial appointment."
Mr Golvan said the program assigned students to a barrister working in their area of interest.
"Students can join the program at any stage during their degree and all participants have been very enthusiastic about their experiences," he said.
"They are given the opportunity to work with barristers in and out of court and become familiar with the day-to-day work of a practising lawyer.
"Students can also use their mentor to assist with study issues and as a point of contact in the profession, helping to build valuable networks."
Monash Arts/Law student and program participant Mr Matt Hansen said the mentoring program was a valuable experience through which he was able to participate in court appearances.
31 August 2005
Monash University Malaysia's Professor Serge Demidenko has been selected as a Distinguished Visitor Program speaker for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Computer Society in the Asia Pacific region.
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Professor Demidenko (pictured) joined Monash in 2003 as the chair of electrical and computer systems engineering. He is among 15 specialists who have been appointed to the program to serve the engineering community in the Asia Pacific through public talks, presentations, seminars and intellectual discussions.
The program is organised and supported by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering -- the world's largest technical professional association.
Professor Demidenko described his three-year appointment to the program as a great honour, as those chosen were recognised authorities in their respective fields.
With more than 25 years of research, academic and industrial experience, Professor Demidenko has had his work presented in more than 100 publications including several books. He has also developed a number of technological innovations adopted by industry and holds 25 patents for new algorithms, devices and systems in the fields of electronic design, testing, signal processing and computing.
31 August 2005
An Iraqi television crew has visited Monash as part of an Australian visit organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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| Mr Ali Hasan interviews Mr Frank Winston, the manager of the Hydraulics Structures Laboratory in Civil Engineering. |
The group, from Al-Hurra Television, was invited by the federal department under its International Media Visits Program. It was headed by one of Iraq's leading news and current affairs correspondents, Mr Ali Hasan.
Al-Hurra means 'the free' and the broadcasting organisation was established after the fall of Saddam Hussein.
Mr Hasan interviewed vice-chancellor Professor Richard Larkins before the group visited the Faculty of Engineering where it was greeted by Engineering associate dean Dr Yi-Bing Cheng and Civil Engineering senior lecturer Dr Riadh Al-Mahaidi.
"The crew met the two Iraqi Endeavour Research Fellows (who are funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training) we have working in the Faculty of Engineering, and had the opportunity to see our laboratories and other research capabilities," Dr Al-Mahaidi said.
"The purpose of their trip was to report on Australia and to increase an understanding of, and support for, our foreign and trade initiatives. It was also to provide opportunities to increase their understanding of contemporary Australia."
The Al-Hurra visit included meetings with three Australian federal ministers and companies in Perth, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. The group visited Monash on 16 August.