7 December 2005
7 December 2005
Monash University has received $4.591 million under the Australian Government's 2006 Learning and Teaching Performance Fund.
Australia's universities were assessed on the basis of their undergraduate students' employment outcomes or further full-time study, student satisfaction, attrition rates and student progress.
Monash was recognised as a university with high achievement in teaching and learning.
Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker welcomed the funding.
"I'm pleased that this high achievement of Monash has been recognised," Professor Parker said. "The funding will be applied towards further improving the education we provide at Monash.
"Now that we have comprehensive unit evaluation and the Monash Experience Questionnaire I believe we can target certain areas, which will ensure we remain one of the best universities at research-led teaching."
7 December 2005
Monash researchers have been awarded training fellowships, scholarships and enabling grants worth almost $7 million in the latest round of National Health and Medical Research Council funding.
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Researchers from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and the Victorian College of Pharmacy were represented in the funding in which 19 Monash researchers received training fellowships, 11 received scholarships and one researcher received an enabling grant.
Associate Professor Rachelle Buchbinder, from the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, received the enabling grant, worth $1.25 million, to set up an Australian Rheumatology Association database.
Ms Lauren Ely (pictured) from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, who earlier this year received a Victorian Premier's Award for Medical Research, received a $312,428 CJ Martin (Overseas) Fellowship to study the structural basis of gamma-delta T-cell receptor recognition. These immune receptors help protect the body from infection and tumour growth.
Ms Ely will spend two years at Stanford University and will then return to complete the study at Monash.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish congratulated the recipients.
"Monash staff are working at the forefront of medical research in a wide range of areas, and the breadth of funding received this round is indicative of the vast array of research being undertaken," Professor Cornish said.
"Monash has also been successful in attracting eight people to the university who have been awarded fellowships or scholarships in this round. It is great to have these new researchers joining the university."
Nine researchers are on the fellowships reserve list and may be awarded fellowships in coming months.
7 December 2005
A new exhibition featuring the favourite works of 25 Monash academics chosen from the university collection is now on show.
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| Fred Williams, Portrait of Sir Louis Matheson 1976 oil on canvas, Monash University Collection, Commissioned 1976. |
Extra-Aesthetic: 25 views of the Monash University Collection is on display at the Monash University Museum of Art, Clayton, and the Faculty Gallery, Art and Design building, Caulfield.
Museum Artistic Director Mr Max Delany said 25 academics from disciplines across the university were selected to choose and write about works from the collection.
Associate Professor Sally Joy (Business and Economics), Dr Jon McCormack (Information Technology), Professor Alan Trounson (Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences) and Ms Julie Adams (Art and Design) were among those to take part.
Mr Delany said the exhibition provided a vivid representation of the range of research occurring at Monash and highlighted the scope and breadth of the Monash University collection.
"The exhibition offers new perspectives on the collection, which is a leading representation of contemporary Australian art since the sixties," he said.
"It comprises 25 mini-exhibitions, selected by leading academics at Monash, who have been given carte-blanche to explore the collection from the standpoint of diverse disciplines, from cyber culture to cloning, history to psychoanalysis, information technology to artificial intelligence, Indigenous studies and the law."
To coincide with the exhibition, the Monash University Museum of Art has published an extensive catalogue, featuring participants' responses to the works, with an introductory essay by MUMA's Assistant Curator -- Collection, Ms Kirrily Hammond.
The exhibition can be viewed from 1 to 17 December 2005 and 1 February to 25 March 2006 at building 55, Clayton campus, on Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturdays from 2 pm to 5 pm.
It will also be at the Faculty Gallery, Caulfield campus, from 1 to 21 December 2005 and 3 January to 8 March 2006, Mondays to Fridays from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturdays from 1 pm to 5 pm.
7 December 2005
Three Monash University scholars have been elected to the Australian Academy of the Humanities.
Professor Constant Mews, Director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Theology, and Dr Kate Rigby and Professor Andrew Benjamin from the Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, were among 17 scholars to be elected Fellows last month.
Fellows elected to the academy, which is based in Canberra, are considered to have achieved the highest distinction in scholarship in the humanities in Australia.
Professor Mews is an eminent medievalist who has earned acclaim in a wide range of fields, from the history of 12th-century logic to the famous relationship between Abelard and Heloise and Germanic monastic culture.
He said it was an honour to be invited to join such an illustrious academy. "It is vital to fight for the cause of the humanities in our society."
Dr Rigby, Director of the Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, also said she was honoured to be admitted to the Academy of the Humanities.
"I see it as an acknowledgement of the high regard in which my contribution to research in my field is held, both nationally and internationally," she said.
Dr Rigby said membership of the academy would mean further opportunities for collaboration with other scholars in the humanities, across a wide variety of fields.
"This is especially valuable for me, as my own work is highly interdisciplinary, bridging German studies, comparative literature and religious studies, and particularly in the emerging field of the ecological humanities," she said.
Dr Rigby has co-authored a volume of essays with Professor Mews, although neither knew that the other was being nominated to the academy.
Professor Benjamin is an adjunct professor at the Centre for Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies but holds a full-time appointment at the University of Technology in Sydney.
The Australian Academy of the Humanities is a not-for-profit organisation incorporated by Royal Charter. Formed in 1969, its primary goal is to promote the interests of the humanities in Australia.
7 December 2005
Monash's Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences has recognised the contributions of two eminent scientists with the inaugural presentation of the David de Kretser Medal to Professor John Murtagh, and the Lifetime Achievement Medal to Professor Fiona Stanley.
The awards recognise contribution to the faculty and to medical science generally.
The David de Kretser Medal -- named for Professor David de Kretser, who has been involved in the faculty since 1969 when he received his medical doctorate -- is awarded in honour of exceptional contribution to the faculty's operation over a significant period.
The Lifetime Achievement Medal recognises an outstanding contribution, both nationally and internationally, to human health and wellbeing.
Professor Murtagh graduated from the university's first MB BS class in 1966 and has since been a teacher and mentor to successive generations of students. He has made a significant contribution to the education of general practitioners and is author of the seminal text General Practice. Although now retired, Professor Murtagh is still active in the Department of General Practice and continues to deliver annually the general practitioners update course.
Professor Fiona Stanley is a passionate advocate for the health and wellbeing of children. She is the Foundation Director of the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and discovered the role of folic acid in preventing spina bifida in babies. Professor Stanley was voted Australian of the Year in 2003 and was named a Companion in the Order of Australia in 1996.
Faculty Dean Professor Ed Byrne said he was pleased to acknowledge the dedication of talented people in such an auspicious way and was delighted that the Faculty Board had agreed to name one of the medals in honour of Professor de Kretser.
"David has been one of the faculty's most significant contributors in a field comprising many talented academics, researchers and practitioners," Professor Byrne said.
"He has had a long and productive association with the faculty spanning more than three decades, and he has been one of our most prolific, pioneering researchers. His groundbreaking work on human reproduction and development and his tireless efforts as director of the Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development and, more recently, the Monash Institute of Medical Research, have given a special legacy to our faculty community.
"I can think of no more appropriate person, one who so aptly epitomises the spirit expressed by this award, than David de Kretser, which is why we are so proud to name the award in his honour."
7 December 2005
Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins presented the university's inaugural Equity and Diversity Awards earlier this week at a ceremony at the Clayton campus.
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| Standing, from left: Ms Leah Weston, Ms Sue Brown, student Mr Vincent Tshikwat Mbav, student Mr Irving Taylor, Professor Richard Larkins, student Mr Andrew Nattestad, Ms Ann-Maree Nobelius, Dr Marian Collis, student Ms Jennifer Willcock, Professor Margaret Clayton and student Ms Marianna Linnik. Seated, from left: Dr Jo Wainer, Associate Professor Frank Fisher, Associate Professor Marlene Drysdale and Ms June Hearn who represented the Monash University Council at the awards. |
The awards, with a total value of $10,000, were awarded to academic and general staff and two student groups.
Professor Larkins said the awards sought to acknowledge and recognise the efforts of people in the Monash community who had made a significant contribution to the enhancement of equity and diversity principles through initiatives at work and community activities.
Individual recipients were:
The Indigenous Health Unit in the School of Rural Health received a team award that was accepted by Associate Professor Marlene Drysdale.
Students from the Monash Student Association's welfare group and engineering students from the Monash University chapter of the international volunteer organisation, Engineers without Borders, shared in a $5500 prize for establishing a program that restores discarded computers and provides them to financially disadvantaged students.
For full details of the winners of this year's Equity and Diversity Awards visit the Equity and Diversity Awards website.
7 December 2005
Monash academic Dr Henry Linger from the Caulfield School of Information Technology has been awarded the inaugural Bill Kent Prato Research Fellowship.
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| Dr Henry Linger (left) with Professor Bill Kent and Professor Merran Evans. |
The fellowship was established in honour of the Founding Director of the Monash Prato Centre, Professor Bill Kent, and is aimed at nurturing Monash research staff and deepening the university's engagement with Europe.
Professor Kent and Professor Merran Evans, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Planning), congratulated Dr Linger at last week's presentation.
Dr Linger will use the fellowship funding of up to $10,000 to hold a two-day workshop and two-week summer school on natural and artificial immune systems in Prato next August.
He said the sessions would explore the interaction between immunology and computer science and the synergy between the two disciplines.
"We will look at if and how we can apply what we know about the human immune system to computer networks," he said.
"This will allow us to see if we are able to conduct simulation experiments in both domains to benefit and advance research in immunology and computer science."
Dr Linger, who has strong links with the University of Milan, said he was honoured to receive the fellowship.
"It is a great opportunity to receive this level of funding to be used specifically for an international initiative," he said.
7 December 2005
Monash Education faculty staff will train primary and secondary educators in New South Wales under an agreement signed with that state's Department of Education.
Monash won an open tender bid to deliver re-training programs for special and inclusive education teachers. The training programs will start in second semester 2006.
The trainees will gain a Postgraduate Diploma of Education (Special and Inclusive) through the course, which will be delivered at venues in Sydney and NSW regional TAFE colleges.
The training will be a supported distance education model, and will include intensive face-to-face teaching and online tutorials and other resources.
The Development Manager of the Education faculty, Ms Sarah Newton, said the NSW Department of Education chose Monash because it sought a new model based on leading-edge research and flexible delivery and methodology.
"They liked the fact that we underpin the whole delivery with an action research model that allows trainees to receive practice work and participate in research," Ms Newton said. "So it is not just learning, but reflecting on and applying what they have learnt. There is continuous improvement through researching their organisational approaches and their own practice.
"Our model of inclusive education aims to integrate students with diverse needs into mainstream education so they can become productive in school and in the wider community."
The delivery team is headed by Krongold Centre Director Professor Dennis Moore and includes special education lecturer Dr Umesh Sharma and senior lecturer Dr Joanne Deppeler.
7 December 2005
Monash will establish a world-leading biomedical research facility with an Australian Research Council grant worth $1.3 million.
The ARC Linkage Infrastructure and Equipment grant of $1.3 million, plus matching funds of $1.2 million from Monash and Melbourne universities, will fund the Biomedical Engineering Sensing and Imaging facility centred at the Clayton campus.
The new facility is funded by the largest of five ARC grants, worth a total of $2.5 million, awarded to Monash last month.
The facility will be operated by the university's Biomedical Engineering Technology Alliance, a body established early this year under the direction of Professor Kerry Hourigan of the Engineering faculty, in collaboration with Professor Warwick Anderson, Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences, in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Services.
Professor Hourigan said the facility would consolidate its position as a national leader in biomedical engineering and strengthen collaboration in biomedical engineering -- a field where micro- and nano-engineering and medical research join forces.
"It will be the only national facility for leading engineering and medical researchers to undertake multidisciplinary research into live and model biological systems," Professor Hourigan said.
"It will foster multidisciplinary teams of medical and engineering researchers to develop innovative processes and technology for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, for patient rehabilitation, and for improving health. It will build on a number of existing research strengths and resources across the participating universities as well as the CSIRO and hospital-based research groups."
The other Monash projects to receive ARC Linkage Infrastructure and Equipment grants were:
For more information about the biomedical research facility, visit www.mubeta.monash.edu.au.
7 December 2005
A two-day international conference on Islam co-hosted by Monash and Deakin universities last month attracted world authorities on Islam Professor James Piscatori and Professor Bassam Tibi as keynote speakers.
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| Professor James Piscatori (left) and Dr Shahram Akbarzadeh. |
Professor Piscatori is from the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies and Wadham College at London's Oxford University, and Professor Tibi, a leading expert on Islam in the West and the Arab world, is from the University of Goettingen.
The conference, 'Islam, human security and xenophobia', was held at the Arts Centre in Melbourne and focused on Muslim responses to increasing political, social and security challenges.
More than 120 delegates attended the conference, co-organised by Monash School of Political and Social Inquiry senior lecturer Dr Shahram Akbarzadeh.
Dr Akbarzadeh said he was extremely pleased with the interest in the conference and the quality of the papers presented.
"The conference explored the growing role of Islam in world politics and the impact this is having on the Muslim population as well as on Western countries with major Muslim populations," Dr Akbarzadeh said.
"It was particularly pleasing that prominent international scholars such as Professor Piscatori were able to speak at the conference and offer their insights.
"Both Professor Piscatori and Professor Tibi said we can't always blame the West for all of the misfortunes and that Muslims have to look at themselves. Muslims also have a history of xenophobia, so it works both ways."
Dr Akbarzadeh said a flow-on benefit from the conference was the opportunity for Monash to be involved in more collaborative work.
Professor Piscatori will be coming to Monash in 2006 to present a series of lectures. A book based on papers from the conference will also be published.
7 December 2005
Monash researchers have received more than $140,000 in funding through the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund.
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Dr Britt Klein (pictured), Mr David Austin and Dr Litza Kiropoulos from the Department of General Practice were awarded almost $55,000 to develop an online treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
The grant will fund the first year of the study, during which the researchers will also evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment on 40 patients.
The online treatment will also look at issues associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, including drug and alcohol use, sleeping problems, depression, panic and stress management.
The study builds on a Department of General Practice project that is testing the effectiveness of online treatments for panic disorder.
Professor Jayashri Kulkarni, Director of the Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, which coordinates research between the hospital and the university, also received $33,500 to study best practice in the management of psychosis in pregnancy.
Professor Kulkarni has established a register of pregnant women who have been prescribed medication for psychosis and will monitor the effects of medication on the pregnancy, the newborn child and the child's development.
Ms Julia Ellis from the Department of Physiology and Mr Timothy Silk from the School of Psychology, Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine were each awarded $26,000 Ian Scott Fellowships under the grant scheme.
Ms Ellis received the fellowship for her project 'Nicotinic neuroreceptor imaging with PET in normal ageing and Alzheimer's disease', Mr Silk's project is investigating brain function in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
7 December 2005
A new teaching resource developed by the Centre for Developmental Disability Health Victoria at Monash will help medical students and health professionals learn how to better treat people with developmental disabilities.
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| Clockwise, from left: Jacqui, Dr Mary Burbidge, Associate Professor Robert Davis, Dr Jane Tracy and Sara. |
The Healthcare Scenarios in Developmental Disability Medicine CD-ROM was developed by Dr Jane Tracy and Dr Mary Burbidge, from the centre, in collaboration with the Centre for Learning and Teaching Support (CeLTS).
It was launched recently by Professor Brian Howe, a former deputy prime minister (1991--95) and member of the Federal Cabinet (1984--96).
The CD-ROM gives four scenarios of doctors consulting patients with different healthcare problems. The scenarios feature people with intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and dual disability.
The scenarios aim to help medical students and healthcare professionals communicate more effectively with people with disabilities so their care can be better managed.
The CD-ROM is designed for undergraduate students at Monash and the University of Melbourne, but Dr Tracy emphasised it was equally relevant to graduates, registrars and practising doctors, as well as to other healthcare professionals.
"It enables all students to 'meet' people with a developmental disability and to gain a better understanding of how people with these disabilities often present to doctors and the specific communication skills required," Dr Tracy said.
"Research has demonstrated that positive personal experiences with people with disabilities can have a powerful influence on students' attitudes and increase their comfort and confidence in working with this group of patients.
"In the past, it has not been possible to provide experiences of this kind to each of the more than 450 Victorian medical graduates each year. Now it is possible, through this CD-ROM."
For more information on the CD-ROM, or to purchase a copy, contact the Centre for Developmental Disability Health Victoria on +61 3 9564 7511 or email cddh@med.monash.edu.au.
7 December 2005
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| From left: Zeppelin University representatives Dr Gary Anderson, Head of International Office; Professor Stephan Jansen, President; Ms Chembo Guo, International Office/Foreign Affairs; and Professor Peter Schelluch, Monash South Africa Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor. |
Representatives from Germany's Zeppelin University last week visited Monash South Africa to establish a relationship between the two institutions.
Zeppelin is a small private university supported by private and corporate donations, tuition fees and academic consulting. It has partnerships with more than a dozen foreign universities and is establishing cooperative relationships with universities in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India and the US.
Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor at Monash South Africa Professor Peter Schelluch said he looked forward to establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with Zeppelin University that would promote student exchanges, cooperation in research and teaching, and university development.
Zeppelin President Professor Stephan Jansen said potential partner universities should offer a multidisciplinary curriculum; foster an excellent mentoring relationship between students, faculty and staff; have overlapping research interests; and stress innovative university ideas and processes.
7 December 2005
Former World Trade Organisation Director-General Mr Mike Moore last week discussed prospects for the WTO and the future of global trade liberalisation at the Sixth Annual Monash University APEC Lecture.
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| From left: Mr Mike Moore, Professor Alan Oxley, Executive Chairman of the Australian APEC Study Centre and Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins. |
In an address to almost 100 delegates at the Sofitel Melbourne, Mr Moore said there was a real risk key world trade talks to be held in Hong Kong next week could collapse or result in nations walking out.
Part of the problem was the proliferation of bilateral and regional trade deals impacting on the global trading system and the failure of key trading nations to keep their promises to liberalise farm trade, he said.
Implementing a new round of global trade negotiations would be the equivalent of another China to the world economy, Mr Moore said. "Brazil alone would gain a quarter of a million new jobs, half of which would go to the poorest third of its workers."
The WTO, established in 1994, manages the GATT trading system that has been pivotal in creating the fastest rise in standards of living and the greatest fall in poverty in human history. But since its formation, efforts to further open world markets have faltered.
Mr Moore, who as Director-General oversaw the completion of the Uruguay round of trade talks, said there was a substantial risk that Hong Kong could go the way of other cities such as Cancun and Seattle, which have resulted in failed trade talks.
"This round will not be cost-free and change-free to developing countries," he said. "Some progress must be reported in opening services. This is in their interest and gives the agricultural protectionists something to bank in their capitals."
7 December 2005
More than 250 secondary school teachers from across Victoria converged on Monash Gippsland over the weekend for a three-day careers conference.
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| Dr Wendy Wright from the Gippsland School of Applied Sciences and Engineering (centre) took conference delegates on a visit to Tarra-Bulga National Park. |
The biennial Career Education Association of Victoria conference, which attracts international guest speakers, is hosted at a different venue every two years and is aimed at the careers education and school-to-work transition community.
The Manager of Marketing at the Gippsland campus, Mr Justin Kohlman, said the event provided an excellent opportunity for the campus to promote itself to secondary school teachers from across Victoria.
"We were able to showcase Monash Gippsland and all it has to offer during a tour of the campus and also, through 12 industry visits, highlight what the region has to offer in terms of graduate employment," he said.
"It is a massive event for the Gippsland campus. The majority of the conference delegates stay on campus during the event, so logistically we have had a lot of support from catering, IT, residential services, the student union and other technical assistance.
"Their help has allowed Monash to host a successful and smooth-running event."
Representatives from Monash's Prospective Students Office, as well as senior researchers and staff from a number of campuses, took part in the conference, presenting seminars and hosting tours.
Mr Kohlman said the Monash Gippsland community was thrilled with the success of the event.
"We have had excellent feedback from conference attendees, who said it was great to see the Gippsland campus first-hand -- they were very impressed with our facilities," he said.
The President of the Career Education Association of Victoria, Ms Bernadette Gigliotti, praised the Gippsland team who organised the conference.
"It has been brilliant and the campus is stunning," she said. "I don't think I have attended an event that has been so well planned and organised -- it has made our job so much easier."
7 December 2005
A record crowd of more than 205 people attended Monash's annual sport awards dinner at Clayton campus recently.
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| Award winner: Meryl Johnston (tennis) with the female athlete of the year perpetual trophy. |
The night -- hosted by Mr Martin Doulton, Mr Andrew O'Brien and Ms Briony Schofield from Monash Sport -- incorporated the 42nd Sport Blues awards and Hall of Fame inductions and also celebrated the contributions of volunteers, coaches and administrators.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins presented the Blues awards and expressed his support for the importance of the annual event.
The John White Volunteer of the Year Award, presented for the first time this year, went to Campus Life staff member Mr Lawrence Cupido for his involvement as a volunteer in community fitness events and the training and development of students.
The award recognises former Monash academic Mr John White and his contribution towards and wide support of sport at the university.
Alumna and wheelchair athlete Ms Kerrie Duff (nee Engel) was inducted into the university's Hall of Fame.
Ms Rosanda Buljubasich received a Monash University Sports Award for her contribution to inter-university soccer and club sport in 2005 as well as the Sport Manager of the Year Award for her administrative and team management skills.
Also honoured on the night was tennis player Ms Meryl Johnston, who was awarded a Full Blue, named female athlete of the year and acknowledged as a member of the Australian University Games winning team of the year.
The handball (Caulfield campus) and snowsports (Clayton campus) clubs were named as joint Club of the Year winners.
The CEO of Hawthorn Football Club, Mr Ian Robson, spoke on the night, inspiring the room with stories of his experiences at the club and in his previous role at Sport Scotland.