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Ancora Imparo, March 2007

7 March 2007

In this month's column, I wish to report on two events taking place during February which were particularly significant for Monash University.  The first was the Senior Management Summit and the second was the fourth graduation of students from our South African Campus and the associated opening of the new Campus Centre and Learning Commons at the Campus.

The Senior Management Summit was the fourth one held since I became Vice-Chancellor in 2003.  It was also the most positive and encouraging.  The major theme was how we should respond to the new funding environment.  This would hardly seem to be the sort of theme to encourage enthusiasm.  But we also looked back on progress made over the last three and a half years and were able to recognise that despite the tendency to be despondent about the current environment, the University has fared very well.  We can justly say that we are making good progress towards achieving the objectives and vision described in our intermediate strategic framework, "Excellence and Diversity" and in the longer-term directional statement, "Monash Directions 2025". Our progress in research has been stunning, as reflected by a variety of metrics, and there are indications that our performance in learning and teaching is also improving, as reflected by student evaluations.  In addition, more of the top 5 per cent of year 12 students are choosing Monash University as their first preference.  Our campuses in Australia are developing their separate identities and each is contributing in a unique way to the progress of the University.  Our total revenue is increasing markedly, infrastructure is being renewed and financial performance is sound.

The new funding environment is one in which the fall in public investment in our universities which had characterised the 15 years until 2004 has flattened out and indeed there has been some small increase.  However, more and more of the government funding is specifically linked to small and large competitive funds of one sort or another.  A list of acronyms, which can, for the curious, be decoded on the internet, will confuse even the most ardent of followers of pronouncements from DEST and the Minister's office -- LTPF, RQF, NCRIS, CDP, WPP, CASRF, VSUTF to give some examples.  Each requires a separate submission and some determine the allocation of many millions of dollars.  The RQF will determine research infrastructure and research training funding for six years from 2009.  In addition, particularly in election years, funds for "strategic" purposes are allocated when compelling cases can be made for them.  Succeeding in this environment requires not only impeccable underlying credentials but also the best possible presentation of our case.  The attendees at the Summit left with a better understanding of the public funding environment and how to succeed in this environment while at the same time maintaining our focus on performing the best and most relevant research, delivering excellent learning and teaching programs and enhancing the student experience.

The second event I would like to report on is the fourth graduation of students at our South African Campus and the opening of the newly completed Campus Centre and Learning Commons building at the Campus.  The Graduation was a far cry from the first one in late 2003. One hundred and nineteen students graduated on this occasion compared with twenty-one at the first graduation.  The palpable excitement of the graduands and their families and their expressed gratitude for the opportunities presented by their Monash education were gratifying for the staff who are so committed to the transformational effect of high quality education in Africa.  The student population reflected the demographics of Southern Africa and many of the students were supported by bursaries from governments, the corporate sector or Monash University.  It is indeed pleasing to see the rapid increase in demand for a place at Monash South Africa, with over 1600 students expected this year.  The financial performance of the Campus is also sound, with the deficit falling rapidly and for the last two years falling far below the budgeted deficit.  Importantly, the new Campus Centre and Learning Commons building was opened by the Deputy Minister for Education.  This was the first time that a representative of government had officiated at an event on Campus and in his speech, the Deputy Minister made clear his support for Monash in South Africa.  This is a significant change and reflects the attitude of the Minister and the Council for Higher Education and the South African universities who are now positive about the benefits that Monash can bring to higher education and research in South Africa.

Monash University is an exciting place to be.  As a relative newcomer, I can see the benefits that have come from the innovative, ambitious global vision of the University.