Work has commenced on a new $10 million dollar project at the Synchrotron. Photo courtesy Peter Bennetts.
5 March 2008
5 March 2008
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Work has commenced on a new $10 million dollar project at the Synchrotron. Photo courtesy Peter Bennetts. |
A new era in Australian research into chronic diseases like cancer started at the Australian Synchrotron last month, with construction beginning on a new $10 million facility for advanced medical research.
Victorian Minister for Innovation, Gavin Jennings, said the new beamline would be the first at the centre to be used for research into new techniques for medical diagnosis and therapy.
"This new beamline, one of the first in the world, will be the centrepiece of the Imaging and Medical Therapy centre," Mr Jennings said.
"Opening in late 2008, the new Imaging and Medical Therapy Centre will use synchrotron x-rays to advance studies in biological, medical and industrial sciences.
"It will lead to major advances in medical, biomedical and industrial imaging and importantly assist with the development and delivery of new cancer treatments."
Health Minister Daniel Andrews said cancer was the leading cause of death for Victorians, with one in three affected by the disease.
"The beamline will continue to foster Victoria's international reputation in cancer research," Mr Andrews said.
Catherine Walter, Chair of the Australian Synchrotron Company, said the announcement was an important milestone in the development of the facility.
"We already have a world-class synchrotron. This new development has the potential to take us to the forefront of biomedical research and position us within the top three synchrotron facilities world-wide in this field," Ms Walter said.
The announcement at the Australian Synchrotron was part of a two day Cabinet Forum to focus on Victoria's biotechnology and medical research sector.
"The Victorian Government's Biotechnology Strategic Development Plan aims to position the State among the world's top five destinations for biotechnology by 2010," Mr Jennings said.
Professor Rob Lewis, the Director of the Monash Centre for Synchrotron Science said: "This beamline will provide exciting new opportunities for researchers at Monash University, who up until now, have had to conduct biomedical imaging and radiotherapy research using synchrotron facilities in Japan, the USA and Europe, with all the associated difficulties posed by quarantine restrictions. Eventually, this beamline will allow diagnosis and radiotherapy treatment for humans, as well as the most sophisticated experimental x-ray imaging. Current research includes studies into how newborn animals breathe, lung physiology and cystic fibrosis, the structure of hard tissues such as bones and teeth and the development of new cancer treatment called microbeam radiation therapy."
He added "Of special interest to Monash University researchers is our development of new laboratories that that will house both scientists developing new detectors and imaging technologies and access to other equipment that will provide functional imaging studies and that will be located 'just across the fence' from the Beamline satellite building. Access to such a battery of state-of-the-art facilities will be unique. It really is an exciting time to be working at Monash."
5 March 2008
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(back) Former Olympian Cathy Freeman; Kevan Gosper AO, Chairman, Oceania Foundation; (front) Professor Stephanie Fahey, Deputy Vice Chancellor (International), Monash University; and Anne King, Executive Director, Oceania Foundation. |
Monash University has signed an agreement with the Oceania Foundation which will see the Samsung Oceania Talent Identification Program rolled out across the Oceania region.
The Program, which measures and benchmarks an athlete's potential, is the principle of the Samsung Oceania Sports Development Initiative, which contributes to identifying and developing young athletic talent across the Oceania region.
Monash University is providing the education and research methodology for the program, which will ensure best practice in identification and education of sporting talent from athletes to coaches in the Oceania region. Sports Performance Unit team leader Andrew Robinson is heading up the Talent ID program.
Professor Stephanie Fahey, Deputy Vice Chancellor (International) said the Talent ID program would primarily focus on the athletic abilities of secondary school students in the Oceanic region.
"We are pleased to be involved in a program which has the potential to identify and nurture top athletes," Professor Fahey said.
"The Oceania Foundation is making important inroads in developing sports programs in the Pacific Islands and we look forward to working closely with them in this new partnership."
Chairman of the Oceania Foundation Kevan Gosper AO, said the program had the potential to grow sporting infrastructure and culture which would lead the development of world class athletes.
"This is an historical initiative for the promotion of sport in the Pacific region and a giant step in narrowing the technological gap that up until now has favoured athletes from developed nations," Mr Gosper said.
Samsung Electronics Australia Corporate Marketing general manager Kurt Jovais said the program would provide opportunities to make childrens' dreams a reality.
"This new initiative provides regional athletes with the chance to fulfil their athletic potential. We are proud to continue our support and commitment to the global sporting community," Mr Jovais said.
Former Olympian Cathy Freeman launched the Samsung Oceania Talent Identification Program in Vanuatu on 13 February and will investigate how the program might be rolled out in Australia through the Catherine Freeman Foundation.
Describing how the Samsung Oceania Talent Identification Programme might help young athletes in non-developed nations, the 400 metres gold medallist said she understood how these young athletes may benefit.
"I think it is an exceptional beginning to something that could be beyond their wildest imagination," Freeman said.
" I can relate to their perspective from an indigenous background. I am a good example of what you can do with little resources, but a lot of passion."
5 March 2008
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Scientists will develop new vaccines to fight poultry diseases thanks to a discovery by Monash PhD student, Anthony Keyburn. |
A world-first discovery by Monash PhD student, Anthony Keyburn has poultry scientists worldwide taking a fresh look at the devastating bacterial disease, necrotic enteritis, one of the most common and financially crippling poultry diseases.
Mr Keyburn has discovered that the alpha-toxin protein long thought to be required for necrotic enteritis to develop was not the main cause of the chicken disease. It is in fact caused by Clostridium perfringens, a bacterium found in soil, litter, dust and in small quantities in the intestines of healthy chickens.
The bacterium only causes disease when it proliferates to high numbers, producing toxins that attack the bird's intestines, causing lesions.
Poultry producers use antibiotics to treat and prevent the disease, which, when triggered, can cause mortality rates of up to 50 per cent.
These discoveries have led to a new research project led by CSIRO's Dr Rob Moore and Monash University's Professor Julian Rood -- a Chief Investigator with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Structural and Functional Microbial Genomics.
Dr Moore said the project would now investigate the development of effective vaccines against the disease.
"Around the world, poultry producers are waiting for vaccines against necrotic enteritis," Dr Moore said.
"Thanks to Anthony's discoveries, scientists should now be able to develop the vaccines within a couple of years."
5 March 2008
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Dr Nizar Farjou, HRH Prince Hassan Bin Al Talal, Professor Stephanie Fahey, and the Australian Ambassador to Jordan, the Honourable Trevor Peacock. |
The changing educational climate in the Middle East is providing exciting opportunities for Monash to significantly increase its engagement with the region.
The population is growing rapidly with a large number of youth: one in every three people is between the ages of ten and 24.
Governments in the region are investing heavily into reforming its higher education system and increasing the number of higher degree research scholarships.
In the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has launched a US$10 billion endowment to provide for research programs and centres, PhD scholarships, and to develop leadership programs and fund research projects.
Monash, along with University of Melbourne and the University of Queensland, was recently nominated to participate in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Fellows Programme.
The elite program annually sends more than 1,000 young Arab leaders to leading international universities such as Harvard and the London School of Economics.
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, initial funding for public universities of US$15 billion has tripled since 2004. The government has established the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) with a $10 billion endowment, making it the sixth richest university in the world.
According to Professor Stephanie Fahey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), "there is real advantage for Monash as the region's higher education institutions undergo a dramatic period of rapid transformation and expansion."
"There is interest in the Middle East in our nursing courses, and in our unique medical research in stem cells, blood disease, diabetes and obesity. Road trauma in the Middle East is far worse than in Australia, so there is considerable potential for collaboration for Monash in the region," said Professor Fahey.
The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International) is actively pursuing opportunities to attract higher degree research scholars, encourage student exchange and promote other forms of education and research collaborations.
Professor Stephanie Fahey recently visited the Middle East to meet with universities and government officials in the region. Her visit included the Sultanate of Oman, United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
5 March 2008
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Monash education students work with students at Frankston Primary School during Orientation Week. |
Even before the university year formally started, Graduate Diploma of Primary Education students were working in the classroom.
Ninety-four teaching students worked with students in years one to six at Frankston Primary School during Orientation Week doing activities including making straw structures and team building games.
Amy Cutter-Mackenzie, course advisor for the Graduate Diploma of Education, said Frankston Primary School had given the teaching students a wonderful opportunity to experience time in the classroom.
"It has given them the chance to work with children in small groups and experience the primary school environment prior to undertaking their academic study," Dr Cutter-Mackenzie said.
Dr Cutter-Mackenzie said Frankston Primary School children knew Monash students and lecturers well, due to the close working relationship between Monash's Faculty of Education and the school.
"We been working closely with Frankston Primary School for the past two years in implementing science and environmental education programs where student teachers work with the entire school over the course of two terms," she said.
Frankston Primary School principal Jim Wilson said the relationship was a "win-win situation for Monash students and our children and teachers".
"The children themselves love this close relationship with Monash University," Mr Wilson said.
"One child said, 'I hope you keep coming because absolutely everything is awesome'.
For further information about the Graduate Diploma of Primary Education contact Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie on +61 3 9904 4638 or at Amy.CutterMackenzie@Education.Monash.edu.au.
5 March 2008
Heads of Department, School, Division, Institute or equivalent level from health and medical disciplines are urged to prepare submissions for the Commonwealth Health Minister's Award for Excellence in Health and Medical Research.
The award is open to researchers who have been granted their first PhD or MD within the last twelve years.
The National Health and Medical Research Council recently reported that the Hon Nicola Roxon MP had called for award nominations.
This annual Award, made in recognition of outstanding individual achievement in health and medical research in Australia, is now in its ninth year. The winner receives $50,000 and a presentation medal.
Nominations for the 2008 Award close 5pm Friday, 28 March 2008. Please visit the NHMRC website for information on submission requirements.
This year's winner will be announced in June 2008.
5 March 2008
The Australian Academy of Science has granted Dr Jian Li a 21-day Canadian visit to participate in the Academy's International Science Linkages Program.
The visit, which forms part of the Academy's North American Exchange Program 2008/2009, provides a valuable opportunity for Jian to visit Professor Robert Hancock at the Centre for Microbial Diseases and Immunity Research, University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada.
Professor Hancock is renowned internationally as a leading research scientist in antimicrobial peptides, and he and Jian will collaborate to research polymyxin resistance in multidrug-resistant Gram-negative 'superbugs'.
Professor Roger Nation, Director of the Facility for Anti-infective Drug Development and Innovation (FADDI) in which Jian is Senior Scientist, acknowledges Jian's work.
"This invitation for Jian to participate in the North American Exchange Program is wonderful recognition for him as a young and talented researcher, particularly following his awarding of the China Exchange Program in 2007," he said.
Jian is confident that such cross-country collaborations will benefit the internationally leading research on colistin already being undertaken at FADDI, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
This Australian Academy of Science International Science Linkages Program tangibly encourages excellence and support for early career researchers. Jian will embark on the 3-week visit later this year.
5 March 2008
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Post doctoral research fellow at Monash University, Preetika Balanathan has received valuable funding from pharmaceuticals company GSK, to assist her research into prostate cancer. |
Preetika Balanathan, a post doctoral research fellow at Monash University, has been awarded a GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Post Graduate Support Grant for 2008 to assist her research in understanding the biological processes that cause prostate cancer, as it progresses into different stages.
Dr Balanathan said her research was progressing well and the latest breakthrough takes the fight against prostate cancer to the next level.
"We have discovered that when prostate cancer is still in the hormone-dependent stage there is a growth factor, known as inhibin-alpha (INHA), which acts as a tumour suppressor. However, when the cancer progresses, it moves to a hormone-independent-stage and the role of INHA changes; losing its tumour suppressive role and/or gaining the ability to promote tumour growth and spread of the disease", said Dr Balanathan.
"We hope to develop a greater understanding of the roles of INHA and why the role changes in different stages of the disease, allowing us to know when treatments would be most effective before the disease is spread", she added.
The prostate is dependent on the male hormone testosterone, in conjunction with a sequential system that allows for healthy development and maintenance. Disruption of this system can induce the loss of regulatory controls and could be a cause of prostate cancer.
The support grant funding will allow Dr Balanathan to expand the scope of this important work and determine the biological mechanisms involved in the different activities of INHA at different stages the disease.
5 March 2008
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Another challenge ahead for Emeritus Professor Gary Bouma who continues to work at an international level. This time, he will work with migrant religious leaders to assist their followers in settling in to new environments. |
A pilot program run by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) will explore ways to better help migrant religious leaders assist their congregations settle in to a new country.
Emeritus Professor, Gary Bouma and Monash researcher Anna Halafoff have been selected as consultants for the project which will involve representatives from the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology/University of Latvia (Latvia), Institute for German-Turkish Integration Studies and Inter-religious Work (Germany), St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace (UK) and the Department of Philosophy of Education (Denmark).
The transnational project will test the usefulness of civic education for migrant religious leaders as a tool for the integration of migrants.
Emeritus Professor Bouma, UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations - Asia Pacfic said religious leaders had an important role to play in helping their followers integrate into their host countries.
"We aim to explore how civic education can help religious leaders gain a greater understanding of the freedoms, responsibilities and values of an open, democratic society based on core European values as well as the laws, culture, history and multicultural nature of their host societies," Professor Bouma said.
The main activities of the project will be the development of a training curriculum and pilot training seminars in each country.
A final international conference will serve to share and disseminate information.
5 March 2008
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Professor Pudlowski from the UNESCO International Centre for Engineering Education has been awarded an honorary doctorate for his contribution to international engineering education. |
Professor Zenon Pudlowski, Director of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) International Centre for Engineering Education, has received an honorary doctorate in Engineering from Kingston University in London.
The award, presented by Kingston University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Peter Scott at a gala ceremony in Athens, recognises Professor Pudlowski's outstanding contribution to international engineering education.
In his award acceptance address, Professor Pudlowski said: …I regard this award as the recognition of not only my academic achievements but also the efforts and accomplishments of those academic colleagues, members of our global network of engineering education, who have been associated with me for the last 20 or more years.
This is the third honorary doctorate awarded to Professor Pudlowski.
5 March 2008
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Yun on her Cook Islands teaching placement with the Faculty of Education. |
Peninsula campus international student Hsiang-Yun Chou believes stepping out of her comfort zone was extremely valuable in helping her make a good transition and says students should become part of the community, rather than isolate themselves.
Yun, who spent time last year on a teaching placement in the Cook Islands, believes in using her abilities to help others.
Yun was born and schooled in Singapore and moved to Australia to undertake tertiary study three years ago.
She speaks Mandarin and has taken on a role as a bilingual translator for the Free Kindergarten Association (FKA).
"I work in early childcare settings, usually in the Frankston Area," Yun said.
Yun was volunteering at the FKA, helping with administration work, when her language abilities were discovered.
She now assists children from migrant families to adapt to the kindergarten setting and advises parents on maintaining their native tongue at home while helping their children to embrace English.
Yun also volunteers at Frankston Hospital, doing art and craft with young patients.
"Even something as simple as blowing bubbles with them makes an impact on their day," she said.
Yun was put onto the volunteering opportunity by retired Education lecturer Bob Greaves, who also volunteers at the hospital.
"It's all about finding your interest -- I like to help people," Yun said.
Yun's goal after completing her Monash degree is to study speech pathology.
5 March 2008
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Lianne Gordon experienced first hand how our host universities operate on a recent visit to China. |
Monash's Lianne Gordon immersed herself in the local culture and experienced first hand how Monash's host universities operate on a recent visit to China.
Ms Gordon is the International Programs Officer for the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics.
Ms Gordon visited two universities in Beijing and one in Shanghai to evaluate the success of Monash's Chinese Incountry Program, a Chinese language training program taught in Shanghai and Beijing every year during the summer semester.
Over 1300 students have joined the program since its inception seven years ago, completing one or two units of Chinese studies in an intensive three or six week program.
Ms Gordon said the trip had given her an international understanding and enhanced her knowledge of offshore operations, allowing her to work more closely with overseas counterparts.
"During my visit, I got to see first hand how the university handles the students' enrolment and orientation," she said.
"I also met with key administrative figures, including the Dean, as well as colleagues teaching the various Chinese units."
Jelena Bogdanovic, Manager of the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, said the visit was a fantastic professional development opportunity for Ms Gordon.
"I believe that both academic and general staff should understand the operations and administration of our host universities," Ms Bogdanovic said.
Ms Gordon said she now had a better understanding of the facilities available to teaching staff and students.
"I am now able to make well informed recommendations for the development of the Chinese Incountry Program," she said.
"This type of first hand knowledge will certainly go towards improving the quality of teaching in our offshore Programs and the administration of a large number of Monash students abroad."
Ms Gordon said the trip, which included walking on the Great Wall of China and wearing traditional dress from the Qing Empire, had also given her a greater understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture.
For further information please visit the Chinese Incountry Program website.
5 March 2008
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IT students from the Clayton campus are participating in a new buddy program which aims to help them adjust to university life. |
The Faculty of Information Technology at Clayton has introduced a 'Buddy' Program for new undergraduate students to help with the adjustment to university life.
The program kicked off during Orientation Week with an 'Amazing Race' which saw students divided into teams and sent on a race around the campus, answering cryptic questions, solving clues and taking part in various activities.
The race was a huge success, ending with a welcome BBQ for all new students and staff.
All students that have chosen to take part in the Buddy program have been placed into groups of eight to 10, with each group allocated a 'Buddy' who is a current second or third year student.
The Buddies attended a training day run by Health, Wellbeing and Development to learn about the roles and responsibilities of being a mentor.
These groups will meet once a week to discuss any issues they may be facing at university or within their course and also to meet and socialise with other IT students.
The groups also have an IT academic as a mentor and these academics also attend part of the meetings.
The program will be a positive experience for new IT students in their transition to University life and the IT Faculty will continue to run the 'Buddy' Program in the future.
The 'Buddy' Program will continue for the first five weeks of semester.
5 March 2008
The first two graduations for 2008 have been held at South Africa and Gippsland. The progress made by both these Campuses in the last 5 years has been quite remarkable. At the South African graduation, 178 students graduated in a moving ceremony. Most of the graduands were the first in their families to attend university and their experience will have a transformational effect on their families. The graduands came from all the southern African countries. Over 2400 students are expected at the Campus by second semester this year, a far cry from the 480 of 2004.
The Gippsland Campus is also making stunning progress. New student commencements are about 100 above target. The Graduate Entry Medical School has taken its new students in state of the art new facilities. A large, environmentally friendly new auditorium and function centre is nearing completion. It will replace the "Binishell" which although distinctive has reached the end of its lifespan and will be demolished. The new auditorium will be the site of the regional meeting of the Victorian Legislative Assembly in October this year. New student residences will be constructed with the help of Commonwealth and State funding. Research activity is increasing markedly. Contrary to many regional campuses, Gippsland is now breaking even financially and its future is bright. The new Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Helen Bartlett will take up her post in August. The Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor, Associate Professor Harry Ballis is doing a wonderful job in the interim.
With the new Federal Government, it is a frenetic time in relations between the universities' sector and government. The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr has announced a broad-ranging review of innovation strategy. He has also announced that the Research Quality Framework (RQF) in the form which the previous government intended is to be abandoned and a new approach has been signalled. The Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative, is to be developed by the Australian Research Council (ARC) in conjunction with the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) and will assess research quality using a combination of metrics and expert review. Health and medical research will have evaluation driven by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Guidelines for the allocation of funding from the Higher Education Endowment Fund (HEEF) are to be released and consultations will be held in relation to them. The Government is also undertaking consultation following the introduction of the so-called "VSU" legislation on how student support activities and facilities are to be supported. The Federal Government has signalled that it will use individually negotiated funding "Compacts" with each university to drive diversity in the sector and to support the individual missions of each university. There is no clarity about how these will work and it is possible that there will also be a review of higher education funding. The 2020 Summit has education as one of its subthemes. In addition to this activity at the Federal level, the State Parliament has announced a review of the legislative framework for Victoria's universities.
These activities are occurring at a time when the Federal departments are in a state of great change with the former functions of the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) now distributed between the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Department of Innovation, Industry and Research (DIISR). It is clear that policies relating to universities will be split between two departments and that there will be many aspects separate from universities and indeed from education that will compete for the attention of these Departments. Effective advocacy will be required.
Meanwhile, at Monash, Orientation Week activities have been completed successfully and the teaching year has begun. The Senior Management Summit and Council Summits conducted during February have identified the priorities for the University for the next five years as it works towards its goals for 2025.
Despite the turbulence in the sector, all the signs for Monash University in its 50th year are positive.
5 March 2008
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Name: Francis Farrelly
Org. Unit: Faculty of Business and Economics
Title: Associate Professor
Dept: Department of Marketing
How long have you been with Monash University?
10 years
Prior to working at Monash, where were you located and what was your role?
Marketing Manager
What exciting challenges are ahead in your current role?
Research into product design and work in industry.
What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
Research, teaching, consulting with industry and, when I manage to, integrate all three.
Of all the places in the world you would like to visit/re-visit, where is your favourite destination and why?
London. A great city, where the world meets, and where you thoroughly enjoy walking and watching the world.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Be yourself.
What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?
I love to swim in the bay in the mornings in winter.
5 March 2008
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| Staff at the Springvale Legal Service in 1988. From left: Susanne Liden, Susan Miller and (standing) coordinator Adrian Evans, with Mr Julian Gardner director of Legal Aid at Legal Aid Commission of Victoria. Photo courtesy Monash University Archives. |
Monash has the oldest continually running community legal service in Australia.
Last week saw the 35th anniversary of the start of the Springvale Legal Service as a community legal centre. In fact it started two years earlier as the Monash Law Students Legal Referral Service.
A prime mover was a law undergraduate, Neil Rees who is now the Chair of the Victorian Law Reform Commission. Volunteers in the 1973 Rosters included Marilyn Warren (Chief Justice of Victoria's Supreme Court), and Tony d'Aloisio, now Chair of ASIC.
The Clinical Program -- Australia's first -- started soon after, in June 1975.
Another pioneering project of Monash Law School and the University!