The A$30 million fund will provide capital to support the initial development of new technologies and business opportunities.
25 June 2008
25 June 2008
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The A$30 million fund will provide capital to support the initial development of new technologies and business opportunities. |
A new A$30 million trans-Tasman research commercialisation fund for Australian universities, including Monash, will drive cross-disciplinary research into the development of life-saving medical technology.
Victorian Premier John Brumby announced the Victorian Government would provide skills and capabilities for the operation of the fund, which will be based in Melbourne.
The governments of New Zealand and South Australia are also contributing to the fund, which is set to capture ideas from researchers and develop them into new businesses and products.
"This new A$30 million fund will help drive new breakthroughs in a range of medical research areas, to save lives and improve quality of life," Premier Brumby said.
"Research is expected to include antibodies for the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases and regenerative medical treatments for conditions such as neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, arthritis, musculo-skeletal and cardiovascular diseases."
Mr Brumby said the collaboration between universities in Australia and New Zealand would help turn world-class research into world-class breakthroughs and treatment that will save lives.
Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings said the venture involved Monash University, the University of Auckland, the University of Adelaide, Flinders University and the University of South Australia.
West Australian-based superannuation fund Westscheme will commit A$30 million in investment capital to help fund early-stage development of the start-up companies that will commercialise the research.
"Victoria is at the forefront of worldwide technology and research because of strategic investments in key research infrastructure such as the Australian Synchrotron, the Australian Regenerative Medical Institute and the Australian Stem Cell Centre," Mr Jennings said.
Monash University Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins said the fund would provide capital to support the initial development of new technologies and business opportunities.
"Having access to true early-stage capital will definitely assist Monash to continue its strong history of developing spinout companies such as Monash IVF Australia and Acrux Limited," Professor Larkins said.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish said Monash was extremely grateful to the Victorian Government and Westscheme for the vision they had displayed by investing in the development of spinout ventures.
"Monash jumped at the chance to collaborate in this fund," Professor Cornish said.
"By tapping into third-party risk capital and sharing commercialisation resources, we aim to make the development of spinout companies a more streamlined and financially rewarding process for all the partners involved."
25 June 2008
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The study found that banned drivers were up to four times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than legal drivers. |
A Monash study has found banned Victorian drivers are putting other road users at risk by flouting the law and continuing to drive.
Researchers Belinda Clark and Dr Irene Bobevski from the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) said making it compulsory for drivers to carry their licence at all times would make law enforcement more effective. The researchers interviewed 40 disqualified Victorian drivers for the study, the first of its type in Victoria in 30 years.
Sixty per cent admitted driving either immediately after being banned or some time during their licence disqualification – and most didn’t consider themselves a danger to other road users and didn’t think they would get caught.
Several banned drivers said they had avoided being caught by giving false details when pulled over by police or because their licence had not been checked at a random breath test (RBT) station.
Ms Clark said banned drivers were up to four times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than legal drivers.
“Many banned drivers are in denial about the risk they pose to the community and that is a major concern considering about 50,000 Victorians are disqualified from driving each year,” Ms Clark said.
“We are calling for the creation of a rehabilitation program for Victorian banned drivers aimed at changing these alarming attitudes.”
The researchers also called for other initiatives, including:
The most common reason for bans among the study participants was drink driving (22 drivers), excessive speeding (10), and accumulation of demerit points (five).
Only a small minority of drivers in the study said they had attempted to comply with their bans by reorganising work and social commitments, using public transport and removing easy vehicle access.
25 June 2008
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Dr Pamela Snow says there is a strong correlation between poor language skills and youth offending. |
A Monash University researcher has called for early detection of poor language skills in children because of the link to disadvantage and offending.
Dr Pamela Snow, a co-author of research into links between poor language skills and youth offending in boys, said there is a strong correlation between the two.
“Children who do not receive adequate assistance to develop verbal communication skills in their early years are more likely to suffer socially and emotionally as they get older,” Dr Snow said.
“Children with poor language skills are also likely to be disadvantaged in terms of education and future employment opportunities.”
The study of 50 male juvenile offenders found that more than half had an undiagnosed oral language impairment – that is, problems using and understanding spoken language at the level of everyday communication.
“The concern is that children who do not enter school with adequate oral language skills have difficulty moving to literacy and using more complex forms of spoken language in the classroom,” Dr Snow said.
“By the time they reach mid-primary school they may have significant behavioural and adjustment difficulties and can be in desperate need of extensive speech pathology services and counselling.
“Unfortunately, speech pathology services are only funded for a limited number of students who meet stringent criteria for intervention services and many young people inevitably miss out.”
Dr Snow said early intervention would help children develop language skills at a young age and a screening process would help identify any issues.
"Comprehensive screening of children in the early stages is by far the better investment and will help prevent serious problems later on," Dr Snow said.
"We can’t expect school teachers to be equipped to identify and manage language difficulties on their own. Speech pathologists need to work alongside teachers as early as possible in a child's life."
25 June 2008
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Monash education student Lewis Haskins put his Monash training to work as a volunteer teacher in Tanzania. |
Monash education student Lewis Haskins was determined to make a difference when he travelled to the troubled east-African nation of Tanzania as a volunteer teacher.
Mr Haskins thought the skills he had developed at Monash were being wasted as he sat in the corner of a classroom in the town of Moshi and marked worksheets while untrained Tanzanian teachers took lessons.
"Their teaching methods were a fair way behind what we use in Australia and I could just see the lessons going over the kids' heads," Mr Haskins said.
Rather than accepting the status quo, he drafted a letter detailing his belief that he could play a much bigger, positive role.
The letter found its way to Moshi's regional education officer, who agreed to meet Mr Haskins.
"It really made sense to me that the people we really need to teach are the people who are educating the future generations -- the teachers themselves," Mr Haskins said.
"I told him: 'I have the benefit of a top university course, let me help', and he was really keen to jump on board."
The meeting resulted in Mr Haskins delivering professional development workshops and lectures for teachers in several schools to help them improve their teaching methods.
Mr Haskins saw some results immediately.
"It was great to see the teachers planning and trying different things, like taking the students outside and getting them more involved in lessons," he said.
Mr Haskins plans to return to Tanzania when he finishes his degree.
As a result of Mr Haskin's experiences one of his lecturers, Dr David Zyngier, is working with Monash to establish an on-going program that would allow education students to travel to Africa and work with local teachers.
"There's the potential for Monash education students, African teachers, and ultimately African students, to get a lot out of this," Dr Zyngier said.
25 June 2008
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Third-year student Param Artputhanathan is one of 57 students from Australia and India selected to attend the Australia India Universities Youth Forum. |
Monash student Param Artputhanathan will travel to Sydney this week to participate in the first Australia-India Universities Youth Forum (AIUYF) on sustainability.
The third-year Bachelor of Business (Banking and Finance)/Bachelor of Arts (Politics) student is one of 57 students from Australia and India selected for their interest in sustainability, their leadership and academic ability.
The forum runs until July 12 and includes workshops and events in Sydney, Canberra, outback Australia and Darwin.
Program highlights include a sustainability leadership training program, a three-day eco-tour of outback Australia, and workshops with the City of Sydney's Sustainable Sydney 2030 project team.
Chair of the AIUYF Steering Committee Professor John Ingleson said the forum aimed to develop links and foster understanding and dialogue between Australian and Indian students.
"The theme of sustainability was chosen for its importance to youth and for its relevance across a broad range of academic disciplines," Professor Ingleson said.
Students will be encouraged to share the skills they develop during the program with their own communities and universities.
Mr Artputhanathan said he was delighted and honoured to have been nominated and selected to represent Monash at the AIUYF.
"It will be a great opportunity to see and hear the different perspectives of participants, all of whom share a common interest in environmental sustainability," Mr Artputhanathan said.
"Through my involvement with MONSU Caulfield and my frequent interaction with student representatives from other campuses, I hope I will be able to assist in the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices at Monash."
Further information can be found at the AIUYF website.
25 June 2008
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The Mahidol visitors with Professor Malcolm Sim (standing) and Dr David Goddard (seated) of MonCOEH. |
Representatives from Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand, gained valuable knowledge in the prevention of occupational diseases such as asthma, stress and cancer on a recent visit to Monash.
The Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health (MonCOEH) hosted three academics and 17 postgraduates as part of a training program to build capacity to prevent occupational diseases in Thailand.
The one-week visit, funded in part by a grant from the Australia-Thailand Institute, included discussion on the different occupational health approaches of the two countries, and visits to Alcoa's Point Henry aluminium smelter and the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) to hear about programs on injury surveillance and prevention.
Director of MonCOEH Professor Malcolm Sim, who visits Mahidol University to conduct workshops, said the visit was an excellent opportunity to increase Monash's links with the occupational and environmental health community in Thailand.
"Some great discussion came out of the workshops and we are looking forward to developing our collaborative relationship further," Professor Sim said.
MonCOEH is a research centre within the School of Public Health Sciences and Preventive Medicine that works to identify occupational risk factors for disease.
The centre also conducts research into veteran and military health, occupational disease surveillance, exposure assessment, and environmental health hazards and risk assessment.
For more information visit the MonCOEH website.
25 June 2008
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Postgraduate student Yhonnie Scarce has been recognised for her art glass work with the Qantas Encouragement of Australian Contemporary Art Award. |
Monash postgraduate student Yhonnie Scarce has received the Qantas Encouragement of Australian Contemporary Art Award.
In recognition of her work Ms Scarce has received a $10,000 travel allowance and $20,000 towards expenses to pursue her research and develop her career overseas.
"I was surprised that I won the award, but it really is a dream come true," Ms Scarce said.
"It is wonderful recognition for the many years I have spent developing my work and trying to make it as an artist.
"I will travel overseas later in the year and on the itinerary will include all the finest galleries including the Louvre in Paris, the Tate galleries in London and the Guggenheim in New York."
Ms Scarce is an Art Glass artist and has just started her two-year Masters degree in Fine Arts (by research) and is based at the Caulfield campus.
Ms Scarce was nominated for the award and required to submit 10 photographs of her work, which included pieces from her art glass collection featuring Aboriginal bush foods.
"I try to recreate objects from the traditional environments of Indigenous people and present them in a way that is creative and pushes the boundaries of what we consider to be art representative of Aboriginal people," Ms Scarce said.
Ms Scarce is the first Indigenous glassblower in Australia and says she is comfortable in the role.
"Being able to recreate my heritage through art is a perfect way to explore my history," Ms Scarce said.
"In my work I try to achieve the perfect balance between the European artistic medium (blown glass) with traditional Aboriginal concepts and objects."
25 June 2008
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The Future Research Leaders program aims to evolve the skills and knowledge critical for research leadership. |
A new training program for early and mid-career researchers has been hailed a success.
The Future Research Leaders program was developed by the Group of Eight universities, which includes Monash, to evolve the skills and knowledge critical for research leadership.
Modules cover all aspects of research leadership and project management including intellectual property, grant and contract administration and people management.
Participants have so far completed the first two sessions of the program covering research strategy and planning, building research capacity, industry collaboration and planning.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish said Monash was deeply committed to supporting the development of its future research leaders.
“The Future Research Leaders Program is clearly a success and a positive initiative by the Group of Eight to develop excellence in Monash’s research leaders of tomorrow,” Professor Cornish said.
“The long-term aim of the program is to provide all Australian universities with a program that can be adapted for their institution so we can assure the ongoing development of research leaders.”
For more information visit the Future Leaders Program website.
25 June 2008
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Law student Laura Ballantyne-Brodie is one of two Monash students completing an internship at Yale. |
Two Monash students are currently in Connecticut in the US completing internships at Yale, one of America's top universities.
Undergraduate law student Laura Ballantyne-Brodie and postgraduate arts student Jennifer Brown, who is completing a Masters in Bioethics, are among 36 students from around the world completing the two-month internship at Yale's Centre for Bioethics.
Bioethics concerns the ethical implications of developments in various medical, biological, environmental and other scientific matters, including research practises and the use of new technology.
The students are being taught by some of the world's leading bioethics academics on topics including robot minds and human ethics, exploitation in international research, nursing ethics and health care policy, conflicts between medicine and religion, and the ethics of distribution of health care.
Ms Ballantyne-Brodie said she had a strong interest in applied ethics and medical ethics.
"I am particularly interested in how ethics is relevant to reproductive technologies such as IVF, pre-natal screening techniques and ethical issues involved in research in developing countries," she said.
"In particular, I am interested in the legal/regulatory responses to such issues and the interplay between ethics and the law."
Ms Ballantyne-Brodie intends to practise as a solicitor in Australia and the UK once she completes her Monash degree, before studying for a Masters degree in Law and Bioethics in America.
4 June 2008
May 30 marked the 50th anniversary of the proclamation of the Monash University Act in the Victorian Parliament, formally marking the creation of Monash University. It was almost three years before the first students were admitted -- a mere 347 pioneers prepared to make the trek to Clayton and the untested new institution. It is quite amazing to reflect on the achievements of the University in the five decades since then.
On May 29 a Gala Dinner to celebrate its 50th birthday was held in the Great Hall of the National Gallery of Victoria attended by 530 distinguished guests and supporters, alumni, staff and students. It was a wonderful occasion that featured a variety of distinguished alumni awards and musical performances by Monash students. The Governor of Victoria, a Monash University staff member of 41 years standing, Professor David De Kretser AC presented the Distinguished Alumni Awards for 2007 to Professor Tim Flannery and Professor Dewi Fortuna Anwar. The full list of Distinguished Alumni for 2007 is available in Monash Memo and on the Alumni web-site.
In several of the speeches, reference was made to the unbelievable progress of the University since its foundation. It was great to have Lady Audrey Matheson, the widow of Monash's first Vice-Chancellor, Sir Louis Matheson, in attendance together with some of the foundation staff members. Reference was made to the role that Sir Louis played in setting the University's bold course, and his view that, "Universities should be full of people who do not take things at face value and are prepared to say so". Monash has never been short of such people and the boldness expressed in this sentence has been apparent throughout our history.
It was also a particular honour to have Dame Elisabeth Murdoch DBE, AC at the dinner. Council, at its most recent meeting, approved the award of the degree Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa to be conferred on Dame Elisabeth at Government House in the near future. Dame Elisabeth has been a great supporter of Monash University since its foundation.
Trevor O'Hoy, a distinguished alumnus and the Chair of the Fundraising Committee for Monash University announced the launch of the public component of the fund-raising appeal. Already $57m of the target of $200m has been raised and a high profile fundraising campaign committee is helping the staff of the University in fund-raising. The Chancellor, Dr Alan Finkel, set the tone for the evening by indicating that he and his wife Elizabeth were endowing a Chair of Global Health. This generosity sets an extraordinary example.
Other notable events celebrating the 50th anniversary of Monash University in May included the launch of the coffee table book celebrating the people, places and activity of Monash University, appropriately entitled Go Boldly. It is a beautifully photographed and produced book which should make every Monash staff member, alumnus/a and student feel proud. The Public Lecture series at BMW Edge Theatre at Federation Square continued with an informative and entertaining lecture by Professor Graeme Davison on the early days of Monash University.
Three of our Campuses are celebrating particular milestones this year as well as that for the University as a whole -- our Campus in Malaysia is 10 years old this year, our Peninsula Campus celebrates 50 years since its predecessor institution was founded and our Gippsland Campus 80 years since its predecessor was founded.
So this month has been one in which there has been much reflection on what Monash University has achieved in 50 years. Its current trajectory suggests that this is just the beginning of an amazing story.
25 June 2008
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Name: Professor Greg Barton
Org. Unit: School of Political and Social Inquiry
Title: Herb Feith Research Professor for the Study of Indonesia
How long have you been with Monash University?
I joined Monash in January 2007. My historical links with Monash go back to 1984 when I commenced BA studies, then 1988 when I started my PhD.
Prior to working at Monash, where were you located and what was your role?
In 1993 I commenced a lectureship at Deakin University, initially in Indonesian studies, then in religious studies and finally in politics. At the beginning of 2006 I moved to the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii, promising our (then) ten-year-old that we would remain in Hawaii until she graduated from high school.
What challenges are ahead in your current role?
Building up a body of Higher Degree Research students researching Indonesia, Southeast Asia and the Muslim world with my colleagues in PSI; teaching and developing the new Masters in Islamic Studies; and building up the Centre for Islam and the Modern World. A more immediate challenge is completing my long-overdue manuscript for Islam's Other Nation: the role of Islam in modern Indonesia and getting it to my publisher by September.
What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
Helping Australia better understand Indonesia and its place in Asia and contributing to the development of understanding and respect between Muslims and non-Muslims. Researching and teaching are satisfying in themselves but this is all the more so when engaging with religion, politics and modernity. There is a sense that what we do can make a real difference.
What is your favourite destination and why?
I am very fond of Jakarta. The Big Durian is thorny and an affront to the nose, an inside-out city that is difficult to love at first, but slowly reveals hidden charms. But my favourite city remains Istanbul -- it has a sense of history and the meeting of cultures like no other place. I love the European Alps and the Himalayas as much as I love the coasts of Southeast Asia and Australia but ultimately cities are about people and that makes them more interesting to me than nature alone. For me, Melbourne is one of the world's best cities to live in.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
I'm not sure about a single piece of "best advice" but I'll never forget a comment made to me by Professor Cyril Skinner from Indonesian and Malayan studies in the mid-80s: "Imagine if Clifford Geertz (American anthropologist) was wrong even half the time; think about how many good ideas he came up with!" I took it as encouragement to think on a broad canvas and not fear failure and criticism. I certainly would not be at Monash today were it not for Cyril.
What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?
I am a lapsed engineer. It took three years studying aeronautical engineering at RMIT to realise that my weakness in complex mathematics meant that I should be working with words and not numbers. It wasn't easy to go from being an engineering student to being an arts student but I knew that it was Asia that held my deepest interest. I don't regret my science background though – particularly in recent years working on security issues I have come to appreciate basic scientific literacy - there should be more of it in the humanities and social sciences! Machines – though now more cars rather than aircraft – remain a private passion.
Archive of 60 seconds with...25 June 2008
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| Swimming champion and Monash science graduate Brenton Rickard in action. |
Five members of the Monash community are heading to China in August to compete in the Beijing Olympic Games.
Swimming champion and Monash science graduate Brenton Rickard will put his Monash University Swimming Club training into practice when he competes for Australia in the 100m breaststroke.
Second-year law student Catherine Arlove is lining up for her third attempt at Olympic gold in judo and first-year arts/science student Jessica Walters was picked for the shadow squad for archery.
Fifth-year medicine student David Zalcberg will also compete in the Australian table tennis team.
Doug Ellis Swimming Pool staff member Stefan (Daniel) Lee will compete for the Sri Lankan Olympic swimming team.
For more information visit the Monash Sport website.