20 August 2008
20 August 2008
More than 140 guests, including dignitaries, Foundation professors and their families, and Monash University academics gathered for an awards night in the opulent State Drawing Room at Government House in Melbourne on Monday 18 August.
Fifteen Monash academics received 50th Anniversary Research Awards acknowledging the exceptional contribution they have made to their field of research and the community over the 50 years of Monash University's existence.
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| 50th Anniversary Research Award winners. |
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| Our Sir John Monash Distinguished Professors. |
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| Recipients of the Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Excellence. |
The recipients of the 50th Anniversary Research Awards were:
Emeritus Professor John Bradshaw for his outstanding contribution to the study of disorders of attention following stroke and disorders of movement in Parkinson's and Huntington's disease.
Emeritus Professor Ronald Brown AM for his highly innovative research in the areas of interstellar chemistry and spectroscopy and in positioning the Monash School of Chemistry as arguably the strongest in the country.
Emeritus Professor Michael Clyne AM for his outstanding achievements in the field of applied linguistics and sociolinguistics.
Emeritus Professor Peter Fensham AM for his significant impact on science education and related policy both in Australia and internationally.
Professor Christina Mitchell for her research into the ways in which specialist enzymes regulate signalling processes to prevent diseases such as cancer and diabetes and her leadership in biomedical research and research training at Monash.
Emeritus Professor Bruce Holloway AO for his discoveries in the genetics of bacteria which have contributed to the treatment of lung disease and been complemented by major contributions to biotechnology.
Emeritus Professor Ian Polmear AO for his pioneering work in light metal alloys that has led to commercial innovations, including the development of an ultrahigh strength aluminium alloy used in the space shuttle program in the US.
Professor Bill Kent for his contribution to the study of Renaissance Italy and his role in the establishment of the Monash Centre in Prato.
Emeritus Professor Owen Potter for his path-breaking work in fluidised reactors and drying which continues to make an impact on the development of technology to reduce emissions from brown coal.
Emeritus Professor Alan Powell AM for research that launched a set of economic models and modelling techniques that have been used to support policy-making in areas including trade, taxation, labour markets and the environment.
Professor David Smyth for the discovery of fundamental genes that regulate flower development, establishing Monash as a research hub for plant developmental genetics.
Emeritus Professor Joseph Powell for his passionate advocacy of historical geographic analyses that have profoundly influenced Anglo-American geography and shaped Australians' sense of identity and environment.
Emeritus Professor Alan Trounson for his pioneering contributions to in-vitro fertilisation technology and stem cell research.
Professor Peter Singer for his work in bioethics and applied philosophy, which has made significant contribution to public debate nationally and internationally.
Emeritus Professor Chris Weeramantry AM for his contributions to peace and intercultural education, human rights, environmental protection and sustainable development, international law and disarmament.
The evening also recognised and remembered the research achievements of four late Monash academics:
Emeritus Professor Douglas Lampard, the Foundation Professor of Electrical Engineering at Monash, who gained worldwide recognition early in his career for fundamental research in the field of electrical measurement. His later research in biomedical engineering led to significant developments in anaesthesia with widespread clinical and commercial application.
Emeritus Professor Harold Love who gained scholarly eminence in the international fields of English literature and print culture and wrote extensively in the field of Australian music culture. His achievements were recognised in his fellowship of the Australian Academy of Humanities and of the British Academy.
Professor Geoffrey Thorburn AO one of the world's foremost authorities on experimental fetal physiology and its clinical application. Head of one of Australia's leading departments of physiology at Monash between 1982 and 1995, he trained and influenced many fetal physiologists who are now world leaders in their respective fields of research.
Emeritus Professor Chris Wallace, was the Foundation Professor and Chair of Information Science at Monash at the age of 34. He also chaired the Monash Department of Computer Science until 1995. His work involved -- among other things -- building computers, writing software to make them work, enabling them to perform multiplication faster, making them better able to fit models to data and making them able to generate better random numbers faster. His (1964) fast multiplier has affected all computing, and his (1996) fast random number generators have even made their way into computer games.
The awards ceremony included the appointment of a new Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor, Professor Christina Mitchell who was recognised for the leading role she has played in the transformation of biomedical research at Monash.
Established in 1995, the Sir John Monash Distinguished Professorship is bestowed upon professors of exceptional distinction who have made an outstanding contribution to their discipline and to Monash University.
Past and present Sir John Monash Distinguished Professors Graeme Davison, David de Kretser AC, Peter Dixon, Roy Jackson, Max King, and Tam Sridhar were also honoured for their achievements and ongoing contribution to Monash.
The winners of Vice-Chancellor's awards were also named on the night.
The Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research by Early Career Researchers was won by Dr Shonali Krishnaswamy from the Faculty of Information Technology. Completing her PhD in 2003 Dr Krishnaswamy has achieved much in her area of research focusing on distributed mobile data mining, web services, and service-oriented computing and intelligent mobile software agents.
The inaugural Vice-Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Innovation and Collaboration in Research with Industry recognises research excellence in three categories.
The Best Research and Development Collaboration award went to Greg Crew and his team members Graham Tew, Beng Oh, Darrien Welsby, and Dr Dingyang Zheng from the Faculty of Engineering. Building on a 36-year collaboration, the team has significantly enhanced the maintenance of haulage operations at BHP Billiton Iron Ore through the development and installation of three permanently instrumented ore cars.
The award for Best Collaboration Involving a Co-operative Research Centre went to Associate Professor Chris Davies, Dr Trevor Abbott, Dr Colleen Bettles, Dr Mark Easton, Dr Su-Ming Zhu and Dr Jian-Feng Nie from the Faculty of Engineering. Over the past eight years this team has played a critical role in the development of four high-performance lightweight magnesium alloys, two of which have been patent-protected.
The Best International Collaboration went to Professor Milton Hearn from the Faculty of Science. Professor Hearn and his team's discovery of a new way to purify recombinant proteins in collaboration with Novo Nordisk A/S will have a significant impact on the pharmaceutical industry and the general research community.
The Vice-Chancellor's Award for Postgraduate Supervision was awarded to Professor Rob Hyndman from the Faculty of Business and Economics. Professor Hyndman is highly-regarded by his students, undertaking an innovative, problem-solving approach to supervision. He has developed many new online resources for his students, employed a copy editor to assist students with their theses and helped new students to get settled. Special commendations went to Associate Professor Flavia Cicuttini from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Professor Xiao-Ling Zhao from the Faculty of Engineering and Professor Kerry Hourigan from the Faculty of Engineering.
20 August 2008
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| The research team: Associate Professor Tony Tiganis and Dr Ben Shields. |
Monash University researchers have uncovered the role of a family of enzymes in the mutation of benign and less aggressive tumours into potentially fatal cancers in the human body.
The discovery provides valuable insights into how cancer cells develop and mutate, and could ultimately change treatment options for sufferers around the world.
Team leader Associate Professor Tony Tiganis from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology said the work showed that the enzymes known as protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) had a greater role than previously thought in the rate of growth and tumour change over time.
"We already know that PTKs are associated with several types of aggressive cancers, including colon, breast and lung cancers," Associate Professor Tiganis said.
"What we have discovered is that PTKs have an important role to play as cancer cells grow and mutate to become potentially more aggressive tumours."
"The more we can learn about how tumours develop, the more we are able to prevent their growth in the future. There are already drugs that inhibit particular PTKs in the late stages of treatment. Our discovery could change the timing of when and how those or similar drugs are administered."
All cells routinely divide and duplicate during growth. An entire genome is replicated and divides equally into two daughter cells. Sometimes things go wrong.
PTKs normally turn off in the face of compromised DNA replication, but when PTK pathways remain on, unscheduled cell division can take place where cells distribute their DNA unevenly between the two resulting daughter cells. As a result, tumour cells can accumulate or lose genes and chromosomes, and gain a growth and survival advantage.
"We have identified one mechanism by which PTKs may remain activated and allow cancer cells to bypass the molecular ‘warden’ of DNA replication; they may lack a key enzyme called TCPTP," Associate Professor Tiganis said.
The Monash team will now apply their laboratory findings to human cancer samples to see if they contain low levels of TCPTP and hopefully confirm the role of this protein in cancer formation and development.
For more information see Monash Newsline.20 August 2008
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| The Sunway campus in Malaysia. |
The Malaysian Government has welcomed a new push to encourage Australian students to travel and study at Monash University's Sunway campus in Malaysia.
The package, open to Australian and South African citizens and permanent residents, includes free airfare and accommodation, in addition to the Monash Study Abroad grant given out as part of the student mobility program.
The program allows students to study for up to two semesters at another Monash campus as part of their course.
The package has been developed after much consultation and hard work by staff at the Malaysian campus, working with other staff from across Monash, and makes an important addition to the Monash Passport.
During a recent visit to the campus, Advisor to the Ministry of Higher Education Professor Dato' Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar said that the proactive move by Monash University was something the Ministry has long hoped to see happen.
"This is in line with our goals and strategic plans. We want to see greater exchanges of students, especially those from developed countries," he said. "It is very important in fostering greater understanding of Malaysia and encouraging academic exchanges."
"Our relationship with Australia, particularly, has been one way. We've sent thousands of students there and even if they only spend a semester in Malaysia, it will provide them with a valuable opportunity to know Malaysia."
"I'm glad that the Monash Sunway campus is willing to make a large financial contribution to bring students to Malaysia. It will definitely benefit Malaysia and the Australian students."
"I hope other branch campuses will follow Monash University's footsteps in this area," he said.
Pro Vice-Chancellor and President (Malaysia) Professor Robin Pollard said the move was expected to provide a major boost to the University's inter-campus student mobility program.
"Until now, very few students from Australia have spent time on exchange in Malaysia. We aim to reverse that trend, in support of Malaysian national objectives and to broaden the experiences of all Monash students," Professor Pollard said.
Tuition fees have also been waived for summer units taken by participants this year during the Australian summer teaching period between December and January.
For additional information visit the Intercampus Exchange website and read David Bowly's student profile on studying at our Sunway campus in Malaysia.
20 August 2008
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| Dr Rajendran Parthiban, Dr Catherine Yule, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Adam Shoemaker, Dr Amy Cutter-MacKenzie, Professor Mark Peel, Adina Kleiner, Elizabeth Yuriev, and Kevin Tant. |
Seven Monash staff members have been awarded a 2008 Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning -- Monash University's most successful year ever.
The Monash awardees come from seven faculties and five campuses. Two of the awardees are from the Sunway campus in Malaysia bearing testament to the success of the University's education mission.
The seven Monash awardees are:
Adina Kleiner from the Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology said she was thrilled and honoured to receive the citation.
"I am pleased it is bringing a positive focus and awareness to the department and the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences. It highlights the excellent standard of teaching here at Monash -- we can and do teach well."
Dr Amy Cutter-Mackenzie said receiving the citation was clear recognition of the school-community approach that the Faculty of Education had actively initiated and supported.
"Since starting in 2005, I have been actively supported to teach and research using innovative methods that motivate and inspire students and schools to engage in environmental education and sustainability," Dr Cutter-Mackenzie said.
Dr Catherine Yule from the School of Science at the Sunway campus in Malaysia, was awarded for her emphasis on environmental education -- particularly through field experience.
"Undertaking field work is actually one of the best ways for students to learn biology," Dr Yule said. "Individual lectures will be forgotten, but memories of field trips last a life time."
Professor Mark Peel said his citation highlighted the strength of a shared commitment and dedication to teaching and student welfare in the School of Historical Studies and Faculty of Arts.
"I have contributed to, and learned from, a wonderful community of teachers and administrators over my 13 years at Monash," Professor Peel said.
Dr Elizabeth Yuriev said it was good to be recognised for something she was so enthusiastic about.
"I would not be able to achieve this on my own," Dr Yuriev said. "This is recognition of the great work in undergraduate teaching at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science."
Dr Parthiban received his citation for adopting a new teaching approach that has significantly improved the pass rate for a difficult engineering subject -- electromagnetics.
"This new approach examines how students learn and adopts strategies that actively engage them through participation in the teaching process," Dr Parthiban said.
Kevin Tant from the Department of Accounting and Finance was cited for his project which used technology to teach theory and provide a practical link to the industry.
"It is wonderful to be able to demonstrate to students that what they have previously learned, and will learn in later studies, has relevance to their future aspirations," Mr Tant said.
For a full list of citations view the ALTC citations for outstanding contributions to student learning 2008 (pdf, 93kb).
For information on eligibility, procedure, and available support to apply for an Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) award visit the Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CALT) website (Monash only) or contact Christianna Braithwaite, Christianna.Braithwaite@calt.monash.edu.au.
20 August 2008
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| Monash is using the latest technology to pass on information to staff and students quickly when it is needed most. |
Monash is one of the first universities in Australia to implement an SMS campus alert system.
The system allows the University to quickly provide urgent information to participating staff and students on Australian campuses via bulk automated SMS messages to pre-nominated mobile phones.
Alert messages will be sent when essential services are disrupted, campus access becomes restricted or in other cases of disruption or emergency. Short messages can be sent to thousands of mobile phones in a matter of seconds.
Vice-President (Administration) Peter Marshall said Monash was using the latest technology to pass on vital safety information to staff and students quickly when it was needed most.
"Monash University is the largest university in Australia, with more than 7000 staff and 53,000 students working and studying on six campuses in Victoria," Mr Marshall said.
"We've invested in this service because we think it is vital to communicate safety information quickly and efficiently to this large and geographically diverse community."
"We hope the Monash safety text alert system will give increased peace of mind to those staff and students who elect to participate in the system."
Mr Marshall said to be part of the alert service staff and students must register their mobile phone number via a secure and confidential online site.
"Staff and students signed up for the service will then receive a short text message to their nominated mobile phone when needed," Mr Marshall said.
"Recipients will receive an almost-immediate initial alert which will pass on vital information and refer them to the Monash University website where they can then receive more detailed information," Mr Marshall said.
"The website will then act as a primary source of information as it can be regularly updated as further news comes to hand."
"All messages will be clearly identified as being from Monash University, to ensure the integrity of information transmitted by SMS."
The alert system is currently only in place for Monash University's Australian campuses.
If you would like to sign up for the alert system, log on to either the Monash Employee Self Service (ESS) for staff or the my.monash portal for students and make sure your up-to-date contact details are on file.
20 August 2008
Monash South Africa (MSA), in collaboration with the Australian Football League South Africa and Hope Worldwide, has launched the Footy Wild sports program at the MSA campus.
Footy Wild is an exciting addition to an existing community program that is held each Saturday morning with 170 participants aged 6 to 16 from the nearby Zandspruit informal settlement.
Monash student volunteers facilitate the program which provides academic assistance in mathematics, science and computer literacy. It also includes a life-skills component and a chess group.
"We are very excited about the addition of the AFL Footy Wild program on Saturdays," Program coordinator Roger Dickinson said.
"Not only are participants going to have great fun and get lots of exercise, but as part of this well-structured program, they will also be learning discipline, ball skills and teamwork."
MSA Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Simon Adams said the program went to the heart of the University's commitment to South Africa.
"Education is the key to social transformation and empowerment," Professor Adams said.
"I am now looking forward to the day when a participant from Zandspruit not only attends our University, but also ends up playing professional AFL!"
For more news from MSA, visit the Monash South Africa website.
20 August 2008
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It may be the middle of the academic year, but that's not stopping Monash University embracing the Olympic spirit.
Large screens projecting the telecast of the games have popped up at all of the University's campuses in Australia, Malyasia and South Africa as part of an initiative to build community spirit and provide students and staff with access to international events and information.
At the Clayton campus, up to 400 students crowded around a large screen in the student centre to cheer on Australia's success in the pool. The broadcast should continue to prove popular as the games continue.
Monash University has 13 athletes competing in Beijing. Our winners so far are former Monash student Patrick Murphy, who won bronze in the 4x200m freestyle, and science graduate Brenton Rickard (BSc 2006), who won silver in the 200m breaststroke final.
Rickard became the first Australian man to win an Olympic breaststroke medal in 16 years. He clocked 2:08.88 to finish second, improving on the bronze medal won by Phil Rogers in the 100m in Barcelona in 1992.
It has been a fairytale Olympic debut for Rickard, the silver medal topping his fifth placing in the 100m breaststroke earlier in the week.
The former Monash University Swim Club member went into the 2004 Australian Olympic trials as the national record holder and favourite in the 100m breaststroke but ended up finishing fourth in Athens.
Rickard said he tried to keep his cool before stepping out onto the pool deck for the final.
"You try to save as much emotional energy before your race as you can because you're going to need it at the end," he told Channel 7.
"I did that and came out and did a PB when it mattered most."
Rickard said he was "wrecked but stoked" to have snatched second place.
"(My) heart was in the mouth a bit, but to see second next to my name is just fantastic, I'm just so happy."
For a tally of Monash University's medal success go to Monash Sport's Olympic Update web page.
20 August 2008
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| The Monash 1 team: Sashi Balaraman, Victor Finkel and Kiran Iyer |
The Monash Association of Debaters (MAD) had great success at the recent 2008 Australasian Debating Championships, with Monash 1 contesting the Grand Final against the University of Sydney Union in the grandiose Meralco Theatre in Manila.
Although Sydney took out the title in a split decision, it was Monash University's best result since 2006 when it won the tournament in Wellington, New Zealand.
The Australasian Debating Championships is the largest debating tournament in the southern hemisphere, bringing together 400 students from countries such as Japan, Malaysia, China, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
This year Monash sent five teams and seven adjudicators to the event.
Monash hopes to go one better next year when it hosts the 35th Australasian Debating Championship in Melbourne from 2 to 10 July, 2009.
"This will be a fantastic opportunity for Monash students to take part in one of the most prestigious student competitions in the world, without limitations posed by travel," MAD convener Victor Finkel said.
"It will also be a fabulous opportunity to showcase Monash to representatives from across Asia."
Monash congratulates the Monash 1 team of Sashi Balaraman, Victor Finkel and Kiran Iyer.
The University also congratulates Monash B: Damien Brukard, Ravi Dutta, and Nita Rao who made the first round of finals and Monash judges Julian Campbell, Melissa Mateo, Colette Mintz and Fiona Prowse.
20 August 2008
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| The sensory garden promotes physical skill development and exploration through the senses. |
A sensory garden has been developed at the Elwyn Morey Centre on Clayton campus thanks to an international donation.
The centre, which supports young children with developmental disabilities, was able to get the garden scheme underway with a $2000 gift from the London-based healthcare consultancy HLSP.
HLSP has a fundraising arm that funds causes on behalf of its employees.
"We had a little boy with autism at the centre whose parent was on study leave in Australia with the company," centre program manager Di Chandler said.
"HLSP heard about us and decided they wanted to give thanks to our program."
Grounds staff from the University's Facilities and Services Division stepped in to develop the garden, which contains a series of platform steps leading to a large pebbled area.
"The ground staff have been fantastic," Ms Chandler said. "It has been a real team effort with grounds staff working closely with two members of our teaching staff, Glenys Severin and Anne Ewart."
"We have just been so impressed with this journey. The expertise of the team bringing it to fruition has been amazing."
Ms Chandler said children with developmental disabilities and, in particular, children with autism, experienced difficulties with motor coordination.
"The sensory garden promotes physical skill development and exploration through the senses. It is good first hand experience," she said.
Fundraising to further develop the garden continues with the aim of establishing a range of sensory plants.
The centre which is part of the Faculty of Education provides a wide range of services and programs. Students from many different study areas utilise the program for observation, tutorial study and practicum placement.
6 August 2008
Over the last month, I have been involved in a number of international activities that epitomise the breadth of Monash University's international engagement.
The first was to attend the official ceremony at the High Commissioner's residence in Kuala Lumpur where the Australian Prime Minister awarded an honorary AO to Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah in recognition of the role he has played as chair of the Sunway Group and its not-for-profit subsidiary, the Sunway Education Trust, in the success of Monash University's Sunway campus in Malaysia. In this event and the accompanying formal lunch and State dinner for Prime Minister Rudd, the importance of education in building links between Australia and Malaysia was emphasised with Monash University being particularly identified in the award ceremony.
I then attended the Board of Trustees and associated planning meetings of the University of Sharjah in London. The Board is chaired by the Ruler of Sharjah who has built a close relationship with Monash University and more widely with Victoria following the successful role played by the Faculties of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Pharmacy in the establishment of the Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Sharjah. The Ruler is an enlightened man, with two earned PhDs from UK universities (Exeter and Durham) and active interests in Portuguese exploration, preservation of the biodiversity of desert plants and in wild life preservation in the desert with the creation of a large sanctuary. He is determined that the unique role of the University of Sharjah will be as a university firmly embedded in the history and culture of the region but genuinely outward looking, admitting students of all faiths and engaging with universities throughout the world. He is keen to extend his partnership with Monash University and has agreed to provide funding towards a Chair of Islamic Studies within the Centre for Islam and the Modern World at Monash.
In London I was able to meet with the Victorian Agent-General, David Buckingham, and the Provost (Vice-Chancellor) of University College London (UCL), Malcolm Grant, about extending our current partnership with Kings College London (KCL) in the field of medical science to include UCL and Imperial. Following that, I had a brief visit to Warwick University to follow up an earlier visit by our DVC (International) Stephanie Fahey and VP (Finance) David Pitt to explore the establishment of a comprehensive partnership with Warwick. Warwick University is an excellent fit for Monash -- established in 1965, it has quickly become one of the leading universities in the UK, with the fifth highest ranking in the last Research Assessment Exercise.
Warwick has an outstanding division specifically charged with building industry engagement, WMG Innovative Solutions, directed by the imposing and influential Lord Bhattacharyya. He was liberal in his advice about the secrets of getting a successful program for university and industry partnership for mutual benefit.
There are already active collaborations between Monash and Warwick in the areas of stem cell science involving the Monash Institute of Medical Research and in materials science, where Maria Forsyth from Materials Engineering is undertaking a sabbatical program. There are several other areas of common interest in the humanities and social sciences as well as in science, engineering and health sciences. The next step is to have a more comprehensive research-mapping exercise which will be conducted when the PVC (equivalent to our DVC) Research, Mark Smith, and an accompanying delegation visit Monash in late 2008 or early 2009. Mark already knows Monash well as he spent several years at CSIRO Clayton in the 1990s and collaborated extensively with Monash during that time. Student exchange, joint PhD supervision, funded research collaboration and benchmarking will be direct dividends from the partnership that will complement our established partnerships with KCL, Newcastle and Nottingham in the UK.
On the way back from the UK, I attended the dinner at Monash University's Sunway campus in Malaysia celebrating its 10th anniversary coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Monash University. It was a wonderful event which came after a two-day education symposium and a two day research symposium led by the relevant DVCs and in which the Associate Deans from the involved faculties took part. The progress made by the campus has been stunning. Together with the Sunway campus Pro Vice-Chancellor Robin Pollard, I visited the Vice-Chancellor of UPM. This University has also made outstanding progress since its expansion from an agricultural college to a university and will join the University of Malaya and UKM as major partners of Monash University's Sunway campus in Malaysia.
At the end of the month I spent two days at our South African campus for a Board meeting and to meet most of the staff and the student association. The progress of the campus is quite remarkable. It now has over 2500 students and its financial position is continuing to improve markedly with this year's operating deficit likely to be about $4m compared to a peak in 2003 of over $12m. There have been some problems relating to IT services and with the new residential block but these have been or are being sorted out. Overall, the campus is an incredible achievement and it will be great to have more of our Australian students accessing the amazing cultural and educational experiences available at the campus and more generally in Africa.
Towards the end of the month, I hosted two significant delegations in Australia. Of course, each month we have many international visitors, but I have particular reason to refer to these two. The first was led by the Iraqi Ambassador and included the Cultural Attache and the President of al-Nahrain University. This delegation referred to the warm relationship already established between Iraq and Monash and the opportunity to expand research higher degree training. Opportunities for more extensive research collaboration were sought. The extreme resilience of the Iraqis (al-Nahrain University was not closed for a single day during the war and subsequent insurgency) and their commitment to education and research were very apparent. Fortunately, the security situation in Baghdad has improved significantly and the delegation was very optimistic about the future.
The second delegation was from Chile. I signed an Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of Universities Australia with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Chilean Government has established a $6b Bicentennial Fund to provide scholarships for the best Chilean graduates to undertake PhDs in a limited number of 'like-minded' countries which includes Australia. It is expected that around 500 fully-funded scholarships per year will be available for PhD students wishing to study in Australia. Their philosophy is that they should take advantage of the resources boom which is benefiting Chile as well as Australia by investing in their brightest students. This is another wonderful opportunity for Monash.
Finally, I attended along with several other colleagues from Monash, an inspirational fund-raising dinner conducted by the Jewish community to establish a medical research fund called AusIMed to support collaborative research between Australian universities and hospitals and the Hadassah Medical Centre in Jerusalem. The event was orchestrated by our Senior Deputy Dean of Medicine, Leon Piterman, and the fund was launched by the Federal Minister for Health Nicola Roxon. The committee has been generous enough to name me as the Patron of the Fund.
Monash's international strategy has many dimensions. It has been a defining element in the unique path that Monash has followed and a major reason why we are the only university aged 50 years or less ranked in the top 50 universities in the world by the Times Higher Education Supplement (UK). It is a key factor in raising our international profile which contributes to our success in the 'global war for talent' amongst academic staff and in our continued success in attracting international students.
20 August 2008
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Name: Bryan Fricker
Course: PhD, Linguistics
Year: One
Mode: Full-time
What is it about your course and the University that helped you to choose Monash?
It wasn't the course per se, so much as the welcome and acceptance I've found here compared to some other institutions I've been at.
What is your favourite aspect of your research and why?
I am fascinated by the psychological/linguistic process of stereotype formation and the way this impacts on people's beliefs and actions. This is particularly important in the way politicians and the media construct the reality surrounding minorities and out-groups.
What challenges are ahead for you this year?
Time! Having taken on the role of President of the Monash Postgraduate Association in addition to my thesis research, I could use a couple of extra hours in the day.
What will be your ideal career (and what will it involve) when you graduate?
Given that I'm 55 now, I should really be thinking about retirement rather than a career. I suppose researching and a little bit of teaching until I shuffle off would be my favoured option.
What is it about your course that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
My thesis is focused on the effects that stereotypes in the media have on the Indigenous community and I want to expose the unmarked assumptions that colour the reporting and disadvantage our original inhabitants in so many areas.
Of all the places in the world you would like to visit/re-visit, where is your favourite destination and why?
I wouldn't mind touring the British Isles and just listening to all the different accents. I did my undergraduate and Masters in phonetics, and the different accents of English have always fascinated me.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Don't procrastinate. Go to all the "tricks of the trade" seminars.
What is something about yourself that most of your fellow students wouldn't know?
Ah...That would be telling. Actually, although I am Indigenous, most people probably wouldn't pick me as such.
Archive of 60 seconds with...20 August 2008
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Water is the world's most precious resource. Water conservation and management are amongst Monash University's top priorities. Since the creation of the Water Conservation Committee (MWCC) in 2001, several programs have been implemented including:
The main areas of water usage at Monash are for grounds, domestic use (eg, toilets, showers, hand basins and food preparation), laboratory teaching and research.
For more information visit the Greening Up Our Act website. .