22 October 2008
22 October 2008
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Monash University secured $59m in two separate Federal Government funding rounds last week with the announcement of the recipients of Australian Research Council (ARC) and National Health and Medical Research Council grants (NHMRC) grants.
The University received its highest ever NHMRC funding, with $32 million provided for 62 individual projects, including:
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish said the Federal Government's generous allocation was confirmation that Monash researchers excelled in the delivery of quality research outcomes.
"Our scientific and medical research teams are among the best in the world and it is encouraging for them to know their endeavours have the full support of the Federal Government and NHMRC," Professor Cornish said.
"The range of projects awarded funding reflects the diversity of research at Monash. We are active across a broad range of disciplines and that expertise has application to many industries."
The University also performed strongly in the Australian Research Council funding round, receiving a total of $26.7m for 90 separate projects.
The ARC funding is divided into four categories: Discovery, Linkage, Linkage International and Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development.
$6.1 million was secured in Linkage Projects enabling the University to work with organisations as diverse as health providers, government departments, law enforcement agencies, non government organisations, steel manufactures and the oil industry. Industry support of $12 million demonstrates the University's well-established partnerships.
Professor Cornish said the funding ensured Monash maintained its position as a hub of research excellence in tune with industry and government priorities.
"We have a strong team of gifted and dedicated researchers who have great vision and the ability to collaborate with each other and with industry to identify potential solutions to the challenges facing this and future generations," Professor Cornish said.
"The ARC funding will progress their work and will ultimately lead to research outcomes we hope will benefit communities not only in Australia, but across the world."
The 90 ARC funded projects, to be undertaken from next year, incorporate a wide range of disciplines including medical research, chemical and aerospace engineering, climate change investigation, information technology, history and education.
Funding allocated under the ARC Discovery Projects Proposal includes:
Monash University also received the highest single amount of funding of any university under the Discovery Indigenous Researchers Development program.
22 October 2008
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| Professor Amanda Lynch |
An increase in weather-related natural disasters was now inevitable due to existing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, even if drastic measures to reduce emissions were taken now according to Monash climate change scientist Professor Amanda Lynch.
Professor Lynch said climate change was confounding existing democratic processes for dealing with change and called for new ways of thinking and responding.
"From a common interest point of view it is not reasonable, in view of disappointing outcomes, to defend business as usual in the climate change regime," she told a recent lunchtime forum at the Caulfield campus organised by the Climate Change and Sustainable Business Project, Faculty of Business and Economics.
Professor Lynch called for new ways of framing the climate change goals, because a focus on achieving an international agreement had narrowed debate and resulted in a policy paralysis.
"I'm interested in outcomes rather than the means to an end," Professor Lynch said.
"What has happened is that big ideas like setting and agreeing to global emission reduction targets are floundering because they have become an end in themselves."
"We keep on looking for a big one-off solution when I think we need to expand our thinking to include more modest policy initiatives: we should be allowing ourselves to fail many times while we harvest what works. While we don't allow ourselves, and our politicians, to fail, we are robbing ourselves of potential opportunities," Professor Lynch said.
"We need to open the frame to many ideas. Most likely it will be bottom up stuff that will work. I think there's room for many solutions, but at government level it's a narrow focus around big projects -- it's a global treaty or carbon capture and storage -- and nothing else matters. I'm arguing against the single means of getting an outcome, the silver bullet if you like, not against the need for an outcome."
Professor Lynch said examples of modest policy initiatives were distributed renewable energy generation; supporting efficiency measures in old building stock; improving the cost-effectiveness of generating biofuels from waste; planning cities around public transport, cycling and walking; creating more green space in urban areas, and carbon capture and storage.
Professor Lynch said regardless of efforts to mitigate emissions, damaging and catastrophic events of Hurricane Katrina magnitude were now locked in because of existing concentrations of CO2 and the fact that the climate system has a large degree of 'inertia'.
"The consequence of this inertia is that we are already committed to a certain degree of climate change beyond that already observed, even if atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations were stabilised today," she said.
Professor Lynch's sobering assessment is that the world needs to assess what it really values and take action to reduce the vulnerability of those plants, animals and communities.
"Stabilisation of (greenhouse) concentrations is one, but only one, means for reducing vulnerability. Making adaption to inevitable climate change is another and it will be a different problem and solution for each community, ecosystem, sector and nation. We can, and must, do both." .
22 October 2008
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| Victorian Parliament under way at the Gippsland campus of Monash University. |
The Gippsland campus of Monash University hosted Victoria's state political leaders earlier this month.
The campus hosted the historic sitting of the Lower House of the Parliament of Victoria on Wednesday 15 October, only the third sitting outside Melbourne in the history of the Parliament.
A newly built auditorium was set up to create many features of the Parliament, including a despatch box, members' seating and a visitors' gallery. Parliament sat for most of the day and included a lively question time.
Standing orders were temporarily suspended and Monash University Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins granted leave to address the Parliament.
Professor Larkins welcomed the gathering of Liberal, National and Labor members of the Legislative Assembly to the University and told them the Gippsland campus was a proud economic and intellectual contributor to the region.
"Since becoming part of Monash University in 1992, research and research training have become a major priority for this campus," Professor Larkins said.
"The regional location allows the research to be conducted in partnership with local business and industry bringing in expertise from other Monash campuses where this is appropriate."
Professor Helen Bartlett, recently appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor at the campus, said the occasion enabled Monash University to showcase its highly regarded regional campus and provided the Gippsland community with an opportunity to position itself with the State's political leaders.
"It is significant that 20 Members of the Victorian Parliament are Monash alumni, including three ministers and two shadow ministers," Professor Bartlett said.
"The sitting was particularly timely in this year when the campus is celebrating its 80th anniversary.
"The sitting of the Victorian Parliament in Churchill gave the campus an opportunity to highlight the importance of building partnerships with government, industry and the community".
Professor Bartlett thanked staff and students for their work on and leading up to the day.
"The coordination of the event ran extremely smoothly with assistance from across the University and the wider Gippsland community, resulting in a comprehensive display of Gippsland produce and icons," Professor Bartlett said.
She said that during the community lunch, many Gippsland people spoke to politicians from outside the area about matters concerning the local community and feedback from the Victorian Parliament was that the event gave politicians a greater understanding of the importance of university education in the region and the issues that affect the broader Gippsland community.
22 October 2008
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Chief Executive of The Pratt Foundation, journalist, commentator and analyst Sam Lipski was last week presented with an honorary degree from Monash University. The honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred by University Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins and Chancellor Dr Alan Finkel at a ceremony in Melbourne.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Melbourne, Mr Lipski began his journalistic career at Channel 9 in Melbourne in 1961.
In 1964 he joined the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Canberra, becoming the first political commentator to appear nightly on network television.
In 1969 he was appointed Washington correspondent at The Australian. After his return to Melbourne in 1973 he became the Australian correspondent for the Washington Post, and in subsequent years, a columnist for The Australian, the Melbourne Age, the Sydney Morning Herald, the Sydney Daily Telegraph, and The Bulletin.
In 1979 he served as media consultant for the Founding Board of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS). He has also been a producer and commentator on news and current affairs programs for the Macquarie Radio Network, ABC Radio, and Channel 9.
His community involvements have included his service as a member of the Federal Minister for Immigration's Advisory Committee on Ethnic Affairs in 1981, and as a member of the Federal Minister for Tourism's Promotion Australia Advisory Committee in 1987. He also served as director on the founding boards of both the General Sir John Monash Awards Foundation in 2001 and 2002, and of the Centre for Brain Science at Swinburne University of Technology in 2000 and 2001. He is a former trustee of the Australian Refugee Foundation.
He is currently a Research Associate in the School of Historical Studies at Monash University, and a Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash.
He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993 for his services to the media and in 2003 was awarded the Centenary Medal of Australia for services to journalism.
Vice-Chancellor Larkins acknowledged Mr Lipski's broad and extensive contribution to the wider community through journalism, support for philanthropy and his particular support of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash.
"Mr Lipski's stellar national and international career as a journalist, spanning more than forty years; his enduring and continuing commitment to education; his engagement with public life; and his ten year role as Chief Executive of the Pratt Foundation which has enriched the life of our community by supporting initiatives of the highest national significance - define him as one of the outstanding Australians of his generation," Professor Larkins said.
22 October 2008
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| Adina Kleiner |
When medical teacher Adina Kleiner was asked to develop an anatomy program for a new physiotherapy course, the task seemed daunting -- but it was an opportunity she could not pass up.
The new program includes teaching students in groups of eight to ten and exposes students to experienced clinicians.
"Students crave stories of real-life experiences provided by the clinicians," Ms Kleiner said.
"It gives them an insight into what they can expect when they graduate.
"In a subject that may often be delivered in a dry, didactic manner, I developed a unique lecture series with practical sessions that are factual and reinforce the way that anatomy affects human function.
"The use of software programs that are creative and graphic help to bring the lessons to life."
It took three months but the new program was innovative, engaging and utilised aspects of teaching not before seen in this area of education.
"Physiotherapists require a sophisticated knowledge and understanding of structural and functional anatomy for clinical decision-making," Ms Kleiner said.
"The importance of anatomy education is evident in the number of physiotherapists who now manage the triage of musculoskeletal injuries in hospital emergency departments.
"My aim was to create a curriculum that would stimulate students to learn anatomy well and to integrate it effectively into clinical practice. My focus was on the practical aspects of the topic, rather than the minutiae typical of many anatomy curricula."
Ms Kleiner said her love of teaching was built on a passion to see students enjoy their studies, build on their knowledge base and stretch themselves creatively.
"This is encouraging for us as teachers and encouraging for the students who know they're receiving the very best education," Ms Kleiner said.
Ms Kleiner was recently recognised for her work with an Australian Learning and Teaching Council citation.
22 October 2008
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| Director Water Research Node Dr Dirk Roux, Chief Executive International WaterCentre Mark Pascoe, MSA Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Dina Burger, MSA Pro Vice-Chancellor Tyrone Pretorius. |
A new initiative that aims to help turnaround degraded freshwater river systems in Africa has been launched at the Monash South Africa campus.
The International WaterCentre (IWC) Africa Water Research Node aims to help African policy makers better manage the continent's freshwater resources.
The IWC is a joint venture between Monash University, Griffith University, the University of Queensland and the University of Western Australia.
The South African node will be led by MSA's Dr Dirk Roux who has more than 15 years' experience in the assessment and management of freshwater ecosystems.
State-of-River reports for many South African rivers over the past 10 years have provided harsh evidence that freshwater ecosystems are far more threatened than marine or terrestrial ecosystems.
Dr Roux said we lived in an era where value systems, misdirected ingenuity and modern technologies had brought about a planetary emergency.
"Fresh water is arguably the most fundamental of all natural resources affecting every form of life on earth," Dr Roux said.
"This valuable resource is in particular crisis as its rate of exploitation exceeds the capacity of nature to regenerate it."
Dr Roux said he believed scientists had an obligation to produce new knowledge and effectively communicate their findings to the community and policy makers.
"The IWC Africa Water Research Node will contribute by promoting and facilitating novel, interdisciplinary research, encouraging post-graduate students to become leaders in the water sector, and by working with the community to develop workable solutions."
MSA Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Dina Burger said Monash South Africa had positioned itself to undertake innovative research on issues of concern in contemporary Africa.
"Several research nodes are being created to address critically important themes such as water, energy, climate and global movements as part of our expansion strategy," Professor Burger said.
"These research nodes will include high quality research, higher degrees by research, short courses and community engagement projects."
22 October 2008
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| The tour will visit the Melbourne Observatory, which had an early model computer. |
The Caulfield School of Information Technology is holding a computing history tour of Melbourne on Sunday 9 November, 2008.
The tour will begin at the Monash Museum of Computing History at the Caulfield campus, which houses the University's first computer.
During the day participants will discover a connection between St Paul's Cathedral and 19th century computing pioneer Charles Babbage, who designed and partly built a steam-driven computer.
The tour will also visit the Melbourne Observatory's "computer room" that housed people rather than machines. Their task was to undertake astronomical calculations and take measurements of the night sky.
After a few more stops, the tour will finish at the Melbourne Museum where participants will view the first computer in Australia (and fourth in the world).
Head of the Caulfield School of IT Associate Professor Graham Farr said Melbourne had several remarkable links to the earliest days of computers.
"This tour is a chance to explore another dimension of Melbourne's history and to better understand how computers have changed science, engineering and society," Professor Farr said.
To join the free tour, which commences at 9 am, email Associate Professor Farr Graham.Farr@infotech.monash.edu.au.
Costs on the day will include food and drink and a Zone 1 tram ticket.
For more information visit the Computing Tour website.
22 October 2008
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| Chancellor Dr Alan Finkel led the way as Monash University increased its participation in this year's Sustainable Transport Day. |
A record 440 staff and students registered to ride to work and an additional 496 car drivers shared their journey to work in support of Sustainable Transport Day held across all Australian campuses earlier this month.
Sustainable Transport Day included the national Ride to Work initiative but also incorporated a push by Monash to encourage more students and staff to use public transport or carpool for the day.
Monash University Chancellor Dr Alan Finkel was among hundreds who cycled to work.
At Clayton the number of riders was 98 per cent up on last year, with 109 participants, while there was a 77 per cent increase at Caulfield with 53 riders taking part.
At Parkville, 41 riders registered, 17 at Gippsland, 13 at Peninsula and four at Berwick. The Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct registered 46 riders.
James Gormley, Transport Coordinator for the Office of Environmental Sustainability said Sustainable Transport Day was about looking at what options are available to travel to campus.
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"By taking the time to explore your options you might find benefits to leaving the car at home you didn't realise before," Mr Gormley said.
"We all tend to know about the environmental benefits but people don’t realise, until they try it, that there are many more immediate benefits to car pooling or taking public transport."
22 October 2008
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| Matt Flynn from Whittlesea Secondary College, Brenton Lawrence from Galvin Park Secondary College, Claire Wheaton from Mildura Senior College, Harley Standley from Whittlesea Secondary College, Hannah Moule from Wanganui Park Secondary College and Emily Gulliver from Wanganui Park Secondary College. |
More than 100 talented Year 11 students from 58 schools across Victoria have tested their chemistry skills as part of a two-day workshop held at Monash University's Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
The hands-on workshop was held to give students an insight into the science behind the creation of every day products.
Students were introduced to university-level chemistry through a mix of lab sessions and tutorials covering topics such as skin structure and moisturisers.
Teams from each school were challenged to develop their own moisturiser, before presenting and discussing their creations with a panel of Monash scientists.
The faculty's student activities officer Jessica Dobbie said the workshop gave students the opportunity to experience university life, exposing them to opportunities in pharmaceutical sciences.
"On television, in magazines and on the radio we are constantly bombarded with products promising to make our skin look more beautiful," Ms Dobbie said.
"This workshop allows students to see and experience for themselves the processes pharmaceutical scientists go through to develop a cosmetic from an idea to a physical product on our supermarket or pharmacy shelf."
For more information on studying at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences visit the Faculty website.
1 October 2008
I trust that everyone is now aware of the Monash Passport model, to be launched formally during the Education Expo on October 8 as part of the Educate08 celebration of excellence in learning and teaching at Monash, which will be held from Thursday October 2 to Friday October 10.
The Monash Passport offers students a broad menu of opportunities, combining degree programs with international exchanges, leadership programs, work training programs and volunteer and research opportunities as a grounding for outstanding careers.
The hallmarks of the Monash Passport are embedding opportunities for students to:
Details of the exciting Educate08 program and the Monash Passport model are accessible through the Monash website.
Participation in sport is, for many students, a highlight of their university experience and nowhere is this better supported than at Monash. On Sunday evening, September 28, I officially opened the 2008 Australian University Games (AUG) at the Melbourne Town Hall. Monash University is the Principal Partner University for the Games. These Games will encompass approximately 7000 participants competing in 28 sports making it the biggest University Games to date. There will be more participants than in the Melbourne Commonwealth Games. Monash University has 520 students taking part and of course many other students and staff are involved in the organisation of the Games and as volunteers.
Monash University was placed second in the AUG in 2007 and taking into account the non-AUG sporting events was placed first overall in sports in 2007.
Importantly, it is not only in sport that Monash students are taking part in activities that add to their university experience in areas other than academic achievement. Our debaters again performed outstandingly well at the World Championships and Monash is the fourth ranked university in the world in debating. Student theatre, the Monash Philharmonic and the many other Clubs and Societies provide opportunities for students to pursue a wide range of interests. Many other students are active participants in volunteer organisations such as the Oaktree Foundation, Engineers without Borders, AISEC, Students in Free Enterprise and Golden Key as well as many others within the University and in the community. Other students play leadership roles in student associations.
Monash University is strongly committed to giving students the opportunity to undertake a range of activities outside the classroom that help them to develop personal and life skills beyond anything that can be achieved through academic studies alone. Lifelong friendships are commenced, often crossing national boundaries. Organisational, leadership and communication skills are developed and personal interests are fostered outside work that enrich the lives of our students and often form the basis for lifelong activities.
Such activities well and truly prepare students to "Adopt as your fundamental creed that you will equip yourself for life, not solely for your own benefit but for the benefit of the whole community" as exhorted by Sir John Monash.
22 October 2008
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Name: Dr Gideon Boas
Title: Senior lecturer
Org Unit: Faculty of Law
How long have you been with Monash University?
I have been with Monash full-time since July 2007.
Prior to working at Monash, where were you located and what was your role?
Before joining Monash law I was a senior legal officer at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in the Netherlands. I was there for nine years working in chambers (with the Judges) on a range of trials, appeals and development of the rules of procedure and evidence of the organisation (a blueprint for international criminal law and the International Criminal Court). For the last four and a half years at the ICTY I was the senior legal adviser to the Trial Chamber in the trial of Slobodan Milosevic the former President of (now) Serbia.
What challenges are ahead in your current role?
Helping to build the status of Monash law in the various fields of public international law, meeting an ambitious schedule of published work, and contributing to public debate about international law and politics.
What is it about your job that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
I love all of the core aspects of my work, particularly teaching those students who have a genuine enthusiasm for the law as a profession; researching and writing in my fields of interest, and participating in public discourse about criminal justice, international law and human rights. It is a privilege to be paid to engage in your areas of intellectual passion.
What is your favourite place in the world and why?
The MCG. I spent nine northern summers getting up at 6 am every weekend to listen to the football over the internet, but there is nothing like the vibrancy in the air and the smell of the grass on game day. It is a simple, if ridiculous, pleasure.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Treasure what is important. I spent the better part of nine years sitting in court listening to people who, in a sickening moment, had lost their families and their meaning to live to the rot of human hatred.
What is something about yourself that most of your colleagues wouldn't know?
What they don't know won't hurt them.
22 October 2008
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A $3.8m zebra fish aquarium is being built at the University's Clayton campus. It includes 5000 fish tanks, a 1000 tank quarantine room and laboratory space.
The tiny tropical species, which can repair its own muscle tissue, is being studied by Monash scientists in a bid to unlock the secrets of human regeneration.