19 November 2008
19 November 2008
|
| Professor Edward Byrne AO |
Monash University Council has appointed Professor Edward Byrne AO as the eighth Vice-Chancellor of Monash University. He will commence his position on 1 July 2009.
Professor Byrne will succeed Professor Richard Larkins AO, who will retire from this role after being Monash University Vice-Chancellor since September 2003.
Professor Byrne is currently the Vice Provost (Health) at University College London and was previously the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University.
Dr Finkel said Professor Byrne, 56, would be an outstanding asset to Monash University.
"I have no doubt that with Professor Byrne's extensive international experience, combined with his strong research, management and industry skills, he will continue to build on and further strengthen the excellent work by Professor Larkins to develop Monash as one of the region's leading research and education institutions," Dr Finkel said.
"Professor Byrne has a strong track record in medical research as a clinician and teacher, and also has considerable management and corporate sector experience. He possesses all the drive, vision and leadership required to guide Monash University to an even brighter future," he said.
Professor Byrne said he was delighted to return to Monash University and Australia.
"I am enormously excited to have been given this opportunity," Professor Byrne said.
"My ambition for Monash University is to build on the outstanding work carried out by Professor Richard Larkins and his team, ensuring the University continues to make the fullest possible contribution to the social, economic, cultural and environmental well-being of communities in Australia and across the world," Professor Byrne said.
"Monash University is a fantastic institution that has made some superb achievements in many fields. The last five years have been a time of immense academic achievement with consolidation and growth of its teaching and research reputation.
"Right now Monash University is well placed to go to the next level and in the years ahead become a new type of Australian university tackling the major problems of our age and distinguished by strong global connections and high-quality multi-disciplinary research.
"Monash University has the potential to become one of the great universities in the world, due largely to the quality and passion of teaching and research staff, and a level of global engagement few others can match," he said.
Professor Byrne is a pioneering neuroscientist, who has combined an active clinical career with an outstanding contribution to research into neuromuscular disorders.
He began his career in Adelaide after graduating from the University of Tasmania in 1974. He was made Neurology Registrar at Adelaide Hospital in 1978. In 1983, he was appointed Director of Neurology at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne at the age of just 31.
In 1995 Melbourne University awarded him a Doctor of Science, a higher degree conferred in recognition of a demonstrated record of research excellence.
Professor Byrne was a founding director of the Melbourne Neuromuscular Research Unit and the Centre for Neuroscience. He was also made Professor of Experimental Neurology at the University of Melbourne.
Professor Byrne has made an outstanding contribution to research into degenerative neurological diseases, particularly as they relate to progressive muscular disease such as myopathies and muscular dystrophy. His ground-breaking research, which contributed to elucidating the role of mitochondrial DNA abnormalities in neurological diseases, is recognised world wide and played a role in the discovery of mitochondrial links to ageing.
Since 2002 he has also been a non-executive director of Cochlear Pty Ltd, one of Australia's most successful biotech spin-off companies, and he was recently appointed to the board of BUPA, the UK's leading provider of private health care insurance and health care services (operating in Australia as HBA and MBF). Professor Byrne has served on a number of charitable trusts and provided advice to several community based organisations in the neurology area.
In 2006 Professor Byrne was admitted as an Officer of the Order of Australia.
19 November 2008
 |
Monash University's Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is leading the way in worldwide teaching innovation with the development of a virtual hi-tech teaching tool that is being enthusiastically adopted by leading pharmacy schools around the globe.
An interactive virtual laboratory has been developed on Pharmatopia, the faculty's island in the internet-based virtual world, Second Life.
Pharmatopia, which is accessible only to students and teachers, is part of a new collaborative teaching model involving 10 leading universities in the UK, Sweden, Denmark, USA and Australia.
Monash has developed an interactive virtual tabletting laboratory that gives students the opportunity to develop and test medicines, each with different ingredients and qualities, in a virtual environment.
Australian pharmacists are not required to manufacture commercial tablets, but they do need to know about tablet ingredients and how inactive ingredients, such as those that control a medication's ability to dissolve, affect the properties and quality of the final product so they can properly advise consumers.
Dr Ian Larson from the faculty's Department of Pharmaceutics said the virtual environment provided a new learning experience to students.
"In this virtual lab on Pharmatopia students can learn by doing rather than by listening and observing a lecturer, and they can complete their practicals at any time as they're available 24/7," Dr Larson said.
"There are also occupational, health and safety and security considerations around the use of the tablet presses and different drug formulations, not to mention the logistics of timetabling the practical classes.
"Changes to practical classes in tabletting were also necessary due to the high cost of replacing tablet presses as new technology was developed."
Dr Larson said the faculty was now looking at ways to combine pharmacy teaching with other health professions.
"In collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and our international partners, we are building a virtual hospital that combines the skills of doctors, pharmacists and nurses so that each cohort can fully understand the role the others play in patient health," Dr Larson said.
"The future possibilities for this type of teaching are almost limitless."
To see Pharmatopia in action and to learn more about the Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science and Bachelor of Pharmacy visit the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences website.
19 November 2008
 |
In an Australian-first agreement with a US law school, Monash University's Faculty of Law has established a dual degree program with Washington College of Law WCL, part of American University, Washington D.C.
The international dual degree program offered between Monash and WCL enables Monash Law students studying the Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) to complete their degree at Washington College of Law in Washington D.C., obtaining a Juris Doctor degree from both law schools.
In an increasingly competitive environment, the international Juris Doctor program provides exceptional opportunities for students from both law schools to acquire valuable on-site education and skills to work as "local" lawyers in both Australia and the US.
The Monash law faculty and WCL have agreed to facilitate each other's students enrolling in their respective JD courses, and will credit students for some of the units undertaken while on exchange.
Monash Faculty of Law Director International Dr Jonathan Clough said WCL had similar exchange agreements with universities in France, Spain and Canada but this was WCL's first agreement with an Australian university and also the first time an Australian university law school had established such a program with an international law school.
"This is the first time that law students enrolled at an Australian university have had the opportunity to gain dual JD degrees in different countries by completing one course," Dr Clough said.
"This agreement is part of Monash's commitment to engendering international perspectives in our students and equipping our graduates with the skills for learning and working in the global sphere.
"Knowledge of legal systems of multiple countries is crucial for professional success in an increasingly globalised workplace."
The JD has been offered by Australian university law schools as an alternative to the traditional Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree for several years.
Monash's Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) is open to applicants who have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than law. The JD takes three years full-time study or six years part-time.
19 November 2008
 |
| Unnel-Teddy Ngoumandjoka |
Monash South Africa Information Technology student Unnel-Teddy Ngoumandjoka is one of 30 students awarded a prestigious Mandela Rhodes Scholarship for 2009.
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship honours the legacy of leadership and reconciliation embodied by Nelson Mandela, and the legacy of education and entrepreneurship of Cecil Johan Rhodes.
It is awarded to African students who demonstrate scholastic, intellectual and leadership potential. Mr Ngoumandjoka, who is from Libreville, Gabon, is a final year student at the MSA School of Information Technology. He is studying a double major in Computing and Business Systems and plans to undertake a Bachelor of Computing (Honours) program next year.
During his first two years in South Africa he received a Gabon Government bursary and attended an English language school in Johannesburg, before completing the foundation program at Monash South Africa. His excellent academic results saw him awarded a Monash Scholarship to undertake an undergraduate degree.
Mr Ngoumandjoka said he felt privileged and honoured to be the recipient of the Mandela Rhodes scholarship.
"I realise that it will open up lots of new opportunities for me," Mr Ngoumandjoka said.
"I have committed myself to furthering my education because I realise that a good leader needs a strong educational background.
"Since I was in high school I have dreamt of a united African continent.
"In the future I hope to be in a managerial or leadership role, and receiving this scholarship has made me even more determined to work towards making a positive contribution to a way forward for the African continent."
MSA Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research) Professor Dina Burger congratulated Unnel-Teddy on his achievement.
"We are very proud and thrilled that one of our students has been awarded this scholarship," Professor Burger said.
"We hope that many more Monash South Africa students, who share the vision of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, will be awarded this scholarship in the years ahead."
The recipients of the Mandela Rhodes scholarships receive in-residence leadership and mentoring programs as part of their scholarship.
19 November 2008
 |
Monash has received A$6.4 million in Research and Practitioner Fellowships in the latest round of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funding - a 31 per cent increase on 2007.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish said the fellowships were highly competitive, providing the opportunity for outstanding health and medical researchers to undertake research that was highly significant to their field and the health of Australians.
"Monash University is delighted with the outcome of this latest round of NHMRC fellowships," Professor Cornish said.
"The fact that Monash researchers have been officially recognised in this way and encouraged to continue their work is a true testament to the high quality of research that is undertaken at Monash."
Ten Monash researchers were awarded fellowships.
Professor Peter Cameron from the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine - Emergency and Trauma Centre received a Practitioner Fellowship to continue research into pre-hospital, emergency and trauma care.
Associate Professor Brian Cooke from the Department of Microbiology received a Research Fellowship to further his research into the prevention of the most severe form of malaria, which currently causes half a billion infections per year and up to 3 million deaths worldwide.
Understanding testicular cancer and male reproductive health will be the focus of Research Fellowship recipient, Associate Professor Kate Loveland from the Monash Institute for Medical Research (MIMR).
Other successful recipients include:
"These researchers have the potential to have an enormous impact on the health of Australians and people around the world," Professor Cornish said.
"Monash University would like to congratulate them on such a fantastic result and thank the NHMRC for their continued support."
19 November 2008
 |
| Professor Rob Willis |
Monash is holding a conference on Tuesday 25 November to discuss initiatives and programs to support Monash students as they adjust to life and learning at university.
The ‘Monash Transition Roundtable 2008' will include a range of events and lectures held simultaneously across four venues at the Clayton campus.
Law Professor Sally Kift from the Queensland University of Technology will provide the day's opening keynote address, discussing the role of first year curriculum design in student engagement, success and retention.
Some of the other topics covered in the program include peer mentoring, leadership and ambassador programs, international student support, academic and generic skills development and orientation programs.
Campus director of Caulfield and Clayton campuses Professor Rob Willis said the day offered the opportunity for University staff and students, secondary school teachers and other interested parties to discuss the issues and emotions students face during the transition from secondary to university study.
"All students, regardless of age, educational and cultural background and personality will be affected by issues of transition," Professor Willis said.
"It is important that the University is able to understand the transition process, anticipate the range of problems that students encounter so that we can provide support and guidance to those students who need it.
"We are looking forward to hearing from staff about their vast and varied experiences of delivering transition-related initiatives and programs at Monash.
"Points of view from the student perspective are also welcomed and encouraged."
The Monash Transition Roundtable is sponsored by the Office of the Campus Director (Caulfield and Clayton), the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International), the Marketing and Student Recruitment Division and the Student and Community Services Division.
For further information including session times, venue and registration information visit the Monash Transition Roundtable 2008 website.
19 November 2008
 |
| Dr Andrew Prentice |
When researcher and lecturer Dr Andrew Prentice from the School of Mathematical Sciences saw his 65th birthday looming he decided it was time to retire.
Dr Prentice had clocked up 37 years service at Monash University and thought it was time to stand down from his lectern and make room for the younger generation of lecturers.
His students, however, had other ideas.
Upon learning of his intended retirement, a group of undergraduate students in Mathematical Sciences were horrified and set about lobbying Dr Prentice to change his mind.
They posted blogs on the web page The Andrew Prentice Appreciation Society, they lobbied on their Facebook pages and placed a bunch of roses at his office door.
"When I arrived at work I was overwhelmed to discover that a group of students from my class of 160 enrolled in the unit Multivariable Calculus, had pinned a beautiful bunch of roses on my office door," Dr Prentice said.
The students' activism led Dr Prentice to rethink his plans.
"It was a huge vote of confidence in my role as a lecturer and made all the effort I had put into the course this year worthwhile," Dr Prentice said.
Dr Prentice has since reconsidered his retirement plans with the support of the Dean of the Science Faculty Professor Rob Norris, and Head of the School of Mathematical Sciences Associate Professor Alan Pryde.
Dr Prentice will continue in his role as researcher and lecturer, but on a reduced work load.
"This means that I can continue to teach, which I love doing, and continue my research into the formation of the solar system," Dr Prentice said.
"However I have decided to make sure not to stand in the way of the advancement of younger members of staff and to hand over core teaching courses as it is appropriate that the baton be passed on after 37 years."
As for the Andrew Prentice Appreciation Society webpage, how it came to be is still a mystery to Dr Prentice.
"This page was set up by hundreds of former undergraduates who wanted to acknowledge my efforts as a lecturer in mathematics at Monash University," Dr Prentice said.
"It includes many humorous anecdotes and one-liners that I must have used during my lectures to keep the students alert and focused.
"These one-liners have come to be known as 'Prenticisms'."
To view the 'Prenticisms' visit the Andrew Prentice Appreciation Society Facebook group.
19 November 2008
 |
| Rodney Forbes, 'Rocket Boy 2', 2007, Oil on canvas, 91 x 51 cm |
The development of the Gippsland Centre of Art and Design at the Gippsland campus is being celebrated through a new exhibition of the work of 48 artists at the Latrobe Regional Gallery.
The Magistery exhibition includes paintings, photography and sculpture by artists such as Rodney Forbes, Kees Hos, Robin Wallace-Crabbe, Nigel Lendon and Tony Hanning, all of whom have lectured at the centre over its history and have influenced and continue to influence the cultural and artistic heritage of the Gippsland region.
Exhibition curator and glass artist Dr Tony Hanning was the first art and design graduate at GCAD.
"Magistery is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Monash University and 80th anniversary of further education in Gippsland, in particular the development of a tertiary art school," Dr Hanning said.
"The Gippsland Centre of Art and Design has been significant in influencing cultural growth throughout Gippsland with the presence of renowned artists and the establishment of many galleries.
"This has led to an increase in quality cafes and restaurants that service the needs of visitors to the region."
Magistery is on display at the Latrobe Regional Gallery, 138 Commercial Rd, Morwell until Sunday 7 December.
The gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and 11 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday.
For more information on the Gippsland Centre for Art and Design visit the Faculty of Art and Design website.
19 November 2008
 |
| Sessional tutor and coach Mr Kenta Koshiba (left) with competition winner Lance Truong. |
Monash student Lance Truong has taken out the final of the 39th Japanese Language Speech Contest in Sydney.
Mr Truong, who has studied Japanese at Monash for the past three years, talked about "cute culture" in Japan such as Hello Kitty and Pokemon at the competition, saying that it began as a protest against the feudal society but was now used as a marketing tool.
He has been rewarded for his efforts with a return ticket to Japan.
Mr Truong said the competition was invaluable.
"It was a pleasure to meet other people with the same interest in Japan and the language," Mr Truong said.
"I was particularly surprised at the high level of oratory and language skills from all contestants -- actually winning came as quite a shock!"
For more information visit the Japanese Studies Centre website.
5 November 2008
Much has been happening over the last month in every sphere of activity for Monash University.
As indicated in last month's AI, the Australian University Games were held with Monash as the principal partner university. They were a great success, although the tragic death of a Griffith student as an innocent and random victim in a senseless road accident put a dampener on the celebrations of the event. Monash University's team was placed first, narrowly beating the University of Melbourne with the University of Sydney a distant third. Martin Doulton, the Director of Monash Sport and the whole of Team Monash are to be congratulated. While speaking of sport, more than 400 Monash students, staff and friends took part in the Around The Bay in a Day event.
Monash researchers received their largest ever share of ARC Linkage grants and NHMRC Project grants although the ARC Discovery Grants announced were $6m less than last year's record. Altogether, it was a strong performance, although there is still room for improvement.
The Monash Passport was successfully launched with much positive publicity. The educational reputation of Monash University is rising rapidly as shown by the initial indication of preferences by students through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre where Monash was the most popular Victorian university for both first preferences and total preferences with an increase of 16% in first preferences.
The shortlisting of 14 of the 55 of the Higher Education Endowment Fund was brought forward to 22 October as one of the steps taken by the Federal Government to stimulate the economy by capital expenditure. One of Monash University's two applications, The New Horizons Centre, was shortlisted. New Horizons is a visionary project which, if funded, will play a critical role in the ongoing objective to establish Monash University's Clayton campus as the centre of the most significant technology innovation hub in the Southern hemisphere. It provides a wonderful opportunity to co-locate 500 Monash and CSIRO engineers and scientists in state-of-the-art facilities alongside existing major infrastructure including the Australian Synchrotron, the Melbourne Centre for Nanofabrication, the Monash Centre for Electron Microscopy and the Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute.
The Legislative Assembly of the Victorian Parliament had a regional sitting at our Gippsland campus on 15 October. The new auditorium was rearranged to be a most authentic chamber. I was asked to address the Parliament and was able to describe some of the contributions made by our Gippsland campus to the local economy and the cultural life of the region as well as the broader role of universities in the community. The campus staged the sitting superbly and it was a great public relations exercise.
In the face of all these achievements we are attempting to complete the process of setting the budget for 2009. As previously reported, the Commonwealth Grant Scheme funding is only to increase by 2.1% (with some additional funds for new Commonwealth supported places partly to substitute for lost full-fee paying domestic undergraduates and for some transitional funding to compensate for the loss of fees). The international financial turmoil makes prediction of international student numbers difficult, although initial indications suggest continuing strong demand. Ongoing capital commitments make the cashflow situation particularly difficult. However, the Prime Minister's Science Engineering and Innovation Council, and particularly the Prime Minister himself, responded positively to the recommendations of the Cutler Review of Innovation and we await the Bradley Review of higher education. It is to be hoped that the Government response to these reviews will address the inadequate funding of research costs and the need for more dollars per student for undergraduate Australian students.
So next year will be very tough, but there is hope that there will be some resolution of the financial issues facing all Australian universities in the foreseeable future.
19 November 2008
 |
Name: Iris Yan
Course: PhD in Electrical Engineering, Clayton campus
Year Level: Three
Mode: Full-time
What is it about your course and the University that helped you to choose Monash?
Monash is a university with international prestige and it is located in a nice, quiet area.
What challenges have you conquered this year?
I received a full scholarship. I organised a Sichuan Earthquake Fundraising event that raised A$11,000. I have also visited the University of California in LA and was a finalist in the 2008 Google Anita Borg Scholarship, which honours the legacy of Anita Borg and her efforts to encourage women to pursue careers in computer science and technology.
What would be your ideal career (and what would it involve) when you graduate?
I would like to work in the research and development department of a telecom-related company, though I don’t mind trying out different possibilities.
What is it about your course that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
Research is absolutely a creative job. There is no problem to solve unless you find the problem yourself.
What is your favourite place in the world and why?
I’d like to explore all different places of the world.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Just have a try, there is nothing to lose.
What is something about yourself that most of your fellow students wouldn’t know?
I ran away from home several times in high school after fighting with my parents over my enthusiasm for computer games.
19 November 2008
 |
The Berwick campus was built on the old Casey airfield, reportedly the site of the first sport parachuting jump in Victoria in 1968.
The Casey airfield was established in 1938. It was privately owned by enthusiastic aviator Lord Richard Gardiner Casey (Governor General of Australia 1965-1969) until 1968 when it was taken over by commercial operators who used the airfield for gliding and sport parachuting.
The original 1930s Casey airfield hanger is on display at the Moorabbin Air Museum together with one of Lord Casey's planes, a Miles Messenger.