25 March 2009
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Monash is participating in Earth Hour 2009 during the global Earth Hour this Saturday 28 March from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
The Caulfield campus will host the event that will feature an outdoor festival of live music, jugglers, guest speakers and workshops. Participants will also be able to "cast their vote" for the planet.
The event, open to all staff and students, will commence at 7pm with an African drumming group. At 8.30 pm the campus will be plunged into darkness and gypsy tango and funk band Barons of Tang will entertain the crowd. To register for the event visit the Sustainability Month website.
The University also hopes to build on last year's success during Monash Earth Hour on Monday 30 March between 12 and 1 pm.
In 2008 more than 1000 people registered to take part.
Staff and students can participate by switching off all non-essential lighting, computers, equipment and appliances provided it does not compromise core business activities and safety.
Paul Barton from the Office of Environmental Sustainability said Monash was committed to a target of a 20 per cent reduction (from 2005 levels per student) in energy consumption across all Australian campuses by 2010.
"The University's participation in Earth Hour is just one of the many initiatives currently underway to raise awareness of sustainability issues and to help reduce our carbon footprint," Mr Barton said.
"I hope all Monash staff and students will take part in this important event."
Earth Hour is just one of the many events held as part of Sustainability Month. Staff and students are invited to the upcoming public lecture 'Greener cities by design - sustainable urban development' at the State Library of Victoria at 6pm on Wednesday 1 April.
25 March 2009
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| Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser, Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins and Associate Professor Martin Lackmann from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. |
More than 1700 Melbourne biomedical researchers can now study live cells under world-class conditions.
Monash Micro Imaging centre has opened a $4 million Advanced Optical Imaging Facility that provides high-powered automated microscopes, some worth half a million dollars, for medical and life science research.
Located at the Clayton campus, the facility houses 13 integrated microscopes from companies such as Leica Microsystems, Olympus and Nikon. The facility acts as a hub for two other imaging nodes at Monash Medical Centre and the Alfred Medical Research and Education Precinct.
It was launched on 17 March by the Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser, who compared the way he used to work on old manual microscopes with the hi-tech opportunities now afforded to researchers, including access and control of remote instruments.
The centre includes a new OptiPortal (a video wall display) - 20 connected screens that can display and transfer high resolution images.
At the launch, Monash Micro Imaging researchers demonstrated its abilities, remotely operating a microscope in Germany and another in the adjacent laboratories. The images were then displayed side by side on the OptiPortal.
The images were then switched from a "Google Earth" type view of a whole tumour on one microscope, to focus on a single cell in a complementary specimen on another microscope.
This ability allows researchers to create a virtual microscope, synthesising new information and possible new data from integrating multiple imaging modes.
25 March 2009
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| Professor Neville Nicholls |
The unprecedented Melbourne heat wave in late January and early February has focused attention on the human and economic cost of extreme weather events.
But are these extremes increasing in frequency or intensity because of man-made climate change?
Professor Neville Nicholls, an international authority on climate change, will draw on his latest research to discuss why the heat wave killed many people and how weather and climate extremes are changing across the world, at a Monash Future Council public lecture on Wednesday 1 April.
Professor Nicholls' research found at least 100 people died in Melbourne during the heatwave – a 45 per cent jump in deaths – and more died in other parts of Victoria, in South Australian and Northern Tasmania.
"The heatwave at the end of January was a human tragedy albeit an invisible one, Professor Nicholls said.
"It's something we're seeing more frequently all over the world.
"Our inability to slow the rate of emissions of greenhouse gases or even adapt to our warming world, means we are already seeing more deaths, and these are not people who would have died anytime soon, had it not been for the heat."
In a report released last year, Professor Nicholls found that deaths in Melbourne among people over 65 years of age jumped by at least 15 per cent when the average daily temperature was more than 30 degrees.
During the recent heatwave, average daily temperatures in Melbourne were more than five degrees higher than this.
Professor Nicholls' lecture will be held at the Monash Council Chambers from 1-2 pm next Wednesday.
For further information, contact Kate Rigby on +61 3 99052246.
25 March 2009
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A team of Monash researchers is part of a new ovarian cancer treatment trial that uses a daily chemo-therapy treatment to boost patients' immune systems.
Professor Magdalena Plebanski is leading the Monash research team that will be part of the Melbourne-based trial of a new treatment on 20 ovarian cancer patients.
The oral chemotherapy treatment has the potential to kill off the cells that prevent a patient's immune system from attacking the cancer itself.
Recent research indicates that particular groups of different cells may be active in 10 to 14 day cycles and that if the chemotherapy pill is administered in the right dose at the right time, it may be effective in removing the "interfering" cells.
Blood samples will be taken from patients on alternate days to measure indications that the cells are susceptible to being removed by treatment.
When levels rise in the cycle, tablets of a low-dose chemotherapy drug will be taken for the next three days.
"We will test blood samples from patients to ensure the cells that need to be eliminated with chemotherapy are being targeted effectively," Professor Plebanski said.
"We also test that the cells that we want to remain unaffected by the chemotherapy are doing well. It's very important to strike balance between the cells."
The research teams believe that if this alternative scheduling of chemotherapy proves effective, it may also be translated to other forms of cancer including bowel, lung and soft-tissue cancers.
Women's Cancer Foundation board member Professor Michael Quinn, who is leading the clinical trial team, said more will be known about the effectiveness of this alternative drug scheduling in 18-months time.
The researchers are also hoping to raise $150,000 to secure the final stage of the trial.
25 March 2009
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Find out how you can study part of your Monash degree overseas at the 2009 Monash Abroad Exchange Fair on Wednesday 1 April at the Clayton campus.
The expo will enable students to find out more about the program from Monash Abroad staff including how they can study at another Monash campus in Malaysia or South Africa.
Students can also speak to other Monash students who have been on overseas exchange and meet with representatives from partner universities in countries like the US, France, UK, Hong Kong and Sweden.
Students who attend the Expo can enter the draw to win a $1000 travel voucher from STA Travel.
Transport is available via the Monash shuttle bus service, which runs between Clayton campus and the Berwick, Caulfield and Peninsula campuses.
Gippsland students can speak directly with Monash Abroad about assistance to travel to the event.
The expo will be held in the main dining room on the first floor of the Campus Centre (Building 10).
For further information, visit the 2009 Monash Abroad Exchange Fair website.
25 March 2009
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| Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish and Social Research Centre managing director Darren Pennay. |
A new partnership between Monash and the Social Research Centre will give researchers ready access to specialist research expertise.
The Social Research Centre (SRC), based in North Melbourne, is a dedicated social research organisation focusing on social, health, and government research services.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Edwina Cornish said Monash was delighted to team up with the Social Research Centre to collaborate on future research projects.
"The Social Research Centre's capabilities in the design and conduct of large-scale quantitative surveys, as well as their qualitative research expertise, will complement and strengthen Monash's specialist research expertise," Professor Cornish said.
Business Development Manager Ros King said the partnership would make it much easier for Monash researchers to source social research expertise and would streamline the process of applying for research grants and contracts.
For the Social Research Centre, locating Monash specialists will also be much easier through the arrangement.
"The quality of our research will be enhanced by the SRC's commitment to becoming a centre of excellence in the practice of social research in Australia through better understanding the demands of such research, current limitations and also striving to continuously improve the methods used," Ms King said.
"Monash has many research areas across a number of faculties that will benefit from this partnership."
The University and SRC have appointed relationship managers to facilitate contact between the two organisations.
For more information, contact Ros King on ext. 50745 or +61 3 402 346 038.
25 March 2009
 Upgrade / install Flash player for optimum video viewing or refer to the alternative versions below. Bike share videoAlternative versions: |
A new bike-share scheme using recycled bicycles has been launched for Halls of Residence students at the Clayton campus.
The scheme, which has been developed to encourage use of sustainable transport options, allows students living in accommodation in the north-east corner of the campus to ride to classes or activities.
More than 70 "hack" bikes have been assembled by industrial design students from recycled parts and made available for the scheme.
The bikes have been fitted with a locking system similar to those used on shopping trolleys. Bike parking hoops at the campus have been modified to allow bikes to be parked securely without the use of chains or D-locks.
Students involved in the scheme received a free helmet, lock key, lights and parking map to get them started.
The Office of Environmental Sustainability in partnership with Monash Halls of Residence and the Department of Design developed the pilot bike-share scheme.
If the scheme is successful, a prototype bicycle designed last year by design students called the Uni-cycle will go into mass production and replace the hack bikes.
The Uni-cycle is built from recycled plastic and has been designed with innovative features including a gas lift seat, photosensitive lights and a drive shaft instead of the traditional oily chain.
For more information on sustainability initiatives at Monash visit the Facilities and Services website.
25 March 2009
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| Rebecca Piganis |
Monash student Rebecca Piganis is completing research at the Monash Institute of Medical Research thanks to the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program.
The program is designed to give undergraduate students an early opportunity to experience a research laboratory and gain insight into careers in biomedical research, through paid casual employment.
Students undertake a research project alongside other research staff and students, and are supervised by a mentor.
Projects available under the program cover a wide range of research fields and technical approaches, complementing coursework and integrating practical research into undergraduate study.
Rebecca was placed at the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Disease at the research institute during the final year of her undergraduate degree in biomedical science at Monash. She worked with Professor Paul Herzog and Dr Nicky de Weerd.
"I wasn't sure what I wanted to do as a long-term career," Rebecca said.
"The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program introduced me to what science research and lab work was all about.
"I liked it so much that I stayed on in Professor Herzog's lab and completed an Honours degree; I'm now studying for my PhD."
The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program is open to undergraduates in any Victorian tertiary institution and successful applicants are paid an hourly casual rate for the time they work on their project.
Applications for the winter 2009 UROP round are open from 1 to 20 April 2009.
For more information and the online application form visit the Bio21 Cluster website.
25 March 2009
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Monash has unveiled a ground breaking development in the sport of cricket with the launch of the Monash University Cricket School.
Operating under the direction of the University's Director of Cricket, former Australian test captain Graham Yallop, the school will develop cricketing talent across a broad range of disciplines, and support Cricket Victoria pathway programs for young cricketers aged between 12 and 18 years of age.
The school will be based at the University's new High Performance Sports Training Centre and use teaching and sporting facilities at the Clayton campus.
Mr Yallop said enrolments for the inaugural Monash University Cricket School season were now open.
"The school is a unique opportunity for young cricketers to develop not just their technical skills but the other elements required to succeed in both sport and life," Mr Yallop said.
Monash Sport director Martin Doulton said the initiative reflected the University's significant support for sport, and student support and development.
"By providing tuition and support in a range of theoretical classes and practical sessions, all taken by qualified instructors and sporting experts, students of the Monash University Cricket School will learn so much more than what it takes to be a successful cricketer," Mr Doulton said.
"Monash also hopes that many of the graduates of the school will be better prepared to combine study at Monash with playing at the prestige Premier level.
"We look forward to working with Cricket Victoria and all Premier League Cricket Clubs in preparing a pathway for our students to have successful lives both on and off the field."
For more information visit the Monash Sport website.
February was dominated by the tragic bushfires. Many from the Monash community were affected. One staff member and one student lost their lives. A number of staff members lost their homes. Many others lost friends and relatives. Our Gippsland campus was most directly affected. Having been at the centre of firefighting relief and evacuee emergency accommodation and care one week earlier, the campus came under direct threat during the savage fires of February 7 and the following days. The staff of the campus responded magnificently. Once again, the campus became the centre of the firefighting and relief efforts. Several of our staff were directly involved in fighting the fires with the CFA. Everyone who contributed in some way is both thanked and congratulated.
One aspect of the tragic fires provided an illustration of the benefits that come to Australia from the international activities of Monash University. A team of experts came from Indonesia to help with disaster victim identification. Several of these experts had taken part in two training workshops conducted in Indonesia (in Bandung and Surabaya) by the Victorian Institute for Forensic Medicine (VIFM), which is affiliated with Monash University and headed by a Monash professor, Professor Stephen Cordner. When I met with the Indonesians to thank them for their participation, they emphasised the warm and collaborative relationship they have with Monash through the Institute and the mutually supportive activities of the two groups responding to disasters, whether natural or man-made in Australia and Indonesia.
The senior management summit was held in February. There were three major themes. The first was sustainability. There were three major parts to this -- the incorporation of sustainability themes into educational programs, coordination of research in sustainability and the environmental sustainability of Monash campuses. The Vice-Chancellor's Group (Environment) will oversee the preparation of a strategic plan for each of these with the education and research component being prepared and implemented in collaboration with the Academic Board and the campus environmental sustainability component in collaboration with the Strategy and Resources Committee.
The second theme was the identification of a simple and meaningful set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and targets for the education, research, international, environmental, equity, administrative and financial performance of the university. While as Einstein said “everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted” the University does need a set of indicators by which it can track its performance against its aspirations. For the last five years we have somewhat crudely set our target as being in the top three of the Group of 8 for a variety of indicators of varying validity. In many cases, the Group of 8 is not our most appropriate benchmark -- sometimes we should set our targets in absolute terms and sometimes we should benchmark against best practice internationally or in other Australian universities outside the Group of 8 or indeed sometimes we should benchmark against non-university institutions if they are performing better than the university sector. After much useful discussion, the KPIs and targets will now be worked through by a small committee.
The third theme that was discussed jointly with the University Council, was the future of the higher education sector following the Bradley and Cutler reviews. An excellent presentation by David Phillips of Phillips KPA introduced the topic and there was then a valuable panel discussion. This theme will be taken up further by the inaugural Universities Australia higher education conference to be conducted from March 4 to 6 when I will have the opportunity to present a National Press Club address.
Monash graduation ceremonies were held in Johannesburg and in Beijing in February. In Johannesburg, 230 students from Monash South Africa graduated in a moving and exciting ceremony. 2700 students are expected at the campus this year -- a far cry from 360 in 2003. In recognition of the increasing number of students at Monash from mainland China, we held our first graduation ceremony in Beijing. This was a wonderful occasion with the relatives of the graduands clearly appreciative of the opportunity to attend. The graduation address was delivered by the Australian Ambassador, Mr Geoffrey Raby, who also hosted a dinner for Monash and relevant local education and research authorities. Valuable meetings were held with the Chinese Scholarship Council, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Science and the Ministry of Education and I was able to attend the opening of the conference of the Australia China Centre of Excellence in Stem Cell Sciences, a collaboration funded between Monash and Peking University Health Science Centre.
It is very clear that international activities such as these are very important in building research and education collaborations and in attracting high quality international students to Monash.
25 March 2009
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Name: Jess Elliott
Course: Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery
Year Level: First
Mode: On Campus
What is it about your course and the University that helped you choose Monash?
I believe Monash is the best university. I also received a scholarship that definitely helped with the decision. My brother Matt is doing second year medicine at the University of Melbourne. His course is a year longer than the Monash course, so we'll graduate in the same year, not that we're competitive or anything.
What is your favourite subject and why?
Maths, my high school teacher was always so enthusiastic about it, and had issues with the terminology of "imaginary" numbers that often resulted in shouting. Chemistry runs a close second.
What challenges are ahead for you this year?
Moving from a rural setting in Wangaratta (actually Boorhaman, but does anyone know where that is?) to Mannix College, and adjusting to the new style of learning. Also affording ridiculously expensive medicine textbooks and 8am lectures.
What will be your ideal career (and what will it involve) when you graduate?
I haven't decided what I'll specialise in yet, but I think being a rural GP would be awesome. Or a flying doctor. I'd actually love to get a pilot's licence and do the flying myself, but that would probably result in some seriously compromised emergency care. I am terrible at multi-tasking.
What is it about your course that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
I love communicating with people, solving problems and figuring out how things work – especially when they're a part of the human body – which is pretty much medicine in a nutshell. Also it leads to a career where I can travel, which I feel like I can never do enough of.
What is your favourite destination and why?
I really like Western Australia. It has amazing beaches and even though I get sunburnt from just thinking about daylight, I'd love to spend hours on the beach fishing and kayaking. I'd also like to go back to Darwin in the wet season - the storms are meant to be fantastic.
What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Try everything once.
What is something about yourself that most of your fellow students wouldn't know?
My parents made me take a junior fire safety officer course when I was four because I used to pour flammables into puddles and set them on fire.
25 March 2009
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Monash recently awarded more than $170,000 in travel grants to staff and students to encourage early career research collaboration with European colleagues.
Europe Travel Grants were awarded across all faculties and several campuses of the University. In all, 12 staff and 14 PhD students, at the beginning of their research careers, will travel to universities, research institutes and conferences across Europe.
In two other cases, funding was provided to enable experts from Europe to travel to a Monash campus. More information visit the travel grants website.