27 May 2009
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| Professor Philip Steele, MP for Berwick Judith Graley, Bronwyn Pike, Sir Gustav Nossal, and Roger Page. |
A new State Government selective-entry school for high-achieving students, which is being built at the University's Berwick campus, will honour the work of one of the state's leading scientists, Sir Gustav Nossal.
The naming of Nossal High School was announced by education minister Bronwyn Pike last week.
Sir Gustav Nossal was director of The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research from 1965 to 1996.
He was knighted in 1977 for his work in clinical immunology, was Deputy Chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation from 1998 to 2001, and named Australian of the Year in 2000.
Nossal High School will open at the Berwick campus in Term 1 next year, taking an initial enrolment of up to 200 Year 9 students.
Monash University Council has agreed to put aside land at the campus for construction of the school, which was announced by the State Government in April 2008 to provide greater choice for students in regional and outer-suburban areas.
The school is set to have strong links with Monash, allowing the students to work on joint research projects, attend special classes and lectures, and share facilities.
Pro Vice-Chancellor campus coordination Professor Philip Steele said the new school was in harmony with the Monash Passport and would enhance the learning experience of highly-able secondary school students prior to them undertaking university study at Monash or elsewhere."
"There will also be opportunities for staff from Monash and Nossal High School to work together, share their knowledge and develop joint projects that will benefit students and staff of the school and the University."
Minister Pike also announced that Roger Page would serve as the school's first principal.
See also map of Berwick campus (pdf, 1.1 mb) showing the proposed site of the new selective-entry school.
27 May 2009
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A Monash-led research team has discovered a mechanism that promotes blood clot formation – a major breakthrough that will impact on the treatment and prevention of heart disease and stroke.
The discovery, which found a new link between disturbed blood flow and blood clotting, is the result of decade-long research led by Professor Shaun Jackson, Dr Warwick Nesbitt and Erik Westein from the Australian Centre for Blood Diseases (ACBD).
ACBD research director Professor Jackson said the association between disturbed blood flow and blood clotting was identified more than 150 years ago, however, the way blood flow activated the clotting mechanism had yet to be identified.
"Our arteries change as we age, leading to disturbances in blood flow. Our work identifies the precise mechanism by which these blood flow changes activate the clotting process, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke," Professor Jackson said.
Lead author Dr Nesbitt said the new clotting mechanism wasn't sensitive to anti-clotting drugs.
"This discovery may partly explain the ineffectiveness of commonly used anti-clotting therapies such as aspirin, clopidogrel or warfarin," Dr Nesbitt said.
Blood clotting diseases affect more than 50 per cent of the adult population and kill one Australian nearly every ten minutes. The impact of anti-clotting therapies on mortality rates remains low, with less than one in six avoiding a fatal event.
Co-lead author Mr Westein said the situation was likely to worsen due to the growing incidence of obesity and diabetes.
"People with diabetes are typically more resistant to the benefits of anti-clotting therapy, thus there is a pressing need for the development of more effective approaches," Mr Westein said.
The team worked with scientists from Monash University's Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Division of Biological Engineering, and the School of Electronics and Computer Engineering at RMIT Melbourne.
27 May 2009
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| Many medicine students chose a clinical yoga elective that shows them how to enhance their health through the use of yoga. |
First-year medicine students are learning how to enhance their health through the use of techniques such as meditation.
The Health Enhancement Program teaches students mindfulness-based stress management as a way of integrating knowledge and enhancing personal wellbeing, performance and clinical skills.
Monash is one of only a handful of universities world-wide to have meditation as part of its core curriculum.
Dr Craig Hassed, who developed the program, said the physical and psychological wellbeing of medicine students, even in the high stress period before exams has significantly improved.
"Many students assume stress is the only valid driver of performance, but our findings suggest otherwise," Dr Hassed said.
"This course teaches students that self-care is not selfish. A doctor who is not coping well or is less mindful is many times more likely to make clinical errors. Therefore, the doctor's self-care and mindfulness training are just as important for the wellbeing of the patient as they are for the doctor."
The students' progress was followed to determine how learning these new skills impacted upon their lifestyles and roles as doctors.
Based on their positive experience, many students chose a clinical yoga elective taught by Philip Stevens that shows them how to enhance their health through the use of yoga techniques, including meditation, yoga postures, relaxation, breathing techniques as well as mindfulness.
"As well as teaching the students the techniques for themselves, we also cover what neurophysiological effects these techniques have on the heart, brain and autonomic nervous system for use in clinical applications," Mr Stevens said.
"The class is extremely popular – we hope that they will become better and healthier doctors as a result of learning these skills."
27 May 2009
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| Professor Colette Browning and Professor Shane Thomas with clinical coaches at Fangzhuang Community Hospital in Beijing. |
Monash University, together with the Australian Psychological Society and Peking University, has established a motivational coaching program in the Fengtai District in Beijing, China, to help patients with Type 2 diabetes lead happier and healthier lives.
The Happy Life Club uses clinical coaches trained in motivational interviewing to support patients with chronic diabetes to better manage their illness.
Diabetes research shows that changes in lifestyle factors such as dietary changes, weight loss, and reducing stress frequently result in major improvements in patient health and well-being.
Motivational interviewing has been used internationally to manage people who are addicted to smoking. However there is limited published research on how effective the technique is for the management of chronic illness.
Australian project leader Professor Colette Browning from the School of Primary Health Care Research, said, if left untreated or poorly managed Type 2 diabetes, could have a major effect on the health and wellbeing of a patient.
"Many patients can manage their disease well by adopting certain key behaviours but struggle to do so without support," Professor Browning said.
"People typically go through set stages in their behaviour change process. The Happy Life Club uses these stages of change to accelerate and sustain behaviour change."
Twenty-one Beijing health coach clinicians have been recently trained in motivational interviewing and health behaviour change principles by Dr Lindner from the Australian Psychological Society. These coaches will work with the patients to change key behaviours.
Professor Shane Thomas said the program's success would be measured through patient data collected pre-program and at three, six, twelve and twenty-four month intervals.
"Patients and coaches will also be interviewed to gauge their ideas about the program and how it can be improved for future trials," Professor Thomas said.
The program is being trialled in Fangzhuang Community Hospital.
27 May 2009
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| Nergis Alsan |
Staff and students can now access an online version of the University's flagship publication Monash Magazine.
The magazine, which features news and profiles from across the University, is published in May and October each year and sent to thousands of alumni, government and business leaders in Australia and overseas.
Monash Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Larkins said the current edition of Monash Magazine had a strong focus on philanthropy.
“It includes the story of student Nergis Alsan, a Kurdish refugee who is living her dream of becoming a surgeon with the help of a Monash scholars bursary," Professor Larkins said.
“This edition also highlights the strong commitment of Monash researchers to sustainability and includes stories on the development of a technique to protect red gums along the Murray River and a new method of reducing carbon emissions from polluting power generators.
“The online version also contains supplementary videos to provide another perspective some of the feature stories."
Several changes have been made to the format and distribution of Monash Magazine to reduce the University's carbon footprint, including the use of 50 per cent recycled, acid-free paper.
The magazine's online format has been redeveloped and enhanced to encourage more readers to access the magazine online. Any staff member wanting a hard copy can opt-in by emailing their full name and nominated address to re-service-desk@adm.monash.edu.au.
Staff who are also alumni will continue to receive a hard copy unless they choose to receive only the online version.
To view the May 2009 edition, visit the Monash Magazine website.
27 May 2009
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| Professor John Redmond |
The Faculty of Art & Design has won a bid to host the Victorian arm of a national $17 million centre that will focus on improving the relationship between industry and the creative arts.
The Creative Industries Innovation Centre (CIIC) brings together universities, industry and corporate bodies to foster the development of the design, architecture, visual arts, publishing, media, advertising, performing arts and interactive entertainment industries in the Australian economy.
Dean of the Faculty of Art & Design Professor John Redmond said Monash, as the only Victorian university in the consortium, had an unique opportunity to foster the development of creative industries in the state.
"We will accommodate one to two business advisers who will provide advice to small to medium creative industries," Professor Redmond said.
"This will benefit the quality of our industry relationships and lead to new collaborative research opportunities.
"It will also provide the University with the opportunity to prepare and nurture students and improve their readiness to enter the creative workforce."
The centre is one of six to be funded under the Federal Government's $271m Enterprise Connect initiative.
The centre will have its headquarters and the University of Technology, Sydney.
27 May 2009
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| The Exograsp |
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| Holding the virtual soft drink |
Researchers from the University's Gippsland campus are undertaking a world-first study to better understand how temperature contributes to our perceptions of the world.
Dr George Van Doorn from the School of Humanities, Communications and Social Sciences and his team from the Monash Bionics and Cognitive Science Centre ran a series of tests to uncover the role temperature plays in contributing to the realism of virtual objects.
Using an Exograsp - a hand-based force-feedback exoskeleton that allows the user to grasp a virtual object with the thumb and forefinger – five participants were asked to explore a virtual soft-drink can with and without temperature cues.
The temperature of the virtual can was controlled through Peltier tiles mounted on the Exograsp's contact pads.
A "collision" algorithm was developed to activate the tiles when a participant's finger pad came into contact with the virtual object.
This enabled the participants to feel cold at the moment they saw a graphic of their hand grasp the virtual soft-drink can.
Dr Van Doorn said the ability to feel the temperature of the virtual object greatly increased each participant's sense of realism within the virtual environment.
He said the findings may eventually bring to life science fiction marvels such as the Holodeck from the television series ‘Star Trek'.
"There has been a lot of interest in creating believable virtual worlds, especially in computer gaming", he said.
"However, the importance of temperature in adding to the believability of virtual worlds has been overlooked.
"Touch is becoming an increasingly popular area of investigation with more scientists contributing to this important, yet under-acknowledged, sensory system."
Dr Van Doorn will present the research at the SimTecT conference in June.
27 May 2009
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| Ashwood College Year 12 student Chloe Guffogg |
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| Monash honours students Sibil Oksayan and Christopher Callas |
Monash biotechnology honours students are raising awareness of science and university life amongst secondary students from Ashwood College in Melbourne’s east.
As part of their assessed coursework the students designed and delivered biotechnology-related classes to Year 10, 11 and 12 Ashwood students.
Activities included practical classes, a biotechnology debate and a visit to the Monash Clayton campus.
Ashwood Year 12 students also learnt about stem cell science, getting hands-on experience in Associate Professor Kate Loveland’s laboratory, and attending a first-year biotechnology lecture delivered by Professor Graham Jenkin.
Biotechnology course convenor Dr Philip MacKinnon said the biotech honours program was developed after consultation with industry and faculties across the University.
He said the group project aimed to develop the honours students’ communication, teamwork and academic skills.
“The biotech honours program, which is in its first year, is a substantial departure from the usual science and biomedical sciences honours that are focused on developing disciplinary research skills,” Dr MacKinnon said.
“The students still do a major laboratory research project and can continue on to higher research studies if they wish, but the skills they develop in this particular program are invaluable as they transition into their careers and life as global citizens.”
Dr MacKinnon said Ashwood and Monash staff and students enjoyed the program and hoped to form an ongoing collaborative relationship.
This was echoed by Ashwood Year 11 and 12 biology teacher Heath Booth, who said the program allowed students to see university life first-hand.
“Our students gained valuable insight into biotechnology and also developed important skills such as public speaking,” Ms Booth said.
“Ashwood is looking forward to furthering its relationship with Monash.”
For more information on studying honours at Monash visit the Monash Passport website.
For more information on biotechnology visit the undergraduate course information website.
27 May 2009
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| Professor Brian G. Falzon |
Professor Brian G. Falzon from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has been awarded a Future Summit Leadership Award.
The awards are an initiative of the Australian Davos Connection, a not-for-profit organisation committed to encouraging individuals and organisations to make a difference.
The awards recognise outstanding "new-generation" leaders for their achievements and contribution to a vision for Australia's future.
Professor Falzon is one of Australia's emerging leaders in research, development and education in the field of advanced aerostructures.
He has a particular interest in the development of computational simulation tools to create virtual manufacturing, testing and design environments for aircraft structures.
He is also co-founder of Veryan Medical Limited, which is in the process of developing a number of new implantable vascular devices.
As part of the award Professor Falzon was able to speak to leading figures from industry, government and academia on the future of education, research and development priorities at the two-day Future Summit conference.
"The breadth of topics discussed included the implications of climate change, the global financial crisis, Australian competitiveness in a post-crisis world, the future of technology, innovation, and national security," Professor Falzon said.
"An educated workforce was also seen as the cornerstone of sustained future prosperity with a call to teach students to be creative thinkers.
"There was also acknowledgement of a need to widen the scope of multidisciplinary research and bring together science, technology and the humanities to address some of the grand challenges facing Australia and the rest of the world."
Further information on the summit can be found at the Future Summit website.
In April, I attended my last Board meeting of Monash University Sunway campus Malaysia. It was held at Johor Bahru, on the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula, at the site of the Clinical School of the Medical School. The facilities there are excellent and the enthusiasm of the staff and students we met was quite inspiring.
It has been great to see the progress of our Sunway campus. It now has seven Faculties represented, with Pharmacy starting successfully this year. The Law Faculty intends to send students to the campus in 2010 to study Asian law along the model of the very successful Prato law programs so there will then be eight faculties represented on the campus. The number of students from Monash campuses outside Malaysia studying at the campus has increased markedly, with 49 students from Monash Australia and six students from Monash South Africa at the campus for semester 1 and 83 students from Monash Australia planned for semester 2. The feedback from the students has been extremely positive and attractive travel and accommodation packages have been provided by the Sunway campus.
There are now over 4400 students at the campus. The new purpose-built campus is stunning. It is operating at a surplus which is returned to the campus to enhance its research activities and to provide for further physical expansion of the campus. Monash University in Australia receives a royalty which is based on the revenue attracted. This amounts to approximately $6m per year, two thirds of which is directed to the relevant Faculties represented on the campus. This recognises the role of the Faculties in supporting the campus, particularly in providing educational resources and quality control.
Other activities over the last month have included a visit to Beijing to sign a collaboration agreement with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This academy represents the foremost researchers in science and technology in China and has a substantial intramural program with several associated institutes. A number of our researchers already have a relationship with the Academy and the agreement foreshadows dual site and joint PhD programs, postdoctoral fellowships and other research collaborations and exchanges. While in Beijing, I was an invited speaker at the Asia Pacific Association for International Education. This is an organisation which is growing in significance. It is planning an initiative where funds will be obtained to support the brightest students in the Asia Pacific region to undertake exchanges to leading universities in the region to undertake PhD and postdoctoral studies - the Asia Pacific Leaders program. This will be along the lines of a regional Rhodes Scholarship and recognises the need for countries in our region to look to each other rather than only concentrating on North America and Europe.
I was also an invited keynote lecturer at the World Universities Forum in Belgrade. I took the opportunity to visit the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg as Monash is to be the lead participant in the Australian associate membership of EMBL. EMBL is the most productive molecular biology laboratory outside the US, is supported by 20 European countries and has five outstations or nodes in other European countries. It comprises teams which include PhD students led by star young scientists who have a maximum period of nine years in EMBL before leaving to populate the leading research institutes and universities around Europe and the rest of the world. It has been a highly successful model.
Most staff (with the exception of some senior staff) received a two per cent salary increase in the first pay after 1 April. Our negotiating team has had positive discussions with the NTEU concerning a new Enterprise Agreement and have agreed on most points. Some issues remain concerning sessional staff, which we hope to be able to resolve. There is also a significant discrepancy in the claim of the NTEU in relation to salaries. We hope to be able to reach a fair and affordable resolution of the differences.
Monash University is fortunate in having a highly skilled and committed workforce. Those negotiating the Enterprise Agreement for the University wish to recognise this by arriving at an Agreement which is as generous as it can be in the prevailing circumstances. It is also essential that the agreement is financially responsible and ensures a continuing bright future for the University with the best possible educational outcomes for our students.
27 May 2009
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Name: Lauren Rubin
Course: PhD candidate
Year level: Three
Mode: Off-campus
What is it about your course and the University that helped you to choose Monash?
Monash was the only university in the world that allowed me to pursue a PhD in ethnomusicology by distance. There is no university near where I live in America that offers this course, and definitely not one of Monash's calibre and reputation. I also liked the set up of the PhD at Monash. A research degree was exactly what I was looking for and I could not find it in the US.
What is your favourite subject and why?
Ethnomusicology - it is an exciting, multi-faceted subject with global focus and fantastic music.
What challenges are ahead for you this year?
I am finishing my PhD this year.
What will be your ideal career (and what will it involve) when you graduate?
I would like to write a book about my findings and continue to teach ethnomusicology courses at the university in my area.
What is it about your course that holds your interest or is particularly satisfying?
I play both instruments that are the subject of my PhD -- the Shakuhachi (Japanese end-blown flute) and the Australian Aboriginal didgerido-- so continuing to learn about them while performing and playing daily is very satisfying. My fieldwork last year was a monumental experience for me that I will always treasure. Because of my PhD I was able to meet people and have experiences musically that would not have been open to me otherwise. I have also found the process of researching and developing and writing a thesis extremely satisfying and interesting.
What are some of the best things about being a student at Monash?
The ability to study a subject of great interest to me in depth and my supervisor, Dr Margaret Kartomi -- her expertise and support are vital to making my PhD a great experience.
What is your favourite destination and why?
The Aboriginal family I had the privilege to meet and spend time with near Nhulunbuy, North Arnhem Land was one of the greatest experiences in my life. We continue to keep in contact even though we live so far away from each other. Kyoto, Japan is also one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, again because of the magnificent people I met while I was there.
What is something about yourself that most of your fellow students wouldn’t know?
It is possible to be a student at Monash and live thousands of miles away.
27 May 2009
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Trips on the University's inter-campus shuttle bus service rose 37 per cent in 2008 with 450,000 students and staff using the service.
The Monash Shuttle Bus services run in both directions from Clayton to Berwick, Clayton to Caulfield and Clayton to Peninsula campuses from Monday to Friday during the academic year.
For more information visit the Facilities and Services website.