5 July 2006
Monash University's Faculty of IT has had to announce a redundancy program for 45 academic staff, and 25 general/technical staff.
This follows the departure of students from the discipline following a downturn in the IT industry. At Monash, this has seen student numbers in IT programs drop from more than 5800 equivalent full-time students in 2002 to 2600 this year. Voluntary separation packages will initially be offered, but if the necessary staff reduction targets are not met, then compulsory redundancies may have to be pursued, the Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology, Professor Ron Weber, said today.
Over the past two years, the faculty -- the only Faculty of Information Technology in the Group of Eight research-intensive universities -- has made efforts to reduce staff numbers through natural attrition. However, further reductions in staff numbers can no longer be delayed, Professor Weber said.
Professor Weber said a recent surge in IT job vacancies and new accolades for the redevelopment of Monash's IT curriculum would stand IT students in good stead.
"We have radically altered our courses to offer one of Australia's premier suites of undergraduate and postgraduate IT programs -- but it is taking a long time to rebuild public faith in IT careers," he said.
"Our courses have been recognised and accredited by the Australian Computer Society. Our staff have worked especially hard to further improve the quality of our curriculum. Our Faculty has recruited one of the world's leading experts in the resolution of complex optimisation problems to help establish a new centre for research.
"While students are gradually returning to IT, and there is a growing awareness of the value of a Monash IT degree from both students and employers, we can hold out no longer. Already, our deficit this year will run to more than $7 million.
"This is a dreadful predicament for our staff -- but this action was essential to ensure the long-term sustainability of our Faculty.
"Once our academic staff numbers fall below 100, we will be strongly positioned for long-term sustainability, with sufficient staff to teach anticipated student numbers and a strong research program maintained. However, in the short term these cuts will have to be implemented."
The redundancy program will not affect course offerings this year, and an outstanding IT program will be offered to undergraduate and postgraduate students next year.
"IT programs around the world are finding it difficult to attract large numbers of students right now. However, with our improved suite of programs, we believe that we will have a lot to offer students in 2007 and beyond. Unfortunately, the only way we can deliver outstanding IT programs to students is to go through this process," Professor Weber said.
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