Senate
5th July 2002
MU RD O CH UN IV E RS I T Y F OU N DAT I O N
Over the last twelve months, the Foundation has put in place the various procedures and processes to enable it to successfully invite and receive funds for University programs. The next twelve months will see the Foundation continue to grow as new high profile external community members are invited to join the Trustees and as the Foundation becomes the focus of major fundraising campaigns for Theology and Health Sciences.
In the meantime, the Foundation is starting to build an endowment fund and is assisting with two current fundraising campaigns, the Building Law campaign and the Peel Campus Nursing
Campaign. The Building Law Campaign was initiated to support the development of the new
Law Building which will officially open in July. The campaign has already raised $1.14 million with a target of $1.5 million.
The Foundation is now soliciting and receiving donations for the Peel Campus Nursing
Campaign. Donations from individuals and local businesses will be used to purchase equipment required in the Nursing Course and to initiate student prizes. Larger businesses are also being invited to consider supporting the development of the buildings for the new campus.
The Foundation will also be the focus for the planned Theology Campaign which aims to raise
$750 000 as an endowment to fund an annual international visiting scholar. The scholar will work in the School of Theology at Murdoch and within the Christian communities in Perth for a month. Archbishop Dr Peter Carnley has agreed to be one of the Patrons of this campaign and is inviting the Archbishop of Canterbury to play a formal role in launching the campaign when he visits Perth in 2005. The active part of the campaign will run for the next 18 months through to the end of 2005.
Sponsorship funds secured for named Chairs will also flow to the Foundation over the next three years. The City of Rockingham's sponsorship of the Professor of Education is now confirmed and two additional Chairs for the new Peel Campus are under negotiation with outcomes likely before the end of July.
DI CK L ES T E R
Dick Lester has retired from the Veterinary Trust Board. He was appointed a Trustee and
Chairman of the Murdoch University Veterinary Trust in July 1997. Mr Lester has been an exceptional advocate for the Trust during his time as Chair and his contribution is greatly appreciated.
He initially gained a diploma in agriculture, but subsequently had a change of direction and moved on into real estate. His background includes being a woolgrower with a real interest in developing strategies for wood growers to extend into quality lamb and mutton production.
He was Chairman of the Sheep and Lamb Strategy Group appointed by the Minister for
Primary Industry and fisheries to report on the potential of, and roadblocks affecting the development of the industry.
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Whilst Chairman of the Trust, Mr Lester was the driving force in establishing and promoting the Trust, and subsequently engineering successful approaches to large organisations who have contributed significantly to its work. Early projects included a commitment from Wesfarmers
Limited of $250,000 over five years initially obtained in April 1998; the National Australia
Bank’s commitment of $240,00 over three years received in December 1998; and $15,000 for a
Residency in Small Animal Surgery from Westralian Drugs (June 1998).
On behalf of the University community and especially the Veterinary School at Murdoch, I wish to extend to Dick Lester our sincere thanks for his outstanding achievements as Chair of the
Veterinary Trust Board.
I NT E G RAT E D A G RI C ULTU RA L R ES EA RC H IN S TI TU T E
The State Government is progressing plans to establish an integrated agriculture, food and natural resources research institute in Western Australia involving the Department of
Agriculture WA (DAWA), Grains Research and Development Corporation, Curtin, UWA and
Murdoch.
An Integrated Steering Committee (ISC) has been established and the Vice Chancellor and senior staff have been negotiating with members of the Committee with a view to ensuring that, where synergistic, Murdoch hosts the broadest range of disciplines and facilities on our South
Street Campus. The integration of laboratories and research stations that align well with
Murdoch’s approach to research and this has been emphasised in discussions.
Expertise in areas such as agricultural economics, bioinformatics, animal/plant nutrition and biotechnology (genetics and diagnostics) at each institution is being mapped against client/industry needs. These needs based groupings include such fields as intensive livestock industries, horticulture/viticulture and natural resource management. The links to research groups in DAWA is also being explored.
The current view is that relevant groups would be drawn together into precincts located at a small number of sites (most likely just two). Each precinct would include university research teams, DAWA research groups and external, industry-based research staff.
The establishment of an agricultural precinct on the Murdoch Campus is an exciting opportunity.
M EE T I N GS
On the 24th and 25th of May a series of meetings were held in Sydney, linked to the 31st
Annual General Meeting of the AVCC. These included meetings of the Innovative Research
Universities Australia (IRUA), the Australian Higher Education Industrial Association (AHEIA) and IDP Education Australia (IDP).
The AVCC meeting covered areas including the Backing Australia’s Ability II statement and the broad research funding it encompasses; implementation of the Backing Australia’s Future package; Indigenous higher education in the context of support funds and ATSIC Education
Policy; and discussion of broad strategy to be taken by the AVCC and its member Universities in the forthcoming federal election.
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The 2004 Annual General Meeting of IDP Education Australia Limited approved the Financial
Statements for the year ended 31 December 2003 and adopted minor amendments to the IDP
Constitution.
The IRUA meeting focussed on collaborative ventures. These include a submission for funding from the Third Pilot Project on European Union (EU)/Australia Cooperation in Higher
Education; a proposal for Collaborative and Structural Reform Fund in the broad environmental area to complement the EU submission; and other potential collaborative opportunities in Human Resources, Library Information Technology issues.
Arising from our participation in the IRUA group, there have been a number of submissions made and cooperative partnerships formed. These include:
 The Division of Health Sciences is liaising with the University of Newcastle in regard to development of Murdoch’s postgraduate Pharmacy program. This cooperative arrangement will be the subject of a Higher Education Innovation Programme (HEIP) application.
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An application for funding under the Third Pilot Project in Higher Education Cooperation between Australia and the EU for a project entitled: "Business, the Environment, Science and Technology: an interdisciplinary approach to environmental sustainability." The input from Professor Yianni Attikiouzel and Dr David Annandale was recognised as significant in the bid. The submission is seeking $781,200 from the program which is administered by the
AEI-International Education Network within the Department of Education, Science and
Training.
If successful, the project will facilitate the exchange of Masters students between five
European and six Australian universities in the area of environmental sustainability. In
Year 1 the partners will develop joint curriculum, designed to provide students with a broad appreciation of the business, science and technological aspects of the environment.
Approximately 80 students will be exchanged in Years 2 and 3 for up to two semesters abroad to pursue a dynamic combination of coursework study, research, internships, and fieldwork. Core and capstone units will be used to integrate learning outcomes.
Negotiations are also underway in relation to strategic alliances between IRUA in Health
Sciences/Sciences/Engineering.
COU N CI L F O R T H E HU MA NI T I ES, A RTS AN D S OC IA L S C IE N CE S
The new Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS) was formally launched when the inaugural AGM was conducted on 16th June 2004 at the National Press Club in
Canberra.
IRU Australia was one of four principal sponsors of the inaugural "HASS on the Hill" event alongside the Australia Council, the Deans of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, and the
Australian Academy of the Humanities.
In addition to 13 sponsored places, a further 18 participants represented the IRU Australia group. Professors Patricia Harris, Garry Rodan and Simone Volet and Associate Professor Gail
Phillips represented Murdoch at this event. With an overall participation in the two day event of around 185, that meant that one in six delegates came from within our group - a level of representation that was appreciated by the CHASS Steering Committee.
Following training on how best to engage with the members of parliament and the media, the
185 delegates conducted over 100 meetings with members of the Australian Parliament the following day. The major highlight of the event was a series of announcements by the Minister
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for Science, Education and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson, in which he committed to the following funding:
 On-going funding for CHASS of around $200,000 per annum to build on the encouraging
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$50,000 for a mapping exercise to identify where the most innovative and high impact research is being conducted in the HASS sector, particularly interdisciplinary research done in partnership with the natural sciences, or with business and/or industry; and
 $500,000 for projects not yet defined but which are expected to aim at improving the understanding in industry of the utility of HASS research and developing better mechanisms for networking HASS researchers with industry.
Members of the IRU Australia will be involved in the mapping exercise which will also provide useful information on overall capabilities in the HASS area across the group.
Professor Sue Richardson from Flinders University chaired the inaugural CHASS AGM (in her capacity as President of the Academy of Social Sciences). She has advised the group that the best opportunities for the IRU Australia universities to engage with CHASS would be through on-going dialogue and collaboration with CHASS.
Murdoch’s representatives were also able to represent Western Australia, ensuring that issues particular to our state were aired. In addition to lobbying with a variety of members of
Parliament, staff were able to access a network much more diverse than for the usual academic conference. They reported that their discussions had spawned some very interesting ideas, which it is hoped will result in new national networks and collaborations in the future.
It is important that CHASS succeed and I will ensure that Murdoch staff are nominated for key roles when they arise.
This sort of national body is indicative of the type of initiative where formation of the
Innovative Research Universities Australia group allows a more significant representation and provides a stronger voice for Murdoch. I have encouraged active participation in the IRUA group by Murdoch and was a lead supporter of this particular sponsorship initiative.
R ES EA RC H ISS UE S
The Minister for State Development, The Hon Clive Brown MLA, has approved the submission of the Chemistry Steering Committee final report to the State Government’s Expenditure
Review Committee (ERC). The ERC approved the Steering Committee’s recommendations and subsequently the report was considered and supported by Cabinet. The final report included a model for the development of the Chemistry Alliance, which involves two elements:
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A government entity with the powers to undertake and expand on the functions currently performed by the Chemistry Centre WA; and
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A WA Institute of Chemical Sciences, structured as an unincorporated chemistry education and research alliance involving four universities and the State.
The report also recommended Curtin as the location for the remaining elements of the
Chemistry Centre. Murdoch is already host to EpiChem, the section of the restructured
Chemistry Centre that provides synthetic and medicinal chemistry to the pharmaceutical and drug discovery industries.
On 14 June 2004 Curtin and Murdoch signed a letter of agreement to support the establishment of the AHURI Professor of Housing and Urban research. The Professorial position is for a fouryear fixed term and will be covered by a Curtin University contract for the first two years of the
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appointment and a Murdoch University contract for the remaining two years. AHURI are contributing $ 60,000 pa for the first two years. In years three and four it is expected that the research leader will be able to secure a substantial portion of his or her salary from grant and project income. The remaining costs will be underwritten on an equal basis by Murdoch and
Curtin.
On 17 June 2004 the State Government’s Call for Expressions of Interest for the Centres of
Excellence in Science and Innovation was advertised. New guidelines have also been published. The Office of Science and Innovation has changed the level of state support downwards to $1 of support for every $3 raised by the Centre of Excellence.
AWA RDS AN D A C HI EV E ME N TS
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I have been appointed to the Board of Future Directions International (FDI) from 1st July
2004. FDI is an independent, not-for-profit corporation established to conduct comprehensive, integrated research and analysis of important medium to long-term issues facing Australia. It is in partnership with the four public Universities in Western Australia and the WA State Government as well as private sector organisations including BHP
Billiton, the Pratt Foundation, ADI Ltd and Courage Partners.
Professor Jan Thomas has been appointed to the register of Australian Universities Quality
Agency (AUQA) Auditors for the period to 30 September 2005. This provides recognition of Professor Thomas’ expertise and affords her an outstanding opportunity to participate in the audit process prior to Murdoch’s AUQA audit expected in 2006.
The 2003 Vice Chancellor’s Commendations for Academic Excellence were awarded at a ceremony held on 27th May 2004 at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle. These awards are made to the top 2% of undergraduate students each year. The ceremony provides an important opportunity to recognise the achievements of students and to acknowledge the support given by lecturers and tutors and by family and friends in enabling awardees to reach their full potential.
John Gillam, Managing Director of Wesfarmers CSBP and Murdoch Senator, has been elected president of the Australian Institute of Management. Mr Gillam has been director of
AIM’s board since 2002 and takes on a two-year term as president.
Professor Jan Thomas has been appointed as a founding member of the Council of
Ambassadors of the Plymouth Club. The Plymouth Club is an initiative of the American
Chamber of Commerce. It is an international women’s networking group providing contacts, mentoring, awards, advancement programs and opportunities for safe travel and friendship for women in all business sectors.
On 28th May 2004 a ceremony was held to launch the University’s Equity Plan and to present a cheque that will support the continuation of the University’s Disability
Employment Fund. Ms Yvonne Henderson, Commissioner of the Equal Opportunity
Commission of WA, and Ms Noela Taylor, Director of Equal Opportunity in Public
Employment, attended the launch together with a broad range of academic and administrative staff. The event provided tangible evidence of the University's commitment to the broad concept of equity and social justice expressed in our Strategic Plan. The Equity
Plan is an important initiative for the University and it is the responsibility of all staff to actively participate in its implementation.
Murdoch has received funding for participation in National Science Week 2004 to be held from 14th to 22nd August 2004. The project, a workshop titled: Bio Sci-Fi: The Science of
Biotechnological Science Fiction was awarded $14,380 of total national funding of $420,000.
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Projects are supported with the aim of encouraging young people to study science; promoting science-based careers; and informing businesses of the importance of science to long-term success.
The SCALES Community Legal Centre has been awarded $95,000 recurrent funding for its domestic violence legal service which will form part of a Domestic Violence Legal Worker’s
Network. CLAC and Gosnells Community Legal Service also received funding and will be part of the network (in combination with Women's Legal Service).
In late 2002 Professor David Hill made a submission on behalf of Australian Consortium for
'In Country' Indonesian Studies (ACICIS) to the Commonwealth of Australia Joint Standing
Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, which was inquiring into Australia's
Relationship with Indonesia. That report was tabled in the House of Representatives on 31
May 2004.
The ACICIS submission resulted in the Committee including a special sub-section in the report on 'Increased Opportunities for Australian students to study in Indonesia' which concluded with a statement of support for ACICIS in one of the Reports' 28 recommendations, as follows:
“The Committee recommends that additional funding be provide to the Department of
Education, Science and Training to enable it provide an annual grant to the Australian
Consortium for ‘In-Country’ Indonesian Studies, for running and salary costs.”
The submission was also quoted extensively in the section on 'The role of education in improving understanding', prior to another recommendation:
“The Committee recommends that Indonesian Studies be designated a strategic national priority and that the Australia Research Council and the Department of Education, Science and Training be requested to recognise this in prioritising funding for both research and teaching.”
Further information, including the full references to ACICIS and Indonesian Studies more generally, can be obtained at: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jfadt/indonesia/indon_report/chapter6.pdf
N O TAB L E EV E N TS
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The Federal Minister for Science, Education and Training, the Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, visited Nursing students during their clinical practice at Peel Health Campus4th May 2004.
He was impressed with the new Nursing course and commended Murdoch on its innovative program. He also visited the Peel Education and Training Campus to inspect the planned University Campus site.
Murdoch hosted a morning tea to acknowledge the support given by the City of Mandurah and the assistance provided by our partners on the Campus in the provision of facilities during the building phase of the University Campus. At the event the Mayor of Mandurah,
Keith Holmes, presented a cheque to the University for the $1 million loan facility that helped support Murdoch to commence construction prior to the receipt of Commonwealth funds in 2005. All partners in the Peel Education and Training Campus were represented, including the Mayor of the City of Mandurah, the Campus Manager of the Peel TAFE, Kay
Wilson, and the Principal of Mandurah Senior College, Keith King.
The Acting Pro Vice Chancellor (Resource Management) and I met with John McNally,
Chief Executive Officer of the City of Melville, to discuss the Master Plan for the Murdoch
Campus and current projects.
The Consul-General of Malaysia, Ahmad Jazri Hohd Johar, visited the University on 20th
May 2004 to meet staff and took the opportunity to meet with the Vice Chancellor.
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I met with the Premier, the Hon Dr Geoff Gallop, on 28th May 2004 to discuss a number of issues where the State can assist the University in meeting strategic goals. These included discussion of funding for a joint Library facility at Peel, the Integrate Agricultural Research
Institute, and the State’s membership of the Australia and New Zealand School of
Government.
I attended the State Development Forum hosted by the Minister for State Development, the
Hon Clive Brown on 2nd June 2004. The key focus for this meeting was discussion regarding the enhancement of University-Industry links. There was fruitful discussion of the role Universities play in the State’s economy and the need for a strategic vision for the state in relation to the tertiary education sector and the broad role it plays in developing a future that is less reliant on natural resources.
Dr Rowan Strong, the Programme Chair in Theology, Ms Vicky Dodds, Director of
Development and I met with the The Most Reverend Dr Peter Carnley AO, Archbishop of
Perth and Primate of the Anglican Church in Australia, on 8th June 2004 to discuss the
Theology Program Endowment Appeal 2004-2005.
Dr Jenny De Reuck (School of Social Sciences and Humanities) and students from EGL213-
Children's Theatre produce children's theatre which is performed at the Nexus Theatre at
Murdoch University each year. This year's production was Athena Emu at the Olympics.
Special weekday performances were attended by children from local primary schools and weekend public performances were open to community members and Murdoch staff.
Dr Vesna Pusić, Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Member of the Parliament
Committee for Education, Science and Culture Issues, President of the Croatian Peoples'
Party (HNS) and Professor of Sociology at the University of Zagreb, visited the University on 10th June 2004 as part of her trip to Australia under the Special Visits Programme of the
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I met with Dr Pusić and have invited her to nominate people involved in academic program design to visit Murdoch.
Five staff from Beijing Union University visited Murdoch on 23 June 2004. The group met with Professor Matthew Bellgard, Professor Duane Varan and Associate Professor Arnold
Depickere. Together with those staff and other senior staff from across the University, I attended a lunch with the visitors. Murdoch and the Beijing Union University signed a
Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate
Murdoch's Rockingham campus hosted the Kwinana Industries Education Partnership
(KIEP) breakfast launch of the annual Alcoa Opportunities Expo. The Acting Director of the Prospective Students & Admissions Centre, Associate Professor Dave Macey was the speaker.
Professor Andris Stelbovics, Associate Professor Stuart Bradley and Professor Kateryna
Longley attended a meeting of the Full Committee of the Kwinana Industries Council to make a presentation on developments in the School of Engineering Science.
I NF O R MAT I ON K IO S K
All students in the School of Information Technology undertake a group software development project as part of the unit ICT133 Information Technology Project.
A group named High Expectations produced an Information Kiosk to be installed in the
Chancellery building. It will offer a self-serve information kiosk, accessed through a userfriendly touch screen system that will provide students and visitors with information about the
University in different multimedia formats. This project was instigated at the suggestion of the
Vice Chancellor.
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S TAF F C HA NG ES
Ian Callahan commenced on Thursday, 1 July 2004 as the new Pro Vice Chancellor (Resource
Management). Ian comes to Murdoch with extensive experience and success as a Managing
Director, CEO and CFO of several large companies. His most recent role was Managing
Director of a national public company. Ian has a Bachelor of Commerce from UWA and a
Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment.
Craig Spence Acting PVC (RM) will take up the role of Acting Director of Facilities
Management and also Campus Development. Prior to Murdoch Craig was with J-Corp Pty Ltd as the Group Manager Financial Performance.
I T EM F O R NO T I N G
Adjunct Professorship
The Most Reverend Dr Peter F Carnley AO, Archbishop of Perth and Primate of the Anglican
Church in Australia, has accepted my invitation for appointment to an Adjunct Professorial position in the School of Social Sciences and Humanities in the Division of Arts where he will be involved in a range of advisory, teaching and research activities contributing to the Theology
Program.
This appointment recognises Archbishop Dr Carnley’s standing as a theologian and his strong links with Murdoch. As indicated above, has agreed to be one of the Patrons for the Theology
Fundraising Campaign.
R EC O MM E ND AT IO N
1.
Professorial Selection Committee – Chair in Power Engineering
Approval is sought for the proposed selection committee, constituted in line with Resolutions
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S/21/2000 and S/18/2002, for the Chair in Power Engineering as follows:
 Professor John Yovich, Vice Chancellor and Chair
Professor Yianni Attikouzel, Executive Dean, Division of Science and Engineering
Professor Andris Stelbovics, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research)
Associate Professor Stuart Bradley, Head, School of Engineering Science
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Dr Parisa Bahri, Programme Chair, School of Engineering Science
Dr Martina Calais, School of Engineering Science
Associate Professor Lance Fung, School of Information Technology
Mr Steve Lieblich, Independent Engineering Consultant and Chair of the Industry Advisory
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Committee of the School of Engineering Science
Mr Malcolm MacPherson, Chair of the Board, Research Institute for Sustainable Energy
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Ms Stephanie Dane, President of the Engineering Students Society
I recommend that Senate approve the composition of the proposed Selection Committee for the position of Chair in Power Engineering.
2.
Murdoch University Foundation
At its meeting held on 7th October 2002, Senate approved the establishment of the Murdoch
University Foundation and confirmed the appointment of initial trustees.
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At that time, it was noted that the Trustees would bring further recommendations of Trustees forward to Senate for approval. The Trustees wish to invite Ms Karen Brown and Mr Terry
Budge and they have agreed to accept appointment for an initial period of three years.
Karen Brown was appointed West Australian Editor of The Australian in February 2004. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Diploma of Education from the University of Western
Australia.
Prior to joining The Australian, Karen was the Deputy Editor of The West Australian, where she worked for 14 years. In that time she reported on the Royal Commission into WA Inc, was the bureau correspondent in the north-west of the state, covered Aboriginal Affairs at the height of the Mabo debate and edited several weekly feature sections. She was the first female chief of staff in the newsroom and the first woman to be appointed Deputy Editor
The Trustees recommend that Ms Karen Brown and Mr Terry Budge be appointed to the
Murdoch University Foundation.
3.
Peel Campus Chair of Business
In addition to the Chair of Nursing, the University is currently seeking sponsorship for a Chair of Business to be located at the Peel Campus. Funding is being sought at the same level as obtained from the City of Rockingham for the Chair of Education. In line with Senate’s in principle approval (S/2(c)/2004) of the naming of a Chair of Nursing based on a financial commitment of $390,000 (plus GST) over 3 years, approval is sought for the naming of a Chair in Business.
It is therefore recommended that Senate approve, in principle, the naming of a Chair of
Business based on a financial commitment of $390,000 (plus GST) over 3 years.
4.
Student Guild - Amenities and Services Fee
From the Statute 22 : Fees, under section 4(2) "A portion of the fees transferred to the Guild (in an amount agreed between the Guild Secretariat and the Senate) shall be applied by the Guild to capital works for student amenities and facilities, to be spent in accordance with a plan developed in consultation with the Vice Chancellor"
In this light through the Guild’s budget and by a motion on specific topic the Guild Secretariat has approved the expenditure of up to $119,000 on the following capital works projects:
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$50,000 for refurbishment of space on Bush Court in the old PS2.24 to enhance the Guild
Shop, and to provide a new resource "Epicentre";
$40,000 paid as a contribution towards the new roof for the Sports and Recreation Centre;
 $22,000 towards a Guild funded Security Escort Vehicle to be utilised by the Guild in association with Murdoch University Security; and
 $7,000 for refurbishments to the Tavern and Sir Walter's Café.
Further to this list of capital works, the Guild has budgeted to save $100,000 with the intent that it be used in the future on major capital projects. The Guild of Students and Vice Chancellor recommend that an amount of $119,000 be allocated for the capital works indicated above.
It is therefore recommended that Senate approve the expenditure of $119,000 for 2004 on capital works for student amenities and facilities, from Amenities and Services Fee income.
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