Adelaidean December 2001 Vol 10 No 11
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Adelaidean Volume 10 Number 11 News from Adelaide University December 2001 INSIDE A sound solution The Lord of Spineless for carp the Rings invaders page 5 page 7 page 9 Securing the future: Lights, campus, action! major initiatives announced for 2002 Vice-Chancellor tackles budget issues THE Vice-Chancellor, Professor Cliff University achieves a balanced budget in 2002 Blake, has announced a series of and significant surpluses in subsequent years. initiatives aimed at strengthening This will enable us to rebuild our cash reserves Adelaide University's position as one of and look to the future with confidence." Australia's foremost research and The budget strategy aims to boost revenue by education institutions. attracting more fee-paying international The initiatives include: a comprehensive students and reduce costs through tighter budget strategy to restore the University's internal controls, an early voluntary capital base and secure its financial future; a retirement scheme, and amalgamation of stronger marketing effort to build on an some small schools/departments. increase of nearly 30% in total student "Adelaide University is recognised nationally applications for 2002 [see story page 3]; a and internationally as one of Australia's great staff renewal strategy, incorporating a universities," Professor Blake said. recruitment drive and voluntary early retirement scheme to reinvigorate the "The initiatives announced ensure that the academic staff profile; a new Graduate University will be better able to meet the School for postgraduate research students challenges of the 21st century and continue [see story page 3]; new budget control to make a significant contribution to South measures; a $20 million capital works Australia and the nation." program [see story page 4]; a new University A total of 47 Adelaide University staff had Two scenes in the latest film to star Robert Carlyle (Hamish Macbeth, The Full Monty) have Planning Office with responsibility for been accepted for early retirement under the been shot at key locations at Adelaide University. Pictured above is Director Craig Lahiff strategic planning, resource allocation and University’s voluntary early retirement (centre) discussing a scene in the Mitchell Building with actor Colin Friels. Turn to page 8 to capital management; more partnership scheme, Professor Blake said. learn more about the film, and Adelaide University’s involvement. arrangements with overseas institutions to The group included academic as well as build on the University's position as the general staff; some are among the University’s largest onshore provider of international longest serving staff members, and many education in South Australia. have made enormous contributions to the Professor Blake said the measures were institution, Professor Blake said. Youth leadership supported designed to strengthen the University's Applications from other staff were still under performance in key strategic areas and to consideration, and it was expected that total FOR the second year in a row, Adelaide Other award categories featured as part of ensure that it was positioned to meet new and acceptances would exceed 50. Most of the the Showcase include youth achievement, emerging challenges. University is sponsoring the Youth early retirees would leave the University early Leadership Award as part of the SA youth and community service, natural "The budget strategy provides a in the New Year. Youth Awards Showcase. resources and environment, youth initiative, comprehensive resolution of the financial youth inspiration, sports, and the overall "The staff renewal strategy will enable some issues faced by the University," he said. There are eight awards in total being offered winner, the South Australian Young Person staff to retire early and will also involve the in the Showcase, which is an initiative of of the Year. "The major issue was the emergence of a appointment of new staff in areas of strong Paradise Community Services and deficit of an estimated $3.2 million which student demand or in areas of identified sponsored by the South Australian Prizes include $2500 cash in each of the will need to be carried over from the 2001 research strength," Professor Blake said. Government. Showcase categories, and the overall calendar year. winner will receive an additional $2500 Among the initiatives announced by the The Adelaide University Youth Leadership "Adelaide University's financial position is cash plus an overseas travel package for Vice-Chancellor was an expansion of Award is aimed at recognising the two, flying Qantas and staying with fundamentally sound. It has a strong balance international activities in 2002, building on achievements of young people who have sheet, but the issue of the declining surplus Novotel. the University’s position as the largest made a significant contribution as a leader has been recognised for some time and onshore provider of international education within any sphere of their community. Entry forms are available now, with entries reconfirmed and re-emphasised by Council in South Australia. Those who nominate for the award will closing on February 28, 2002. and senior management. The 2002 Budget is have already reached the finals in another For more information about entry details the next step in addressing this challenge. Currently around 1600 students from more than 70 countries study at Adelaide University. youth award in the last two years, not contact Paradise Community Services on "The new financial management systems necessarily in this field. (08) 8336 0066, or email: [email protected]. which we have put in place will ensure that the Continued Page 3 Advertisement PAGE 2 DECEMBER 2001 ADELAIDEAN GRADUATIONS PRIZES FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING In August, the Adelaidean ran a feature on working in the field for some time. two of the four staff members to receive this "Succinct summaries of principles of year’s Stephen Cole the Elder Prizes for management in clinical medicine can save Teaching. students a lot of time and unnecessary effort The $5000 prizes recognise excellence in early in their careers." teaching, and nominations come from students and fellow staff members. As the prizes are normally presented during IT’S a hat-trick of success for Adelaide graduations, and with December graduations University’s Department of Chemistry, with now approaching, we now welcome readers to one of its staff members receiving a Stephen the remaining two winners of this year’s Cole the Elder Prize for excellence in teaching prizes: teaching for the third consecutive year. This year’s winner, Dr Simon Pyke, joins Dr Geoff Crisp and Dr Mark Buntine as a LIFE has come full circle for Stephen Cole recipient of the prestigious award. the Elder 2001 teaching prize recipient, Mr Anthony Pohl. Dr Pyke joined Adelaide in 1992, after completing undergraduate and postgraduate As a teenager growing up in South Africa, he courses at the University of Sydney, and was fortunate enough to able to satisfy his working as a post-doctoral fellow in England. curiosity in medicine thanks to a friendly Mr Anthony Pohl. Dr Simon Pyke. surgeon, who once a week allowed Mr Pohl Dr Pyke said Adelaide was his first serious to watch him perform surgical procedures. taste of teaching after being concerned what he was doing," he said. mainly with research, and that he developed learners—they just can’t sit there and be Now, as Director of Orthopaedic Trauma at sponges, they have to get involved and engage "With my Adelaide University medical his passion for teaching virtually straight the Royal Adelaide Hospital and senior away. with the material. clinical lecturer in orthopaedics at Adelaide students, I like to be as open as I can, and use University, Mr Pohl has in turn been the knowledge of what I and others have "I hadn’t done much teaching before so I "I really enjoy getting involved with what the recognised for his contribution as an educator. experienced throughout our careers to help learnt an awful lot in a hurry," he said. "David students are thinking and doing. I think the students better understand clinical conditions Ward and Geoff Crisp have been excellent greatest reward in teaching is seeing the point Mr Pohl came to Australia in 1978 to pursue and their management." mentors in that regard, encouraging me to try where a student understands a new concept or an orthopaedic career after being educated new things. method—that’s just a fantastic feeling." and working in South Africa, and said the "I like to incorporate lots of examples and way he was educated has had a significant "for instances" in my teaching so students are "To me, students are really important to what Dr Pyke said it was a thrill just to be bearing on the way he now teaches. aware of the real-life situations that occur." I do—they’re people, not just numbers. I try nominated, as "I’m just doing my job". "I was fortunate enough that by the time I "And wherever possible, I also like to to be as open with them as I can, to always "There’s been some terrific people that have was able to go to medical school, I already incorporate the experiences of relevant have time to talk to them if they would like to received this award in the past, and to be in had years of "hands-on", if you like, medical practitioners. I believe it is of great discuss anything. the same company as them is a great honour," education in surgery by being able to watch a value to be exposed to other people’s "The teaching style that I have developed he said. very good surgeon, and talk to him about experiences, particularly if they have been encourages students to become active —Ben Osborne Adelaidean Graduation month is here! Writers MORE than 2300 Adelaide University graduand speaker: Brendan James King.