2019 ANNUAL REPORT Swinburne.Edu.Au Swinburne University of Technology ANNUAL REPORT
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2019 ANNUAL REPORT swinburne.edu.au Swinburne University of Technology ANNUAL REPORT CONTENTS Vision, strategy, values, behaviours and commitment AR : 2 From the Chancellor AR : 4 From the Vice-Chancellor AR : 6 About Swinburne AR : 8 Front cover: The image shows an artistic University governance AR : 14 rendering of a supermassive black hole Strategic plan and performance AR : 22 accumulating matter from a hot accretion Future-ready learners AR : 24 disc. Radiation from such hot discs have been detected at radio wavelengths, Research with impact AR : 32 in optical bands, and in x-ray images Innovative enterprise AR : 40 taken by astronomical satellites. The Swinburne’s commitment to reconciliation AR : 50 supermassive black hole that lurks at the centre of our galaxy, the Milky Way, has Student and staff awards AR : 52 a mass of about four million times that Alumni and supporters AR : 55 of our Sun. Dr Benjamin Davis, Professor Alister Graham and PhD student Ms Statutory reporting AR : 56 Nandini Shau, from Swinburne’s Centre Statutory and Finance Report SFR : 1 for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Disclosure Index SFR : 76 are leading research into the striking interplay between galaxies and their central, supermassive black holes. Their research is supported by the Australian Research Council and the Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav). Image credit: James Josephides, Swinburne Astronomy Productions, and Professor Alister Graham. Copyright: Swinburne University of Technology. We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, and their Elders past, present and emerging, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which Swinburne’s Australian campuses are located in Melbourne’s east and outer-east. We are honoured to recognise our connection to Wurundjeri Country, history, culture and spirituality through these locations, and strive to ensure that we operate in a manner that respects and honours the Elders and Ancestors of these lands. We also acknowledge the Traditional Owners of lands across Australia, their Elders, Ancestors, cultures and heritage. Transmission Letter 17 April 2020 The Hon. Gayle Tierney MP Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education Level 1 2 Treasury Place East Melbourne VIC 3002 Dear Minister, In accordance with the applicable requirements of the Financial Management Act 1994, the Directions, the Financial Reporting Directions and Australian Accounting Standards, I am pleased to submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the Swinburne University of Technology Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2019. The Swinburne University of Technology Council approved the Annual Report at its meeting on 12 March 2020. Yours sincerely Professor John Pollaers OAM Chancellor Hawthorn Campus John Street Hawthorn Victoria 3122 Australia PO Box 218 Hawthorn Victoria 3122 Australia Telephone +61 3 9214 8000 Facsimile +61 3 9214 5454 www.swinburne.edu.au ABN 13 628 586 699 CRICOS Provider 00111D 2019 ANNUAL REPORT AR:1 VISION, STRATEGY, VALUES, BEHAVIOURS AND COMMITMENT VISION SWINBURNE’S VALUES A world-class university creating social Our values are reflected in the practices of our and economic impacts through science, staff, the positive outcomes that result from technology and innovation. our relationships with industry and community partners, and our students’ achievements and attributes. SWINBURNE’S Innovation – We thrive on leading through STRATEGY TO 2025 educational excellence, business and research innovation, and creativity in solving real-world Swinburne continues to persevere in problems. our commitment to transform education Integrity – We expect honesty and the highest through strong industry engagement, ethical standards in everything we do. social inclusion, a desire to innovate Accountability – We are accountable to and above all, a determination to create ourselves, each other and the communities we positive change. The 2025 Strategic serve through transparency and evidence-based Plan enables this through developing decision making. future-ready learners, creating research with impact and being an Diversity – We celebrate and respect the strength innovative enterprise. that difference creates. Teamwork – We encourage collaboration that underpins success through mutual respect, open communication and the sharing of responsibility. Sustainability – We foster positive social, educational and environmentally sustainablechange. AR:2 SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SWINBURNE’S BEHAVIOURS SWINBURNE’S COMMITMENT Staff at Swinburne care about behaviours that Swinburne is a world-class university focused on build positive relationships: to communicate, creating impact. We are committed to transforming listen and learn, collaborate, trust and act. the future of education by giving students the knowledge, adaptability and experience they need to COMMUNICATE make a lasting impact on the workplaces of tomorrow. Say it – have the conversation, respect each We create future-ready graduates by taking our other’s differences, give meaningful feedback and students outside the conventional classroom and share honestly and openly. introducing them to new and different ways of LISTEN AND LEARN learning and thinking. Their future readiness comes from hands-on experience, from industry leaders, Hear it, learn from it – learn from one another, from the world around us, and from one another. actively listen to each other, resolve conflict and be innovative. Our commitment to knowledge is driven by our research and focus on making a real-world impact, COLLABORATE transforming our global and local communities. As a Share it – work constructively together with a trusted and respected world-class leader in research common purpose to achieve the university’s goals. excellence, we are determined to make a real difference to the communities we serve. TRUST We do all this by providing a space where ideas are Trust it – be open to and with others, act with nurtured and the brave and adventurous from local fairness and respect, inspire positive expectations communities and around the world are supported to and communicate honestly. push boundaries and create the future, today. ACT This is our commitment to our students: to those in higher education, those undertaking pathways and Do it – have a strong sense of immediacy, vocational education, and those who are just starting take practical action and see it through. out or mastering their field. No matter who our students are or how they want to drive their future – we will help them fulfil their goals in a connected world. 2019 ANNUAL REPORT AR:3 FROM THE CHANCELLOR Since taking up the role of Chancellor in February 2019, I have been impressed by our community’s drive to connect, collaborate, question and create. The result is a reputation for producing cutting-edge research that solves real-world problems and for providing a unique student experience that translates into strong employment outcomes. For more than 110 years, Swinburne has fostered close connections with industry with the aim of shaping the future through education. Now, more than ever, we are focused on creating seamless experiences from university to the world at large. As you will see throughout this report, we are committed to breaking down barriers between students and employees, between research and education, between university and workplace. We know that to solve the world’s biggest problems, we need to harness our community’s collective knowledge. That is why we bring together our students, researchers, alumni “I am delighted to and industry partners to form new relationships, driving global innovations to shape the future. present the 2019 Annual I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Council Report, showcasing colleagues for their vision and tireless contributions to another exciting year Swinburne. They play a key role in ensuring our university continues to be led with focus and purpose, delivering a for Swinburne. unique experience that is valued by our students, staff and the extended Swinburne community. I would also like to thank our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Linda Kristjanson AO, and her executive team for their commitment and dedication, as well as Swinburne’s staff, students, partners, alumni and donors, all of whom contributed to Swinburne’s success in 2019. Professor John Pollaers OAM Chancellor AR:4 SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY We bring together our students, researchers, alumni and industry partners to form new relationships, driving global innovations to shape the future. 2019 ANNUAL REPORT AR:5 FROM THE VICE‑CHANCELLOR “This has been a rewarding year of growth, development and significant achievement for Swinburne. Inspired by our vision to create social and economic impact The university remains financially secure. Incremental through science, technology and innovation, and underpinned reductions of funding in recent years have required financial by a culture of excellence, respect and caring for one another, modelling and budgetary forecasts to be made under testing we remain focused on achieving the goals set by our strategic circumstances and where required, we have adjusted to change. plan, Swinburne 2025. Swinburne will continue to advocate strongly for sustainable growth to our domestic student funding, which is much needed The dedication and talent of our people are reflected in our for our growing population. continued success in global rankings. Highlights for 2019