The University of New England Armidale NSW 2351 April 2006

The Honourable Carmel Mary Tebbutt, MLC NSW Minister for Education and Training Parliament House Sydney NSW 2000

Dear Minister

In accordance with Section 10(1) of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act, 1984, and Section 34 of the Public Finance and Audit Act, 1983, the Council of the University has the honour to present to you, for tabling to the Parliament, the Annual Report of the proceedings of the University for the period January 1 to December 31, 2005.

Mr J Cassidy Professor I Moses Chancellor Vice-Chancellor

Historic Booloominbah

Annual Report 2005  Contents

n Organisational Chart 3 n Vice-Chancellor’s Report 4 n Governance 7 n Council 9 n Quality Teaching and Learning 12 n Research Excellence 16 n International Activities and domestic Partnerships 23 n Regional and Community Development 30 n Faculty Reports 34 n Quality Management and Resources 45 n Awards 55 n Partnerships and Related Entities 59 n Diversity, Access and Equity 70 n Ethnic Affairs Priority Statement n Supplementary Information 76 n Risk Management Statistics at a glance n Insurances n Environment Management Plan Total number of students (persons) at UNE (1/1/2005 - 31/12/2005) n Land Sales Domestic students 16,803 n Freedom of Information International students 1,758 n The University’s Functions Total 18,561 n UNE Privacy Statement n Statistics 85 Students commencing an award course 6,180

Graduates 3,345

Staff Academic staff 500 Administrative and support staff 832 Total 1,332

Total revenue $m

Consolidated 189.1 UNE parent entity 172.3

 The University of New England University of New England Organisational Chart 2005

Committees Audit & Compliance Buildings & Grounds Finance Council Honorary Degrees, Titles & Tributes Remuneration Standing Tender

Planning & Institutional Research Academic Board Vice-Chancellor Records Management Office

Committees Faculties Divisions

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Academic Division Executive Dean Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching & Learning) Academic matters Academic Faculty Administration line Reporting Teaching & Learning Centre Schools & Teaching Units University Library Classics, History & Religion Curriculum Centre English, Communication & Theatre dixson Library Human & Environmental Studies Heritage Centre and University Archives Languages, Cultures & Linguistics Law Library Music Residences Psychology Austin College Social Science Drummond & Smith College Centres Duval College Australian Language, Literature, Theatre & Screen Earle Page College Language & Cognition Research Centre Mary White College New England Centre for Applied Research in Social Science Robb College Heritage Futures Research Centre St Albert’s College Wright Village Faculty of Economics, Business & Law Research Division Executive Dean Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research & Development) Faculty Administration Schools Development Office Economics Research Services Law Research Centres outside faculties New England Business School Animal Genetics & Breeding Unit Graduate Schools Ecological Economics & Water Policy Research Business Institute for Genetics & Bioinformatics Centres Institute for Rural Futures Agriculture and Applied Economics Primary Industries Innovation Centre Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law Business Research International Division Local Government New England Centre for Executive Development Pro Vice-Chancellor (International & Entrepreneurial) International Marketing and Pathways English Language and International Services Faculty of Education, Health & Professional Entrepreneurial Office Studies UNE Asia Centre UNE Brisbane Centre Executive Dean Faculty Administration Schools Resources Division Education Executive Director (Business & Administration) Health Directorates Professional Development & Leadership Facilities Management Services Centres Human Resource Services Higher Education Management & Policy Information Technology Research into Aboriginal & Multicultural Studies Marketing & Public Affairs Research on Education in Context Student Administration & Services National Centre of Science, Information and Offices Communication Technology, and Internal Audit Mathematics Education for Rural and Legal Regional Australia Secretariat Oorala Centre Business Units Rural Properties UNE Conference Company Faculty of The Sciences Executive Dean Financial Services Faculty Administration Schools Chief Financial Officer Biological, Biomedical & Molecular Sciences Financial Services Environmental Sciences & Natural Resources Medical Centre Management Yarm Gwanga Child Care Centre Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science Rural Science & Agriculture Centres Controlled Entities Animal Health and Welfare Agricultural Business Research Institute Behavioural and Physiological Ecology Centre International Livestock Resource & Information Bioactive Discovery in Health & Ageing Cooperative Research Centres Centre Ecology, Evolution and Systematics Australian Poultry CRC National Marine Science Centre Environmental Dispute Resolution Australian Sheep Industry CRC UNE Partnerships Molecular Microbiology Centre Cotton Catchment Communities CRC Services UNE Neuroscience and Animal Behaviour CRC for Australian Weeds Management Service Organisations North Coast Aquatic Linkages CRC for Beef Genetic Technologies Sport UNE Spatial Sciences CRC for Viticulture Student Associations Sustainable Farming Systems Irrigation Futures UNE Postgraduate Students’ Association UNE Students’ Association

Annual Report 2005  Professor Ingrid Moses Vice-Chancellor Vice-Chancellor’s Report

he University of New England is Australia’s oldest rural university. Having started in 1938 as the New England University College of the University of TSydney, it gained autonomy in 1954. At that stage it was still a very small institution that provided a vibrant living and learning community of staff and students that we still cherish and attempt to maintain.

UNE gained autonomy under the condition that it would provide distance education, initially to teachers in NSW. In 2005, the University is a major provider of distance education nationally, and we have moved over time from exclusive reliance on print-based material to a blend of various media, including extensive use of the Internet.

We intend to further improve our distance education offerings over the next few years, and this year conducted a review of our distance education activities, with a view towards maintaining and increasing our lead as one of Australia’s premier distance education providers.

Our technology infrastructure has improved vastly over the past few years, with excellent broadband provisions funded by the Federal Government, and heavy investment by the University in new computer systems for finance, research and student administration. The challenge to modernise our infrastructure, and to enable staff, students and the community to interact with the University electronically, is a costly but inevitable one that we are meeting.

2005 was another outstanding year for research at UNE. The excitement surrounding the discovery and description of a new human species, Homo floresiensis, by UNE professors Mike Morwood and Peter Brown, has continued throughout the year. UNE has received extensive TV, newspaper and Web exposure, including articles in National Geographic and Nature magazines.

 The University of New England Other important research findings this excellence in teaching and who support Excellence in Research acknowledge year included the discovery of evidence their staff to improve student learning those who have contributed at an of recent practice of the Manichaean outcomes”. UNE is without question one exceptional level to our core business. religion, long thought to have died out, such institution. The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for in China; the world’s first ten-tonnes- We have made a number of improvements Excellence in Service rewards those per-hectare yield of a wheat-related in infrastructure in 2005, including general staff who have given outstanding grain crop; and the development of a the construction of several high-tech service over a long time, and the simple and inexpensive test for Marek’s learning commons in our Dixson Library. Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence disease in chickens, which has the The University will further benefit from a in Equity signals to the University potential to save the poultry industry $2.57 million grant from the Australian community and beyond that we value millions of dollars each year. These and Government’s Strategic Information equity. other research activities were highlighted Infrastructure Fund to develop a wireless to the executive of the Australian This year we have also been recognised network infrastructure, an announcement Research Council when they visited the again as an exemplary employer made recently by the Federal Minister for UNE campus in July and are further of women. UNE was one of 115 Education, Dr Brendan Nelson. detailed in this Annual Report. organisations across the country to We have completed the centralisation receive a 2005 Employer of Choice At UNE we are committed to excellence of student administration and the for Women citation from the Equal in teaching and a learning environment upgrading of our student information Opportunity for Women in the Workplace that challenges and supports students, a system, both extremely important steps Agency (EOWA). We were also named one position that has been rewarded by the to help UNE move forward and grow. of Australia’s best employers of Defence Government with an extra $2.218 million Late this year we launched a student Force Reservists at the Defence Reserves for 2006 from the newly established Web portal, which will ultimately allow Learning and Teaching Performance Support Council’s (DRSC) National students the capacity to self-manage Fund. This money is not a windfall but Employer Support Awards. their enrolment and personal details, an acknowledgement of UNE’s long We spent a great deal of time during within the rules of their particular standing support for staff and students. 2005 responding to various initiatives, course. As the Minister for Education, Science reforms and requests by the Federal and Training noted in his media release As an exemplary employer we have Government, making submissions, of November 29, “The Government is demonstrated in many ways that we lobbying and changing substantially strongly committed to rewarding higher value our staff. Our Vice-Chancellor’s the way we work in order to comply. education institutions that pursue Awards for Excellence in Teaching and This relates in particular to the

Annual Report 2005  governance and industrial practices forums for all staff, and I kept the Finally, 2005 marks the end of my that we needed to change in order to University community informed through eight-and-a-half year term as the Vice- receive an additional 5 per cent of our my articles in the University newsletter Chancellor of UNE. It has been an honour operating grant next year. And it relates Smith’s. There is consensus that UNE wants and a privilege to lead the University to Voluntary Student Unionism and the to continue as a teaching-and-research during that time. It has been a most Research Quality Framework. We spent university, though there is acceptance that challenging and exciting period, and I also much time and energy in preparing we need to focus research more sharply. have appreciated the support of staff, for VSU and modeling what the RQF Yet we would not wish to discourage those students and the community in making might mean for UNE. who are not part of UNE Research Centres. UNE the wonderful institution it is today.

With our Strategic Plan 2001-2006 The success of Professors Morwood and Thank you. coming to an end, we explored our Brown was achieved through collaboration strategic directions at council meetings, with colleagues in other universities, both in senior staff meetings and in open in Australia and Indonesia. Ingrid Moses

 The University of New England The installation of UNE’s first Chancellor, Sir Earle Page, on August 4, 1955.

Governance

Manner of Establishment and Purpose of UNE

The University of New England was founded as a college of the University of Sydney in 1938. It became fully independent in 1954. In 1989 it amalgamated with the Armidale College of Advanced Education which had been founded as the Armidale Teachers’ College in 1928. The University was reformed under a new Act in 1993 (University of New England Act 1993) and was provided with a new By-Law in 1996. This Act was amended from March 2002 to reflect changes imposed by theUniversities Legislation Amendment (Financial and Other Powers) Act 2001. The University consists of a council, convocation, the professors, full-time members of the academic staff of the University and such other members or classes of members of the staff of the University as the by-laws may prescribe, and the graduates and students of the University.

The governing body of the University, the council, may make rules in relation to any activity or function of the University provided they are not inconsistent with the Act or The University of New England By-Law 1996.

The Act establishes an academic board, which provides guidance and advice to the council on academic matters. Academic administration of the University is conducted through four faculties—Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Economics, Business and Law; Education, Health and Professional Studies; and The Sciences.

Business and Service Hours

The standard business and service hours at The University of New England are 9.00am to 5.00pm on week days. Individual academic, administrative and residential areas may, however, vary these hours slightly.

Annual Report 2005  Principal Officers of the University

Chancellor

Mr John M Cassidy, BSc(CivilEng) (N’castle(NSW)), FIE (Aust)

Deputy Chancellor

Mr James R F Harris

Vice-Chancellor

Professor Ingrid Moses, DiplSozWirt (Erlangen-Nürnberg), MA, PhD (Q’ld), HonDLitt (UTS and CSU-S), GradDip(TertEd) (DDIAE), FACE, FSRHE

Executive Director (Business and Administration)

Mr Graeme Dennehy, BE(Hons), DipTech(Civil) (NSWIT), MIE(Aust), CPEng, SFCDA, DipCD

Pro Vice-Chancellor (International and Entrepreneurial)

Professor Robin Pollard BSc(Hons) (Cantuar), MBA (Monash), PhD (Cantuar)

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development)

Professor Peter G Flood, MSc (NE), PhD (Qld), MAusIMM

Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)

Professor David Rich, MA, PhD (Camb)

Chief Financial Officer

Mr Adrian Robinson, BComm (Natal), MBA (HW), CPA, CIMA

Academic Board

Chair: Professor Ray Cooksey, MSc, PhD (Colorado State) (until February 2005)

Professor Majella Franzmann, BA(Hons), PhD(QLD), DipTeach (Brisbane CAE), FAHA (from 14 February 2005)

Deputy Chairs: Professor Majella Franzmann, BA(Hons), PhD(QLD), DipTeach (Brisbane CAE), FAHA (until February 2005)

Professor Eilis S Magner, BA (Ott), BEd (Tor), LLB (ANU), LLM (NSW), SID (Tor), Solicitor

Professor V Lynn Meek, BA(Hons) (Drew), PhD (Camb) (from February 2005)

 The University of New England UNE Council chamber in Booloominbah Council Members of Council (as at December 31, 2005)

The Chancellor Mr John M Cassidy

Official Members Professor Ingrid Moses, Vice-Chancellor Professor Majella Franzmann, Chair of Academic Board

Council Meeting Attendance Members Appointed by the Minister In 2005 there were nine council Mr James Harris, Deputy Chancellor meetings. Attendance was as follows: Ms Jan McClelland Mrs Jillian Oppenheimer, OAM Possible Actual Ms Fiona Giuseppi J Cassidy 9 6 Mr Edward Wright, AM Mr Richard Torbay, MP (from October 2005) A Maurer 8 7 J Harris 9 9 Members Elected by Academic Staff Associate Professor Herman Beyersdorf J McClelland 9 8 Associate Professor Jennifer McParlane (until July 2005) I Moses 9 8 Professor David Cottle (from August 2005) J McParlane 4 4 Members Elected by Convocation M Franzmann 9 8 Mrs Jennifer Crew, OAM J Oppenheimer, OAM 9 7 Mr Scott Williams H Beyersdorf 9 8 Member Elected by Non-Academic Staff K Scharf 4 2 Mr Peter Mathew J Crew, OAM 9 9 Member Elected by the Postgraduate Students P Schubert 4 4 Mr Andrew Marks (until October 2005) K Ford 4 4 Kristy-Elouise Ford (from October 2005) R Torbay, MP 4 2 Member Elected by the Undergraduate Students F Giuseppi 9 7 Ms Kellie Scharf (until September 2005) S Williams 9 8 Mr Philip Schubert (from September 2005) P Mathew 9 7 Seventh Lay Member Elected by the Council E Wright, AM 9 8 Mr Tony Windsor, MHR (until February 2005) Ms Ann Maurer (from February 2005)

Annual Report 2005  Significant Committees of the promptly in writing of the matter n the pursuit by UNE and its related University of New England Council and the reason for the urgency. entities of audit and compliance procedures that are acceptable to (as at December 31, 2005) A quorum shall consist of a simple the council; Standing Committee majority of members of the committee. n the quality and effectiveness of Mr J Cassidy (Chair) Audit and Compliance Committee the programs and policies of the Mr J Harris Mr J Cassidy (Chancellor) University and its related entities Professor I Moses Mr J Harris (Chair) for the internal control of audit, Professor R Cooksey Professor I Moses environment, employment practice Mr A Marks Mrs J Crew, OAM and anti-discrimination; Mr S Williams Ms F Giuseppi Mr E O D Wright, AM Mrs A Maurer n any matters which have or could have a material effect on the financial Terms of Reference Mr S Williams statements and the operation of UNE The committee shall have the authority to: Vacancy and its related entities; n appoint selection committees Terms of Reference for the Pro Vice-Chancellors, n the University’s programs and The committee shall consider, Executive Director (Business policies for the detection and review and advise the council on and Administration), Deans and control of fraud, corruption and the compliance of UNE and its Professors and receive and approve other illegal acts; and related entities to various laws and recommendations from those regulations, including those relating n risk management. selection committees; and to audit, governance, the environment, A quorum shall consist of a simple n deal with any matter brought to it by employment practice and anti- majority of members of the committee. the Vice-Chancellor or the Chair of discrimination. Buildings and Grounds Committee the Finance Committee, Chair of the The committee shall be responsible Buildings and Grounds Committee or Mr J Cassidy (Chancellor) for monitoring and reporting to the Chair of the Audit and Compliance Mr J Harris council on: Committee which, in the opinion of Professor I Moses the Chancellor or in his/her absence n the audit plans of the internal and Professor M Franzmann the Deputy Chancellor, requires external auditors, including the Associate Professor H Beyersdorf urgent attention, provided that degree of coordination between the Mrs J Oppenheimer, OAM members of the Council are informed two parties; Mr E O D Wright, AM (Chair)

10 The University of New England Terms of Reference n the naming of buildings and areas; n development, review and The committee shall consider, review implementation of financial policies n the restoration and use of heritage and advise the council on the and delegations; buildings; implementation of: n the review of the financial reporting n environmental aspects of campus n systems; the University’s Master Plan; development. n the status of University insurances; n the University’s Strategic Asset A quorum shall consist of a simple Management Plan, including majority of members of the committee. n the status of the activities of the information technology facilities; Investment Committee; Finance Committee n the University’s Preventative n all proposals for capital expenditure Mr J Cassidy (Chancellor) Maintenance Program; in excess of $100,000; Mr J Harris n the Buildings and Grounds Professor I Moses n benchmarking of UNE performance Operational Plan. Professor M Franzmann against other universities; Ms F Giuseppi The committee shall be responsible n the University’s management of Mr P Mathew for monitoring and reporting to the borrowing activities. Mr S Williams (Chair) council on: Mr E O D Wright, AM The committee shall make n the establishment of proposals and recommendations to the council on: design standards for building works; Terms of Reference n all proposed borrowing and financial n formulation of contracts for building The committee shall consider, review and obligations; and civil engineering works, advise the council on the development n approval of annual budgets and including information technology and implementation of the University’s forward budgets. infrastructure; Budget Plan. A quorum shall consist of a simple n management of building and The committee shall be responsible for majority of members of the committee. civil engineering contracts, monitoring and reporting to the council on: including the tender process, post tender activities and contract n the University’s financial administration. performance against budget targets;

The committee shall make recommendations n preparation of the University’s to the council on: annual financial statements;

Annual Report 2005 11 Professor David Rich Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning)

Quality Teaching and Learning

Quality assurance and continuous improvement

n 2005, UNE distance education courses, up to and including Masters level, received accreditation from the US Distance Education and Training Council, Iafter an inspection by auditors during the previous year. UNE is one of only four Australian universities to have achieved this internationally-recognised accolade.

Like all Australian universities, UNE teaching and learning achievements were evaluated under the Commonwealth Government’s new Learning and Teaching Performance Fund system. After successfully fulfilling the criteria for the first (qualifying) round, UNE scored well in the main round of assessment of a series of quantitative indicators relating to issues such as student satisfaction, student progression rates and post- graduation employment. Informal rankings on the basis of these indicators positioned UNE in a very creditable seventh position among Australian universities. Our commitment to excellence in teaching and a learning environment that challenges and supports students was rewarded by the Government in November with an extra $2.218 million for 2006 from the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund.

The University’s comprehensive system of academic quality assurance continued during the year, with reviews of schools, courses and units on a cyclic basis.

A brief “Statement of Strategic Directions in Teaching and Learning” was prepared during the year to highlight key strategic priorities for improvements in teaching and learning. This document will be extended into a comprehensive new Teaching and Learning

12 The University of New England Strategic Plan in 2006, in parallel with began in late 2005 to assist students processes and other improvements in the preparation of the University’s new entering the University in 2006. A more business processes. The Course Profile Strategic Plan. comprehensive implementation will occur Management Sub-Project will implement following detailed consideration of the a more strategic, market-led approach During the second half of 2005, a review review committee’s report. to identifying opportunities for, and of UNE’s provision of distance education implementing, new courses as well as was completed by a committee chaired The wide-ranging Academic Program periodically evaluating the mix of existing by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Teaching Management Renewal Project was and Learning). After wide-ranging initiated during the year. The overall courses. The Unit Profile Management investigations and extensive consultation intention is to improve the policy and Sub-Project will improve and extend the with the University community, the administrative framework supporting University’s methodology for determining committee strongly reaffirmed UNE’s the University’s teaching and learning the optimum pattern of units. commitment to distance education. program, with specific aims of protecting The University continued its ongoing It made a series of recommendations and enhancing UNE’s academic excellence, appraisal and enhancement of academic designed to strengthen UNE’s position improving compliance capacity and policies and procedures. During 2005, as a major distance education provider, risk management, reducing the costs of a major new Plagiarism and Academic to ensure an outstanding experience for academic administration (e.g. by enabling Misconduct Policy was approved and its distance education students and to automation of key processes), improving implemented. A review was completed of provide the foundation for further growth service to students, and supporting a disability support requirements under new in full-fee distance student enrolments. more market-driven course profile, thus legislative provisions, and UNE’s procedures Implementation of the recommendations assisting an expansion of full-fee and were upgraded where necessary. Extensive will represent a substantial investment by entrepreneurial activities. work was undertaken across a range of the University in 2006 and beyond. The renewal project has three areas including policies on residential A review was also completed of the components. The Rules and Policies schools, special assessment, late University’s arrangements to minimise Sub-Project will simplify, modernise assignments, and withdrawal of courses. student attrition. The working party, and as far as possible standardise Teaching and learning support chaired by the University Librarian, degree rules and academic definitions, was created in response to a research policies and procedures across the Dixson Library continued to refine the report on Understanding Attrition at University; combined with completion services and resources available to UNE, undertaken by Joan Anderson and of a new course and unit database. This undergraduate students, building on the Nadine McCrea, and funded by a Vice- work will assist outcomes such as the previous year’s efforts, to increase the Chancellor’s Teaching Development Grant. implementation of online enrolment, an availability of content in electronic form. Implementation of some recommendations online handbook, shortened approval The library also increased its focus on

Annual Report 2005 13 Central stairwell in Dixson Library

the provision of services to higher degree with the addition of feedback quizzes. delivery of, information. One drawback students and researchers. In addition, The library staff are delighted at the use has been the scattering of e-resources the library assisted the Research Office that is being made of the site by other across different platforms, which required in identifying publications and checking institutions as a result of its inclusion in the researcher to become familiar with citation indices to meet DEST reporting the AUQA database. a range of command structures and requirements. The result of this extensive syntaxes, screen displays, alerting services An increased investment in e-resources exercise was a significant increase in the and different levels of content, back-sets continued with subscriptions to Wiley number of publications reported. and embargoes on electronic publishing. back-sets, various JSTOR suites, RURAL In April/May 2005 the library re-ran the database and SciFinder Scholar. The As a result of its involvement with the Rodski client satisfaction survey, which it library also moved into purchasing AARLIN project, the library launched had used in 2002 and 2003. The results ebooks through Ebook Library. A its federated search interface in first showed improved satisfaction levels with concerted effort was undertaken to add semester. The interface, MetaSearch, services, with UNE continuing to rank in links to online resources, particularly enables users to search up to ten the top quartile of Australian and New out-of-copyright books, to the library databases, electronic journal packages Zealand university libraries using this catalogue, adding considerably to the and the library catalogue concurrently, benchmark. As with previous surveys, the range of materials available to students. using a single search strategy. After results will be used to guide the further A project with the Teaching and Learning retrieving a single combined list of improvement of library services. Centre to include the readings produced results, they can then readily determine The library’s website was redesigned to for off-campus students on E-reserve if an article is currently available to them match the new university pages, and as part of the streamlined process for in full text from the library’s electronic or significantly revamped in response to materials production added substantially print collections. Postgraduate students feedback from users. The website now to the content of E-reserve. The project and research staff can use the online reflects the increased reliance on, and brought E-reserve up to a critical mass document request form to order books availability of, material in electronic form, of material, and, with students having and articles on inter-library loan that and emphasises ease of access by users. 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week access, are not held electronically or in print by The result has been an increase in use of this service has proved to be extremely Dixson Library. all electronic resources. popular, with usage increasing rapidly. In 2005, the Information Technology The eSKILLS UNE information literacy The rising popularity of electronic Directorate Service Desk employed and webpages, which were commended by scholarly journals has revolutionised trained several students to staff an the AUQA audit report on UNE in 2004, the academic library world, benefiting IT enquiry desk in Dixson Library at and included in the AUQA Good Practice both researchers and external students, weekends during term and residential database, have been further upgraded, and speeding up the search for, and school periods. The student workers

14 The University of New England answered phone calls, responded to the position of Director in September. to create a campus-wide Institute for email enquiries and answered in-person Professor Macdonald initiated a Distance Education Research. IT-related queries from library users. wide-ranging assessment of the role, The residential system was also the responsibilities and capacities of TLC. The trial arrangement was positive for focus of an intensive planning effort. The outcome, during 2006, will be a TLC students, the library and ITD. Many The Residential System Working Charter, clarifying its functions, and a straightforward student queries were Party worked through the year to new strategic plan, taking account of answered in a more timely manner by develop plans to ensure the long-term the recommendations of the Distance offering service during the weekend, and sustainability of the system as an Education Review Committee and the student satisfaction and productivity essential feature of UNE life. The focus Attrition Working Party. were enhanced. Following the success was on developing a master plan for the of this project it was agreed to continue Working with the Information Technology future management and development the arrangement in 2006. Directorate, the centre began a of the residential buildings to achieve The building infrastructure of the pilot project to test a new content compliance with current building codes, Heritage Centre and University Archives management system for learning and provide more diverse and upgraded benefited significantly from the air- materials, and completed an appraisal accommodation, meeting current and conditioning upgrade jointly funded of options for the next upgrade of the anticipated needs. learning management system used in by UNE and the NSW State Records In parallel with this process, and with most of the University’s online learning Authority. The collections of the the assistance of the Organisational units. The centre implemented new Heritage Centre continued to grow with Development Unit, the residential interim procedures for the production varied donations being made by the system undertook a review that led to of learning materials on CD-ROM and community during the year. Significant the completion of a new Strategic Plan began a more comprehensive review of improvements to the documentation and, closely linked, a new Operational production and handling arrangements of the University Archives catalogue Plan. This work considered the historical for learning materials. were underway through participation and future roles of the residences, the in an Australian Research Council The centre planned, and began to perceptions and preferences of students Infrastructure Grant for a project called implement, a revamping of the Graduate and other stakeholders (such as alumni, Digitising Global Memory. Staff from the Certificate in Higher Education. It parents and academic staff), student Heritage Centre have assisted other also explored options to extend this support arrangements, business and heritage projects in the region including qualification by introducing linked staffing arrangements and finances. Moree, Inverell, Glen Innes and Tingha. Diploma and Masters courses, or by With the help of Marketing and Public In the Teaching and Learning Centre articulating to relevant existing courses. Affairs, a new marketing strategy was (TLC), Professor Ian Macdonald took up The centre also began negotiations also developed.

Annual Report 2005 15 Professor Peter Flood Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development) Research Excellence

he year 2005 was a hallmark one in research for each of The University of New England’s four faculties. The excitement surrounding the discovery and description Tof a new human species, Homo floresiensis, by Professors Mike Morwood and Peter Brown, continued throughout 2005. UNE has received extensive TV, newspaper and Web exposure, including an article in National Geographic magazine. During 2005, in a Nature magazine article, new skeletons were described from the same site. The additional finds have confirmed that the original skeleton was not an aberrant individual, but representative of a population that existed from 95,000 to 12,000 years ago.

This year, we had the opportunity to showcase UNE’s research highlights to the executive of the Australian Research Council, when they visited the UNE campus in July. During the visit, the ARC team met with the Vice-Chancellor and the UNE executive, and visited various research facilities, including the marmoset colony, the new spectrofluorometer in the Physics Department and the liquid chromatograph in the Chemistry Department. The ARC also held an open forum for UNE staff, presenting an overview of the grants available and the application and review process, as well as providing an opportunity for UNE staff to ask questions.

For the 2006 ARC Discovery Project Round, there was a slight decrease—from eight to six—in the number of successful grants compared to the previous year. With respect to the national scheme, however, UNE remained about the same. UNE was also awarded one ARC Linkage Project (Round 1), one ARC Linkage Infrastructure Equipment and Facilities Grant and one ARC Postdoctoral Award. The number of DEST-weighted publications for 2004, reported in 2005, increased by 29 per cent over the previous year.

16 The University of New England In 2005, the Research Encouragement PhD Enrolments Humanities and Social Sciences; 22 from

Awards and the Grants Incentive Scheme PhD enrolments were up slightly on the Faculty of Economics, Business and continued operation, allocating $150,000 the previous year. There were 149 new Law; 18 from the Faculty of Education, each from the Vice-Chancellor’s Strategic PhDs and a total higher degree research Health and Professional Studies; 101 Initiatives Fund. The intention of the student enrolment of 496. from the Faculty of The Sciences; and 19 scheme is to increase and reward research from UNE research centres. productivity. Early in 2005, the Research PhD Graduations For 2006, UNE staff have been successful Management Plan was released, which Graduating students in 2005 totalled in gaining six ARC Discovery grants, one outlined the agenda for increasing research 79, comprising 16 from the Faculty of ARC Linkage grant, one LIEF grant and output and higher degree performances. In Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; one ARC postdoctoral award. UNE ranked 2005, each school, faculty and centre/ four from the Faculty of Economics, in the middle of the 41 universities institute has agreed on key performance Business and Law; 21 from the Faculty in the amount of funds allocated for indicators for the following items: of Education, Health and Professional research (0.7 per cent of the National (a) HDR commencements Studies; and 38 from the Faculty of The ARC research allocation). Internal grants, (b) HDR completions Sciences. These graduate numbers are consisting of 32 University Research (c) Research $ income per staff about the average for the past five years. Grants (URGs) and 10 Research Priming (d) Publications per staff. Research Masters degree Grants, were allocated to UNE research These figures will be benchmarked enrolments staff for 2006. against similar universities. The research Research Masters degree numbers were Ethics Committees “game” is now to prepare for the 2007 up on the previous year. Currently there Research Quality Framework (RQF). are 280 enrolments, including 110 new The Human Research Ethics Committee enrolments in 2005, with 34 graduations approved 200 of the 206 applications Postgraduate scholarships in 2005. The task of managing research received and the Animal Ethics In 2005, 51 new research assistantships Masters students was centralised from Committee approved 180 of the 184 were awarded from the 180 applications the faculties to the Research Services applications received. received. Three Equity Scholarships, four Office in mid-2005. Research Support Endeavour International Postgraduate Scholarships, 22 Australian Postgraduate Research Grants The University continues to cooperate Awards, 20 UNE Research Assistantships, A total of 185 National Competitive with a consortium of universities in the and three UNE Research International Grant applications were lodged, implementations and development of Assistantships were awarded. comprising 23 from the Faculty of Arts, Callista Research.

Annual Report 2005 17 Cooperative Research Centres between the NSW DPI and UNE, and will Research project “New Frontiers for the (CRCs) see scientists, extension officers and Sheep Industry”. educators working together to deliver 2005 was a very important year for In 2005, nine academics from UNE the best possible results for NSW farmers, the Cooperative Research Centres. The have been awarded ARC Linkage Grants particularly those in the Northwest. Dr University researchers in the Sciences totalling nearly $800,000 in funding, continued their collaboration in the Bob Martin, Director of DPI’s Tamworth to research topics as diverse as water Sheep, Beef, Weeds, Cotton, Poultry, Centre of Excellence, will be the centre’s ecology and Queensland museums. Viticulture and Irrigation Futures director, with a board of management The funding will support an array of CRCs. The new CRC for Beef Genetic to develop joint research priorities and research at UNE until 2008. Some of Technologies was launched on December project proposals. Key areas of focus for the recipients of the funding, and their 13, 2005, by Hugh Morgan, Chairman of PIIC include: research, are: the NSW Business Council and the new n Improved management and n Professor Andrew Boulton Cotton Catchment Communities CRC was selection systems for livestock; (Ecosystem Management, UNE) and launched on November 22, 2005 by John n development of perennial grasses Dr Ivor Growns (NSW Department of Anderson, MP at the Australian Cotton and legumes for temperate areas Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Research Institute at Narrabri, NSW. UNE of NSW to help achieve drought Resources) will spend their grant also became a core partner of the CRC for tolerance and improved overall on studying how a river’s water flow Irrigation Futures in 2005. affects the food web between fish productivity; and aquatic invertebrates. Total n Research activities, development of best practice cost of funding over four years: collaborations and new farming and grazing systems; and $144,888. initiatives n development of pasture plants n Professor Iain Davidson and and associated livestock practices UNE, in February of this year, entered Associate Professor Russell to help reduce greenhouse gas into an agreement with the NSW McDougall, from the Faculty of Arts, emissions. Department of Primary Industries Humanities and Social Sciences to establish, on the UNE campus UNE has partnered with Agrisearch Ltd, will look at the role played by at Armidale, the Primary Industries CSIRO, Primary Industries Research Queensland Museums in producing Innovation Centre (PIIC). The centre was Victoria, SARDI, the Universities of knowledge of Aboriginal people. launched at UNE by the NSW Minister Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Western Total cost of funding over four for Primary Industries, the Hon Ian Sydney and Western Australia, Australian years: $114,696. Macdonald. The Minister stated that the Wool Innovation and Meat & Livestock n Professor Andrew Boulton and joint venture will strengthen the links Australia in the Sheep Genomics Dr Peter Hancock (Ecosystem

18 The University of New England In 2005, UNE’s Professor Majella Franzmann was among a team of Australian scholars who found evidence a once-powerful and widespread religion, thought to have died out centuries ago, was still being practised in south-east China. Manichaeism, a religion that spread from Persia to the coast of China, rivalled Christianity itself in the early centuries of the Christian era. Although scholars knew that it survived as a living religion in eastern China until at least the 16th century, no one in the scholarly world had suspected it was still being practised there.

Management, UNE), working with Conferences Appointments colleagues from the Western The Annual Conference of the Institute Professor Paul Martin has been Australian Museum, will study of Australian Geographers was held at appointed as the Director of the groundwater fluctuations associated UNE in July. More than 90 academics Australian Centre for Agriculture and with mining and increased irrigation presented papers on topics as diverse as Law (AgLaw). Professor Martin brings demands. Total cost of funding over changing rural communities, geopolitics to the position a successful career in four years: $342,978. and leisure, tourism and climate/sea- commercial strategy and environmental n Professor Len Unsworth, from the level change. issues. The centre has identified a UNE's School of Education, will number of opportunities to improve work with the NSW Department UNE hosted an international conference the lot of farmers, resource managers of Education and Training to on animal nutrition in July. Twenty-five and rural communities, and is now develop a model to assess readers’ specialist nutritionists, including four establishing itself and building a series comprehension of materials from invited international speakers, delivered of relationships with various areas of both images and print. Total cost of papers on a diverse range of topics the University and the wider community, funding over four years: $192,764. related to the nutrition of farm animals and government agencies in the areas and pets. The European Commission has chosen of agricultural and environmental UNE as its Australian partner in its In September of this year, a major regulation and law. International Network for Higher international conference on small Professor Alistair McIlgorm has been Education Studies (INHES). The business was convened at The appointed as the new Director of the network includes universities from University of New England. The National Marine Science Centre (NMSC), Portugal, Norway, Finland and Tokyo. conference focused on the role of small a joint venture between The University INHES is part of the Commission’s and medium-sized enterprises in rural, of New England and Southern Cross new world-wide higher education regional and urban development. The University. Before taking up this position, program, called “Erasmus Mundus”, and 18th Annual Conference of the Small Professor McIlgorm ran a private is designed to promote the European Enterprise Association of Australia consultancy, working on more than 50 Union as a centre of excellence in and New Zealand (SEAANZ) included fisheries and marine management projects higher education, intended to rival the the presentation of papers dealing for a range of state, Commonwealth and US’s Fulbright program. INHES is one with a wide range of enterprises that international agencies. of nine Erasmus Mundus partnerships included dairy farms, medical practices, and UNE is the sole Australian partner biotechnology companies, vineyards and Professor Kay Harman has been appointed in INHES. the Welsh Whiskey Company. as the new Dean of Graduate Studies

Annual Report 2005 19 (DoGS) to oversee the recruitment, University institutes, centres and and Multicultural Studies (CRAMS) enrolment, progression and completion units n Centre for Research on Education in Context (CREC) of higher degrees by research students. n Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit n The National Centre of Science, Professor Harman brings to this position (AGBU) Information Communications considerable research knowledge n Centre for Ecological Economics and Technology and Mathematics concerning higher degree research Water Policy (CEEWPR) Education for Rural and Regional education, especially experience of the n Institute for Rural Futures (IRF) Australia (SiMERR) research training of students linked to n Centre for Rural Crime, Safety and Australian Cooperative Research Centres. Security (CRCSS) Faculty of Economics, Business and Law n The Institute for Genetics and Fellowships n Australian Centre for Agriculture and Bioinformatics (TIGB) Law (AgLaw) Professor Lynn Meek was awarded n UNE Asia Centre (UNEAC) n Centre for Agriculture and Applied an Erasmus Mundus Fellowship by n Primary Industries Innovation Economics (CAAPEcon) the Higher Education Development Centre (PIIC) n Centre for Local Government (CLG) Association, based at the University n Business Research Centre (BRC) of Oslo, and was instrumental in Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social n New England Centre for Executive developing a UNE-University of Oslo Sciences Development (NECED) exchange as part of the Norwegian n Centre for Australian Language, internationalisation program. Literature, Theatre and Screen Faculty of The Sciences (CALLTS) n Centre for Animal Health and Research Concentrations n Heritage Futures Research Centre Welfare (CAHAW) During 2005, in preparation for the (HFRC) n Centre for Behavioural and introduction in 2008 of the Research n Language and Cognition Research Physiological Ecology Centre Quality Framework, the Pro Vice- Centre (LCRC) (CBPEC) Chancellor (Research and Development) n New England Centre for Applied n Centre for Bioactive Discovery in and the Academic Board Research Research in Social Sciences (NECARSS) Health and Ageing (CBDHA) Committee focused on the establishment n Centre for Ecology, Evolution and of new research groups, centres and Faculty of Education, Health and Systematics (CEES) institutes, to concentrate research Professional Studies n Centre for Environmental Dispute activities and research training. At UNE n Centre for Higher Education Resolution (CEDR) the following research concentrations Management and Policy (CHEMP) n Centre for Neuroscience and Animal have been established: n Centre for Research into Aboriginal Behaviour (CNAB)

20 The University of New England The Australian CRC for Cattle and Beef Quality’s research on marbling in beef cattle led to a novel statistical method to measure the “distribution pattern” of marbling in an AusMeat image analysis of a cross-section of muscle.

n Centre for Spatial Sciences (CSS) producers and consultants. Research into growth perturbation on protein turnover, n Centre for Sustainable Farming techniques for parasite diagnosis that fat deposition, muscle fibre structure, gene Systems (CSFS) can be applied under field conditions expression in fat and muscle, and their n Molecular Microbiology Centre has resulted in early stage commercial relationship to the eating quality of beef. (MMC) evaluation of a new test for barber’s The CRC’s research on marbling in beef n North Coast Aquatic Linkages (NCAL) pole worm. The WormBoss information cattle led to a novel statistical method and decision support package was to measure the “distribution pattern” of Cooperative Research Centres launched in March 2005, and is being marbling in an AusMeat image analysis of a cross-section of muscle. Scientists studying (CRCs) used by producers, drench re-sellers and functional genomics made excellent Australian Sheep Cooperative Research consultants. The Sheep CRC continues to scientific progress by using microarrays Centre attract support from industry, and Professor developed in the CRC to identify gene The Sheep CRC aims to improve sheep John Gibson, Director of The Institute of expression in cattle subjected to varying industry productivity by managing wool Genetics and Bioinformatics, has been nutritional treatments that modified and meat production, and moving from commissioned by Meat and Livestock protein turnover and fat deposition. flock to individual animal management Australia (MLA) and Australian Wool systems that have been developed based Innovation (AWI) to prepare the re-bid for The CRC’s molecular genetics group took on automatic walk-through weighing. the next Sheep Cooperative Research Centre steps to capture the benefits of “Whole Genome Scanning”, made possible by Further research into this technology is (Sheep CRC), to focus on sheep genetics. the completion of the Bovine Genome being conducted in close cooperation (Sequence) Project in the US. Firms can with commercial companies involved Australian CRC for Cattle and Beef Quality “scan” the whole bovine genome using in manufacturing the equipment. The During the sixth year of this CRC’s second, 10,000 polymorphisms spread across all walk-through weighing will be important seven-year term (2004/2005), the CRC chromosomes. During 2004/2005, the CRC’s enabling technology for monitoring for Cattle and Beef Quality continued to commercial partner released a further DNA animal performance for welfare, disease achieve as one of the largest integrated test called “GeneSTAR Feedlot”, combining and production. A detailed analysis of the beef research projects in Australia. the two gene markers for marbling patented benefits arising from measurement and Highlights of the CRC’s activities included by the CRC and the MLA with another gene management of individual animals includes definitive studies of the long-term effects marker from a third-party source. The test development of operational decision of growth restriction of cattle prior to birth, describes enough variation in marbling in support software and profit calculators. and prior to and after weaning, on carcase, breeds like Wagyu to be used as a screening The on-farm fibre measurement profit meat quality and ultimate eating quality. test for steers destined for high-value, calculator, available on the internet, is These studies have provided the best-ever long-fed feedlot operations aimed at proving to be a valuable tool for many understanding of long-term effects of selected overseas markets.

Annual Report 2005 21 CRC for Australian Weeds Management calculations of the Australian Sheep and private sectors through regional UNE researchers in the CRC for Australian Breeding Values, or ASBV as they will community engagement, to ensure that Weed Management recently published a be called, are performed with software research outcomes can inform both policy key economic report quantifying the $4 developed and tested by AGBU. AGBU has and practice. The Institute includes the billion impact of weeds on the Australian also been commissioned to undertake the UNESCO Centre for Bioregional Resource economy, which is now driving much of regular runs during the startup phase of Management, Centre for Rural Crime, the national agenda to manage weeds SGA. With a new R&D project, funded by Safety and Security and the Centre for more effectively. UNE staff are taking a the MLA and the AWI, AGBU will continue Environmental Dispute Resolution. It lead role in research to manage lippia, its research to improve and expand the also collaborates with other UNE research which is clogging large tracts of the genetic evaluation system for Australian centres such as the Centre for Agricultural Law, Centre for Sustainable Agriculture riverine system of the Murray-Darling sheep. AGBU staff are also involved in and the Centre for Local Government. basin, serrated tussock and Chilean needle projects for the beef, (at national and Some of the larger of the 22 projects in grass, which threaten productivity and the international level), pig, dairy, oyster progress are, with Meat and Livestock health of livestock on the Tablelands. and plantation tree industries, and have Australia, the capacity and motivation successfully completed the first stage of of farmers to control weeds; with Research Centres a software development project, which Australian Wool Innovation, integrated Animal Genetics Breeding Unit will allow them to bring together larger parasite management in sheep; with The main highlight for AGBU in 2005 was data files for joint evaluations. AGBU is Land and Water Australia, how visual and the launch of Sheep Genetics Australia now directly involved in projects of three performing arts shape environmental (SGA), a joint initiative of Meat and CRCs: beef, dairy and pork, and has been behaviour and understanding alternative Livestock Australia (MLA) and Australian contracted to contribute its expertise landscape design options for planning Wool Innovation (AWI), in October, by in quantitative genetics (pork) and more sustainable regions. the Federal Minister for Agriculture, bioinformatics (dairy). The Hon Peter McGauran MP. SGA will Patents deliver to the Australian sheep industry Institute for Rural Futures (IRF) Several researchers have made one single genetic evaluation for each The Institute for Rural Futures’ key theme notification of discoveries that could be group of breeds, terminal meat breeds, across its many interdisciplinary projects commercialised. As a result, seven new maternal meat breeds and merino. The is the development of links to public provisional patents were lodged this year.

22 The University of New England Professor Robin Pollard Pro Vice-Chancellor (International and Entrepreneurial)

International Activities and Domestic Partnerships

NE has a higher dependence on Commonwealth funding than most other Australian universities, and has historically recruited very few international Ustudents to Armidale. One exception was an AusAid scholarship program funded at the institutional level; however the UNE program wound up several years ago. The dependence on Commonwealth-funded student places presents risks in terms of long-term viability and in terms of narrow student and staff outlooks.

Those risks, together with the University’s heavy dependence on distance education enrolments and the relatively small size of the Armidale campus, led UNE to form a wide range of partnerships at domestic and overseas locations. There are some six partnerships in Sydney, one in Brisbane, three in Hong Kong and one in Vietnam. All the domestic partners are private institutions that attract international students who enrol in a UNE course taught on the partner’s premises.

Armidale should be an attractive destination for international students, offering a quiet, studious environment with relatively few distractions, and an expansive set of residential colleges in the Oxbridge tradition. Furthermore, the fact that the majority of UNE’s students study via distance education leads to much greater interaction between on-campus students and academic staff. Evidence that a small-town regional environment is conducive to international students can be found in midwestern US universities, many of which have created a lively small university-town community.

Annual Report 2005 23 The University of New England held two graduation ceremonies in Vietnam in 2005. The first was held in Ho Chi Minh City, where 28 postgraduates received their Master of Educational Administration. The second took place in Hanoi, where 22 graduated with the same award. The Masters course is offered in Vietnam by the Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies, in collaboration with the Faculty of Education at the Vietnam National University.

In 2004, UNE created the position of Entrepreneurial Office. Care was taken to n Recruitment of international Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) avoid overlap with other organisational students to Armidale; to broaden revenue sources and to units, and to staff the units at, or n Exchange programs; provide stronger engagement in below, national benchmarks determined internationalisation. The name of that annually by the Australian Universities n Establishment of pathways (to position was changed to International International Directors Forum. Armidale from foreign institutions); and Entrepreneurial (I&E) late in and 2004, as the incumbent took on The Heads of the new units report to n Management of teaching responsibilities for overseeing all the Pro Vice-Chancellor (International partnerships. teaching partnerships. and Entrepreneurial).

Priorities for the PVC(I&E) included These units, together with the Asia Improving course attractiveness managing a number of problematic Centre—a research-oriented academic To attract and retain students, both cross-institutional arrangements, unit—relocated to a building renamed domestic and international, requires the creating and introducing a framework the International Precinct, which was University to continually improve its for sound project management, attractively refurbished during the year. course attractiveness. This involves the building institutional capacity In the context of these changes, identification of new courses to meet to support internationalisation changing market demand, updating (primarily through policy development 2005 was a year of capacity building, and improving course content and and staffing), and seeding new acquisition of new skills, and the structure, and the internationalisation relationships with foreign institutions development of business processes of curricula. and agents that would suit UNE’s that would help UNE become more culture, capabilities and interests. competitive in international student Activities in 2005 included: recruitment markets. Restructuring n Review of the marketability Development in 2005 was in accordance of current on-campus courses An organisational restructure that with the International Plan 2004-2006. (admission requirements, clear commenced in early 2004 was completed Emphasis was placed on: in late 2005. It included dissolution of specification of each course, the International Office and the Language n Improving course attractiveness; availability of compulsory units in Training Centre, and creation of three on-campus full-time delivery mode, n Improving services for international new, small units: International Marketing availability of majors and double students; and Pathways, English Language majors, progression to postgraduate and International Services, and the n English Language Centre; courses, etc.);

24 The University of New England n Identification of new courses in in a UNE award. There are clear and English Language Centre response to market demand and specific responsibilities to ensure that The Centre was relocated to the main the setting of timelines for their on-campus services at all partnership Armidale campus, with a purpose- introduction; locations are regularly monitored and designed, refurbished building. are adequate. Two designated English language n Encouragement of appropriate teaching rooms, and close proximity teaching methods and technology In 2005: to a wide range of campus services, for international students; and n International services were reviewed have provided significant benefits to n Providing enhanced English and benchmarked, including students. The Centre provides a range language preparatory courses of specification of core services; of courses depending on students’ high quality via UNE’s English needs. In 2005 the courses were n A review was conducted of subjected to external review and Language Centre (previously all domestic partnerships for substantial modifications are ongoing. named the Language Training compliance with the national A number of obsolete programs were Centre). code; deleted from the offerings and more The last of these points was enabled n The roles and funding of two flexible English for Academic Purposes through organisational restructure, community groups were redirected and Introductory Academic Programs which included the appointment of a in constructive manner: the were introduced. The processes new Director, English Language and Armidale International Association commenced in 2005, together with International Services. and the International Students appropriate staff development, will Association; provide a major thrust for the 2006 Improving services for international academic year. n Orientation programs for students A number of groups, mainly from international students were On-campus services for international universities in Asia, were taught the comprehensively reviewed and students are prescribed in part by English language as major components restructured; and the ESOS Act 2000 (Cwlth) and the of study tours. The largest group, from associated National Code of Practice for n dIMIA-related information Chubu University in Japan, spent 20 Registration Authorities and Providers gathering and reporting practices weeks studying at UNE and taking trips of Education and Training to Overseas were reviewed and relationships to Sydney, Coffs Harbour, and local Students. These obligations extend with academic units and the attractions. Purposeful relationships to international students located at Student Centre refocused with UNE’s partner institution in domestic partnerships who are enrolled accordingly. Sydney for ELICOS purposes, the UNE

Annual Report 2005 25 International Academy, were enhanced Activities in 2005 included: a balance of inbound and outbound by a first visit for pedagogical liaison students. New exchange programs n Commencement of an integrated purposes. were established in France and Japan international marketing strategy; with other partnerships strengthened, Steps were taken to integrate Centre n Production of new high-quality especially in China with the assistance students more closely into the mainstream promotional materials; of government funding through the culture of the University, including Cheung Kong program. A scholarship relocation of food and drink facilities. n Recruitment activities in India, Canada, Thailand, Indonesia, fund was established for outgoing The International English Language Vietnam and Australia; exchange students. More than $65,000 Testing System (IELTS) accredited UNE as was distributed to 25 students for travel n A review of all admissions processes a testing centre in 2005. and accommodation costs. and procedures;

Recruitment of international students to n A review of all UNE and associated Establishment of pathways Armidale educational agents; A core UNE strategy for international The marketing, recruitment and n Appointment of more than 50 new development is to establish ‘pathway’ admission of international students agents in some 10 countries; arrangements with selected foreign is the primary role of the new institutions. These involve collegial and n International Marketing and Pathways Review of the marketing practices of supportive arrangements, whereby foreign unit. This includes processing of all all domestic partnerships; students study for a period at their home UNE international students (irrespective n Specification of administrative institution, after which they transfer to of study location) and the recruitment processes to support recruitment, Armidale to complete a UNE award with of students to English language and including establishment of recognition of their prior learning given distance education courses. Web-based public disclosure of in the form of advanced standing. admissions and advanced standing The same unit manages and promotes Compared to more adventurous requirements and provisions; student exchange, maintains course developments, these arrangements are of entry requirements and advanced n Commencement of tracking low risk and are relatively easily managed. standing provisions on the web, and applications, offers and acceptances There is no financial relationship between oversees compliance with the ESOS Act and analysis of demand. the parties, there are few quality and other requirements with regard to assurance concerns, there is an underlying the admission of full-time international Exchange programs contract that specifies numbers of students and the promotion and Levels of activity were sustained in students, and the relationship recognises advertising of UNE’s courses. 2005, with emphasis on maintaining the standing and capacity of the foreign

26 The University of New England In 2005 UNE hosted a delegation of senior academics and officials from Harbin Engineering University, China, pictured here with Pro Vice-Chancellor (International and Entrepreneurial) Professor Robin Pollard and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ingrid Moses.

institution. Foreign institutions are implemented to manage all teaching accepted by the University. Proposals sought and nurtured at UNE’s discretion, partnerships. This system sets out team have been discussed for a delivery based on their standing and on common structures, responsibilities and procedures strategy in Sydney, designed to integrate interests between the institutions. for the management of entrepreneurial the University’s assorted sites into a single, coherent presence. During 2005: teaching projects across the University. Individual projects have a team leader n A former China-based centre of Academic Staff Secondment appointed by the appropriate faculty the University was renegotiated to and operate in a matrix structure, with In support of a new Pathway a pathway arrangement, and the a small core team that meets at least Partnership, Associate Professor Fule net funds from this operation were four times per year and calls on expertise Han of North China University of repatriated to Australia; Water Conservancy and Electric Power from various administrative units and (NCWU) visited UNE for a period of n New pathway agreements were functions as necessary. established with Harbin Engineering five months and undertook research on A key feature of the IPM schema is annual University and North China tertiary education internationalisation, reporting by project, including analysis University of Water Conservancy and supported by the China Scholarship and reporting of financial outcomes, Electric Power; Council (CSC). legislative compliance, contractual Associate Professor Han is also the n Six new prospective pathway arrangements, risk management and Section Chief of the International agreements are currently under academic outcomes. Financial statements Communication and Cooperation development: with Huaiyin are produced on a six-monthly basis Department and International Institute of Technology, Zhongnan covering the previous six months of Education College of NCWU. Her University of Economics and Law, project activity. The NSW Audit Office responsibilities include pathways, Xi’an International University, audited the IPM technique together with international education teaching and Sichuan Agricultural University, the first set of reports (covering 2004), research cooperation programs, and Fujian University of Agriculture and found the process satisfactory. foreign teachers and expert recruitment and Forestry, and with Northeast Work is continuing to ensure effective at NCWU. Agricultural University. management of existing projects in The partnership between UNE and NCWU accordance with the framework. Management of teaching partnerships is expected to involve 20 students per Late in 2004, a comprehensive A consultant was commissioned to review year coming to Armidale to complete framework, named ‘Integrated Project and advise on domestic partnerships. UNE’s Bachelor of Environmental Science Management’ (IPM), was devised and Specific recommendations were made and and Bachelor of Computer Science.

Annual Report 2005 27 In 2005 UNE Asia Centre member Professor Amarjit Kaur (pictured) was awarded an Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Grant of $224,000 a five-year project to study the trafficking of Asian women and children for sexual exploitation. Global data published by the US Department of State indicating that, of the 600,000 to 800,000 men, women and children trafficked across international borders each year, 80 per cent are women and girls and up to 50 per cent are minors. Professor Kaur’s project (titled “Managing the Border: Migration, Security, and State Policy Responses to Global Governance in South-east Asia”) will examine international migration, security, and border-management strategies of Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Asia Centre Generation of outside research income n The award of 5-year ARC Discovery 2005 was the first year of operation for Although the RQ and consultancy Grant of $224,200 to Professor the UNE Asia Centre (UNEAC) under a new income was down on its 2004 Amarjit Kaur for a project on constitution, a new Board, and a new performance, the Asia Centre continued “Managing the Border: Migration working Committee in a reorganisation to generate income sufficient to be Security and State Policy Responses that saw it placed under the aegis of self-funding and to finance its various to Global Governance in Southeast the PVC (I&E) and form part of the new programs on a continuing and viable Asia”. This project will contribute UNE International Precinct. Under this basis. Its overall budgetary position significantly to the Asia Centre’s restructure the Asia Centre was given an remains in operational surplus. Special research activities. expanded role by the new board, not only mention may be made of: to promote and conduct research relating n The coordination of three training Research activity and publications to Asia across all faculties and disciplines courses in Research Management The Asia Centre continued to showcase —its primary function—but also as part in Canberra (7-9 March 2005), and sponsor research on Asia through of UNE’s International Plan 2004-2006, to PNG (18-23 April 2005) and the its public seminar series, with six help “facilitate collaborative research and Philippines (30 May-4 June 2005) papers being delivered in 2005; teaching pathways connecting UNE and for ACIAR (Australian Centre for through its annual public lecture, Asian educational institutions”. International Agricultural Research). which Emeritus Professor Malcolm Three projects for promoting Asian Falkus delivered on 3 November 2005 n The funding of a joint UNE-ANU studies at UNE were prioritised: to a large public audience on the topic project entitled “Asia Pacific Regional (i) Publicising via UNEAC’s central of Islam and Terror in Asia: a Thai Migration Network Forum” by the webpage of UNE’s teaching programs Perspective—and through UNEAC Asia International Centre of Excellence and research projects on Asia. Papers, the Centre’s refereed electronic for Asia Pacific Studies (ICEAPS). As journal. Research Papers 8, 9, and 10 (ii) The creation of a database of UNE part of the ongoing UNEAC Research in the series were published in 2005 expertise on Asia. Initiative, Environmental and Social and others are being reviewed. (iii) The enlargement of the program of Impacts of Resource Development in The highlight for 2005 was the Visiting Research Fellows. Asia, this project will bring a series of visitors from around the Asian publication of Research Management Progress has been made in all three areas. region to the UNE Asia Centre in in Agriculture: a Manual for the Twenty Apart from these initiatives the Asia 2006 to collaborate with UNE staff First Century, a book arising out of Centre successfully discharged its normal and present UNEAC seminar papers the master classes organised for the functions, including: during their visit. Crawford Fund by the Asia Centre. With

28 The University of New England an initial run of 1000 copies, this book PhD Students One of the unexpected outcomes was officially launched by Professor Two PhD students directly registered with of this exchange for UNE was the Moses on 14 November 2005. the Asia Centre are in the final stages of invitation of Professor Acram Taji, writing up their theses. The first of these the coordinator of the program, and Research Linkages is to be submitted on 20 January 2006. Dr Paul Kristiansen, the facilitator of The Asia Centre continued to employ two the program, by CSIRO Publishing to 2005 has been a transitional year for the mechanisms for establishing research produce a book in the area of organic Asia Centre, but a busy and productive one. collaboration. The first was the UNEAC agriculture. Many of the LEAFSE Research Fellowship scheme, advertised LEAFSE (Learning Through colleagues have contributed to this nationally and internationally, which Exchange- Agriculture, Food book, titled Organic Agriculture: a has attracted a growing number of Systems and Environment) global perspective, due to be released applicants. Three Research Fellowships Program in 2006. are on offer for 2006. The other was Under this program, 10 UNE students inviting scholars with Asian expertise Iranian Embassy went to Europe and eight European to join the Asia Centre as Affiliated A second Memorandum of Understanding students were hosted at UNE during Fellows. Four new Affiliated Fellows were (MoU) was signed between UNE and the 2004 and 2005. During 2004, UNE appointed in 2005. Iranian government in 2005. All of the sent one student to each of the students coming from Iran under this Linkages with other international and European partner institutions in the MoU are government sponsored students national research centres with Asian LEAFSE project and hosted three who undertake their PhD studies at interests or focus were also maintained students, two from Wageningen and UNE. During the three-year life of the or developed. one from the Royal Veterinary and previous MoU, which expired in April Agricultural University (KVL). In 2005, New initiatives included: 2004, UNE received 15 PhD students. UNE sent six students to European n Joining forces with the Asia Pacific partner institutions; one each to KVL The areas of interest largely fall within Migration Research Forum at the in Denmark, the University of Wales, the Faculty of The Sciences and more ANU and developing a linkage with Aberystwyth in the UK, and Wageningen specifically are in the field of agriculture AusAID in the same area. University in the Netherlands, and three (both animal and plant agriculture), n An invitation from an Indonesian to the University of Kassel in Germany, but in recent years UNE has also had aid-funded project (TPSDP) to and hosted total of five students (two a few students who undertook or are coordinate non-degree training for from Wageningen, one from KVL and undertaking their PhDs in the Faculty of Indonesian academics at UNE. two from Kassel). Economics, Business and Law.

Annual Report 2005 29 Anne Roczniok Development Office Director Regional and Community Development

art of the vision articulated in the Regional and Community Development Plan is that UNE will be known for the vibrancy of its interaction with Pthe region. This was actively pursued during 2005 through a wide variety of projects and initiatives, which were undertaken across the University community. These will be reported under the three themes identified in the plan: the incorporation of regional and community priorities into the University’s core activities; the development of partnerships, linkages and interactions with the regional community; and the development of the importance of education as an industry for Armidale and the region.

Incorporation of regional and community priorities into core activities

The core activities of UNE are education, research, and the delivery of expertise via consultancy and professional service. In 2005, exciting projects in each of these areas were announced, commenced or completed, with direct relevance to contemporary social, commercial and environmental issues. Many of these projects were focused on regional issues, of importance not only to New England or Australia, but to other countries as well.

UNE’s annual Open Day, held in September, once again gave the public an opportunity to visit, experience, and learn about the University. Among 2000 visitors this year were 1400 prospective students from Years 10, 11 and 12, and many prospective postgraduate and mature-aged students. This was about 600 more prospective students than attended Open Day in 2004.

30 The University of New England About 700 high school students arrived in interests, from all aspects of agriculture, studies of climate, soils, pastures, bus loads from schools throughout New through natural resource management, grazing and management decisions. England, the NSW North Coast, north-west regional education and governance, to Two studies relevant to the region NSW and the Hunter Valley, and from projects of social, cultural and historical have commenced to examine the schools as far away as Dubbo. Individual interest. environmental and socio-economic visitors came from all over Australia, Research topics and outcomes have been sustainability of cotton catchment including Perth, the Gold Coast, central made accessible to the wider community communities through Aboriginal and western Queensland, Toowoomba, through a number of different forums. participation. The projects look at the Parkes, Newcastle, and the ACT. These include: inaugural lectures in subject from two points of view, one Educators are making increasing use of Armidale, where newly created professors lead by Richard Staynor from the UNE online and video conferencing services to present their research in a public Institute for Rural Futures in association meet the needs of students in remote and lecture; the National Railway Heritage with the newly announced Cotton regional areas. UNE is taking innovative Conference, convened by the Heritage Catchment Communities CRC. The other approaches to its teaching in a number Futures Research Centre; and the project is lead by Maria Cotter from UNE’s of areas, for instance: a Master of Arts Traveling Experts Seminar, coordinated Heritage Futures Research Centre. (Applied Linguistics) course is being by Professor Patrick Hutchinson, which The Institute for Rural Futures has been taught to 200 students in more than brought together, via videoconference, engaged by Land and Water Australia 20 countries; and video conferencing people involved in developing and to conduct a project on Alternative facilities are being used by the Nursing promoting small business in New England Landscape Futures, an important Studies team in Tamworth to contact and the north west. aspect of planning for regional nursing students and their facilitators The Cicerone Project has increased the development, to understand the link in Moree via UNE’s Access Centres. accessibility and relevance of research. between past landscape changes and Economics and Accounting also hold It is a producer-led initiative, financed present decisions, including a range of multi-site video conference sessions for by Australian Wool Innovation and alternative scenarios. students in Tamworth, external students contributions from members. A very Science and maths education is a in Armidale and a number of the TAFE- successful open day was held in 2005, community priority, particularly in based Centres. Many UNE staff use the at which Professor Jim Scott, a long- regional Australia. Two national projects video conference facilities for meetings serving Cicerone Board Member, and by SiMERR (the National Centre of with colleagues or interviews. postgraduates involved in studies on the Science, Information and Communication Relevant and accessible research projects Cicerone farmlets, presented results from Technology and Mathematics Education cover a range of regional priorities and their Cicerone-based research, including for Rural and Regional Australia) have

Annual Report 2005 31 collected data on the teaching of science showing the location of the proposed Development of Partnerships, and mathematics in country schools and New England Geographic Indicator for Linkages and Interactions focused on developing initiatives to keep the Southern New England Vignerons During 2005, a range of partnerships mathematics teachers up-to-date. Association. In another mapping was initiated and developed with a project, student Craig Flemming Professor Brian Dollery, Associate variety of regional and community produced a series of maps for inclusion Professor Tony Sorensen and Associate groups. Outcomes have included targeted in a set of walking trail brochures scholarships, community prizes, and the Professor Neil Marshall were successful to be published by the New England use of university facilities by a number in obtaining substantial ARC Discovery Ecotourism Society. of groups and service projects. funding to examine the changing patterns of regional governance in rural A new website was produced by student Following a report highlighting the and regional NSW. Projects such as Adam Dyball for the Northern Inland shortage of professional planners in “Reconstructing Aboriginal Histories” Weeds Advisory Committee. A business regional council areas, a response was and “Golden threads: the Chinese in student, Acacia Lawrie, worked with the devised to engage the Local Government regional NSW 1850-1950” provided a Narrabri Youth Accommodation Team to Association and individual regional councils in a targeted country scholarships heritage and cultural focus. mentor a young indigenous person by sourcing business information. Student program to enable the training of regional University expertise is made available to Stephanie Hubbard helped produce students to meet this skills shortage. As a the community through consulting and a newsletter for Beyond Empathy, result, at least 10 newly-funded Country service projects. In 2005, the Community a company delivering arts-based Scholarships will be available for Bachelor Liaison Officer initiated a program intervention services to youth at risk in of Urban and Regional Planning students whereby UNE students participated in New England and the Northwest. in 2006. Also, a number of other skills service projects with and for community shortages have been identified and will be As a result of such community-based organisations. Most use the experience similarly addressed. projects, students gain valuable to contribute to their New England experience in real situations, and The University of New England School Award portfolios. Projects have been clients gain the benefit of the skills Acquisitive Art Prize, an exhibition in completed for a wide range of client Armidale that celebrates the talent of and enthusiasm of the students. Many groups accessing a range of expertise young artists from schools in regional opportunities exist for students to get including mapping, web design, business NSW, was established by the Faculty of involved in community service projects, mentoring and writing. Education, Health and Professional Studies. and interested parties are put in contact In a mapping project, student Ben through University Community Liaison The 35th Annual CWA Weekend Country of Anderson produced a detailed map Officer, Jim Pocoe. Study School was held at The University of

32 The University of New England The University of New England received a $20,000 private donation in 2005 to pay for one young Aboriginal scholar to study natural resources at UNE. Dr Bruce Standen of Pymble, NSW presented the cheque for $20,000 to Anne Roczniok, director of UNE’s Development Office, at Booroongen Djugen Aboriginal College in Kempsey. The scholarship was called the Booroongen Djugen Scholarship in honour of the college, whose work Dr Standen said inspired him to make the donation.

New England. It consisted of a weekend of The Booroongen Djugun College is a Student and academic use of the centres lectures, discussions and cultural events registered training organisation that continues to grow, and functions were focusing on Vietnam. The Heritage Futures conducts courses that are industry held in each centre during 2005 to Research Centre organised History Week approved and nationally recognised. celebrate the first year of operations. ’05, an annual festival of community- In September, a new Country Scholarship Local council members attended the based events showcasing the rich and was announced in consultation with functions, along with TAFE representatives diverse history initiatives produced by Booroongen Djugun. The scholarship and UNE students in each town. organisations across NSW. will be awarded to an indigenous person The Manning Valley and Tamworth Good use is being made of broadband enrolling in Natural Resource Management Centres both held successful study skills links to the University’s Access at UNE. Further collaborations between workshops early in semester two, with Centres, including: the New England will be pursued in 2006. high attendance at each. The Tamworth Conservatorium of Music successfully Centre was the venue for a Nursing Studies holding trombone lessons from the Education as an industry for residential school in July, and the Faculty Armidale UNE Link Studio to the Armidale and the region of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Tenterfield UNE Access Centre; and The Collaboration with other education held a series of four public lectures for the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney holding providers in the region has lead to a wider Tamworth community. a trial trumpet lesson with a student in number of positive outcomes, including the UNE Access Centre at Coonabarabran. the provision of infrastructure to Country Week is a regional development event that showcases the advantages Partnerships are being developed with assist remote and distance education of living and working in country and indigenous groups, including the Northern students, the promotion of Armidale as regional New South Wales. In collaboration Tablelands Strategic Aboriginal Elders an education centre, and the delivery of Authority (NTSAEA) and Booroongen university teaching and research results with Armidale Dumaresq Council, local Djugun. Discussions with NTSAEA have to the broader community. businesses (including UNE Partnerships Pty Ltd) and Armidale’s independent schools, identified services that UNE can provide The University of New England remains UNE made a significant contribution to the to the group through community service an important member of a network of project arrangements. It is anticipated that Armidale presence at this event. education providers in the region, with a property mapping project will commence eight Access Centres—in Narrabri, Moree, UNE also maintained a significant early in 2006, providing LALC and ALC land Boggabilla, Inverell, Tenterfield, Quirindi, presence at other major regional events, custodians with useful planning tools. Gunnedah and Coonabarabran—maintained including AgQuip and Wool Expo. A series Booroongen Djugun Aged Care Facility is a in collaboration with the New England of inaugural lectures held in Armidale unique facility situated in Greenhills, via Institute of TAFE. A new UNE Access Centre attracted many interested individuals to Kempsey, on the Mid-North Coast of NSW. opened at Glen Innes in 2005. hear professors speak on a range of topics.

Annual Report 2005 33 Faculty Reports

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, a foundation faculty of UNE, operates in the most competitive part of the higher education sector, with every Australian public university and half of the private providers providing awards in the various discipline areas in which UNE teaches. Despite this, the Faculty’s 2005 enrolments again exceeded the Federal Government quota.

Teaching The Faculty’s students fall into two main categories. Those studying on campus are generally full-time and have come directly from school. Those studying by distance generally undertake part-time studies, side-by-side with work and family responsibilities. The teaching challenge of the Faculty’s academics is that these two groups have significantly differing expectations of their studies. Student satisfaction results suggest that this challenge has been successfully met.

Postgraduate student numbers have been increasing each year but have decreased slightly for 2005. The two graduation ceremonies in 2005 saw 18 PhD and eight Masters students graduate. The Faculty held its first postgraduate conference in November 2005 to increase networking opportunities between students and staff.

The teaching of languages has given rise to a range of concerns across Australia, with the Deans of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences being awarded a major federal grant to develop three viable models for the retention of languages teaching at the tertiary level. The Faculty has been proactive in this regard and developed a blended model for collaborative delivery across universities. This was piloted in 2005 with the teaching of German for Newcastle University, and discussions are underway with other universities to expand the model in subsequent years.

34 The University of New England Professor Michael Macklin Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

2005 was the first year of a two-year highly successful, and will form the basis Quality Assurance system, and through program to repurpose the online delivery of language delivery to a number of the work of its Teaching and Learning methods in the University’s largest degree, other universities in 2006. Committee. In addition, a new unit the Bachelor of Arts. When it is completed review template was approved and is After numerous years of instability, in 2006, more than 80 units will have now in general use within the Faculty. Music has now moved into new and more had their delivery systematically upgraded Although a number of proposals for permanent premises in the heritage- and modernized. It is interesting to note, new courses have been mooted, the listed CB Newling Building. in this regard, that the Faculty’s Master Faculty decided to consolidate its current of Arts (Applied Linguistics), which is offerings and to limit the development Research fully online, enrolled 220 students in of new courses to two, a Graduate In addition to their responsibilities in 2005 and is now the Faculty’s largest Certificate in Professional Writing, which teaching thousands of students each postgraduate degree, with fee-paying continues the strong growth of the year, the Arts, Humanities and Social students now approaching 50 per cent of professional writing stream, including Sciences academics also engage in total enrolments. This degree is utilized by the introduction of a Publishing and research. Such advances in knowledge many Australian citizens teaching English Editing unit, and the Diploma in Town benefit the wider community but, overseas, as a degree both for informing Planning, which is built on the highly from a faculty perspective, it is also their current work and for professional successful Bachelor of Urban and important that research and scholarship advancement once they return to Australia. Regional Planning degree. In line with are part of the everyday working life Faculty concerns about the provision of The top priority for improvement in 2005 of its academics, since students gain sufficient opportunities for interaction was to integrate the different modes of immeasurably by being taught by between staff and students studying teaching delivery in order to meet new someone who is working at the cutting in distance mode, significant progress demands from students. edge of their discipline. While everyone was made in migrating units without an would have heard of the extraordinary The Faculty pioneered a new language on-line presence or residential school discovery of a new species of hominid, blended delivery model to assist in to a reasonable level of interactivity. Homo floresiensis, popularly known as the maintenance and enhancement of As of this year, all first-year units now the Hobbit, by archaeologists within language teaching in the Australian make their teaching materials available the Faculty, this major event was only a university sector. A pilot study funded on CD-ROM. A total of 17 new units small part of the research work that was by a $113,000 Federal Government HEIP were approved for introduction in the carried out over 2005 in the Faculty. grant (awarded to Associate Professor next academic year, and 19 have been Kerry Dunne) was undertaken with The Faculty has continued its quality withdrawn. Majors in Aboriginal Studies Newcastle University. This study was reform agenda via the University’s and Peace Studies were revised and

Annual Report 2005 35 improved, Ancient History was added issue for the country – its engagement in creative arts throughout UNE to to the Master of Arts as a subject area, with our nearest neighbours. The Centre foster collaborative research and develop and the Graduate Diploma in Psychology has adopted a major review undertaken cooperative teaching. was withdrawn. New prizes introduced this year by Associate Professor Hugh In the School of Psychology, Professor for undergraduate students included de Ferranti to provide a more flexible, Brian Byrne is coordinating an the Klaus Loewald Memorial Book Grant interdisciplinary program of units. international four-nation study of ($50,000 endowment) and the Lucy Having successfully promoted inter- genetic and environmental influences on Elizabeth Craigie Award. disciplinary research on Asia across young children’s literacy and language the campus for well over a decade, The reorganisation of the research centres development. The study is primarily UNEAC is now positioned to become the this year saw four research centres funded by the US National Institutes of central vehicle for the promotion and approved: the Language and Cognition Health, and by the Australian Research enhancement of UNE’s teaching on Asia. Research Centre, the Heritage Futures Council, and involves sites in Sydney, Research Centre, the Centre for Australian Staff and postgraduate students of Denver, Colorado, Stavanger (in Norway) Language, Literature, Theatre and Screen the School of Social Science involved and Linkoping (in Sweden). Studies, and the New England Centre for in Asia-related teaching and research The School of Human and Environmental Applied Research in Social Science. The have participated in UNEAC seminars, Studies continued to excel in research Faculty was also a major contributor to published in the Centre’s electronic performance in 2005. The work of the work of the UNE Asia Centre. journal UNEAC Asia Papers, and Professors Mike Morwood and Peter assisted in the organization of UNEAC The New England Centre for Applied Brown, connected with the discovery conferences. Drs Brown, Healy and Research in Social Science aims to of Homo floresiensis, continued to Young are Affiliated Fellows of the Asia maximise research networking in the make international headlines, with Centre, and have all served at different social sciences across UNE, and brings Professor Morwood publishing seven together researchers from the School of times as members of the UNEAC major co-authored articles in 2005 Social Science, the School of Human and Management Board. alone—all in top international journals, Environmental Studies, the Institute for A research group, UNESEX, which is in addition to a more popular treatment Rural Futures and the School of Economics. involved in research into sexuality, via a National Geographic film shown The UNE Asia Centre (UNEAC) is built sexual identity and the body, has been around the world. Five members on extensive expertise and experience active both in publications and seminars. of the School are part of the ARC- of Asia within UNE across all faculties The first CIRCA (Creative Industries funded Research Network in Spatially and brings together researchers from all Regional Creative Arts group) symposium Integrated Social Science (ARCRNSISS), over the campus to focus on a strategic brought together numerous staff working with nine members of the School

36 The University of New England holding ARC grants of various types. Partnerships conference on the work of Nick Enright, Members of the School also hosted Teaching with external domestic partner who died in 2003, and is recognised as the Institute of Australia Geographers institutions continued in 2005 with one of the most significant Australian Conference (Armidale, July), Small JMC Academy in Sydney and Melbourne, playwrights and screenwriters of the Enterprise Association of Australia and and with Shafston International College late 20th century. The conference was New Zealand Conference (Armidale, in Brisbane. In addition, international co-hosted by the Australian National September) and the National Railway teaching partner links were maintained Playwrights’ Centre, and held at the new Conference (Tamworth, September). in Hong Kong. This involves offshore Sydney Theatre, in collaboration with the teaching in Hong Kong at both the Sydney Theatre Company. Staff continued to attract external City University of Hong Kong and the competitive grant funding, including an The Faculty continued its successful Chinese University of Hong Kong, in the ARC Discovery grant on Manichaean and program of community engagement Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Nestorian remains in the Fujian province including our Access Centres, community Management), Bachelor of Police Studies, of China; an ARC Linkage grant with the media activity, and presentations to the the Bachelor of Administrative Leadership Queensland Museum; DIMIA funding University and the wider community. Two and the Masters of Administrative for a project on the social costs and members of the Faculty who were elected Leadership (with the Faculty of Education, benefits of migration into Australia; and to the local Armidale Dumaresq Council, Health and Professional Studies). numerous other grant funds from the ARC Associate Professor Herman Beyersdorf and the NHMRC. A number of staff continued their (for his fourth term) and Dr Jim Maher, involvement with Curriculum Committees deserve a special mention. Members of the It was particularly pleasing to for the NSW Board of Studies, and our Faculty were responsible for mounting the have external recognition of the philosophers continue to coordinate German Festival in March and the annual achievements of faculty members such and host the HSC Philosophy Distinction International Film Festival in August. as Associate Professor Janis Wilton course. The UNE-Mentor online program being awarded the EnergyAustralia The Antiquities Museum within the for HSC Extension 2 English in regional Faculty, with the generous assistance National Trust Heritage Award for and isolated NSW secondary schools of a number of donors, completed the Community Heritage for Golden continued, with the enthusiastic purchase of an Attic Red-figure plate Threads. Professor Alan Atkinson was participation of 21 schools. to mark the 50th anniversary, in 2004, awarded the Ernest Scott Prize, which of The University of New England’s is awarded on a bi-annual basis by the CALLTS, the University of New England autonomy as a university. University of Melbourne, for the second Centre for Australian Language, volume of his history entitled The Literature, Theatre and Screen Studies, The School of Classics, History and Europeans in Australia. hosted an important and high profile Religion continued its strong community

Annual Report 2005 37 Professor Roley Piggot Executive Dean, Faculty of Economics, Business and Law

engagement activities, including a administered by the Graduate School the courtroom environment. The Faculty special event for History Week 2005, of Business, were approved in 2005, was delighted to have the Hon. Justice titled “Frontiers of Australian History”, for introduction in 2007 (these are the Keith Mason, President of the NSW Court which attracted a wide cross section of Master of Organisational Development and of Appeal, open the facility in September. the community. Strategic Human Resource Management, He named the facility ‘The Sir Frank Kitto the Graduate Certificate in Marketing Moot Court’, in honour of the former UNE Faculty of Economics, Business Management, and the Graduate Certificate Chancellor and Justice of the High Court and Law in Human Resource Management). of Australia. Important business in the Faculty during The Bachelor of Agricultural Economics, 2005 included implementing changes Research Bachelor of Agribusiness and Bachelor of to our course offerings consistent Major developments included the Commerce degrees were reviewed in 2004. with recommendations from external establishment of two new research Considerable time was spent in 2005 review committees, the establishment centres: the Centre for Business Research in implementing the recommendations of research centres to facilitate and the Centre for Agricultural and from the review with implementation of greater research productivity, bedding Applied Economics. Together with the changes with the 2006 student intake. down pathway agreements with two Australian Centre for Agriculture and Law, institutions in China, and hosting a New law awards were approved during and the Centre for Local Government, major international conference. There 2005 for implementation in 2006. These these centres clearly signal the research were also some significant individual included the JD(Juris Doctor), SJD(Doctor strengths within the Faculty. achievements that have brought credit of Judicial Science), the Graduate For the first time the Faculty awarded to the Faculty. Certificate in Resource Governance, and Research Fellowships to some the Graduate Certificate in Migration Law outstanding researchers, totalling Teaching and Practice. These awards resulted from a approximately $100,000. These are The Faculty worked hard on implementing decision by the School of Law to expand its intended to provide these researchers the recommendations from the external postgraduate and fee-paying offerings. time free of other duties to work on review of its MBA and related programs. The Faculty’s Bachelor of Economics and publications, write research grants and, An important development was the various postgraduate awards in economics for younger researchers, to build their appointment of Professor Larry Smith as and business will be reviewed in December. research profile. full-time Director of the Graduate School of Business, which oversees these awards. The Faculty now has a state-of-the-art Two researchers from the School of He commenced duties in September. New moot court room, where its law students Economics, Professor Brian Dollery and postgraduate awards in Business, to be can obtain experience at operating within Associate Professor Mahinda Siriwardana,

38 The University of New England The President of the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of NSW, the Honourable Justice Keith Mason, A.C., officially opened a moot courtroom at The University of New England in 2005. The courtroom includes an elevated bench for the judges, and accommodation for legal representatives, court reporters, jury and witnesses. It can be used, when required, for actual court proceedings and arbitration cases.

were named among the top 25 research July. The paper was titled ‘The Influence small businesses in regional Australia, economists working in Australian of Service Recovery Evaluation on and this allowed widespread involvement universities, based on a survey published Customer Post-Complaint Behavior’. of interested parties throughout the in a peer-reviewed journal. They were north and northwest via video links to Individual researchers have been the only economists located at regional UNE’s Access Centres. successful in winning large, nationally- universities to be on the list. competitive grants. Significantly, Partnerships Dr Battese, formerly an Associate these grants target international and In recent years the Faculty has Professor in the School of Economics, national contemporary policy issues endeavoured to diversify its income base and now an Honorary Fellow of UNE, such as border controls and security through partnership arrangements with received the Doctor of Economics degree in South-East Asia (Professor Kaur), other higher education institutions. (a higher doctorate). He was only the Avian Influenza (Associate Professor Particular emphasis has been placed third recipient of this degree. George’s Simmons) and predicting and monitoring on recruiting international students thesis, titled “25 Years of Research on the spread of marine invasive species through pathway arrangements. Two very Modelling Stochastic Frontier Model”, (Associate Professor Cacho). successful pathways are now operating is comprised of 31 research papers with The Faculty, through its Centre for involving Harbin Engineering University appropriate connecting commentary Business Research, hosted the 18th and Wuxi South Ocean College, both published during the past 25 years in Annual Conference of the Small located in China. The Faculty was pleased prestigious international journals and in Enterprise Association of Australia to have visits by senior staff from these collaboration with some of the foremost and New Zealand in September, with institutions during the year and see econometricians in the world. The thesis Professor Patrick Hutchinson, an several students involved graduating was examined by three high-profile international expert on small business at the April and October graduation econometricians in the United States and finance, chairing the organizing ceremonies. Time was also spent in laying received glowing reports. committee. Over 100 delegates attended, the foundations for further international It is especially pleasing to note mainly researchers from Australia and pathway agreements with institutions in achievements by our research students. New Zealand, but also from the US, the China, Vietnam and Thailand. Mr Fredy Valenzuela, a PhD student UK, the Netherlands, China and Malaysia. Other important partnership relationships in the New England Business School, The main theme of the conference was exist with the Blue Mountains Hotel was senior author of the paper that the role of small enterprises in regional School and Shafston International received the ‘Best Paper Award’ at the development. On the last day of the College, and time was spent in 2005 International Conference on Business conference, an expert panel from the considering the nature of UNE’s future and Information held in Hong Kong in delegates discussed issues relevant to relationships with these institutions.

Annual Report 2005 39 Professor Victor Minichiello Executive Dean, Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies

The staff of the Faculty continued first cohort of students attending two learning areas of units in the School of to engage in a wide variety of residential schools in the United States Education; and developed a specialist service activity for the community and one on campus in Armidale. skin science unit for the Bachelor of and professional bodies. Particularly Health Science. It also received funds The year also saw the introduction noteworthy in 2005 was the HSC Study from the Commonwealth Department of of a number of new specialisations Education, Science and Training (DEST) Day, where Mr Steve Chapman, a past within the Master of Education, in to support a beginning teachers’ alumni HSC examiner in business studies and Communities, Culture and Education; project of the School of Education. The noted author of current HSC study Psychology Education, and Special Faculty also hosted its symposium on materials, led a number of sessions Education; and within the Master of teaching and learning that focused resulting in highly favourable feedback Professional Studies, in Global Futures, on the theme of ‘Quality Teaching for on the event. Migration and Cultures. A specialisation Quality Learning Outcomes’. in Boarding was also introduced in Faculty of Education, Health and the Graduate Certificate in Educational Professional Studies Management. The Faculty also initiated Research a combined Master of Education With the establishment of the National Teaching specialisation in Archaeology and Centre of Science, Information and The Faculty of Education, Health and Ancient History as a joint program with Communication Technology and Professional Studies enrolled its first the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Mathematics for Rural and Regional cohort of students into the Bachelor of Social Sciences, to be offered in 2006. Australia (SiMERR) through a Health, Ageing and Community Services. Commonwealth grant, SiMERR hubs were This course provides training in aged Consistent with its mission to make its established in each state, at James care, disability care and community care, courses relevant for rural Australia and Cook University in Queensland, the address social justice issues, the Faculty and offers a pathway for professionals Australian Catholic University in the convened a working party to audit units who already hold a relevant one or two- ACT, Deakin University in Victoria, the for their indigenous and regional/rural year qualification in the health service University of Tasmania in Tasmania, focus. The year also saw further reform area. A total of 58 students enrolled a consortium comprising Flinders in the integration of information in this course, which is delivered in University, the University of South technology in the delivery of units. distance mode to provide greater access Australia and the Australian Science and for health professionals located across The Faculty funded three education Mathematics School in South Australia, the country. The UNE-California State projects that improve communication Curtin University in Western Australia, University (Fullerton) PhD program and assessment via WebCT; incorporated and Charles Darwin University in the in counselling commenced, with its indigenous perspectives in the key Northern Territory.

40 The University of New England A group of Thai health academics visited The University of New England in 2005 to get a first-hand look at the Australian medical system, and to share strategies for rural health education, administration and practice. The academics, from Naresuan University, attended seminars at UNE and visited a number of rural health centres. At the conclusion of their tour, the Thai academics gave a presentation to a delegation of local hospital registrars and general practioners about what they had learned from comparing the medical systems of Australia and Thailand.

2005 also saw a number of new projects project funded by the Northern Territory several staff were invited to be guest being funded. These included the conduct Department of Education, Employment editors of special issues of Mathematics of a national survey on teaching and and Training on the QuickSmart Northern Education Research Journal, Health learning science, ICT and mathematics Territory Program, which focuses on Sociology Review, and Australian Journal in rural and regional Australia funded by indigenous students with numeracy/basic of Indigenous Education. DEST; a grant from DEST on innovative mathematics learning difficulties. The Faculty saw an increase in the learning in science and mathematics for Several new Australian Research Council number of externally funded projects effective teaching strategies and tools; a (ARC) projects were funded, including an as well as DEST publications in 2005. project funded by the Queensland South ARC Linkage grant on new dimensions Postgraduate research student numbers Native Title Service on the Gunggari of group literacy tests in schools and have doubled over the past few years, Native Title Claim; a Telstra Community another ARC Linkage grant on couple and this upward trend continued. Development Fund Scheme that will counselling; an ARC Discovery project help regional school communities to that explores how children and adults Partnerships identify and encourage gifted students; learn about place-in-community; and The Faculty forged a number of a grant from the Australian Association another project that is a case study of important partnership and community of Mathematics Teachers (AAMT) on the Narran Lakes that records and maps engagement programs. On the professional learning using mathematical alternative local place stories of water international level several new standards; a grant from the NSW connections across the area. projects were funded. Staff received a Department of Education and Training on In recognition of their research and grant from the European Commission indigenous schooling; a UNICEF-funded scholarship leadership, a number of staff for an Erasmus Mundus Action 3 project on the evaluation of the 100 continued or took up the role of editor Partnership Program for student Friendly Schools Project in East Timor; or associate/book editor of journals and staff exchanges in the field of a pilot study funded by Relationships including Educational Gerontology: higher education. The partnership in Australia (Victoria) (RAV) on the An International Journal, Journal of its current form is set up for three effectiveness of couple counselling; a Sociology, Australian Journal of Language years and involves the Universities large national study funded by DEST, and Literacy, Counselling Psychotherapy of Aveiro (Portugal), Oslo (Norway), and conducted in association with the and Health, TalentEd, Higher Education, and Tampere (Finland) in Europe, the Australian Council for Computers in International Journal of Workplace Obirin University (Tokyo) in Japan Education and the Australian Curriculum Learning, Journal of Educational and The University of New England. Studies Association, on how to improve Administration and Management and Staff from the Faculty were part of a what students learn, how they learn and Governance Series of the Society for successful Australian tender submitted how ICT supports the process; and a Research in Higher Education. In addition by the Commonwealth Department of

Annual Report 2005 41 Education, Science and Training for a Teachers’ College Upgrade Project, with At the national level, staff collaborated World Bank project that reviews the UNE staff acting as science advisors with a diverse range of partners. This higher education system in Vietnam. to assist with the writing of teaching included a staff member being awarded units; a project in Malaysia and Brunei a prestigious Churchill Fellowship and The Faculty continued its offshore where UNE staff assisted with the collaborating with the University of partnership programs in Hong Kong with examination of how international Newcastle in launching a National Senior’s The Chinese University of Hong Kong, schools conceptualise and manifest Choir Festival; the participation of UNE City University of Hong Kong, University “international”; a UNICEF funded project staff on a program supported by the of Hong Kong and Shue Yan College, in Timor to enhance multi-grade primary National Centre for Vocational Education in Vietnam with the Vietnam National school teaching in schools; a project Research to improve the quality of adult University, and in the US with California in Papua New Guinea on post-conflict learning in Australia; the sponsoring of State University. These programs recovery; several projects in Bhutan on two rural community health forums on involved the delivery of undergraduate how practice in teaching is implemented depression and breast cancer awareness in and postgraduate courses across a and the Bhutanese Multi-Grade Schools collaboration with the Trish Cairns Breast number of health, education and other project; a project in Cambodia and Cancer Awareness Association; the UNESAP: professional fields. Exchange programs Timor Leste on how environmental Let’s Hang It exhibition that celebrated of students and staff were successfully issues are perceived by environmental the talent of young artists from schools in developed with the University of educators; an action research project regional NSW; and a mathematics activity Winnipeg (Canada) in gifted and in East Timor on the emerging adult day of learning, where secondary school talented education, and Naresuan education system of that country; and students from the region participated in University (Thailand) in the area of an AusAID training course on peace this event on campus. health management and rural health. studies presented to the Regional Office Staff were also involved in organising This included a study tour program of 10 in Bangkok . Staff also were invited several conferences including the senior public health officials from the to serve on review committees; for Rural Health Curriculum Development Thai Ministry of Public Health, indigenous example, chairing the Quality Assurance Conference in partnership with the Canadian students undertaking a semester Review of the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) University Department of Rural Health of study in education through UNE, and in Contemporary English Studies and in Tamworth; and the 33rd Annual UNE students undertaking their teaching Education by the Hong Kong Institute of Conference of the Australian and New practicum at Wuxi in China. Education, and joining an international Zealand Comparative and International A number of important international panel to review the reproductive Education Society in Coffs Harbour, consultancies took place, including an health of men program funded by the in collaboration with the School of AusAID project in Fiji with the Lautoka Commonwealth Government. Education, University of Queensland.

42 The University of New England Professor Margaret Sedgley Executive Dean, Faculty of The Sciences

The National Centre (SiMERR) hosted its Professor Sajeev took over from Associate Research National Summit meeting in Adelaide, Professor Chris Radford as the Head of In addition to teaching activities, each which brought together key researchers the School of Mathematics, Statistics and of the schools within the Faculty has in the field, practitioners from the school Computer Science, and Dr Neil Dunstan a research profile that it is building on communities, national professional and took over from Professor Sajeev as year by year. This activity is enhanced parent associations and policy makers the Associate Dean (International and via extensive internal and external from both federal and state government Entreprenuerial). Professor Fritz Geiser collaborations comprising 10 Faculty departments, to discuss how learning acted as the Associate Dean (Research) Research Centres and six Cooperative outcomes of students in rural and regional for four months, while Dr Heiko Daniel Research Centres (CRCs). In addition, Australia can be significantly improved. was on study leave. significant new collaborative initiatives are providing important opportunities. Faculty of The Sciences During July we welcomed DPI Minerals Two books, co-edited by Faculty staff, Professor Margaret Sedgley assumed staff into the Earth Sciences building. were launched during 2005. One was the position of Executive Dean of The An area has been refurbished to on Mammalian Genomics, co-edited by Sciences in February 2005, taking over accommodate them, following the Professor Anatoly Ruvinsky; Professor from the previous Executive Dean, lapse of the lease on their Armidale Acram Taji, meanwhile, co-edited a book Professor Peter Flood, and the Acting accommodation. This will provide on ‘Teaching in the Sciences: Learner Dean, Professor Hugh Ford. synergies with the staff of the Earth centred approaches’. Sciences areas. Teaching Faculty staff were honoured by the receipt Further refurbishments are proposed A total of 236 students graduated from of awards during 2005. These included for the building, to accommodate the Faculty of The Sciences in March. Professor Mingan Choct, who received the staff from the School of Human and Another 168 graduated in October. Colin 2004 Australian Poultry Award; Associate Perrott received a Doctor of Science, Environmental Studies in the Faculty of Professor Peter Gregg and Dr Alice Del and Professor Stephen Walkden-Brown Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Socorro, who won the CRC Association received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award Again, there are synergies in interests, Award for Excellence in Innovation, for a for Excellence in Research. At the particularly with regard to physical new tool for crop pest management; and October graduations, Professor Bernie geography. A task force was assembled in Professor Acram Taji, who was presented Bindon was awarded an Honorary semester two, 2005, for refurbishments with the Award of Excellence in Tissue Doctor of Rural Sciences. Of 87 students to commence in semester one, 2006, Culture Research at the International graduating with science degrees, 16 with proposed occupancy in semester Association for Plant Tissue Culture and were graduating with PhDs. two, 2006. Biotechnology Conference held in Perth.

Annual Report 2005 43 Partnerships leadership of Professor Rod Simpson, the Innovation Centre (PIIC) was a landmark in The Institute for Genetics and new Director, Professor Alistair McIlgorm, establishing formal cooperation between Bioinformatics (TIGB) is taking shape will bring fresh directions and initiatives the Faculty and the NSW Department of under the leadership of Professor John to the collaboration. Primary Industries. While interaction has Gibson. TIGB is a UNE institute that has The Australian Centre for Agriculture and been strong for many years, with a number considerable interaction with the Faculty Law, under the leadership of Professor of DPI staff located in the Faculty, this of The Sciences. Its aim is to be a world Paul Martin, provides an important agreement offers significant opportunities leader in this field, and to augment long- focus for cross-faculty collaboration with support at the highest levels of the standing achievements in animal genetics. with the Faculty of Economics, Business respective organisations. Dr Bob Martin TIGB will strengthen the animal focus and and Law, that enhances the activity from the Tamworth Agricultural Institute diversify these interests into plant and of both. UNE also has the opportunity was made the firstD irector of the PIIC. microbial genetics. to scope involvement in an additional The Faculty has also established two CRCs—Irrigation Futures and The National Marine Science Centre at collaborations with a number of other Contamination Assessment and Coffs Harbour was established a few institutions, including the Melbourne Remediation of the Environment. years ago, as a joint venture between Institute of Technology, the Australasian UNE and Southern Cross University. Last, but certainly not least, the College of Natural Therapies, and a Following on from the excellent establishment of the Primary Industries number of universities in China.

44 The University of New England Graeme Dennehy Executive Director (Business and Administration)

Quality Management and Resources

he year 2005 has been one of challenges for UNE and the Resources Division. These challenges have been brought on by Federal Government reforms, Tenterprise system upgrades and business process changes. That these challenges have been successfully met is a testament to the hard work of staff across the University, at all levels of responsibility.

Many of the significant challenges posed to the University in 2005 surrounded student administration. These included the centralisation of student administration, the installation of a new student information system (Callista) and the need to conform with the Federal Government’s Higher Education Information Management System (HEIMS) reforms. What made these challenges all the more daunting was the fact they had to be dealt with concurrently, and on a very tight schedule. Although dealing with these changes caused an initial disruption to business operations, the outstanding efforts of Student Centre and faculty staff brought about a successful mid-year enrolment and smooth enrolment processes into 2006.

On the human resources front, UNE faced a significant challenge in the form of the Government’s Higher Education Workplace Relations Requirements (HEWRRs). A significant amount of work was involved in developing the University’s submission for funding, which was based on compliance with the HEWWRs criteria. Staff in Human Resource Services worked hard to ensure the deadline was met, and a decision on UNE’s status with regard to the requirements is now pending.

In 2005, a significant amount of work was also put into developing a three-year rolling budget for the period 2006-2008, resulting in the UNE Council’s unanimous support in September for a budget containing a range of strategic initiatives to assist the University in moving forward over the next few years.

Annual Report 2005 45 NSW Premier Bob Carr re-dedicated The University of New England’s CB Newling Building in 2005 as a cultural and educational facility for the local community. Initially established in 1928 as Armidale Teachers’ College, the building was preserved by the efforts of the Friends of the Old Teachers’ College, formed in 1997. The building now houses the UNE School of Music, the New England Conservatorium of Music and a number of other UNE and community centres.

Other highlights in 2005 included: UNE and the Resources Division welcome point for the arts in the New England n The opening of the newly the announcement of the new Vice- region. The building is home to the New refurbished CB Newling building by Chancellor, Professor Alan Pettigrew, and England Conservatorium of Music, New NSW Premier Bob Carr; look forward to his arrival in early 2006. England TAFE Film and Video school, UNE n The procurement and installation Partnerships (the University’s commercial of a new PABX telecommunications Facilities Management Services education provider) and more than 40 system, providing additional This year has seen The University of New community groups. functionality particularly important England’s Capital Plan upgrade, and the Initial design has been completed on to the monitoring of student replacement of a number of buildings, a major refurbishment project for the enquiries by the Student Centre; which will enhance the learning Geology building. This refurbishment will n Further significant progress made on experience at UNE. allow for the relocation of the School of the UNE Web presence through the The new Oorala Centre Project will Human and Environmental Studies into this continuation of the UNEweb project; be started in April 2006 and will be building, along with the School of Earth n Successful flagships marketing the focus of indigenous education on Sciences. This relocation will allow for the and mid-year enrolment programs, campus. The new centre will enable demolition of a number of older wooden which assisted to some degree in offsetting the affects of a softening an expansion of services and support buildings, which will reduce the deferred in demand for distance education available to indigenous students maintenance liability of the University. on campus. The centre will provide places across the sector. In order to provide a high level of videoconferencing facilities for students Also this year, the University bid strategic advice to the University, at the various UNE Access Centres across farewell to two figures who, during their Facilities Management Services has northwestern New South Wales. many years of service, made enormous started the process of implementing a contributions to the University’s ongoing The refurbishment of the heritage-listed space management system across the financial sustainability. TheD irector of CB Newling Building on the Newling campus. This will involve converting Finance, Ms Frances Nichols, resigned campus has been made possible by approximately 500 paper-based drawings after more than 10 years of dedicated a NSW Government-approved Plan of to a digital format. A specialist software service to UNE. Vice-Chancellor Professor Management that allowed the University system has been purchased, and the first Ingrid Moses will no doubt be remembered to sell a parcel of crown land. The funds report to the University will be submitted for her strong leadership during her eight- generated by this sale, and additional in November 2005. This project, and the year term, which contributed greatly to funds from the University, have allowed information it generates, will enable the the University’s relatively healthy financial a refurbishment program that has University to better plan and forecast position today. allowed the building to become a focus further capital building projects.

46 The University of New England Other projects completed at the pursue his entrepreneurial aspirations. management reporting, having automated University included the enlargement and These departures have resulted in the the generation of management reports redevelopment of a university residential arrival of a new Acting Director, Warick and research reporting. system carpark and the completion of Angelini, from Massey University, and Staff have worked on a process of a moot court for the School of Law; Adrian Robinson, from the University continual improvement, developing the completion of the refurbishment of of Southern Queensland, stepping in as new procedures and guidelines for the the new International Precinct, which Chief Financial Officer. University community, to assist in the will allow for more coordinated and The directorate has faced significant increasing range of compliance issues focused service delivery for international now facing the University. challenges due to the implementation of students; and the construction of a new, a new student records system and a new The budget process has produced a full wet-surface hockey field, managed in college residential accounting system. three-year projection for the University, partnership with Hockey New England, at Both of these new systems have required with the 2006 budget being approved in a cost of $1 million. modification to the University’s main September. The budget has resulted in the UNE also signed the Talloires Agreement accounting systems and practices to University anticipating an approved surplus in June, 2005, a commitment to ensure that all data is captured accurately operating result for the coming year of environmental sustainability in higher and efficiently from each interface. $135,000, with future year forecasts education, which will allow the looking promising, but dependant on the Another key challenge has been the University to ensure sustainability is a Federal Government’s Higher Education adoption of International Financial guiding principle across the facilities Workplace Reform Requirements (HEWRRs) Report Standards into Australia, as operations area. being met by the University to maintain a an attempt to harmonize the current surplus operating result. Australian standards with the majority of Financial Services The Purchasing and Procurement area has the world. The implementation of these 2005 was a year that saw many changes been actively involved throughout the standards has required retrospective in the UNE Financial Services Directorate. University in the continued “rollout” of application to the University’s financial A number of new staff members joined the e-requisition through the Web. This statements, with both the 2004 and the directorate, while a number of process not only enhances the efficiency 2005 financials requiring restatement. A long-serving UNE employees departed. of procuring goods, but is also reducing project team was established to manage Frances Nichols (Director, Financial the input time, thus reducing costs. this transition and has successfully Services) left UNE in September after The continuing deployment of Purchase implemented all of the requirements. 10 years of excellent service to the Corporate Cards is also resulting in the University, and Rick Porter (Accounting Financial Services has also made lowering of UNE’s purchase costs for low Services Manager) also departed to significant improvements in thearea of value or easy-to-obtain items.

Annual Report 2005 47 2005 also included the implementation of 200 003 004 005 With the announcement of the the Finance Forms and Feedback sessions retirement of Professor Ingrid Moses Academic 93 59 57 42 run through Organisational Development. as Vice-Chancellor, the position was General 120 158 161 110 advertised and an appointment made, The directorate obtained accreditation from with Professor Alan Pettigrew to take up the Institute of Charterered Accountants Total 213 217 218 152 the position in early 2006. in Australia to enable staff to undertake The complexity of appointments and the Charter Accountant program to gain contracts increased, however, with the During 2005, six academic staff professional qualifications. need to meet the HEWRRs—including were promoted to Lecturer, 11 were the need to additionally offer Australian promoted to Senior Lecturer, six were Human Resource Services Workplace Agreements to all staff—and promoted to Associate Professor and 2005 saw the finalisation of the fourth with the implementation of the new two were promoted to Professor, an round of enterprise bargaining, resulting enterprise agreements. increase on the figures for 2004. Two in new academic and general staff Professorial Fellows were converted to The following senior staff took up agreements being certified in May, 2005. permanent Chairs. their positions during 2005: Executive The announcement by the Federal Dean, Faculty of The Sciences; Director, The University contributed significantly Government on April 29, 2005, of its Development Office; Director, Student during 2005 to the ongoing substantial Higher Education Workplace Reform Administration and Services; Deputy development of the (Alesco) HR Requirements (HEWRRs), required the Director, Financial Services; Director, Management Information System, with University to meet stipulated industrial English Language and International UNE taking a leading role in developing reform criteria by November 30, 2005 Services; Director, International and testing the new e-recruitment in order to qualify for a percentage of Marketing and Pathways; Pro Vice- functionality, the OHS module and new its funding. This deadline was met, Chancellor (Research and Development); 360-degree performance feedback and and a decision on the outcome of the Director, Teaching and Learning Centre; questionnaire functionality. University’s submission is awaited. Chief Financial Officer; Dean of Graduate Studies; and the Foundation Director of Organisational Development the Graduate School Business and Centre Recruitment In 2005, the Organisational Development for Business Research. There was a marked reduction in the Unit contributed broadly to the UNE level of staff recruitment during 2005 Other positions advertised, but not filled professional development environment by (mainly due to an increased awareness of included: Director, Financial Services; providing consulting services, professional the need for budgetary restraint across Director, Research Office; and Manager, development courses and process the University): Commercial Services. development. Highlights included:

48 The University of New England The Information Technology Building

n A range of courses delivered at University, and in particular the A total of 136 incidents were reported times to suit client preferences, consultation system set up to meet the - most of these were minor and average including regular training sessions, requirements of the OHS Act. time lost rates were low. Only 23 workers’ online courseware, one-on-one compensation claims were recorded in The OHS Strategic Committee had coaching and tailored solutions 2005, which is nearly half that in 2004 an active role in policy development to respond to identified needs (44 cases). Continued proactive claims and resolving strategic issues, with throughout the UNE community; management and return-to-work strategies a new OHS Policy being approved for n Popular lunchtime seminars, and have contributed to this downward trend. the implementation of a Director’s the University. Working groups carried Forum on a monthly basis similar to out inspections, reviewed, monitored Information Technology and identified OHS issues and held the Heads of School Forum; 2005 was another big year for the regular meetings. During 2005, OHS n Strategic and business planning Information Technology Directorate, and sessions for individual work units, representatives appeared to become saw major achievements in a number of as well as facilitation of school increasingly accomplished in achieving projects and operational areas. retreats and work unit professional their objectives and working with A new Alcatel PABX system replaced development and leadership sessions; management to ensure the safety of staff the old Fujitsu phone system, which n review and development of and others in the workplace. performance management systems; had been in place for the previous 13 In addition to ongoing OHS Consultation and years. While initially only replacing and courses being conducted during the year, n a UNE-wide training needs survey. enhancing existing functionality, the new other courses provided include Chem- phone system will give UNE the ability to In 2005, 53 academic staff (20 female Watch, First Aid, OHS for Managers and make use of advanced features, such as and 33 male) gained approval for the a series of toolbox sessions, with several Voice-over-IP (VoIP), in the future. University’s study leave program (compared OHS online courses being developed. with 69 in 2004 and 58 in 2003) and 33 The UNEWeb project was another area general staff (10 male and 23 female) were The University further demonstrated of significant progress. The world-class granted study leave to complete approved its commitment to ensuring a healthy Interwoven content management system study programs (compared with 40 in 2004 and safe work environment for all its (CMS) was purchased and set up early and 26 in 2003). employees, successfully achieving in the year, and the process of website Premium Discount Scheme status from migration into the CMS has started. Occupational Health and Safety Workcover NSW in 2005, by completing EBL was the first faculty to move its 2005 saw consolidation of the OHS two audits satisfactorily and being departmental webpages into the CMS, management system within the awarded the full 15 per cent discount. and to use the new UNE Web templates.

Annual Report 2005 49 Eventually, ITD will bring all UNE pages implement the online functionality in broad range of legal and commercial into one system, thus giving UNE’s web Callista to give students access to many issues that arise both locally and presence a consistent look and feel, as of their details through the Internet. internationally. It checks all contracts well as avoiding duplication and the need A student Web portal with some of the with the University and advises on issues for multiple updates. functionality was launched late in 2005, arising from information technology, and with further features, such as online myUNE, a student Web portal, was intellectual property, as well as a broad enrolment, slated for release in 2006. launched to a limited audience in range of governance issues. During the November. myUNE is a secure and Work behind the scenes included past year the Legal Office has focused on customisable Web interface for students, improvements to UNE’s server and network contractual and compliance issues. enabling individually tailored information infrastructure. Clustered Linux servers Marketing and Public Affairs and service delivery through single will give UNE additional stability and sign-on technology. Initially, myUNE will reliability. A new backup system was also In 2005, UNE increased its student support only basic functionality, but this installed, increasing the speed of nightly applications despite increased competitive will be expanded in the near future to backups significantly, despite an ever activity and a reduced overall market. This incorporate more significant applications, increasing volume of corporate backups. was achieved in part through a focus on such as online enrolment and payment. relationship marketing. In 2005, the University began A Customer Relationship Management implementing an Academic Database. This Recruitment activities to showcase System (CRM) was purchased in late is a software product from Distinction UNE’s on-campus facilities and services 2004, and installed in 2005. The initial Systems, which manages course and unit were a highlight of 2005. As part of focus of the rollout has been the Student approval and modification. The system is the Rural and Remote Career Education Centre, where it is being used to record being implemented in partnership with Conference in Tamworth in March, 50 all contacts with students. It is envisaged Queensland University of Technology, with careers advisers visited UNE. The visit, that in a second phase the product will be resource sharing on items such as major which involved UNE students and staff, used in other areas of the University, and interfaces with Callista. The system is included a campus orientation and a steering committee has been set up to intended to begin operation in early 2006. a presentation on UNE’s courses and coordinate the rollout. services. Other careers advisers enjoyed legal office After the initial implementation of the unique UNE experience during the the Callista student system in 2004, The Legal Office is staffed by two well-received biennial Careers Advisers this system went through a number of lawyers, the University Lawyer and an Enrichment Retreat in May. Campus technical updates during 2005. The main associate, as well as a Contracts Officer. tours continued to be a popular way focus this year was to investigate and The Legal Office handles the University’s for prospective students to familiarise

50 The University of New England The UNE Schools Liaison program proved to be a highly effective recruitment device in 2005, with many incoming students citing a visit by a Schools Liaison Officer to their school as a reason for choosing UNE.

themselves with UNE in 2005, with University publications including the positions and a re-organisation of the record numbers touring the colleges and Handbook, Prospectus and Courses to directorate’s structure, commenced in late main campus. Careers Guide all received a re-design 2004, allowing better integration and to give them a more professional performance within existing resources. The directorate expanded its consultative appearance and make the information services for the faculties and other areas of On the public relations front, 2005 was they contain easier to find. UNE through the Flagship program, which a banner year for UNE. Positive media is aimed at highlighting some of UNE’s The appointment of a Brand Officer in coverage, as measured by the Media most unique and prestigious programs early 2005 enabled developments in Monitors agency, was almost doubled over to prospective students. Other initiatives brand management, including increased 2004. This was achieved by focusing efforts included a mid-year recruitment campaign awareness of, and compliance with, visual on producing high quality editorial, mainly and additional targeted recruitment identity guidelines across all areas of highlighting UNE research and pitched activities for areas including nursing UNE. This resulted in more consistent at national and international levels, and and education. In addition, a targeted presentation of print material and the building stronger relationships with the campaign for the Doctor of Education drove implementation of brand guidelines for media, particularly in key recruitment an increase in enrolments in that award for UNE associates. Good working relationships areas, to raise awareness of UNE activities. the School of Education. were also established with UNE’s The News and Events “blog” (weblog), Integrated Project Management Teams. The successful Schools Liaison program was introduced in 2004, proved a major success expanded in May with the appointment of Also this year, MPA appointed a Corporate in 2005, with a fresh story being posted a third Schools Liaison Officer, enabling a Communications Officer, who has assumed every day, attracting more than 6000 hits broadening of UNE’s recruitment zone. This responsibility for internal communications per week to the UNE website towards the program continues to be one of the most and coordination of the University end of the year. effective recruitment activities conducted magazine, Smith’s. The magazine has UNE was also represented in the by Marketing and Public Affairs, with many undergone many improvements this year, community through a number of highly incoming students citing a visit by an SLO resulting in positive feedback from staff successful events, including inaugural as a reason for choosing UNE. and students. Through improvements in lectures, held in the Armidale Town internal communications staff were also 2005 also saw the introduction of the Hall, and stands at Wool Expo and the kept abreast of important changes in UNE Media Policy and the UNE Advertising AgQuip agricultural field days. Marketing legislation and cross-university efforts to Policy, both aimed at protecting and and Public Affairs coordinated Open enhance customer relations. enhancing the University’s reputation, Day 2005, one of the most successful and creating an increased awareness of Final roll-out of workplace change, for many years, with a 30 per cent compliance requirements. including the creation of these new increase in attendance over 2004.

Annual Report 2005 51 Despite a difficult start to the year, the UNE Student Centre was in full swing by second semester, 2005.

Other successful events coordinated by Chancellor, who will take up office in The University undertook a review of the Marketing and Public Affairs included 2006. As Returning Officer, she also Student Centre in May 2005. Expert advice the re-opening of the CB Newling Centre supervised the administration of the was sought from outside UNE and the by NSW Premier Bob Carr, and the elections for student members of the review’s recommendations were accepted Celebration of Sharing, an annual UNE University Council. by the Vice-Chancellor in July. The review fundraising event that raised almost The Senior Committees Officer noted that the “two changes to which $5000 for local charities. administered the selection processes for the University committed itself—the a considerable number of senior academic restructuring of student administration and Office of the Secretariat appointments, as well as academic the implementation of a new-generation The Office of the Secretariat welcomed a promotions and study leave. The full-time student management system—were both new Chair of Academic Board, Professor Administrative Assistant and the part- major undertakings in their own right, Majella Franzmann, in February 2005, time Administrative Assistant provided each requiring careful planning, adequate and two new Deputy Chairs, Professor essential support to other staff members resourcing and thorough implementation Eilis Magner and Professor Lynn Meek. who would not have been able to fulfil to be successful. Even with best The Secretary to Academic Board helped their duties without this assistance. practice such changes are unlikely to be them settle into their positions, and implemented without some dislocation Student Administration and provided stability during a year of close to activities and some initial diminution Services scrutiny of academic governance and of performance and experience elsewhere approval mechanisms. 2005 was a challenging year for student bears that out.” administration at UNE, as it was the The Secretary to Council helped the The review found deficiencies in planning first full year of operation of the Chancellor and Council to achieve and implementation of the centralisation Student Centre. The combined effects of compliance with the National Governance centralisation, federal government reforms of student administration at UNE. The Protocols, as well as assisting in the and a major change in business systems principal recommendations of the review, provision of a University Corporate caused significant stress for students and concerning improved communication and Governance programme, and a Council staff. Admission and enrolment processes planning, were implemented immediately. Strategic Planning Retreat. In addition were delayed, and that affected delivery As a result the University experienced a to this, the Secretary to Council and of services, including some teaching. As is stable and successful semester two intake Head of the Secretariat assisted in the often the case in major organisational and in 2005. Longer-term recommendations revision of the UNE by-law and provided systems changes there were problems that concerning staff training and improved administrative assistance in the process could not entirely be overcome during the business processes are being progressively to identify and appoint a new Vice- current business cycle. implemented as part of a major project

52 The University of New England that includes the online enrolment project was rules building in Callista, to enable 2005, functions were held in six of the (see below). students to be guided through an eight TAFE-based centres to celebrate online process to the correct enrolment the first year of operations. Members of In first semester 2005, UNE implemented in their courses. Examples of rules are each local council attended the functions the Federal Government’s reforms to prerequisites (passing specific units along with TAFE representatives and HECS and the related Higher Education before attempting others) and majors UNE students in each town. The purpose Information Management System (enrolling in a pattern of units to of the functions was to maintain a (HEIMS). This involved re-establishing establish knowledge in a particular area). positive and ongoing relationship with the status of more than 15,000 of our each community, TAFE campus and UNE students within the Commonwealth UNE expects to introduce online enrolment student in these areas. Support Scheme. Although at the and fee payment progressively in 2006 and beginning of March almost 3000 students 2007. The first stage, a student Web portal, On a daily basis the UNE TAFE-based had not submitted the mandatory was successfully launched in November centres are used by students for Commonwealth Assistance Form, a 2005. This enables students to view the assignment preparation and the Internet substantial contact effort by the Student status of their enrolment applications, for research purposes. Students have made Centre achieved an excellent response. current enrolment and advanced standing, comments along the lines that the centre Fewer than 100 students’ enrolments and to view and change their personal in their town has meant the difference were cancelled when the statutory details. Additional functions and services between staying enrolled or withdrawing. deadline of March 31 was reached. are to be added regularly. The UNE Tamworth Centre continues to During the year the Callista Student The Student Centre is responsible for support as many as 30 enrolled students Management System was enhanced by admissions, enrolments, examinations and on a daily basis. These students are a number of upgrades. The main focus results, and the customer service activities completing assignments, meeting with was ensuring that the system complied that support them. As UNE is a leader in other students, using the quiet study with new government requirements. This the field of distance education we deliver rooms and conducting research. Students was not an easy task, as it entailed both services in person to on-campus students in the Tamworth region have access to substantial software modifications and and via mail, telephone, email and the 20 computers at the Tamworth Centre. far-reaching business changes. These were World Wide Web to support off-campus A steady flow of prospective students successfully achieved by close cooperation students around the world. For example, in continues to seek advice at the Centre. between the Student Centre and the June 2005, we conducted 300 examination UNE’s Manning Valley Centre in Taree Information Technology Directorate. centres across 36 countries. is also kept busy. Students there have Preparations for enhanced online services In the region UNE operates 10 access access to three computers to assist them continued in 2005. The major activity centres. During September and October, with their studies.

Annual Report 2005 53 Professor Ingrid Moses presented UNE’s Young Distinguished Alumni Award for 2005 to Ms Sima- Michelle Cresswell Williamson, who graduated in 2001 with First Class Honours in both Bachelor of Natural Resources and Bachelor of Laws degrees. She now works as an environmental lawyer in Sydney for the pre- eminent international law group Blake Dawson Waldron.

Awards

great many UNE staff members and students received awards in 2005, both from within and without the University. These awards were given by local, national Aand international bodies, and included several highly prestigious recognitions. n Professor Lynn Meek, School of Professional Development and Leadership, received the Erasmus Mundus Visiting Teaching and Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo. n Professor Larry Smith, Director, GSBA/Centre for Business Research, received a Fellowship of the Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (FHERDSA). Only three people from Australian universities were given this award in 2005, and only 17 have received it in total. n Professor Alan Atkinson, School of Classics History and Religion, received the Ernest Scott Prize (awarded every two years by the University of Melbourne) for The Europeans in Australia, Vol. II., the second volume of his projected trilogy. He was also elected historian on the Humanities and Creative Arts panel of the Australian Research Council for the period 2005-07. n Dr Geoff Adams, Associate Lecturer, School of Classics History and Religion, received a JH Bishop Scholarship for Classics and Ancient History which will allow him to travel to Europe for further research and to give papers in Canada and New Zealand. n Associate Professor Janis Wilton and Joe Eisenberg, School of Classics History and Religion, received an Energy Australia National Trust Award - Cultural Heritage (Individuals) for their work on the Chinese in Australia and the “Golden Threads” exhibition and book. n Associate Professor Hugh de Ferranti, Japanese Language and Culture, received a Fellowship as a Visiting Researcher at the International Research Centre for Japanese Studies, an institution in Kyoto that is the Japanese equivalent of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.

54 The University of New England n dr Lalit Kumar, Senior Lecturer, a Distinguished Fellow Award from the Soil Science, School of Rural Science School of Ecosystems and Natural Australian Agricultural and Resource and Agriculture for the Australian Resources Management, received the Economics Society. Cotton CRC and in conjunction with John J Davidson President’s award Ag Biotech Pty Ltd., received the CRC n Professor Roly Piggott, Executive for outstanding paper of practical Association Award for Excellence in Dean, Economics Business and Law, or applied value by the American Innovation in May 2005. received a Distinguished Fellow Award Society for Photogrammetry and from the Australian Agricultural and n Professor John Thompson, Meat Remote Sensing. He also received Resource Economics Society. Science, School of Rural Science and a European Union Erasmus Mundus Agriculture, was named ‘Distinguished Visiting Scholar Award to travel to n Mr Graydon Henning (Honorary Overseas Scientist’ from The Rural Europe to deliver lectures at The Fellow), School of Economics, was Development Administration, through International Institute for Geo- made President of the International the National Livestock Research information Science, University of Commission for Maritime History. Institute and International Technical Warsaw and Lund University. n Professor Acram Taji, Horticultural Cooperation Center of Korea. n Mr David Gee, Adjunct Senior Science, School of Rural Science, n A Passion for Politics: Essays in Lecturer, School of Professional received the award of Excellence in Honour of Graham Maddox, was Development and Leadership, received Tissue Culture Research from the launched at UNE by Professor Hugh a Community Service Award from NSW International Association for Plant Stretton AC. More than 20 academics Government and a Community Service Tissue Culture and Biotechnology. from around the world contributed Award from the Premier of NSW for n Professor Mingan Choct, CEO, chapters to the book. Professor work in establishing the New England Australian Poultry Cooperative Maddox was also awarded a visiting Regional Indoor Sporting Complex. Research Centre, received the fellowship to Princeton University’s n Professor Amarjit Kaur, School of Australian Poultry Award and the Centre of Theological Inquiry, Economics, was appointed Chair, “Global Medal of Excellence” for September 2006 – February 2007. Panel B (Economics), Academy of his feed enzyme and carbohydrate n dr Terrence Hays, School of the Social Sciences in Australia, and research, awarded by the US Education, was the recipient of a invited on the Technical Assessment corporation, Alltech. Churchill Fellowship, enabling him Panel for AusAID’s Asia Regional n Professor Peter Gregg, School of to organise the Australian National Trafficking in Persons Project. Rural Science and Agriculture, Seniors’ Choral Festival in July 2006 n Emeritus Professor Brian Hardaker, and Dr Alice Del Socorro (Junior and travel overseas to study related Economics Business and Law, received Research Fellow), Agronomy and movements and events.

Annual Report 2005 55 n Professor Ingrid Moses, Vice- n Professor Andrew Boulton, School of Young Distinguished Alumni Award Chancellor of UNE, was invited to Environmental Sciences and Natural n Sima-Michelle Cresswell Williamson join the International Advisory Resources Mangement, won the graduated in 2001 with First Class Network at the Leadership Medal of the Australian Society of Honours in Natural Resources and Foundation for Higher Education. Limnology. Law and now works in Sydney as an She was awarded an Honorary n Professor Lesley Rogers, Centre environmental lawyer. Fellowship of the Australian Council for Neurosience and Animal for Educational Leaders, invited Behaviour (School of Biological, The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for to be Section Editor for Tertiary Biomedical and Molecular Sciences), Excellence in Research Education for the International became a Member of the American n Professor Steve Walkden-Brown Encyclopaedia for Education and Ornithological Society. (Rural Science and Agriculture) invited to serve as a member of the n Professor Peter Forrest (Social Science) Advisory Committee of the United UNE Awards Nations University’s International Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence Leadership Institute. Honorary Doctorates

n dr Colin Perrott, who completed his in Teaching n Professor Mike Morwood, School of n PhD in Physics at UNE in the 1960s dr John Malouff (School of Human and Environmental Studies, and went on to a distinguished Psychology). received the Riversleigh Society Medal for 2005. career at the CSIRO and the optics company Sola International, was Vice-Chancellor’s award for Excellence n Professor Gisela Kaplan, Centre for awarded an Honorary Doctor of in Equity Neuroscience and Animal Behaviour Science degree. n dr Hans Graser, Director, AGBU (School of Biological, Biomedical n Professor Bernie Bindon, former and Molecular Sciences) received Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence Chief Executive Officer of the CRC an Endeavour Fellowship Award to in Service bring a European scientist to UNE. for Beef Genetic Technologies, was n debbie Wilkinson (Establishment awarded an Honorary Doctor of n dr John Pigram, Adjunct Professor, and Recruitment Manager, HRS) Science degree. Centre for Ecological Economics and n Jenny Edmunds (Executive Officer to Water Policy Research, was appointed n dr Sarah Pearson, Lecturer, School the Vice-Chancellor) Fellow of the International Water of Biological, Biomedical and Resources Association. (He is the Molecular Sciences, received the n Sue Haydon, Jenny Sauer, Kim only Fellow from Australia.) inaugural UNE Innovation Award. Vallance (School of Education)

56 The University of New England Partnerships and Related Entities

Agricultural Business Research China. This will assist in re-opening website, which allows customers Institute (ABRI) an export market worth up to to retrieve information from ABRI’s $150 million per year to the dairy livestock databases; The Agricultural Business Research industry; n Hosted delegations of livestock Institute (ABRI) is a company limited n Expanded its Dairy Express herd breeders from Germany, Chile, by guarantee, with offices on the recording service into Victoria; Colombia, Argentina, South Africa, UNE campus. It provides a range of n Commenced work on software the UK and New Zealand; information services to rural industries, that will assist the Australian n Completed the new ILR2 software particularly services in the field of beef industry to comply with the for pedigree and performance livestock improvement. Japanese Agricultural Standard in recording in livestock breeding During 2005 ABRI: beef exports to Japan; populations; n Set up a national program to n Increased its share in beef cattle n Customised its HerdMASTER provide training for its clients in recording in the UK to 65 per cent; software to facilitate use by cattle the practical application of the n Installed a software system to operations ranging in size from a BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation handle the records of the Holstein few head to more than 100,000 system. The program will proceed Association of South Africa—thus head, in order for them to collect over a period of five years, and achieving an 80 per cent share of records that meet the requirements will include a total of 64 regional the dairy pedigree recording market of the National Livestock workshops, on-farm technical in South Africa; Identification Scheme; advice, participation in the n Signed a contract to establish the n Made presentations to 24 corporate technical committees of the Milk Recording Agency in South breeding groups in the UK and various breed association clients, Africa—an advanced dairy herd North America, whose combined as well as the distribution of recording service; size is 3.5 times greater than the educational materials; n Signed an MoU with the Government registered sector of the Australian n Wrote software for a database to of Vietnam to introduce its dairy herd beef industry; be populated with the records of recording software to that country; n Continued to develop its dairy heifers that comply with the n Received 1.7 million hits per applications for the sheep and standards required for export to month to its “Internet Solutions” equine industries.

Annual Report 2005 57 ABRI now employs more than 180 and support from diverse groups and A real measure of MNRF benefit is the staff, and its technology is used in 20 individuals around the country and endorsement of ILRIC as the Australian countries. It is largely through ABRI’s overseas. A synergy has grown from Secretariat for Cattle Genetics Export activities that UNE has earned its current the balance between research and by both Australian peak cattle bodies: rating as Australia’s leading university in development partners and producers and The Cattle Council of Australia (CCA) commercialisation. breed societies either directly involved and the Australian Registered Cattle with ILRIC or contacted by ILRIC during Breeders Association (ARCBA). The Export International livestock resources development, networking and promotion Secretariat has made significant progress and information centre of activities. in countries like Russia and trade groups In the 24 months since it was established, Continued lobbying of industry bodies is such as the EU and South American block. ILRIC has continued its achievements vital for ILRIC’s long term development The development of a satellite-based with limited, but focused, resources. and commercialisation goals to be livestock tracking and traceback system These achievements are in part due to the achieved. ILRIC is confident of growing as a major project will bring global urgent need for such an entity within the support for the effective unification recognition to ILRIC and the Australian Australian livestock industry, an industry and partial restructuring of a vital and livestock industry, proving again the high marked by chronic fragmentation, as well immensely valuable sector of Australia’s value placed on innovation and efficiency as to collaboration with our core partners, primary industries, securing its future as in an increasingly competitive global and to industry linkages. In particular, the an internationally competitive force and marketplace. Real-time tracking gives vital completion of the ILRIC/UNE Optical Fibre leader in the provision of “world’s best” reassurance to our trading partners, and Project has underpinned the accelerated livestock genetics, livestock management, assures the global livestock industry that pace of development across the portfolio production and education. Without Australian producers are determined to of MNRF and its spinoff projects. securing a place as leader in whole-of- supply-chain products and applications for protect their disease-free status, reassuring All projects within our MNRF portfolio livestock in the international marketplace, consumers who have seen repeated have met or exceeded their objectives Australia’s industry faces a precarious foreign animal disease events cripple to date. The ambitious range of future. The completion of a major project, their livestock production. This system, projects and spin-offs is progressing the International Livestock Information and the complementary development at a sustainable rate. The Australian Gateway (ILRIC.com) will make much of the Japanese Agricultural Standard livestock industry, both its research and of this expertise and data available to (JAS) project as Australia’s benchmark production sectors, has welcomed ILRIC, the Australian industry, and act as THE livestock QA protocol, ensure Australia’s and this has led to the acceleration of gateway for international access and position as suppliers of high-end, secure projects via early acceptance, take-up commercialisation. animal protein. The supply chain will be

58 The University of New England secured and expanded to deliver long- n Genetic evaluations across n Project/program design, evaluation, term sustainable relationships with our all livestock species, and the implementation and management. traditional and new target markets. identification of elite genetic production values; ILRIC’s current portfolio of projects: To establish credibility in world markets n Software to harvest large volumes n ILR2 – International Livestock and focus on market expansion, ILRIC, of livestock data and permit Register 2 multi species and lingual via a network of core partners and analysis of very large datasets net-based data repository, reporting their partners, is the ideal vehicle to through high-speed servers and capability; coordinate and promote this export communication links; n MISDI – Management Information sector globally. Livestock production is n On-farm livestock management and System – Dairy Industry an important component of the rural data capture software tools; – performance recording and sector in all developing countries. n An online disease diagnostic handheld EID; ILRIC recognises that this importance service, with associated training n HerdMASTER – herd performance goes beyond the concept of economic/ modules; recording, interfaces with ILR2 and financial gains, to that of sustainable n development of new animal health BREEDPLAN; food security and the production of a products; n JAS - Japanese Agricultural marketable surplus. Population growth, n The hosting of major livestock Standard Beef QA & Accreditation local economic development and conferences, seminars, workshops Infrastructure; increasing urbanisation have created a and training programs; n NSRS - National Sheep Recording demand for livestock products within n Provision of business intelligence Scheme; many developing countries. ILRIC solutions and relevant information n AGBU Enhancing the Efficiency of regards this strong increase in demand on most livestock industries; Production Software - new equation- for livestock products in these countries n development of improved and solving system for BREEDPLAN; as an exciting opportunity, and has the sustainable systems of livestock and n ILRIC/UNE High Speed Optical ability to formulate coherent strategies pasture management; Fibre Network 155Mbit/s service to address the various multifaceted n Provision of some of the world’s - scaleable to 1Gb/s; challenges of livestock production in best livestock genetics including n VHR – LabMagic - Web-based developing countries. seedstock, semen and embryos; Diagnostic Lab for disease and More specifically ILRIC can offer: n Social, community and institutional parasite monitoring and management; n An international network of operating analysis; n ILRIC Commons Property Resource breed register systems for breed n Industry/sector strategic planning legally structured resource sharing societies and other corporate groups; and analysis; and framework;

Annual Report 2005 59 The National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour, NSW

n Global, Satellite-Based GPS The centre was opened in 2002, and There has been a significant growth Livestock Tracking and Traceback is a joint venture of The University in student numbers in the NMSC’s System; of New England and Southern Cross undergraduate third-year courses, n Australian Secretariat for Cattle University. Both universities bring which have increased by 29 per cent Genetics Export; a history of innovation in natural since 2004, an average of 51 students n Livestock Turnkey for Developing resource management and marine per teaching unit. This is a result of Countries; science to the centre. collaborative marketing of undergraduate opportunities by the NMSC and its n ILRIC Agri Venture Capital Fund; In February 2005, Professor Alistair partner universities, and the growing n young Sires JV Project; McIlgorm was appointed as Director popularity of marine science subjects n Australian Genetic QA Export of the NMSC. The teaching, research among students from a range of science Program; and community activities of the centre and environment courses, in addition n ILRIC Capability Statement (end-to- have developed during the year, and to those following Marine Science and end supply chain); several new projects have commenced Management programs. n ILRIC Livestock Health and in 2005. Several applications for Production Compendium; and large collaborative grants have been Research and development n ILRIC International Livestock Expo. submitted, with prospects for new There is an active postgraduate research The makeup of ILRIC’s core partners growth in 2006. contingent at the NMSC, with 22 PhD and board also continue to evolve, students and three Masters students. attracting major players and regulatory Teaching Areas of research at the NMSC have authorities in the Australian livestock The NMSC specialises in the capacity grown to include the biodiversity of sector as ILRIC looks forward to moving development of students to enable marine and estuarine habitats, patterns from its development phase into them to meet the new challenges facing and biological processes in marine scientists and managers in conserving commercialisation during 2006. communities, human-induced impacts marine resources. on marine systems, fisheries and marine National Marine Science Centre The undergraduate course addresses park management and marine resource The National Marine Science Centre contemporary marine scientific issues economics and management. Staff have (NMSC) was conceived as part of such as large marine ecosystems, prepared reports and papers for a range of government agencies and participated Australia’s National Oceans Policy, global climate change, marine in several international conferences. and built under a grant from the biodiversity conservation and the Commonwealth Federation Fund. The sustainable management of ecosystems Two students have been awarded NMSC is located in Coffs Harbour. and resource users. doctorates during 2005, and a

60 The University of New England Live acts at the Services UNE Bistro Bar attracted strong support from students across all the colleges and in town throughout the year.

significant number of research papers Community governance requirements of the have been published. The National Marine Science Centre Federal Government. Given continuing Association Inc is a not-for-profit uncertainty over the introduction of VSU, A successful collaboration with the organisation that assists in community and the size of trading operations of the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ events and raising the public profile Union, this change was essential. Fisheries Conservation Technology Unit of the NMSC. In 2005, membership of (CTU) based at the NMSC has continued Where possible, Services UNE has involved, the Association has increased by 200 in 2005, producing joint research on and will continue to involve, members per cent, primarily through attendance mitigating fishery by-catch in commercial in the change process. A member survey at evening presentations by a range of fisheries in NSW estuaries, and into the conducted during October received more marine scientists and organisations. impacts of improved recreational fishing than 800 responses from on-campus, The highlight of the year was an NMSC practices on fish survival. off-campus and life members, on a Community Open Day, held in October. range of issues including future services, In 2005, a range of new grants was membership fees and communications. obtained, such as one that involved Services UNE Ltd (formerly the UNE working with the NSW Department of Union) Elections for the two student director Primary Industries and NSW Department 2005 has been a year of challenge and positions are being planned for early in of Conservation in research to map key change for Services UNE Ltd (Services 2006, and board advisory committees inshore coastal habitats for the Northern UNE), formerly the UNE Union. This will be established in 2006 to ensure Rivers Catchment Management Authority. was because of continuing uncertainty member input into the future of the organisation. The NMSC was also successful in surrounding the introduction of obtaining a Federal Government project Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU); From an operational perspective, 2005 under the Australian School Innovation the appointment of a receiver in May, trading was impacted negatively by in Science, Technology and Mathematics following the recommendations of the confusion over student enrolments (ASISTM) Program. The project, an investigating accountant’s report and reduced student numbers on “Developing Marine Science in High initiated by the University; and the campus, and by a downturn in the Schools of the NSW Mid-North Coast”, subsequent restructure of the Union Belgrave Cinema’s ticket sales, following is intended to increase the interest of from an unincorporated association to limited blockbuster movie releases in students in careers in science through a company limited by guarantee and a 2005. Trading at Booloominbah was the NMSC working with science teachers controlled entity of the University. The significantly improved by the closure to provide students with a practical and new entity structure, incorporating a of the Chancellery Restaurant, and the engaging scientific learning experience significantly revised board, will ensure introduction of a reduced menu in the using the marine environment. Services UNE meets the corporate Brasserie; this venue continues to incur

Annual Report 2005 61 UNE brought home gold medals in rugby union and rugby league at the Northern University Games in Cairns in 2005, and earned the coveted Spirit of the Games Award for best team spirit and presentation. A total of 120 UNE athletes competed in nine sports at the Games. In addition to the two gold medals, UNE also picked up bronze medals in men’s and women’s soccer and men’s tennis. losses, albeit at a much lower level than to the University community, ensuring n Katie Calder represented Australia before. The expiry of the Booloominbah the availability of a broad range of on the World Cup Cross Country Ski License Agreement at the end of 2005 products and services at reasonable circuit, and was selected in the will provide an opportunity to arrange prices on campus. shadow Winter Olympics team; alternative operating models for this n Casey Cunningham represented The adoption of a business plan by the venue. 2005 saw an improvement Services UNE board has driven, and will Australia in athletics at the Oceania in profitability at Dr Rob’s Cafeteria continue to drive, a range of changes at Athletics Championships, where she compared to 2004, although this venue Services UNE, with the clear objective of won two gold medals and one bronze still failed to achieve the financial improving its ongoing financial viability. medal; outcomes required, as did Café Noir, The number of outlets open over the n Francis Fainifo, Hugh Palmer, Peter which closed at the end of September summer period will be reduced; EBL Café, Flynn and Bobbie Cottrell toured the due to poor trading over a sustained which opened in March 2005, but trades UK with the Australian University period of time. at below break-even levels when students Rugby Union team in January. On a more positive note, despite are absent, will close during break Francis was later selected in the NSW restrictions on trading hours and periods. Tattersalls Hotel was advertised Country Cockatoos team and played sponsorship arrangements imposed by for sale by tender in November, with against the touring Samoan team; the University in late 2004, the Bistro the funds raised to be used to retire n John Ellis represented Australia at Bar and entertainment program continue debt and build capital reserves; and the Tertiary Rugby League World Cup to attract strong support from students discussions with the University about in Brisbane in July. across all the colleges and in town. the future of Booloominbah are ongoing. At the national level: The emphasis on more broadly popular, Over the summer, changes will be made n The UNE men’s rugby union 7s attractively-priced live entertainment to the layout in Dr Rob’s and to support team were silver medallists at the areas, helping to improve service times such as Spiderbait, Shihad and COG, Australian University Games in and trading efficiencies. Freestylers and Pete Murray, mixed with Brisbane in September; popular local and imported DJs, resulted n Luke Brown and Francis Fainifo were Sport UNE in improved patronage numbers, and selected in the Australian University has ensured the Bistro Bar and its live UNE enjoyed another successful year in “Green and Gold” merit team for entertainment will return in 2006. sports, with UNE students competing rugby union; locally, nationally and internationally. Campus Essentials and Sleek Hair n Katie Calder won the Australian Salon again made positive financial Seven UNE students competed at an University Cross Country Ski contributions to the organisation and international level during the year: Championships at Thredbo in August;

62 The University of New England n As a member of the Australian teams from Tamworth, Gunnedah, n Sport UNE also introduced a Sports Commission’s Elite Athlete Inverell and Muswellbrook; new point of sale and customer Friendly University Network, UNE is n UNE is the sole promoter and membership system (MRM). This assisting five other nationally ranked organiser of waterpolo in the region; new system has further improved athletes with their studies while they n UNE men’s soccer combined with the customer service, and provides high continue to train and compete. Armidale Ex-Services Westside Club quality reports that enable Sport UNE to field teams in the Northern Inland to better manage its facilities; At the regional level: Premier League; n Sport UNE was nominated as the n A total of 12 students gained n The UNE hockey club followed the NSW Fitness Centre of the Year, selection in Northern University soccer club's lead, by grouping following a 192 per cent increase in merit teams; with a city hockey club in the New the number of people undertaking n At the Northern University Games England women’s competition. personal training programs and in Cairns, UNE won two gold medals exceptional growth in fitness in rugby union and rugby league Other major Sport UNE initiatives included: program participation. New and 7’s, and bronze medals in men’s and n The construction of international innovative programs such as standard synthetic hockey fields at women’s soccer and men’s tennis; Regenr8, Bootcamp, Faculty Fit, and n Overall UNE finished sixth out of 14 the University’s Consett Davis playing Fitbiz contributed to this growth; competing universities, and won the fields. The fields were established in n During the year community Spirit of the Games Award. UNE's partnership with UNE and Hockey New membership grew by 50 per cent; team of 120 students was one of the England. The new fields will be known n Sport UNE undertook a $55,000 largest teams to participate at the as the New England Hockey Centre, renovation of its weights gym in Cairns Games; and feature two synthetic fields and November, to expand the floor space Locally, UNE's achievements included: two grass fields; and upgrade toilet facilities; n St Albert’s Rugby Union Football n In February, Sport UNE opened its n Sport UNE’s vacation care program, Club won all three grades of the New newly renovated customer service which runs during school holiday England rugby union competition. counter and sports store within its periods and is fully accredited The grand final was held at UNE’s Indoor Recreation Centre. The new by the Department of Family and Bellevue Rugby Field for the first amenities, which cost $375,000 Community Services, increased in time since the mid-1970s; to develop, have greatly enhanced popularity during the year. Aside from n The New England Nomads UNE’s indoor sports facilities, and its benefits to parents and children, represented UNE in the Tablelands improved Sport UNE’s ability to the program also provides work AFL competition, which consists of service customers; experience for education students;

Annual Report 2005 63 n A team of local business leaders While there were many positive UNEPA has a dedicated team of executive is working with Sport UNE to achievements during the year, the representatives and staff, who have raise funds for Bellevue Oval. The Federal Government provided Sport worked together to improve the support committee focused its attention on UNE with its greatest challenge when services offered to postgraduate the establishment of a UNE Rugby it introduced its Voluntary Student students at UNE. Unfortunately, the Foundation, with the aim of raising Union legislation in March. Sport UNE need to address national political issues $1.5 million to upgrade Bellevue was at the forefront of a campaign aimed at removing the mainstay of Oval and develop a grandstand to highlight the negative impact the student support services has impeded complex at the playing fields. Thanks legislation would have on the provision UNEPA’s ability to keep up with the to the efforts of the Committee, of student services. It was hoped that ever-increasing demand for greater and with the support of Ducats the government would respond to this productivity from postgraduate students. Earthmoving Contractors, Sport UNE intensive lobbying by amending its Even so, during 2005, UNEPA has made was able to establish temporary legislation to enable universities to many improvements to the support change amenities at the Rugby Field, charge an amenities fee to maintain core offered to postgraduates and this trend which enabled UNE to host the New student services and facilities. is expected to continue in 2006, UNEPA’s England rugby finals for the first silver jubilee year. time since 1975. University of New England Postgraduate Association (UNEPA) The Postgraduate Centre continues Sport UNE prides itself on encouraging to provide a hub for postgraduate participation. UNE has the highest The effects of proposed government activities, and the balance provided by participation rate of all Australian legislation and changes to UNE’s the computer room and common room universities in intercollegiate sports government reporting on associated programs. Sport UNE actively encourages entities have made 2005 a very mixed facilities (kitchen, lounge and TV) has students to achieve a balance between year for UNEPA. A fresh approach to been welcomed by the many students study and a healthy lifestyle. The 2005 delivering services to a wider number who study during evenings, nights and intercollegiate competition was the most of postgraduates through UNE’s new weekends. Off-campus students also closely contested for more than a decade, broadband videoconferencing facilities rely on the centre’s facilities, and the with the top colleges separated by only has been successfully tested, but security system has been particularly a few points. Robb College won the Mary further expansion of this service has appreciated by female and international Bagnall women’s competition, while been hampered by the need to focus students. At UNEPA’s final general Earle Page College and Drummond and efforts on maintaining a viable support meeting of 2005, members strongly Smith Colleges jointly won the President’s structure that can effectively represent supported the concept of a dedicated Trophy in the men’s competition. postgraduates at UNE. Postgraduate Centre being available

64 The University of New England to UNE postgraduates. The centre is areas of the University. This postgraduate students experience invaluable to coursework postgraduates, series provided our postgraduate due to their study commitments; and brings together students from all students with a greater n The UNEPA Awards event, where disciplines. It is one of the few places understanding of UNE's policies, as the Supervisor of the Year Award on campus where international students well as availing them of funding and the Certificate of Excellence mingle casually with domestic students; and research opportunities; for General Staff are presented, academic and social benefits flow from n Navigating the Research Maze was continues to provide postgraduates such interactions. an extension of the Getting Started with an opportunity to recognise induction seminar for beginning the support and expertise of UNE’s The following were some of UNEPA’s research students. Navigating the academic and general staff, from major activities in 2005: Research Maze was held during which they benefit; and n UNEPA staff assisted many second semester, and will continue n UNEPA’s executive members have postgraduates with a range of in 2006; again represented postgraduate issues, ranging from enrolment n The UNEPA/Faculty Overseas students on many university problems at the beginning of the Conference Travel Scholarship, committees. They have been able year, to coursework, equity and offered in collaboration with the to monitor postgraduate student’s supervisory problems. As usual, University faculties, provided opinions through UNEPA’s general there was a great willingness $2,500 for postgraduate students meetings, website, newsletter, and on the part of the University to present at overseas conferences. email lists. administration to ensure a speedy These scholarships continue to In 2005, UNEPA again participated and equitable result for these attract a wide range of students; strongly in the Council of Australian students. At the same time, it n Social and cultural events were Postgraduate Associations’ (CAPA) has become clear that many held in the Postgraduate Centre, activities. Having a national perspective university policies are not being including “meet-and-greet” on postgraduate issues allows UNEPA to followed appropriately. It is hoped, receptions for new international work with UNE’s administration to ensure however, that the experiences of postgraduate students, and a that the facilities and support offered to postgraduate students will be taken “Junina” party, held in mid-winter UNE postgraduates remain comparable into account in improving the to encourage an exchange of ideas to the best in Australia. Although UNEPA implementation of UNE’s policies; and traditions from UNE’s multi- faces many challenges in 2006, it intends n A seminar and workshop series was ethnic postgraduate student body. to remain a bastion of postgraduate organised to showcase different Such social events are an important initiative, as it celebrates 25 years of administrative and academic salve to the isolation many postgraduate representation.

Annual Report 2005 65 UNE Partnerships Pty Ltd Key achievements for 2005: NSW and Victorian Divisions of n General Practice. UNEP has also UNE Partnerships Pty Ltd (UNEP) is The Project Management Program introduced two new practice the wholly owned workplace education continues to gain repeat business management specialisations and training company and Registered with its major clients, including for 2005—dental practice and Training Organisation (RTO) of The Qantas, Honeywell, Centrelink, veterinary practice, in alliance with University of New England. Its mission American Express and government the professional associations—for is to create professional success for departments such as the Department which there has been tremendous individuals and organisations through of Health and Ageing and the interest. Legal practice management training and development. Department of Employment and Workplace Relations in Canberra. will be introduced in 2006; UNE Partnerships has experienced good UNEP also delivers in-house n UNEP is also delivering customised growth in 2005 in its corporate training training to the National Australia frontline management training (for programs, with increased business Bank, Vodafone and other major supervisors) to Ti-West Mining in from major accounts and individual companies and local councils; Perth and Public Trustees offices in enrolments in professional qualifications. customising the nationally NSW and to staff in local councils, Training is being delivered all over accredited courses to their area health services and a range of Australia ‘in-house’ in large and small corporate strategies and protocols; smaller regional companies; organisations, or by public tutorials and n In practice management for n UNEP's Certificate IV in Business workshops and distance education. medical, dental and veterinary traineeships continue to grow in As an RTO, UNE Partnerships is practices, UNEP has had excellent Brisbane, with groups undertaking registered to offer clients a full scope of performance. As well as its public monthly tutorials continuously. nationally accredited, competency-based distance programs in practice Groups have come from Metroplex, qualifications (nearly 100 qualifications management (nearly 500 annual Brisbane School of Distance in 2005) as part of the Australian enrolments), it has run week- Education, CITEC and other government departments and Qualifications Training Framework. These long residential schools in smaller commercial operations; qualifications range across all levels of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and management and business, specialised Adelaide and short workshops in n The Diploma of Business is also management such as project, practice, many regional areas. It has also delivered by corporate in-house facilities and frontline management; run workshops over the last 12 training to Hyundai, area health government and property management/ months in association with AMA services, a number of organisations real estate; and medical reception and Queensland, AMA NSW and AMA in Melbourne (for example, the health care areas. Victoria, and with the Queensland, Dental Health Board, Village

66 The University of New England Roadshow and Gasnet); and also in spread around metropolitan and University of New England Brisbane and across Queensland to regional Australia; student Association (UNEsa) aged care facilities such as Churches n The Corporate Governance Program, The University of New England Student of Christ Care and Blue Care; which consists of executive-level Association has not provided an annual n UNEP's Advanced Diploma of short courses and seminars, and report for 2005. Business Management is a highly full diploma programs, continues to successful leadership program gain good enrolments both for in- that can be customised for all house corporate groups and public industries. It delivers an executive delivery. This program is delivered leadership program, based on the in association with the Corporate Advanced Diploma, to the Public Directors Association of Australia, Service Commission of Samoa and CCH Publishers, Ernst & Young and to the Holden Dealer network Deacons Lawyers; and through the Holden College n UNEP has started a new campaign operated by Raytheon Services. for more funded traineeships and UNEP is also customising a program corporate programs in property for the Australian Divisions of management/real estate, as part of General Practice; program development, and has new n UNEP has established sales clients including L.J. Hooker and representatives in Sydney, Brisbane, Century 21. Melbourne and Canberra and UNE Partnerships' performance in 2005 has expanded its telemarketing capability. It now has 32 staff in its continues to consolidate the UNE group Armidale head office and more than as a national provider of education and 100 consultants Australia-wide for training at all levels, from vocational teaching, assessing and marketing. qualifications to higher education. It is delivering programs to students The establishment of the company in all states and territories of complements the role of the University Australia, and face-to-face programs in the higher education sector, in NSW, the ACT, Queensland, contributes increased sources of funding, Victoria, South Australia and and acts as a feeder for additional Tasmania. Its corporate clients are students into higher awards.

Annual Report 2005 67 Director of Human Resources Kristin Adair, Vice-Chancellor Professor Ingrid Moses and NTEU Branch President Dr Rhonda Forrest signed the Dignity and Respect in the Workplace Charter in 2005. The charter, aimed at combating bullying, and the establishment of an Ally Network to create awareness and equity for the University’s homosexual community were among the major equity initiatives launched during the year. Diversity, Access and Equity

he University of New England is committed to the principles of equity and social justice, welcomes and celebrates diversity and aims to provide an environment Tin which staff and students thrive. The University’s culture and values, outlined in the Strategic Plan 2002-2006, are underpinned by the principles of equity and reflect: n A commitment to equity in access to education and employment, equal opportunity; occupational health and safety, and affirmative action; and n Active recognition of the interests of our culturally diverse, indigenous and international populations and local, regional and global communities in all facets of university work.

The University maintained its commitment to increasing representation of staff and students from historically disadvantaged groups in 2005. The University’s achievements in improving the participation and career development of female staff were again acknowledged by the award of the Employer of Choice for Women citation from the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA). The University’s strategies and success in this regard also resulted in the University being granted a waiver from reporting to EOWA for the 2004/2005 reporting period. The University is due to report to EOWA again in 2006.

The University continued implementation of the EEO Management Plan 2003-2006 and Aroonba Yanaaya Indigenous Employment Strategy 2003-2006. Regular cycles of planning and review conducted by Faculties and Directorates were ongoing in 2005 and incorporated the principles, strategies and targets detailed in the UNE Strategic Plan 2002-2006 as well as the EEO Management Plan 2003-2006 and the Aroonba Yanaaya Indigenous Employment Strategy 2003-2006.

The trend, over the past 10 years, of continued steady improvement in the representation of women on staff at the University continued in 2005. Representation

68 The University of New England of women on academic staff rose development of women. Evaluation of research opportunities, and focusing on to 40 per cent in 2004 and was statistical trends led to the identification their areas of interest with a range of maintained at that level in 2005. of issues relating to women’s access senior women. Women’s representation among senior to, and participation in, the academic The University Spokeswomen’s Program, level and tenured academic staff has promotion process. To address these an initiative designed to improve gender also improved significantly in recent issues the program Pathways to Careers equity within general staff through years. Representation of women among and Promotion was piloted in November identifying and acting on matters academic staff above Senior Lecturer 2004. After incorporation of feedback affecting women in the workplace, increased from 13.5 per cent in 2003, from participants, the program was again continued in 2005. Six general staff to 17 per cent in 2004 and 20 per cent offered in November 2005. Pathways to women continued their terms of office. as at March 31, 2005. Among tenured Career and Promotion focuses on the The group developed a plan and budget staff, the representation of women has career development of academic women for the next three-year period and met increased from 34.6 per cent in 2003 to and has the longer term goal of assisting monthly to discuss the development 36.7 per cent in 2004, and 37 per cent women to prepare for promotion. In needs of lower level general staff women. in 2005. 2005, participants attended two half-day University spokeswomen organized a workshops in which 10 senior academic Women’s representation among general morning tea for all university women women gave presentations on a variety staff has increased to 58 per cent as for International Women’s Day and, in of issues relating to progressing an at March 31, 2005. Among general collaboration with the Organisational academic career. Participants identified staff employed at HEO10 and above, Development Unit, provided a lunch-time gaps in their academic profiles and women’s representation has increased Myers-Briggs Personality Testing Session focused on aspects of their career in from 35 per cent in 2004 to 39 per cent for general staff women. the broad areas of teaching, research in 2005. The representation of women and service that will address these. The Faculties continued to implement among continuing staff (59 per cent) workshops enable direct contact with strategies to provide opportunities is also slightly higher than their overall senior women and opportunities for for women to act in positions at representation on general staff. informal mentoring, as well as providing higher levels, and the representation In accordance with the University’s the opportunity for participating women of women amongst those accessing commitment to equity and improved to meet, and form support networks such opportunities was well above representation from equity groups, amongst themselves. The workshops their representation among academic faculties and directorates continued provide an environment for women to staff. Various strategies to improve to implement initiatives designed to discuss strategies for balancing life and academic women’s research and service improve representation and career work demands, accessing or creating profiles in preparation for promotion

Annual Report 2005 69 were also implemented. These included As part of its strategic direction and equal opportunity and elimination time release, grants and mentoring commitment to principles of equal and prevention of harassment and opportunities. Women’s representation opportunity in work and study, the discrimination were incorporated into among those applying for promotion University provides internal avenues for mainstream training and development fell below their representation among complaint resolution. These procedures programs. Equity components are also academic staff in 2005. Women’s include an educational program that included in recruitment training, training representation among successful keeps staff and students informed of for supervisors and heads of school, and applicants at Level D, however, has what constitutes acceptable behaviour induction sessions for new staff. within the University environment, shown substantial improvement in the As part of the University’s strategy of policies that cover unlawful harassment last three years and remains well above raising the profile of equity, access, and discrimination, and avenues their representation at that level. diversity and equal employment for speedy and confidential conflict opportunity, the Vice-Chancellor’s Award The University’s commitment resolution. The Equity Office provides for Excellence in Equity was awarded to ongoing improvement in the advice, assistance and training to again in 2005. The award is made in provision of support for students management, staff and students of the and staff with disabilities continued University in an integrated approach recognition of academic or general staff in 2005. The University continued to equity issues. The Equity Office also member(s) of the University who have its implementation of the Disability trains and supports a team of Equal demonstrated exemplary commitment Coordination Officer (DCO) Program Opportunity Advisers, a diverse group of to equity and diversity by their actions across northern New South Wales, staff and students who are available to and/or who have developed, promoted incorporating the New England, provide confidential advice, information and implemented strategies to improve Northwest and North Coast, developing and assistance on all aspects of equal equity for staff or students at UNE. a number of initiatives to improve opportunity, including harassment Two new equity initiatives were launched coordination between services and and discrimination. Equal Opportunity by the Vice-Chancellor in December provide information to students making Advisers are also trained mediators. 2005. The Ally Program works to raise transitions into further education or The University continued to provide awareness and visibility of gay and employment. The University continued training to students and staff in equity, lesbian issues and involves the training the review of its service provision to diversity, equal employment opportunity of a group of staff and students who are students with disabilities to ensure and avenues for conflict resolution. informed about and sensitive towards a more accessible and user-friendly In addition to providing customized gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender and website and a more streamlined general training to groups of staff and intersex (GLBTI) people, and their issues, service delivery. students, modules in equity, diversity, and who affirm the experience and rights

70 The University of New England of GLBTI people. The first group of UNE of their achievements in meeting the Representation of people whose first Allies will be trained in early 2006. objectives of the University’s Cultural language is other than English is close Diversity Priorities Statement. to the NSW target of 19 per cent among The Dignity and Respect in the Workplace academic staff, but is considerably lower Charter provides definitions of acceptable In 2005, some 95 members of academic among general staff, as could be expected behaviour, the legislative instruments staff indicated they were from racial, in a regional centre. A total of 4 per cent covering bullying in the workplace and ethnic and ethno-religious minority of people in the local government area steps for adoption of the charter for a groups and some 70 indicated their of Armidale indicate that they speak a bullying-free workplace. The Dignity and first language was other than English. language other than English at home, a Respect in the Workplace Charter will be These figures were based on an 83 per reduction of 1.9 per cent between the distributed widely across campus at the cent response rate from academic staff 1996 and 2001 census data. beginning of 2006. to the EEO data survey. Adjusted figures indicate that approximately 23 per cent Adjusted figures indicate that Cultural diversity and the of academic staff come from racial, indigenous people made up around University’s ethnic affairs ethnic and ethno-religious minority 2.4 per cent of general staff, which is priorities statement groups and approximately 17 per cent above the government target but well The University has a strong have a first language other than English. below the percentage of Indigenous commitment to the provision of an This is consistent with the representation people in the local government area inclusive work and study environment of these groups as reported in 2004. of Armidale (5 per cent). Indigenous people made up 1 per cent of total that values the contributions of Among general staff 55 people indicated academic staff as at March 31, 2005, members of our diverse community, they were from racial, ethnic and ethno- again significantly lower than desirable, and which reflects the principles of religious minority groups and 29 people but an improvement on recent years. multiculturalism. Accordingly, and indicated that their first language was to ensure the University meets its other than English. These figures were The process of implementing the requirements under the Community based on an 80 per cent response rate University’s Aroonba Yanaaya Indigenous Relations Commission and Principles of to the EEO data survey. Adjusted figures Employment Strategy 2003-2006 (Strategy Multiculturalism Act 2000, the Annual show this represents approximately 8 3.3 in the Cultural Diversity Priorities Reports (Departments) Regulation per cent and 4 per cent of general staff Statement) continued in 2005. However, Act 2000 and the Annual Reports respectively, and indicates a slight the Indigenous Employment Coordinator (Statutory Authorities) Regulation decrease in the representation of people position which became vacant in June 2000, managers and supervisors are whose first language is other than 2005 will not be filled until 2006, due to requested, annually, to provide details English among general staff. current budgetary constraints.

Annual Report 2005 71 The UNE Council initiated the programs for staff and leadership caring for and working with, people from development of a new Reconciliation programs for staff and students diverse cultural backgrounds. Statement by a council-approved working included modules on diversity The University continues to provide party in broad consultation with the leadership, communication strategies a wide range of societies and support local indigenous community in 2005. and intercultural effectiveness. Staff services for students and staff from The statement, which acknowledges involved in the delivery of offshore culturally diverse backgrounds. The programs to students from diverse indigenous Australians as the traditional University of New England Students’ cultural backgrounds were provided with custodians of university lands and affirms Association (UNESA) continued to cross-cultural awareness training. For the rights of indigenous Australians to provide support mechanisms for students, example, the Teaching and Learning equitable participation in the higher including an appointed Aboriginal Centre as well as the School of English, education sector, has now been approved Liaison Officer and an International Communication and Theatre conducted and will be implemented in 2006. The Liaison Officer. International and seminars for improving cross-cultural statement reinforces the University’s goal indigenous staff and students are awareness and pedagogic methods for of developing a supportive organizational encouraged to have a high profile during staff involved in delivering programs culture that values and respects Orientation Week, Open Day and cultural offshore, as well as for staff involved indigenous cultures and accommodates in teaching students from different theme events throughout the academic cultural differences. In addition to cultural backgrounds and/or working year, in order to promote diversity, reinforcing the University’s commitment together with others from culturally understanding and the values of a to increasing indigenous employment, diverse backgrounds generally. multicultural community. the statement seeks to ensure the The University of New England integration of indigenous perspectives The ongoing review of curricula and Postgraduate Association (UNEPA) into academic and administrative teaching and learning strategies, and encourages diverse representation and programs and stipulates that all course the development of new approaches and content, incorporated strategies includes on its executive an Equity reviews consider indigenous content. for increasing awareness of the Representative, a Women’s Officer, The University’s desire for improved value of diversity and strategies to and two International Officers, one intercultural communication and respond appropriately in culturally female and one male, in addition to a effectiveness continued to inform diverse environments. The University’s Representative for External Students. strategies based on understanding undergraduate nursing programs, for These positions reflect those at national and welcoming diversity and the example, include studies on transcultural level provided by the Council of challenges and opportunities they nursing and require students to Australian Postgraduate Associations, of present. Professional development experience clinical settings involving which UNEPA is an affiliate.

72 The University of New England The University’s Wright Village is an Student Association on a wide range groups. These included four Mick accommodation facility catering to of student initiatives. The English Young Scholarships of $500 each, five the needs of students from more than Language Centre provides accredited, UNE Country Equity Scholarships and 50 different cultural backgrounds. top-quality English language courses three Faculty of Education, Health The University’s catering facilities with a focus on the individual learning and Professional Studies Equity and social events also reflect the needs of students. It offers a varied Scholarships. Three Equity Postgraduate diversity of our student and staff program of courses throughout the Scholarships were awarded to members populations. The University also year, including English for Academic of equity groups. In addition, 98 offers a range of alternative entry Purposes, IELTS Preparation, the Commonwealth Education Cost schemes including the national Introductory Academic Program, and Scholarships and 38 Commonwealth award-winning TRACKS scheme for general English programs. The English Accommodation Scholarships were indigenous students, and the Internal Language Centre is also an accredited awarded in 2005. A one-off grant Selection Program, (ISP). IELTS test centre. from the Centre for Mental Health in The University’s English Language In 2005, 12 university-wide and 2003 has been also been supporting and International Services Unit works faculty-based equity scholarships were Aboriginal students undertaking the closely with the Armidale International made available to new undergraduate Diploma of Aboriginal Family and Association and the International students who are members of equity Community Counselling.

Annual Report 2005 73 Supplementary Information

Risk Management

The combined strategic, structural and operational approach is proving effective in ensuring a solid foundation for integrating effective risk management with other management practices.

Most sections of the University, including the council, all directorates and faculties, have now participated in workshops designed to inform executives and senior staff about risk management processes, and to facilitate the identification of risks, consequences and controls. In addition, the University has commenced risk assessments focused on associated entities and the University’s obligations in managing its risks in relation to such associations.

The Audit and Compliance Committee of the UNE Council has implemented a structured reporting process, whereby it receives reports from deans, directors and managers at each meeting. The reports identify risks, controls and ratings which provide the University an assurance of the extent to which the risk management process is being implemented and monitored. Establishment of the Risk Management Policy and Steering Committee has allowed broad overview and direction on the University’s risk management process.

Scheduled risk workshops have become part of the executive committee process in the coming year and operational risk management will continue to be strategically integrated into all work practices. All relevant new duty statements now include accountability for risk management.

During 2005, external audits were conducted on five sections of the University: Facilities Management Services, the Information Technology Directorate, Financial Services, The Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and The Faculty of The Sciences.

A number of introductory and follow-up training sessions were conducted. It is planned to conduct ongoing training for new and more advanced users.

Risk management is not centralised and is delegated to all managers. Risk coordinators responsible for facilitating the risk management process have been

74 The University of New England identified in most of the faculties and directorates and direct Object and functions of University access to the risk management database ‘KnowRisk’ has also 6. (1) The object of the University is the promotion, within been granted. the limits of the University’s resources, of scholarship, research, free inquiry, the interaction of During the year the database was successfully upgraded to the research and teaching, and academic excellence. latest version of KnowRisk, which has allowed an increase in concurrent user access along with other enhanced functionality. (2) The University has the following principal functions for the promotion of its object: Insurances (a) the provision of facilities for education and The primary areas of the University’s insurance program was research of university standard, renewed through Unimutual. These include Industrial Special Risks, Public and Products Liability, Professional Indemnity and (b) the encouragement of the dissemination, Medical Malpractice. Other classes of insurance held include, but advancement, development and application of are not limited to, Corporate Travel, Personal Accident, Marine knowledge informed by free inquiry,

Hull, Marine Transit and Comprehensive Motor Vehicle. (c) the provision of courses of study or instruction across a range of fields, and the carrying out of Freedom of Information research, to meet the needs of the community, Statement of Affairs - December, 2005 In accordance with Section 14 of the Freedom of Information (d) the participation in public discourse, Act 1989, The University of New England is required to publish (e) the conferring of degrees, including those of a Statement of Affairs. The University has included the Bachelor, Master and Doctor, and the awarding Statement in the 2005 Annual Report to facilitate distribution. of diplomas, certificates and other awards, Readers should note that the Statement of Affairs should be (f) the provision of teaching and learning that read in conjunction with the Annual Report to obtain a clear engage with advanced knowledge and inquiry, picture of the University’s affairs. The information contained in this document is correct as at 31 December 2005, and in (g) the development of governance, procedural accordance with Section 14(1)(a) of the Act, the Statement of rules, admission policies, financial arrangements Affairs will be updated annually. and quality assurance processes that are underpinned by the values and goals referred The University’s functions to in the functions set out in this subsection, As stated in The University of New England Act 1993 (NSW), and that are sufficient to ensure the integrity of section 6: the University’s academic programs.

Annual Report 2005 75 (3) The University has other functions as follows: The way the University functions affect the public The University affects the public through its major functions (a) the University may exercise commercial such as the conferring of degrees, enrolment of students, functions comprising the commercial employment of staff, the promotion of research and its exploitation or development, for the University’s involvement in the general community. Any policy of the benefit, of any facility, resource or property of University that relates to staff, students or community members the University or in which the University has may be regarded as having an effect on the public. Matters a right or interest (including, for example, such as the compulsory membership of student associations, study, research, knowledge and intellectual enrolment or exclusion regulations for students, procedures for property and the practical application of study, the appointment or the promotion of staff, rules concerning research, knowledge and intellectual property), study leave, maternity or sickness leave, policies dealing with whether alone or with others, the use of university property or resources and so on, are all

(b) the University may develop and provide cultural, regarded as matters which affect the public. sporting, professional, technical and vocational The public is defined here as the staff and students (past, services to the community, present and future), of the University, along with those people who have previously or who are presently serving on (c) the University has such general and ancillary committees and any interested members of the community. functions as may be necessary or convenient for enabling or assisting the University to How the public can gain access to further information about promote the object and interests of the the University’s organisation and functions university, or as may complement or be The Marketing and Public Affairs Office will be able to answer incidental to the promotion of the object and enquiries of an informal nature, and provide details of the interests of the University, University’s publications. Any member of the public may (d) the University has such other functions as are contact the Marketing and Public Affairs Office by telephoning conferred or imposed on it by or under this or (02) 6773 3333. any other Act. Office hours are from 9.00am—5.00pm Monday to Friday. Contact

(4) The functions of the University may be exercised can also be made by mail. Correspondence should be addressed to the Director, Marketing and Public Affairs. within or outside the State, including outside Australia. Information about the University is contained in the University’s Handbook and the Annual Report, which are published annually. The Handbook contains The University of New England Act; the

76 The University of New England By-laws; a list of degrees, diplomas and certificates offered; The kind of documents the University holds principal officers and staff of the University; members of the Documents held by the University are located in the Records University Council and Academic Board and specific information Management Office, central administration, faculties, schools about the institution. The Annual Report lists all the University’s and departments. Many of these documents may be accessed major activities, statistics, financial statements, services and through the University’s home web page at http://www.une. community involvement. edu.au/ and most UNE policies are available via the Policy web page at http://www.une.edu.au/rmo/policies/. The University of New England Handbook may be purchased for the price of $12.00. Mail orders may be sent direct to the These include the University-wide plans, academic policies, United Campus Bookshops, Madgwick Building, University academic governance policies, research related policies, of New England, Armidale NSW 2351 and should include the consulting and outside earnings policies, equity related postage and packing charge: $8.50 within Australia (for policies, library policies, the UNE Web Policy, personnel policies, overseas and special services, Australia Post charges apply IT and communications policies, finance related policies, on weight of 1-2 kg). Orders may also be placed at www.ucb. Facilities Management policies, Workplace Risk Management net.au. Copies of the University of New England Handbook policies and Freedom of Information Policy. are also held in Dixson Library, and the Records Management The minutes and agendas of the open sessions of The University Office, The University of New England. of New England Council are accessible to the public (either in the libraries or by application to the Secretary to Council). Any member of the public can influence policy formulation or These are also available to the staff and students of The change by: University of New England via the Office of the Secretariat’s n becoming a member of the relevant committee that is homepage at http://www.une.edu.au/offsect/. responsible for policy formulation and change; or The Vice-Chancellor’s Unit holds agendas and minutes from n approaching the chair of the relevant committee and the Vice-Chancellor’s committees and the Equal Employment through them seeking to change policy; or Opportunity Committee. n applying to the Vice-Chancellor in writing, requesting that The Office of the Secretariat holds agendas and minutes from a certain matter be raised or a policy be changed. the UNE Council and its committees, the Academic Board and Note: Members of the University community may attend the its committees and some university committees. Academic open sessions of the meetings of UNE Council as observers. Board minutes and agenda are also available to the staff and The various committees of the University are listed in the students of the University via the Office of the Secretariat’s University Handbook. homepage at http://www.une.edu.au/offsect/.

Annual Report 2005 77 The agendas and minutes of other university committees are Vice-Chancellor’s Unit - correspondence. held in the administrative area responsible for serving the Records Management Office - student records; records on particular committee: for example, the agenda and minutes of administration; correspondence; minutes of committees, the meetings of the Space Management Committee are held in the office of Facilities Management Services. Minutes and including those of the UNE Council and Academic Board; agendas of meetings of faculties and research centres are held policy files; research grant information; legal files and lease in the office of the appropriate Dean of the Faculty or the agreements; FOI records. Director of the Research Centre. Academic Division Reports Residences – resident files, correspondence, financial records. The University of New England produces a number of reports that University Library – copies of Council and Academic Board include details of operations and may include financial statements. Business Papers. The Annual Report is produced every year to summarise the previous year’s operations—in academic, financial and general Teaching and Learning Centre - administrative material and terms. Likewise, reports are produced by the Equity Office, files on individual external students containing information Research Services, Counselling Service, Sports UNE, residential regarding academic progress. colleges and various research centres. Copies of reports may be obtained by approaching the relevant office or organisation. International Division International Marketing and Pathways – correspondence; Files agreements. Files are the major method of documentation in which English Language and International Services – information is recorded and are held in a number of locations. correspondence; student records; training programs. Faculties - course files; individual departments; attendance in Entrepreneurial Office – correspondence; agreements. classes and practicals; applications for special examinations; applications for extensions for written and practical work; UNE Asia Centre – correspondence. examination results; higher degree progress report forms; UNE Brisbane Centre - student records; correspondence. order of merit lists for prizes and scholarships; show cause lists; graduation identification listings; research proposals and Research Division grants; correspondence; faculty committees and their members. Research Services - records relating to research grants and Academic Schools - student files;course information; some contracts; research ethics records on humans and animals; records publications; assessment records; past examination results; relating to the administration of PhD candidature and postgraduate routine administration materials; correspondence. scholarships and advice to external supervisors and examiners.

78 The University of New England Development Office: Alumni Relations and Fundraising and Office of the University Lawyer - correspondence. Industry and Community Development - records relating Office of the Secretariat - rules for conduct of elections for to alumni of the University, fundraising, consultancies and members of UNE Council; rules for the use of the University seal and community liaison matters. arms; standing orders for UNE Council; UNE Council policies, terms of reference and membership of UNE Council committees; minutes Resources Division of UNE Council and its committees, constitution of the Academic Facilities Management Services – policies; correspondence; Board, minutes of the Academic Board and its committees. plans. Services UNE, Sports UNE, UNE Students’ Association, UNE Financial Services – financial records; correspondence. Postgraduate Association - records relating to administration; membership; accounts and budget papers; constitutions Human Resource Services - files on individual staff members and regulations; agenda and minutes and membership of relating to their employment history at the University; specific committees; inventories; staff records; annual reports; policy and working files and the functions managed by Human correspondence; research documents; and details of elections Resource Services (Equity, Industrial Relations, Organisational and referenda. Development, Personnel Services, Workplace Risk Management). Student Health - records relating to medical histories; Information Technology – correspondence, IT maintenance purchasing; administration; and general correspondence. records, reports, plans and procedures. Yarm Gwanga - records; correspondence; minutes of the Internal Auditor’s Office – correspondence; compliance and Advisory Committee meetings; individual client files. audit records. Newsletters Marketing and Public Affairs – publicity records; marketing There are a number of newsletters published as an information plans and policies; events records; correspondence. service for the University communities. Ten editions are published per year of the University’s official newsletter, Student Administration and Services - records on selection Smith’s, which is also available online for university staff and criteria; correspondence; and general student administration; students. The University of New England Students’ Association records relating to academic progress of students; examination produces a newspaper Neucleus at irregular intervals and the results; examination timetables; details of examination venues University of New England Postgraduate Association produces and supervisors; records relating to agendas and minutes of a magazine titled Graduate Post four times per year, which is committees; biographical data of clients; records of counselling distributed to postgraduate students and is available from the sessions; administration; annual reports; inventories; and UNEPA Office on campus. The Alumni Office producesThe Flame, general correspondence. which is posted out to alumni once a year.

Annual Report 2005 79 Information and advertising brochures Manager, Records Management Office The University produces a number of informative brochures. The University of New England General information about the University can be obtained from Armidale NSW 2351 the University Handbook, or from the Marketing and Public Telephone (02) 6773 2140 Affairs Office. Student Administration and Services and some individual faculties, schools and departments have publications Personal records available which contain more specific details on courses, The University holds files on all its staff and students. No prerequisites and enrolment procedures for students. The Freedom of Information application is necessary if an individual wishes to access their own personal files, except when they Teaching and Learning Centre and the Faculties hold leaflets include documents which may be considered exempt under the and handouts pertaining to off-campus students. International Freedom of Information Act 1989 (NSW). Requests for access Marketing and Pathways hold comprehensive brochures on all to a student file should be directed to the Manager, Records courses available to overseas students and various publications Management Office, while a request for access to a staff file designed to assist such students. All these are available free of should be directed to Human Resource Services. The Manager, charge upon application to the appropriate department. Records Management Office, reserves the right not to release documents without a request for access under Freedom of How members of the public may access and amend University Information. If an applicant is dissatisfied with the response to documents an enquiry, then a formal application should be made under the It is policy that, as far as possible, the University aims to Freedom of Information Act. obviate the need for formal applications to be made under the Freedom of Information Act. There is no charge for Applications under the Freedom of Information Act access to documents outside the Freedom of Information Applications under the FOI Act may be for access to information Act. Enquiries about access to documents should be made or to seek amendment to personal records. directly to the relevant department during office hours (normally 9.00am to 5.00pm). How to lodge an application All applications under the Freedom of Information Act must be Policy Documents in writing, accompanied by an application fee and directed to: Anyone wishing to inspect specific university policy documents Freedom of Information Officer may do so by prior arrangements with the Manager, Records Office of the Secretariat Management Office. Unless a formal application for access to, The University of New England or amendment of, documents is made under the Freedom of Armidale NSW 2351 Information Act, enquiries should be directed to: A table of the relevant fees is contained below.

80 The University of New England Processing of applications Total processed 1 2 3 Under the Freedom of Information Act the University must Unfinished 0 0 0 respond to all applications within 21 days. In addition to (Carried forward) the application fee a processing charge may also be levied, SECTION B What happened to completed requests? although every effort will be made to minimise the cost Result of FOI Request Personal Other of processing an application. If the applicant feels that Granted in full 0 2 the processing charges are unreasonable the fees may be Granted in part 1 0 challenged. The right to challenge is not abrogated if the Refused 0 0 charges are paid; this allows the applicant to proceed with the Deferred 0 0 enquiry pending the outcome of the challenge. Completed 0 2

Schedule of charges SECTION C Ministerial Certificates Nature of application fee Application processing charge Ministerial Certificates issued 0 Access to records by natural $20* $30/hour after persons about their first 20 hours* SECTION D Formal consultations personal affairs Issued Total All other requests $30* $30/hour* Number of requests requiring Internal review*** $20* Nil** formal consultation(s) 1 1 Amendment of records Nil Nil SECTION E Amendment of personal records * Subject to 50 per cent reduction for financial hardship and public interest reasons. Result of Amendment Request Total ** Refunds may apply as a result of successful internal reviews and Result of amendment – agreed 0 applications for amendment of records. *** No application fees may be charged for internal reviews in relation Result of amendment – refused 0 to amendment of records. Total 0

SECTION F Notation of personal records FOI STATISTICS – NSW Freedom of Information Act, 1989 Number of requests for notation 0 SECTION A Numbers of new FOI requests FOI requests Personal Other Total SECTION G FOI requests granted in part or refused New 1 2 3 Basis of disallowing Personal Other Brought forward 0 0 0 or restricting access Total to be processed 1 2 3 Section 19 {application Completed 2 1 3 incomplete, wrongly directed} 0 0 Transferred out 0 0 0 Section 22 {deposit not paid} 0 0 Withdrawn 0 0 0 Section 25(1)(a1)

Annual Report 2005 81 {diversion of resources} 0 0 SECTION K Processing Time Section 25(1)(a) {exempt} 1 0 Processing Hours Personal Other Section 25(1)(b),(c),(d) 0-10 hrs 0 2 {otherwise available} 0 0 11-20 hrs 1 0 Section 28(1)(b) 21-40 hrs 0 0 {Documents not held} 0 0 Over 40hrs 0 0 Section 24(2) {deemed refused, over 21 days} 0 0 Totals 1 2 Section 31(4) {released to Medical Practitioner} 0 0 SECTION L Review and Appeals Totals 1 0 Number of internal reviews finalised 1 Number of Ombudsman reviews finalised 0 SECTION H Costs and fees of requests processed Number of District court appeals finalised 0 Assessed FOI Fees Costs Received Details of Internal Review Results All completed requests $80 $80 Bases of Internal Review Personal Other Grounds On Which Upheld Varied Upheld Varied SECTION I discounts allowed Internal Varied Access refused 0 0 0 0 Type of Discount Allowed Personal Other Deferred 0 0 0 0 Public interest 0 0 Exempt matter 0 1 0 0 Financial hardship – Pensioner/Child 0 0 Unreasonable charges 0 0 0 0 Financial hardship – Non profit organization 0 0 Charge unreasonably incurred 0 0 0 0 Totals 0 0 Amendment refused 0 0 0 0 Significant correction of personal records 0 0 Totals 0 1 0 0 All enquiries under the Freedom of Information Act must be SECTION J days to process directed to: Elapsed Time Personal Other Freedom of Information Officer Office of the Secretariat 0-21 days 0 2 The University of New England 22-35 days 0 0 Armidale NSW 2351 Over 35 days 1 0 Total 1 2

82 The University of New England Statistics

Statistics at a glance

Total number of students (persons) at UNE (between 1 January, 2005 and 31 December, 2005)

Domestic students 16,803 International students 1,758 Total 8,561

Students commencing an award course 6,180 Graduates 3,345 Staff numbers

Academic staff 500 Administrative and support staff 832 Total ,332

Total revenue ($m) Consolidated 189.1

UNE parent entity 172.3

Annual Report 2005 83 Students in 2005*

Armidale Other Centres Total External Internal Course Type Higher Degree Research 441 297 26 764 Postgraduate Coursework 3,547 171 649 4,367 Undergraduate 9,271 3,173 737 13,181 Non-award and other 213 35 1 249

Funding Source Research Training Scheme 404 209 18 631 Operating Grant 10,886 3,118 145 14,149 Domestic Fee 1,764 45 58 1,867 International Fee 272 299 1,191 1,762 Other 146 5 1 152

Attendance Full-time 2,994 3,397 929 7,320 Part-time 10,478 279 484 11,241

Students who commenced an award course 4,197 1,443 540 6,180

Gender Female 8,508 2,147 623 11,278 Male 4,964 1,529 790 7,283

Residency Status Domestic Resident 13,198 3,379 226 16,803 International Student 274 297 1,187 1,758

Source of Students (home address at enrolment) New England and NW NSW 1,272 1,436 4 2,712 NSW North Coast 1,117 681 18 1,816 Sydney 2,995 230 79 3,304 Remainder of NSW 3,083 799 29 3,911 Southern Queensland 1,033 87 6 1,126 Brisbane 761 49 22 832 Remainder of Queensland 319 30 1 350 Other States and Territories 2,233 81 81 2,395 Overseas (Domestic) 402 12 8 422 Overseas (International) 257 271 1,165 1,693

Age Profile Under 21 437 1,593 84 2,114 21–24 1,786 1,298 485 3,569 25 and Over 11,249 785 844 12,878

Total Students at 31 December, 2005 3,472 3,676 1,413 18,561 Total Students at 31 August, 2004 3,586 3,758 1,519 18,863

* reporting year January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005

84 The University of New England Load by faculty at 31 December 2005 Coursework Higher Degree Total Undergraduate Postgraduate Research

Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) Classics, History and Religion 455.6 48.5 28.4 532.5 English, Communication and Theatre 546.8 16.8 11.4 575.0 Human and Environmental Studies 279.6 88.9 11.0 379.5 Languages, Cultures and Linguistics 373.3 90.9 10.1 474.3 Music 97.1 0.9 2.3 100.3 Psychology 354.6 31.1 10.5 396.3 Social Science 539.5 33.6 25.6 598.6 Arts - General 5.6 0.7 - 6.2 Faculty Total 2,652.1 311.3 99.2 3,062.6

Economics, Business and Law (EBL) Economics 439.0 71.8 20.1 530.9 Law 849.1 56.2 5.6 910.9 New England Business School 626.8 288.7 18.6 934.1 EBL - General 3.3 0.2 - 3.5 Faculty Total 1,918.2 416.8 44.4 ,379.4

Education, Health and Professional Studies (EHPS) Education 939.7 286.3 46.9 1,272.9 Health 387.5 160.8 34.6 582.8 Practice Teaching/Practicum 185.7 30.6 - 216.3 Professional Development and Leadership 417.4 126.2 60.4 604.0 EHPS - General 0.5 - 0.1 0.6 Faculty Total 1,930.8 603.8 142.0 ,676.6

The Sciences Biological, Biomedical and Molecular Sciences 370.9 3.3 26.9 401.1 Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management 262.5 44.4 57.5 364.4 Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science 335.5 274.6 10.7 620.8 Rural Science and Agriculture 185.7 22.6 63.2 271.5 The Sciences—General 5.1 5.1 - 10.2 Faculty Total 1,159.7 350.0 158.3 ,668.0

Centres Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit - - 5.5 5.5 Asia Centre - - 0.8 0.8 Centre for Ecological Economics and Water Policy Research - - 9.0 9.0 Institute for Rural Futures - - 2.6 2.6 National Marine Science Centre - 0.3 1.1 1.3 Oorala Centre 13.8 - - 13.8 Teaching and Learning Centre - - 1.0 1.0 Centres Total 13.8 0.3 20.0 34.0

Load by funding source Publicly funded 7,067.0 686.4 368.2 8,121.5 Domestic Fee 124.1 485.6 7.5 617.2 International Fee 450.4 509.0 85.4 1,044.8 Non-award and Other 33.1 1.3 2.8 37.1

Total Load at 31 December 2005 7,674.6 1,682.2 463.8 9,820.6

Total Load at 31 August 2004 7,890.7 1,706.7 456.6 0,054.0 Note: Rounding errors may occur

Annual Report 2005 85 Staff at 31 March 2005

Staff in faculties and centres

Female Male Total Professor (E) 9 39 48 Associate Professor (D) 16 54 70 Senior Lecturer (C) 46 75 121 Lecturer (B) 89 99 188 Tutor (A) 36 27 63 Total academic in faculties and centres 1 6 4 490

Senior administrative/technical 12 28 44 Administrative/technical 127 56 183 Total in faculties and centres 335 378 3

Staff in management, administration and support sections

Female Male Total Executive and Deans 2 7 9 Senior Managers 5 5 10 Academic 7 2 9 Management/Senior administrative and technical 52 66 118 Administrative and technical 288 185 473 Total 354 65 619

UNE Total at 31 March 2005 689 643 1,332

UNE Total at 31 March 2004 655 646 ,301

Financial year ending 31 December 2005 2004 005 $m $m Total revenue (excluding controlled entities)** 168.9 172.3 Government core resources* Operating grant including capital 52.9 50.4 research training scheme 8.7 8.5 institutional grant for research 3.7 3.6 research infrastructure 2.0 2.2 other operating resources 3.8 2.4 capital development pool 2.2 1.3

Government core resources as percentage of total revenue 43.4% ? Other income HECS contributed by students 36.6 36.7 domestic student tuition fees 5.6 5.8 international student fees 11.5 12.2 external income for research programs 15.2 16.7 consultancies 1.0 0.7

Income from all other sources includes student residences fees, other fees for services and other income not directly derived from academic activities.

*The figures for Government core resources reflect the annual grant amounts as advised. These can be reconciled to the

86 The University of New England Annual Report 2005 87