2006 Annual Report Shows the Graduation Parade As It Left RMIT’S La Trobe Street Campus on the Morning of 13 December

2006 COVER IMAGE: Graduation Parade 20006 photo by David Glanz David by 20006 photo Parade Graduation IMAGE: COVER Report of the RMIT Council for the period 1 January to 31 December 2005 To the Honourable Lynne Kosky MP Minister for Education and Training It gives me great pleasure, on behalf of the Council of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, to submit the Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2005, in pursuance of the provisions of the Financial Management Act 1984, the Tertiary Education Act 1993 and relevant decisions of the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee of Parliament. Council delegated approval for the Chancellor to approve the Annual Report on its behalf. The Chancellor approved the report on 12 April 2006. Professor R Dennis Gibson AO Chancellor 12 April 2006 Contents Introduction Chancellor’s Statement 5 Vice-Chancellor’s Statement 6 A Platform for the Future 8 Statistical Snapshot 12 About RMIT 13 Review of Activities Our Students 16 Our People 19 Our Alumni 21 Academic Life 22 Research & Innovation 25 A Global University 28 Industry and Community Engagement 32 Business 34 Design and Social Context 36 Science, Engineering and Technology 38 Pathways for success 40 Buildings & Campus Environment 42 Governance Governance 46 Senior Officers 50 Organisational Chart 52 Compliance Management 52 Risk Management and Internal Audit 54 RMIT Subsidiaries 54 RMIT Associated Entities 56 Consultancies 2006 59 Glossary 59 Financial Statements Declarations 64 Auditor General’s Report 65 Operating Statement 67 Balance Sheet 68 Statement of Changes in Equity 69 Cash Flow Statement 70 Margund Sallowsky, Narelle Browne, Mark Buttigieg, Daga Mikolaj, David Glanz, John O’Meara. Glanz, David Mikolaj, Daga Mark Buttigieg, Browne, Narelle Sallowsky, Margund List of Contents of Financial Statements 71 Notes to Financial Statements 72 Balance Sheet for the Year 2006 - 2002 inclusive 111 Income Statement for the Year 2006 - 2002 inclusive 112 Photo Credits: Credits: Photo Compliance Index 60 Organisational Chart Meltech Services Ltd The organisational summary on the Meltech Services Ltd, limited by guarantee following page provides a graphical and not having a share capital, was representation of the management structure established in 1975 as a company for the of RMIT as at 31 December 2006. Up-to-date RMIT Union. It did not trade in 2006. versions of the organisational summary are available on RMIT’s website. RMIT Foundation The RMIT Foundation was established in 1994 to receive philanthropic gifts and donations made to RMIT University for both specified and unspecified purposes. The RMIT Foundation is managed by a board of trustees whose actions are governed by a trust deed ratified by the Parliament of Victoria. The deed makes the trustees responsible for the prudent management of the funds they invest and manage on behalf of RMIT University. A trusteeship is an honorary appointment which reflects the trustees’ professional acumen and standing. At the end of 2006 the RMIT Foundation had $11. 97 million of net assets, an increase of $3. 12 million over the 2005 result. This increase was derived from the healthy performance of the managed investments and those gifts, donations and benefactions received by the Foundation. A detailed financial report of the RMIT Foundation is provided to the Auditor-General of Victoria each year, in the form of an annual report. As a wholly owned entity of RMIT University, RMIT Foundation’s financial performance is integrated into the financial reporting of the University. In 2006 the RMIT Foundation disbursed $600,000 in the form of scholarships, research grants, international visiting fellowship grants, awards and prizes to individual students, research units and Schools of RMIT. These funds facilitate international engagement across disciplines within RMIT and create enduring institution-to-institution alliances at a national and international level. 2 available on the RMIT web site at www. rmit. Introduction edu. au/fs/schedules. Chancellary statements Fees and Charges In 2006, there were no significant changes to the level of fees charged to students by the University. Tuition Fees In 2006, average domestic non- government funded fees increased by 4. 6%. International onshore student fees were increased by 3. 6% on average. Tuition fees charged to State Government-funded VET students were increased from $1. 28 per student contact hour to $1. 31 per student contact hour, as per Ministerial guidelines. Compulsory Non-Academic Fees As a consequence of the introduction of Voluntary Student Unionism legislation with effect from 1 July 2006, the Compulsory Non-Academic Fee charged to HE domestic and international HE and TAFE students and the Student Services and Administration Fees charged to local TAFE students was not levied after that date. The charges for January to June 2006 were increased over those applying in 2005 as set out below. The Compulsory Non-Academic Fee charged to HE international students increased by 2. 9%. Student Services and Administration Fees charged to local TAFE students increased by 5. 3%. The amount of compulsory non-academic fees collected by the University from students and prospective students during the year ended 31 December 2006 is shown in Note 47[check to final version] to the annual financial statements of the University. The note also shows the purpose for which the University distributed those fees and the amounts of money made City campus Annual Report 2006 3 Extract from the RMIT Act 1992 Objects of RMIT Objects of the University The objects of the University include - (a) the development of an institution with excellence in teaching, training, scholarship, research, consultancy, community service and other educational services and products, with emphasis on technology and its development, impact and application; (b) the provision of a multi-level system of post-secondary education programs relevant to the needs of the community covering a wide range of fields and levels from basic trade to post-doctoral studies with provision for recognition of prior learning and flexibility of transition between programs; (c) the provision of high quality educational, research, residential, commercial, cultural, social, recreational, sporting and other facilities; (d) the advancement of knowledge and its practical application by research and other means, the dissemination by various means of the outcomes of research and the commercial exploitation of the results of such research; (da) to promote critical enquiry within the university and in the general community; (e) the participation in commercial ventures and activities; (f) the fostering of the general welfare and development of all enrolled students; (g) the conferring of prescribed degrees and the granting of prescribed diplomas, certificates and other awards; (h) the provision of opportunities for development and further training for staff of the University; (i) the development and provision of educational, cultural, professional, technical and vocational services to the community and in particular the fostering of participation in a university of technology of persons living or working in the northern metropolitan region of Melbourne; (j) the provision of programs, products and services in ways that take account of the principles of equity and social justice; (k) the maintenance of close interaction with industry and the community and the development of associations or agreements with any other educational, commercial, governmental or other institution; (l) the development of a strong international dimension to the University’s teaching, research, consultancy, development, service and other activities; (m) generally the development and operation of a university providing appropriate academic and other programs, courses of study, educational products and research activity such as the Council considers necessary for the attainment of the foregoing within Victoria and elsewhere. 4 Introduction Chancellor’s Statement Professor Margaret Gardner’s first full year of leadership of the University was marked by many achievements in teaching and research, continuing improvement in financial performance and the implementation and enhancement of administrative systems. These achievements provided solid evidence that the strategic plan, RMIT 2010: Designing the Future, had been widely accepted within the University and by our many supporters. In particular RMIT’s recommitment, endorsed by Council, to the provision of high-quality, practically focused education and training with a focus on industry engagement and cross-sector initiatives received strong internal and external support. The University’s successful year was based on the hard work and commitment of all staff and students and a growing culture of collaborative work. The successful 2006 financial performance will enable the University to begin an expanded infrastructure program to enhance future teaching and research activities. I would like to thank all members of RMIT Council for their hard work and support during the year. Jenny Varcoe-Cox, a member of seven years’ standing, who served as Deputy Chancellor in 2006, decided to retire. She has made a valuable contribution to RMIT’s work in many ways, including chairing and serving as a member of Council standing committees, selection panels and review groups as well as providing wise counsel on membership Professor and governance issues. Garth Lampe, a member of Council for four

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