Annual Report 2003 *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 1

Report of the RMIT Council ...... 2

RMIT in 2003 Chancellor’s Statement ...... 3

Vice-Chancellor’s Statement ...... 4

RMIT 101 ...... 6 2 RMIT at a Glance ...... 9

Business ...... 10 Academic 12 Review Science, Engineering and Technology ...... Design and Social Context ...... 16 10 Teaching and Learning ...... 20

Research and Innovation ...... 26 Students, Global RMIT University ...... 30 Staff and Working with the Community ...... 34

Communities Our People ...... 36 22 Buildings and Environment ...... 40

Social Sustainability ...... 43

Sustainability Environmental Sustainability ...... 45 at RMIT Financial Sustainability ...... 46 42 Sustainability Through Governance ...... 47

University Council ...... 50

Corporate Senior Officers ...... 53 Governance Controlled Entities ...... 56 50 Goals and Targets for 2004 ...... 60 *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 2

Report of the RMIT Council

for the period January 1 – December 31 , 2003

2 To the Honourable Lynne Kosky MP,

3 Minister for Education and Training 0 0 2 t

n 2003 In pursuance of the provisions of the Financial

T i Management Act 1984, the Tertiary Education Act por 1993 and relevant decisions of the Public Accounts RMI

al re and Estimates Committee of Parliament, the Council

nu of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) has the honour to transmit to you t an its Annual Report for the year ending December 31, rmi 2003. Council delegated approval for the Chancellor to approve the Annual Report on its behalf on March 1, 2004. The Chancellor approved the report on April 1, 2004.

Professor Dennis Gibson AO Chancellor April 1, 2004 *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 3 Chancellor’s Statement

2003 has been a challenging The University Council faced a A number of new members joined 3

and rewarding year for RMIT. significant task in overseeing the the Council in 2003, and these people RMI rmi

implementation of the University’s bring fresh talent, enthusiasm and t an T i

Strategic Plan and measures to ensure a commitment to the RMIT mission: the n 2003 sustainable RMIT, while also responding provision of high quality work-related nu to a number of external inquiries and education and research that reflects the al re audits, including the Auditor-General’s needs and aspirations of the por review of RMIT’s finances. community. t

I am pleased to report that RMIT I have greatly enjoyed my first year 2 0

ended 2003 in a stronger position than as Chancellor of RMIT. I have enjoyed 0 3 it was in at the start of the year. We seeing first-hand the passion and have achieved our budget and creativity of RMIT staff and students operational targets, while at the same across the TAFE and higher education time helping our students to achieve sectors, and I am confident that we are excellent outcomes and continuing our well positioned to make a leading improved research performance. We contribution to the development of the have responded positively to all of the knowledge-based economy, in Victoria Auditor-General’s recommendations, and globally. strengthening the financial and governance structures of the university. In 2003, RMIT also completed a review of the university’s property portfolio, with a view to making the best use of its physical assets. Council has endorsed a strategy with two main Professor Dennis Gibson ao objectives: firstly, to consolidate the City Chancellor Campus around the top end of Swanston St to create a strong, well- supported student precinct. Secondly, we will use resources freed up by the property review to ensure better facilities for RMIT students across all of our campuses. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 4 Vice-Chancellor’s Statement

4 2003 has been a year of We have confronted substantial These strategies are all about

3 consolidation and positioning challenges, both internal and external, providing a platform for the real work of 0

0 RMIT for growth. while at the same time achieving RMIT: high quality education, 2 t

n 2003 significant outcomes in teaching, scholarship and research. In 2003, staff

T i research, scholarship, and engagement and students continued to shine in a por with industry and the community more number of arenas, including: RMI

al re generally. • Three State Training Awards and one

nu We started the year with some clear National Training Award to RMIT TAFE: objectives: The Koorie Community Leadership t an • positioning the university for re- Program, which won the National rmi implementation of the Academic Australian Training Initiative Award, is Management System (AMS); based on a partnership between • stabilising our financial management Victorian Aboriginal Community systems; and Services Association Ltd (VACSL) and • achieving budget targets. RMIT and is a strong example of These were high priorities and we TAFE/higher education collaboration have delivered on all fronts thanks to with communities. the combined efforts of Council, staff • Improved research performance: 2003 and management. saw significant increases in higher Our final operating result for 2003 degree student completions and the represents a substantial turn-around number of research publications for RMIT. We have met our financial across the university. Following the targets, and done so without relying outstanding increase in success in on asset sales. Just as importantly, we 2002 in Australian Research Council have retired debt and our cash (ARC) Discovery Grants, RMIT’s position is strong. researchers have maintained this In 2003, Council approved a plan to strong performance in 2003. This re-implement the AMS, which is now renewed engagement has flowed underway. While we still have some through to RMIT participation in the way to go, we have achieved significant ARC Linkage Grants Scheme – a big improvements in data quality and the increase in quality assured timely issuing of information to applications in 2003, with a success students. The result is greater efficiency rate above the national average. RMIT and better service, as reflected in researchers have also, for the first improvements in student satisfaction time, secured funding for a National with the university’s administrative Health and Medical Research Council systems over the past 12 months. Centre of Excellence. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 5

• International success: RMIT was One of the key themes of RMIT’s As public funding declines and 5

commended in the Governor of Strategic Plan to 2006 is dissolving the communities and students are asked to RMI rmi

Victoria’s Export Awards 2003; and boundaries between disciplines, and pay more, the social contract between t an T i

won the Austrade-AustCham Export between the university and the universities and the community will n 2003 Award for Business Excellence in community. Internally, we are fostering underpin their survival. We must nu Singapore. In Vietnam, RMIT interdisciplinary research and teaching understand who our stakeholders are, al re International University Vietnam won and dissolving internal barriers to and identify what they want and need. por the business innovation category at collaboration. In 2003 we implemented Through delivering on those t

the 2003 Australian Business Awards a new structure in which schools are expectations, we build our strength as a 2 0

and was the inaugural winner of the positioned as the fundamental building knowledge resource, and fuel 0 3 Golden Dragon Prize for foreign- blocks of the university. The elimination innovation – the generation of new invested businesses. of the faculties has meant the removal ideas and their take-up by people. • Commendations from the Australian of one layer of administration, and we In 2004, for example, we hope to Universities Quality Agency for the are now in the process of simplifying advance that strategy through our strength of RMIT’s work-integrated service provision across the university to partnerships in regional Victoria and learning, and for the passion and ensure a better focus on our core overseas, and through initiatives such commitment of our staff. academic activities. as our participation in the City of Like other higher education and TAFE Externally, dissolving the boundaries Melbourne’s `student city’ project, and institutions, however, we face means building our engagement with the launch of the Observatory PASCAL. continuing challenges in our external the community, including through The latter is a website involving environment. The Commonwealth industry and regional partnerships. This partnerships between universities Government’s reforms of higher is a key role for RMIT as we move around the world to allow users, mainly education, culminating in the passage forward, and central to the future of in local and regional government, to of the Higher Education Support Act in higher education institutions more access details of the latest global December, reflect a push towards generally. Universities have always had developments in social capital and competition and specialisation. The a critical role in responding to the learning regions in the new economy. impact of the SARS virus and community’s need for people with the Many more examples of the subsequent avian flu outbreak also necessary skills, expertise and attributes innovative spirit and expert knowledge served as a timely reminder of the to contribute to social and economic that fuels RMIT can be found in the uncertainties we face working across development. This is more important pages of this Annual Report. I am national borders. than ever as we move into a confident that we have the resources, knowledge-based economy where our the will, and the energy to thrive and economic wealth and social cohesion contribute to this complex and rests on the capabilities of our people. changing world. Never have the values embodied in RMIT’s historic identity as the `Working Men’s College’ been more relevant.

Professor Ruth Dunkin Vice-Chancellor *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 6 RMIT 101

6 Vision Objectives, Powers, Functions and Duties Key Achievements 2003 3 Making a difference through 0

0 education, research and innovation. RMIT’s operational goals, approaches • Record 58,078 student 2 t

n 2003 and targets are contained on page 60 enrolments.

T i Mission of this report. • Higher Education (HE) and por • To provide professional and vocational The Royal Melbourne Institute of Vocational Education and RMI

al re education and training to individuals Technology Act 1992 sets out a number Training (VET) enrolments above

nu and enterprises on a regional and of overarching objectives for the targets. international basis. university, which are to: • No. 1 in VTAC first preference t an • To provide outcome-related research • develop an institution with excellence applications for VET and HE. rmi and consultancy services that address in teaching, training, scholarship, • Strong research performance real-world issues. research, consultancy, community continued. service and other educational services, • Net operating surplus of $31.5 Values with emphasis on technological million. The values that will characterise development, impact and application; • Graduate employment rates RMIT as a service organisation, and will • provide the provision of education above national averages. be embraced by both staff and students programs relevant to community • New academic structure of the university, are: needs covering a wide range of fields introduced. • client focus; and levels from basic trade to post- • New Chancellor appointed. • quality processes; doctoral studies with provision for • practicality and relevance; recognition of prior learning and • global imagination; flexibility of transition between • cultural diversity; programs; • foster the general welfare and • fairness to all; • provide high quality educational, development of enrolled students; • innovation and enterprise; research, residential, commercial, • confer prescribed degrees and grant • environmental care; cultural, social, recreational, sporting prescribed diplomas, certificates and • learning and personal growth; and other facilities; other awards; • ethical behaviour and responsibility; and • advance knowledge and its practical • provide opportunities for staff • technological/professional orientation. application by research and other development and further training; means; to disseminate the outcomes • develop and provide educational, of research; and to commercially cultural, professional, technical and exploit the results of such research; vocational services to the community • participate in commercial ventures and, in particular, to foster and activities; participation by persons living or working in the northern metropolitan region of Melbourne; • provide programs, products and services in ways that take account of the principles of equity and social justice; *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 7

Bowen Street, City campus

• maintain close interaction with Hundreds of thousands of students Standing 7

industry and the community and the and staff members have passed With more than 58,000 students, RMI rmi

development of associations or through RMIT over the years. Through RMIT is one of the largest universities in t an T i

agreements with any other four name changes, the institution Australia and by far the largest dual- n 2003 educational, commercial, grew physically, amalgamating with sector (TAFE and higher education) nu governmental or other institution; other institutions and expanding its institution in the country. In 2003, for al re • develop a strong international own premises. the third year in a row, RMIT recorded por dimension to the university’s RMIT was granted university status more first-preference program t

teaching, research, consultancy, under the Royal Melbourne Institute of applications than any other university 2 0

development, service and other Technology Act 1992, on July 1, 1992, in Victoria. 0 3 activities; and generally when it also merged with the Phillip This popularity was also maintained • develop and operate a university Institute of Technology. with international students during the providing appropriate academic and Today, RMIT has major campuses in year. The university has one of the other programs, courses of study, the Melbourne central business district, largest international student cohorts in educational products and research and at Brunswick and Bundoora in the Australia and maintained this in 2003 activity such as the University Council city’s northern suburbs. University sites despite the worldwide impact of the considers necessary for the are also located at Hamilton and East SARS virus. attainment of the foregoing within Gippsland in regional Victoria. RMIT Research performance also rose Victoria and elsewhere. International University Vietnam significantly in 2003 with RMIT leading operates a campus in Ho Chi Minh City the Australian Technology Network Origins and is in the process of building two (ATN) for both the number of RMIT University grew from the additional campuses in Vietnam. Australian Research Council (ARC) Working Men’s College, which opened The university is responsible to the grants won and the number of in La Trobe St, Melbourne in 1887. The Victorian Minister for Education and research graduates produced. college was established to provide Training, The Hon. Lynne Kosky. trades and technical training to the men and (despite the name) women of Enrolments 1887 – present the colony. The initial enrolment of 200 grew 70 five-fold over the first ten years. New 60 courses were added and facilities built to 50 (,000)

cater for the growing student demand ts 40 and changing technologies. It is, of 30

course, a process that has never stopped. Studen 20 10 0 1887 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2003 Year

Notes: The large increase in students between 1990 and 2000 is partly attributable to amalgamations with Phillip Institute of Technology; the Melbourne College of Decoration and Design; the Melbourne College of Printing and Graphic Arts; and the Melbourne Institute of Textiles. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 8

RMIT 101

Awards RMIT’s programs incorporate a TAFE (VET) Awards Higher Education Awards particular focus on design and Certificate I Bachelor Degree technology. The university’s dual- Certificate II Graduate Diploma sector structure means students can Certificate III Masters Degree progress right through from Certificate IV Doctorate apprenticeship and traineeship Diploma training to doctorate programs at the Advanced Diploma one institution. Smooth articulation arrangements between Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Higher Education (HE) programs have proved very popular with students.

Teaching Disciplines Maintaining its traditional Broad program areas strengths in vocational and professional • Aerospace and Aviation • Engineering and related education, RMIT has also established a • Architecture, Building and Planning technologies strong reputation in specialist areas • Art and Design • Environment including engineering, business, media, • Business • Health Sciences architecture, the arts and life sciences. • Communication • Hospitality and Tourism The university is also at the forefront of • Community and Welfare • Humanities, Social Sciences and 8 newly emerging spheres including • Computers and Information Systems Legal Studies

3 biotechnology and sustainability. • Education • Manufacturing and Processing 0

0 Approximately 650 HE and 340 VET • Science and Mathematics 2 t

n 2003 programs were offered at RMIT in 2003. T i por RMI

al re University Alliances

nu The university is a member of the Australian Technology Network (ATN), a t an coalition of five universities that share a rmi heritage of working with industry and a united vision to provide career-driven, technology oriented education for tomorrow’s leaders. We are also a partner in Open Learning Australia, which develops and delivers accredited online and distance education programs at TAFE, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 9

RMIT at a Glance 1999 – 2003

Category 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

Numbers of Students 1 53,217 55,515 55,596 57,243 58,078 Female 25,168 26,514 26,873 27,898 28,241 Male 28,049 29,001 28,723 29,345 29,837 Higher Education (HE) 30,498 31,604 32,988 34,725 35,203 Vocational Education and Training (VET) 22,719 23,911 22,609 22,518 22,875

HE Student Load by course level (EFTSU) 2 24,176 25,162 26,054 27,468 27,381 Postgraduate - Research 1,020 1,131 1,155 1,151 1,130 Postgraduate - Coursework 3,055 3,260 3,649 4,113 4,205 Undergraduate 20,005 20,671 21,141 22,009 21,786 Cross-institution Programs 96 98 112 195 259

VET Student Load by Broad Course Level (SCH) 3 8,532,340 8,277,756 8,024,342 8,606,090 8,394,521 AQF 5-6 (eg. Advanced Diploma, Diploma, and above) N/A 4,880,586 4,941,797 5,392,816 4,991,926 AQF 3-4 (eg. Certificates III and IV ) N/A 2,204,015 2,201,738 2,447,794 2,705,556 AQF 1-2 (eg. Certifcates I and II and below) N/A 1,193,154 880,807 765,480 697,039

Completions 10,402 10,883 10,874 12,569 Higher Degree by Research 273 206 187 225 Available Postgraduate - Coursework 1,584 1,630 1,724 1,816 June 2004 Undergraduate 4,651 5,097 4,957 5,786 VET incl. MIT Students 3,894 3,950 4,006 4,742 9 RMI rmi

Higher Degree Research (HDR) Activity t an T i

HDR Students (Enrolments) 1 1,432 1,468 1,725 1,717 1,691 n 2003 HDR Student Load (EFTSU) 2 1,021 1,132 1,155 1,151 1,130 nu HDR Completions 273 206 187 225 al re Available DEST Weighted Publications 549 473 470 713 June 2004 por DEST Research Income ($m) 17 18 19 20 t 2 0

Graduate Outcomes 4 0 3 % of HE graduates in full-time employment 5 84 87 86 83 82 % of HE graduates in full time further study 18 20 17 20 20 % of HE graduates in enterprise formation 4 4 5 6 5 % of VET graduates in employment 75 79 77 78 78 % of VET graduates in further study 37 38 38 42 44 % of VET employed graduates in enterprise formation 6 6 5 7 5

Staff Numbers (FTE) 6 3,007 3,122 3,264 3,405 3,455 Teaching and Research 1,402 1,336 1,369 1,435 1,435 Research Only 56 171 161 148 155 General 1,550 1,615 1,733 1,823 1,865

Operating Revenue ($m) 7 401.5 428.0 445.3 481.4 525.7 Commonwealth Government assistance (excl HECS) 122.9 110.3 115.1 120.7 129.5 Victorian Government assistance 59.4 55.1 58.2 65.9 67.2 Higher Education Contribution Scheme 58.5 59.7 61.8 61.3 69.4 Postgraduate Education Loan Scheme N/A N/A N/A 5.3 8.2 Tuition fees and charges 117.0 130.7 145.3 160.1 162.3 Consultancy and contract research 11.9 12.4 13.8 17.6 17.7 Other revenue 31.7 59.8 51.0 50.5 71.3

Net Assets ($’000s) 8 821,619 835,928 880,731 875,988 938,809

Prepared by Planning Group, RMIT 1 - As at March 31 (HE) and December 31 (VET) (program enrolments). Notes: Rounding errors may apply 2 - As at August 31 (excludes Foundation Studies). EFTSU – Equivalent Full-Time Student Unit 3 - As at December 31. SCH – Student Contact Hours 4 - Some graduates may be included in more than one activity. FTE – Full-Time Equivalent 5 - Based on those available for full-time employment; all domestic bachelor graduates only. MIT – Melbourne Institute of Textiles 6 - As at September 30: excludes casual staff. 7 - RMIT Annual Report. 8 - Net assets exclude controlled entities. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 10 Academic Review

– Business

10 RMIT has established a strong New and Amended Programs Popular Programs

3 reputation for the quality of its business To stay relevant, RMIT Business meets Business programs are among the 0 ew 0 i qualifications. RMIT Business is focused new and emerging industry needs by most popular in the university with the 2 v

t on preparing students with the skills adapting existing curriculum, RMIT accountancy, marketing and they will need to enter the workplace or developing entirely new programs, or international trade programs placing por enhance their career and give them the offering an existing program in a new high on VTAC first-preference ranking

al re personal, management and leadership location. Each program offered at RMIT scales. Measured by the number of Academic Re nu skills to succeed. is formally reviewed every three years enrolments, higher-demand programs The portfolio maintains close and the curriculum updated as required. with the highest student t an industry links, keeping abreast of the The task of liaising with industry and concentrations in 2003 were: rmi changing needs of employers and monitoring trends, however, is a • the Advanced Diploma of Accounting; developing or adjusting educational continuous one. • the Advanced Diploma of Business programs to meet them. In 2003 the Business Portfolio made (Legal Practice); Business students also gain real a number of changes to existing • the Bachelor of Business workplace experience through RMIT’s programs to reflect shifting industry (Accountancy); cooperative education program. Under requirements. The changes ranged • the Bachelor of Business (International the scheme, students take a year out of from minor curriculum updates and the Business); and their formal academic programs to inclusion of new courses within • the Bachelor of Business (Marketing). work full-time in industry, returning the programs, to more extensive renewals following year to RMIT to complete and program name changes. Portfolio Structure their studies. Program renewals in 2003 included: RMIT made much progress in 2003 The result of this career • the Bachelor of Business (Information with the Academic Portfolio enhancement strategy is that RMIT Management) (renewed and renamed Implementation Project, which aims to business graduates find themselves in the Bachelor of Business (Information dissolve the boundaries to cross- high demand both in Australia and and Knowledge Management)); university collaboration and remove around the world. Employers value • the Bachelor of Business (Hospitality) unnecessary complexity. RMIT graduates because they have and Bachelor of Business (Tourism); The new portfolio structure was industry work experience and the skills • the Master of Business (Logistics officially implemented on January 1, to hit the ground running. Management) and Master of Business 2004. In the Business Portfolio, this More than 18,700 students were enrolled (Marketing); and resulted in the introduction of a single in the Business Portfolio in 2003. • the advanced diplomas of School of TAFE to deliver TAFE programs international trade; marketing; and across the portfolio and a Graduate advertising. School to deliver MBA and DBA A number of Australian-based programs in 2004. business programs were also introduced For a complete organisational chart see overseas to cater for growing demand page 54. from international students. RMIT’s highly regarded MBA program was introduced at RMIT Vietnam and the Malaysian Institute of Management, while the Bachelor of Business (International Business), Master of Commerce and Master of Business (Logistics Management) were introduced at the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Trade. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 11

Business students in RMIT’s Financial Markets Trading Simulator. Picture: James Morgan.

Teaching areas 11

Accounting and Law Business Information Economics and Finance Management Marketing Academic Re rmi

• Accounting Technology • Insurance • Business Administration • Marketing t an • Commerce • Information • Economics • Business Management • Property • Legal Practice Management • Finance • Entrepreneurship • Hospitality nu • Business Information • Banking • Tourism al re v i

Systems • Financial Planning • Transport ew por • E-Business • Logistics t 2 0 0 3

Research Business Portfolio researchers began work on five innovative ARC-funded linkage research projects in 2003. Each project involved at least one industry partner, which also contributed direct financial and in-kind assistance to the research. In addition, researchers won several ARC Discovery and ARC Linkage grants for projects to begin in 2004. For more information on research at RMIT see page 26.

2003 ARC-Funded Research Projects Industry Partner Liquidity measurement and risk management in the Midwine Consulting Australian insurance industry. A best-practice supply-chain model for exporting Australia’s Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment fresh produce to global retailers in Thailand. Censored regression techniques for credit scoring. BPN Consulting ANZ Bank Valuations and business models for biotechnology companies. BioDiem (Cross-portfolio project.) Sustainability innovation in outer-suburban housing City West Water developments. (Cross-portfolio project.) Origin Energy Melbourne Water Building Commission Urban and Regional Land Corporation *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 12 Academic Review

– Science, Engineering and Technology

12 The Science, Engineering and New and Amended Programs Many existing programs were also

3 Technology (SET) Portfolio is at the The Bachelor of Engineering (Civil reviewed and refreshed as part of 0 ew 0 i cutting-edge of science and technical and Infrastructure Engineering) was RMIT’s program renewal scheme. The 2 v

t education in Australia. RMIT is introduced in July 2003 and adopts a university is focused on keeping abreast committed to best-practice in project-based teaching approach, of technological and industrial por traditional teaching areas such as providing students with practical advances, and this task is even more

al re mechanical and civil engineering, but is exposure to the whole life cycle of vital in hi-tech areas where the pace of Academic Re nu also adapting and expanding its focus infrastructure projects. change is rapid. on emerging areas of science and Responding to industry and student Program renewals included: t an technology including complementary demand, a Master of Applied Science • dual-award programs in applied rmi medicine, biotechnology and web (Chinese Herbal Medicine), the first in physics/languages and applied technology. Australia, was introduced in second physics/professional writing RMIT has also made a strong semester. Its introduction has added to (renewed); commitment to science education in the widespread recognition of RMIT • the Bachelor of Applied Science general and in 2003 took part in a being one of Australia’s leading Chinese (Complementary Medicine) range of exciting initiatives to involve medicine teaching organisations. (chiropractic stream added); primary and secondary-age students in Reflecting RMIT’s commitment to • the Bachelor of Applied Science science. These included an innovative keeping pace with technological (Biotechnology and Biomedical peer tutor program, which placed change, three new programs were Sciences) (discipline streams volunteer RMIT students in over 50 developed during 2003 for introduction expanded); metropolitan and country schools to in 2004 including: • the Master of Applied Science support learning in science; hosting • the Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical and Health Physics) (revised events as part of National Science (Nanotechnology); to meet the requirements of the Week; welcoming secondary students • the Bachelor of Environmental Australasian College of Physical to RMIT as part of the Siemens Science Science; and Scientists and Engineers in Medicine Experience; and giving CSIRO Student • the Bachelor of Environmental training program). Research Scheme scholarship winners Science/Bachelor of Social Science Internationally the portfolio the chance to work with talented RMIT (Environment). expanded its offerings through delivery scientists. of teaching programs to Africa – More than 19,200 students were enrolled through the African Virtual University – in SET Portfolio programs in 2003. Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 13

Aurora, the RMIT-supported solar-powered car, finished runner-up in the 3000km World Solar Challenge in October.

Teaching Areas 13

Aerospace, Mechanical Applied Sciences Civil and Chemical Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Academic Re rmi

and Manufacturing • Chemistry Engineering Information Technology Engineering t an Engineering • Physics • Civil • Computer Science • Communication • Aerospace • Biotechnology • Chemical • Software Engineering Engineering nu • Automotive • Environmental Biology • Natural Resources • Web and Internet • Control Systems al re v i

• Aviation • Food Science Technology • Systems Software ew por • Manufacturing • Networks t

• Mechanical 2 0 0 3

Health Sciences Infrastructure, Life and Physical Mathematical and Medical Sciences • Complementary Medicine Electrotechnology and Sciences (VET) Geospatial Sciences • Human Movement • Nursing Building Services (VET) • Applied and • Mathematics • Medical Radiations • Psychology • Infrastructure Technology Environmental Sciences • Statistics • Laboratory Medicine • Disability Studies • Telecommuni-cations • Health and Biosciences • Surveying • Electrotechnology • Geomatics

Popular Programs Portfolio Structure Overall student demand increased in Much work occurred within the SET 2003. Measured by the number of portfolio during 2003 to finalise a new enrolments, higher-demand programs structure under the RMIT Academic with the highest student Portfolio Implementation Project. The concentrations in 2003 were: SET Portfolio combines the former • the Bachelor of Nursing; faculties of Applied Science, Engineering • the Bachelor of Applied Science and Life Sciences. Under the new (Computer Science); structure, 10 new teaching schools in • the Master of Technology the portfolio replace the former 18 (Computing); schools and departments. This • the Advanced Diploma of Computer structure was implemented on January Science; and 1, 2004. • the Advanced Diploma of Engineering For a complete organisational chart see Technology. page 54. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 14

14 3 0 ew 0 i 2 v t por al re Academic Re nu t an rmi *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 15

Academic Review—SET

Research SET Portfolio researchers commenced 26 research projects in 2003 that may eventually provide benefits for diverse groups ranging from miners and rural families to mobile phone users and Olympic athletes. Research income has grown steadily since 1998, reaching a record $16.5 million in 2003 from a range of sources including ARC and National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) grants and the RMIT research investment program, Virtual Research and Innovation Institutes. For more information on research at RMIT see page 26.

2003 ARC-Funded Research Projects Industry Partner A study of high-temperature transformation of oil shale – Southern Pacific Petroleum N.L in-situ mineral reactions and structure analysis. Modelling for optimisation and scale-up of the multilayer Amcor Research and Technology Centre blown film process. Subspecies distribution and virulence of streptococcus uberis. Vet Bioresearch Pty Ltd New high-resolution radiation does mapping of special type Radiation Oncology Victoria polymer-gel dosimeters using mini-MRI scanner of high (4.7 Tesla) magnetic field. Comparison of interventions for families from rural Department of Human Services communities who have a child with an intellectual disability Victorian Parenting Centre and problem behaviour. Accurate calibration and interpretation of airborne AMIRA International electromagnetic data. Application and evaluation of new phase-change materials in Australian Institute of Sport textiles for minimisation of heat stress in elite athletes. Economical particleboard production from hardwood sawmill Dormit Pty Ltd 15

waste for domestic and industrial applications. Academic Re rmi

Influence of electromagnetic emissions from mobile phones Telstra Research Labs t an on nervous function in the human brain and heart. In-vivo assessment of radiation dose from inhalation of ARPANSA nu radioactive dust in the mining and milling of radioactive ores. al re v i

Open-agent architectures for intelligent distributed Bureau of Meteorology ew por decision-making. Agent Oriented Software t

An intelligent system for pre-mission analysis of helicopter Air Ambulance, Victoria 2 0

emergency medical services. 0 3 Improving the continuous copper converting process using Technological Resources Pty Ltd ferrous calcium silicate slags. Designing a scalable and robust infrastructure for highly APAK Entertainment Pty Ltd dynamic web services. Optimisation of compact boiling heat exchangers using an Dynamics Energy Technologies Pty Ltd artificial neural network. Valuations and business models for biotechnology companies. BioDiem (Cross-portfolio project.) Sustainability innovation in outer-suburban housing City West Water; Origin Energy; Melbourne Water developments. (Cross-portfolio project.) Building Commission; Urban and Regional Land Corporation

2003 ARC-Funded Discovery Research Projects Discipline Sharing complex systems information by challenging the Spatial Information Architecture orthodoxies of linear presentation. Computer Science Airborne electromagnetic estimation of groundwater quality Applied Physics and distribution in the top 100 metres of the earth. New enantiomeric separation technologies for natural product, Applied Chemistry pharmaceuticals and environmental pollutant characterisation. Applied Chemistry Investigating mineral alteration and infilling of discontinuities Natural Resources Engineering in naturally deformed rocks as a guide to rock mass rheology. Dynamic load balancing for systems under heavy traffic Computer Science and Information Technology demand and high task size variation. Remote delivery and capture of payloads using aerial Aerospace Engineering deployed tethers. Fast and scalable search techniques for genomic databases. Computer Science and Information Technology The development of feed-forward mechanisms of motor Psychology and Disability Studies control: the role of efference copy in motor skill development. Efficient and effective text information retrieval with phrases. Computer Science and Information Technology

2003 NH&MRC-Funded Projects Study on nitrergic mechanisms. Medical Sciences A novel role for skeletal muscle. Medical Sciences

RMIT introduced Australia’s first postgraduate degree in Chinese herbal medicine in July. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 16 Academic Review

– Design and Social Context

16 The Design and Social Context New and Amended Programs Portfolio Structure

3 (DSC) Portfolio produces graduates that Program renewal in the DSC The Portfolio contains the former 0 ew 0 i help shape, interpret and give context Portfolio is driven by changing faculties of Art, Design and 2 v

t to the world we live in. Across the technologies, industry expectations and Communication; The Constructed portfolio, excellence in teaching and teaching and educational approaches. Environment; and Education, Language por learning is a constant. As a result, RMIT Each program is evaluated every three and Community Services. As part of the

al re produces some of Australia’s finest years and renewed where required to Academic Portfolio Implementation Academic Re nu journalists, filmmakers, architects and maintain currency and relevance. This Project, major tasks in 2003 included fashion designers. The 2003 Victorian process involves consultation with establishing the new school structure t an Young Teacher of the Year is a recent industry, staff and students. within the portfolio; creating a Portfolio rmi RMIT graduate, as was the 2003 Programs renewed in 2003 included Office; streamlining support services Australian Young Businesswoman of the Bachelor of Communication; the across the three campuses; and the the Year and the world champion in the Bachelor of Design; the Bachelor of development of new governance graphic design category at the elite Education; and the Bachelor of Fine structures. Under the new structure 10 International Worldskills 2003 Arts. In addition, a number of new teaching schools replace the 14 in the competition. programs were developed during the former faculty structure. The portfolio’s environment, year for introduction in 2003 or 2004. For a complete organisational chart see construction and education streams These included: page 54. have been noted for their strength and • the Master of Creative Media; teaching approach. The photography • the Master of Media Production; industry body has voted RMIT’s • the Bachelor of Business (Graphic photography program Australia’s best Technology)/Associate Degree in for the past three years. Graphic Technology; Many of the disciplines taught in the • the Bachelor of Justice and Legal DSC Portfolio complement niche Studies; industries. Quality is the university’s • the Bachelor of Multimedia; and goal. The emphasis is on giving • the Graduate Diploma in Textile students the hands-on practical skills Manufacturing Operations. they will need in their professions, supplemented by underpinning Popular Programs theoretical knowledge. Measured by the number of Just under 19,300 students were enrolled enrolments, higher-demand programs in DSC Portfolio in 2003. with the highest student concentrations in 2003 were: • the Bachelor of Architecture; • the Bachelor of Education; • the Master of Arts (Communication Studies); • the Advanced Diploma of Multimedia; and • VCE Units 3 and 4. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 17

Furniture designed by RMIT students on display at the prestigious Milan Furniture Fair in Italy.

Teaching Areas 17

Applied Art and Culture Architecture and Built Environment Creative Media Education Academic Re rmi

Communication • Visual Arts Design • Building Design • Virtual • School and Early t an • Advertising • Fine Arts • Architecture • Furniture Design Communication Childhood Education • Journalism • Media Arts • Industrial Design • Interior Decoration • Photography • Industry, Professional nu • Media Studies • Interior Design and Design • Screen and Adult Education al re v i

• Public Relations • Landscape • Multimedia • Access and ew por Architecture Preparatory Studies t 2 0 0 3 Fashion and Textiles Graphic Technology International and Property, Social Science and • Fashion • Printing Community Studies Construction and Planning • Textile Design • Graphic Arts • Justice and Youth Project Management • Environment Studies • Construction • Planning • Language and Management • Social Work International Studies • Property • Social and • Project Management Community Services

Promotional material for the Open Family produced by RMIT’s student design consultancy, The Works. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 18

Academic Review—DSC

Research Refugees, international trade, mathematics teaching and globalism were all subjects of interest for portfolio researchers in 2003. Ten projects commenced during the year, four undertaken in collaboration with industry partners. The portfolio also received ARC grants of more than $800,000 for projects to commence in 2004. For more information on research at RMIT see page 26.

2003 ARC-funded research projects Industry Partner Ethnographies of housing: exploring the role of housing Department of Human Services officers in public housing service provision. The wellbeing of communities: cultural activities, social health VicHealth- Victorian Health Promotion Foundation and community sustainability. Sustainability innovation in outer-suburban housing City West Water developments. (Cross-portfolio project.) Origin Energy Melbourne Water Building Commission Urban and Regional Land Corporation Scaffolding numeracy in the middle years: an investigation of a Department of Education and Training new assessment-guided approach to teaching mathematics Tasmanian Department of Education using authentic assessment tasks.

2003 ARC-funded discovery research projects Discipline Australian responses to refugees 1901-2005. Language and International Studies Violence at the intersections of globalism, nationalism and Language and International Studies 18 tribalism.

3 The other welfare state: the non-government welfare sector in Social Science and Planning 0 ew 0 i Victoria 1945-1995. 2 v

t International student mobility and educational innovation: Language and International Studies Chinese students and the internationalisation of Australian por and American universities.

al re Debating the impact of international trade agreements on Language and International Studies Academic Re nu trans-national higher education: a comparative study of Australia, Malaysia, Canada and Greece. t an Biotechnology across the borders of life: stem cell technology Language and International Studies rmi and global medical exchange.

Design work by RMIT fashion students is modelled on the runway. Picture: Vito Vampatella. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 19

Academic Review

insert pic

19 section rmi t an nu ti tle al re por t 2 0 0 3 *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 20 Teaching and Learning

RMIT focuses on developing graduate capability through innovative curriculum design.

20 The university ensures that Teaching Quality Key Achievements 2003 3 its programs and courses continue to RMIT ensures its academic programs 0 ew 0 i meet the changing needs of students remain current and relevant through • Teaching and Learning Strategy 2 v

t and industry. the Curriculum Innovation and 2003-2006 finalised. We want our students to be leaders Development (CID) group, which was • 15% rise in program completions. por in their professions, vocations and formed in 2003 to support the • Graduate outcomes remain

al re communities, locally, nationally and development of new programs and the above national averages. Academic Re nu internationally. To do this, we must renewal of existing programs. ensure that our curriculum, teaching A key feature of this process is t an methods and facilities represent best extensive consultation with internal rmi practice. and external stakeholders. For each Innovative curriculum outcomes this program, focus groups, interviews work is helping to create include: Teaching and Learning Strategy and/or surveys of employers, • a simulated furniture factory RMIT’s Teaching and Learning professional groups, alumni and established for TAFE furniture Strategy 2003-2006 was finalised in students are conducted. These have production students to develop skills October and sets out the university’s proven valuable in revitalising and “industry readiness” in a “live” teaching and learning objectives, relationships with stakeholders, furniture production process; and priorities and targets for the next three initiating opportunities for collaborative • an online learning portal where years. Key objectives include: work with industry and determining students in the Bachelor of • optimising graduate employment; the needs and opinions of different International Studies can meet and • ensuring graduate capability; stakeholders. discuss projects. This received very • improving teaching quality; Professional developmentfor positive evaluations from students at • ensuring the viability of our academic and teaching staff for all levels of the program. educational profile; and relevant aspects of teaching and • enhancing organisational capability. learning practice is embedded in each As detailed in the strategy, RMIT’s development. goals over the next three-years are: In 2003 CID supported the • Graduate employment five per cent completion of 13 program-level projects above the national average by 2006. in HE and 34 in TAFE, with more than 20 • Graduates involved in enterprise quality-assured online course-level formation five per cent above the outcomes. Other information and national average by 2006. communication technology • Teaching quality better than the developments included: national (HE) and state (VET) averages • further testing of EnactED educational by 2006. software, a simple authoring tool that • Student completions five per cent over allows academics and teachers to the national average by 2006. create interactive, online learning • More than 80 per cent of programs experiences for their students; implementing a capability driven (HE) • contributing to the PUZ project, an or competency-based (VET) online staff development resource curriculum by 2006. utilising simulations for learning; and • participation in the sessional staff induction program. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 21

Program Completions and Program Completions 2001 2002* 21

Graduate Outcomes Higher Degree by Research 187 225 Academic Re rmi

RMIT University recorded an overall Postgraduate - Coursework 1,724 1,816 t an rise in program completions in 2002 of Undergraduate 4,957 5,786 15 per cent on the 2001 figure. (The VET incl. MIT 4,006 4,742 nu 2003 program completions statistics Total 10,874 12,569 al re v i

will be available in June 2004.) The * Latest available data. ew por biggest improvements were seen in the t

higher degree by research (20 per cent), Graduate Outcomes 2002 2003 2 0

and VET (19 per cent) cohorts. Graduate HE Graduates in Full-Time Employment* 83% 82% 0 3 activity levels remained relatively HE Graduates in Full-Time Further Study 20% 20% steady. HE Graduates in Enterprise Formation 6% 5% VET Graduates in Employment 78% 78% VET Graduates in Further Study 42% 44% VET Employed Graduates in Enterprise Formation 7% 5% Notes: Some graduates may be included in more than one activity. * Based on those available for full-time employment; all domestic bachelor graduates only

Teaching Facilities Libraries installed at four sites; more Facilities completed in 2003 Use of RMIT’s six library branches sophisticated printing/photocopying included: continued to grow in 2003. Access of systems installed at most sites; and • teaching spaces at The Royal Dental electronic resources from off-campus extension of the Bundoora East Library Hospital of Melbourne, which were rose by 33 per cent from 2002. The to accommodate the Aerospace opened in October. The hospital, in library is committed to providing Resource Centre collection. The partnership with RMIT and the information anytime, anywhere by commitment to supporting online University of Melbourne, will train increasing the quantity of e-resources study saw Learning Centre facilities nearly 1000 students each year to available, supporting the university’s upgraded to support increasing online become dentists, dental technicians, flexible learning options. Just under delivery of courseware and information dental therapists/hygienists, dental 24,000 new book and AV items were and wireless laptop computers made prosthetists and dental assistants. added to the collection in 2003. available for loan at the Business Library. • Buildings 56 and 57 (City Campus), which were refurbished. The buildings Library Statistics 2003 Services are used mainly for engineering and Loans 2.0 million Innovative service improvements telecommunications training, but also Visitors 2.1 million made in 2003 included an online contain student leisure areas and Online resources accessed 711,850 information desk – e-QUERY chat – provide a physical centre for City Research skills training sessions held 1199 which was trialled and evaluated; a Campus TAFE students. Total book and AV items 695,437 central e-Reserve service for the copying • a refurbished area at the Bundoora Serial titles 20,643 and transmission of electronic texts East Campus, which will house and other documents; and LIDDAS, an aerospace technology programs Facilities improved and automated inter-library moved from the Fishermans Bend site. Facilities upgrades were made across lending and document delivery service. For more information on buildings the library network. These included and physical infrastructure at RMIT see group discussion rooms installed in the page 40. Business Library; new self-lending units *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 22 Students

Our students lie at the very core of RMIT’s work. Their successes are the university’s successes. Their needs help shape our objectives and priorities. The quality of their “experience” at RMIT is one of the key ways we measure our performance.

22 Life at RMIT is not just about Student Services Key Achievements 2003 3 study. University is an experience to be RMIT is diversifying the way it es 0 0

ti enjoyed – a time to develop, both delivers student services in order to • Record student enrolments. 2 i n t professionally and personally. The reach more students. These delivery • Student needs better identified. u university endeavours to make the methods include workshops, activities, • Increased use of many student por mm

o study experience an enjoyable one for campaigns and online resources. In services. al re

d C all students and provides a wide range 2003, the university also successfully • Wide range of student facilities

nu of support services and avenues for trialled a scheme delivering in-class upgraded or developed. student feedback. workshops customised to students in t an aff an t

S particular academic programs. Overall , rmi

s Student Feedback use of most student services was t

n Since 1999 the Student Feedback Top higher than in 2002. Student Union de

u Ten Report has identified the top The RMIT Student Union celebrated t

S student concerns and positive Student Facilities its 59th year in 2003. All students perceptions of their experience at RMIT. Major student facilities constructed automatically become members on The university uses this research to or upgraded in 2003 included: enrolment. Governed by a committee develop improvement plans to address • Alumni Courtyard (City Campus), an of 37 elected students, the organisation: concerns. open, turfed and paved courtyard that • advises on student rights; Feedback for this report comes from opened in March and was built on the • provides entertainment, food and drink; a variety of channels including: site of the former police garage in • produces student media; • the Student Satisfaction Survey (TAFE); Russell St. • represents students on university • the Program Experience Survey (HE); • The main student caf area in Building committees; • the University Experience Survey (all 8 (City Campus), which was renovated • organises clubs and societies; and students); and remodelled. • campaigns on issues affecting students. • program and faculty feedback • The caf in Building 56/57 (City processes; Campus), which was also renovated. RMIT Union • complaints procedures; • The computer “barn” in Building 512 RMIT Union is the main student • staff-student consultative (Brunswick Campus), which is located service provider at RMIT and operates committees; and in the former International Fibre on all university campuses and sites. • student representatives on university Centre building. Established in 1968, the organisation’s boards and committees. brief is to meet RMIT’s social, cultural A range of projects commencing in and sporting needs. Today the RMIT 2003 will help RMIT better identify Union provides a host of services for student needs and develop appropriate members including tax and legal student services. Projects were advice, childcare assistance, copying developed to pilot new ways of working facilities, arts and sports facilities, and to further explore the key insurance, shops, cafeterias, lounges developmental stages of the life of a and kiosks. It is governed by an 18- student at the university: entry; student member board comprising elected learning; student experience; and exit students and staff. and re-entry. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 23

Student Services 2003

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Liaison Student Housing The ATSI Unit provided support for RMIT’s 163 indigenous The RMIT Housing Advisory Service provides information students in 2003, assisting with enrolments, deferments, and assistance on finding accommodation and offers a free Abstudy loans, scholarships, housing and tutorial assistance. tenancy service to assist students with leases, bonds, renting Counselling visits: 418 rights and responsibilities. Workshops: 6 Visits: 777 Workshops: 20

Counselling Student Information and Administration The counselling service provides individual counselling for Located on each campus,The Hub is the key point of contact students, group sessions on specialist topics such as coping for students enquiring about general and administrative matters. with anxiety or dealing with bereavements, and a student Student feedback collected in 2003 indicated strong support advocacy service. from those who attended workshops and sessions or used Visits: 6277 support services. Workshops: 17 Visits: 57,102 Workshops: 0

Learning Skills Student Finance The Learning Skills Unit provides assistance for students in The Financial Support service offers students advice on a 23

English language, study skills, maths, and science through wide range of financial issues including eligibility for loans, S rmi t u de individual and group sessions. scholarships, rural grants, education expenses, fee exemptions t an

Visits: 717 and waivers. It also provides information and advocacy on n t nu s

Workshops: 505 hours Youth Allowance, Austudy or other Centrelink benefits. , S al re

Visits: N/A t aff an Workshops: N/A por t d C 2 0 o 0 mm 3 Career Development and Employment (CD&E) International Student Assistance u

RMIT CD&E offers three distinct services: The Centre for International Students and Scholars n i • careers advice where students can explore, plan, and decide provides information, support and advisory services for the ti es on career directions; university’s international students. • an employment service, where students can search for jobs Counselling visits: 948 and turn career plans into employment outcomes; and Workshops: 180 • a recruitment service for employers. Visits: 1282 Workshops: 80

Disability Liaison Chaplaincy The Disability Liaison Unit supports students and staff with The RMIT Chaplaincy is a resource and drop-in centre disabilities at RMIT to reach their highest level of productivity. servicing all religious denominations and faiths offering This support can include providing specific supports or aids, or counselling, cross-cultural assistance and volunteer modifying a physical location to make a person with a community service programs. disability more comfortable. In 2003, 935 RMIT students Visits: N/A advised of disabilities. Workshops: N/A Visits: 1099 Workshops: 6

Health The RMIT Health Service offers a range of medical care and treatment to staff and students including medical testing, vaccinations, psychiatry, sports medicine and specialist referrals. It also runs health promotion educational events, coordinates first-aid training, and provides information and advice on occupational health and safety. Visits: 5927 Workshops: 5 *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 24

insert pic of students

24 3 0 tle 0 2 ti t on por sect al re nu t an rmi *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 25

Students

Academic Honours 2003 Enrolments 2001 2002 2003 Institute Awards (VET and HE) By Gender The Institute Awards are the highest Male 28,723 29,345 29,836 prizes for student achievement at RMIT. Female 29,873 27,898 28,242 They are granted annually to a student from each sector who has displayed By Citizenship/Status outstanding leadership potential and Australian/Permanent Resident 42,154 43,231 43,185 initiative, and an excellent academic International 13,442 14,012 14,893 record. 2003 winners: By Attendance/Mode • VET: Joelle Domingue (Advanced Full-time 27,071 29,652 29,579 Diploma in Myotherapy) Part-time 26,384 26,006 29,943 • HE: Nathan Johns (Bachelor of Distance/fully online 2141 1585 3556* Engineering (Chemical Engineering) Hons 1st class/Bachelor of Business By Program Level (Business Administration)). - Postgraduate Research 1725 1717 1691 - Postgraduate Coursework 6466 7337 7523 J. N. McNicol Prize - Undergraduate 24,496 25,671 25,989 This prize recognises a student with - AQF 5-6 (VET) 11,320 11,138 10,941 an outstanding academic record in an - AQF 3-4 (VET) 7208 7634 8,872 undergraduate degree who displays - AQF 1-2 (VET) 2,605 1870 1691 leadership potential and initiative. The - VCE/VCAL 542 797 549 award commemorates the late JN - Other 1234 1079 882 McNicol, who worked at the Working 25

Men’s College from 1886 to 1936. Total 55,596 57,243 58,078 S rmi t u de 2003 winner: t an

• Gabrielle Stannus (Bachelor of Social * From 2003, students granted full exemptions have been included in this category. This n t nu s

Science (Environment)). accounts for the rise from 2002. , S al re t aff an Patricia Guthrie Memorial Award por This prize is presented to an t d C

outstanding female student and is 2 0 o 0

assessed on academic excellence, social mm 3 awareness and involvement in u

community affairs. Patricia Guthrie n i joined RMIT in 1975 as a lecturer in ti es humanities and was the first woman to be appointed head of school at RMIT. 2003 winner: • Nina Ross (Bachelor of Arts (Media Studies)).

Beazley Award First awarded in 1913, the Beazley Award is presented to a student in an apprenticeship program demonstrating scholastic achievement and academic excellence, leadership, initiative and a commitment to quality. It is named after former Victorian parliamentarian William Beazley. 2003 dual winners: • Amber Jordan (Certificate IV in Dental Technology); and • Melanie Karwata (Certificate III in Furnishing Cabinet Making).

RMIT Brunswick Campus. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 26 Research and Innovation

In 2003 the university continued to improve performance in research income, ARC grants, higher degree completions and research publications.

26 The Australian Research Innovation Professors Key Achievements 2003 3 Council (ARC) awarded over $3 million in RMIT’s Innovation Professors es 0 0

ti grants in 2003 to RMIT for projects Program continued to strengthen in • Performance increases in all 2 i n t commencing in 2004 under its 2003 with the appointments of major indicators. u Discovery and Linkage funding Professor Paul Martin (Health • Large rise in income from por mm

o programs. Our industry and Psychology) and Professor Chris Triggle commercial research. al re

d C community partners on the new (Biotechnology). Professor Martin’s • Top of the ATN in ARC grants won

nu linkage projects will contribute an research covers a range of topics within and research graduates additional $1 million in funding for this clinical and health psychology, with a produced. t an aff an t $5 S research. particular focus on headaches, obesity • million invested into VRII , rmi

s Researchers from RMIT have also and postnatal depression. Professor program. t

n been awarded grant, fellowship and Triggle has over 30 years experience as de

u scholarship funding totalling more than a biomedical scientist and has t

S $1.4 million by the National Health and previously held senior academic Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) positions at Canadian universities and markets. The agreement follows 14 for projects to commence in 2004. roles within the pharmaceutical and years of DSTO-funded research in The most recent data available biotechnology industries. photonics at RMIT that has led to (2002) shows an 8 per cent increase in RMIT’s innovation professors are expertise in the design and fabrication research income, a 51 per cent increase internationally renowned in their areas of wide-bandwidth optical intensity in research publication output and a 21 of research and are charged with modulators. per cent increase in the number of PhD leading research in their fields at RMIT. and Masters-by-research completions The university has appointed eight Local and International compared with the previous year. innovation professors since the Research Partnerships program began in 2001. RMIT conducts a wide variety of Virtual Research and Innovation research projects in conjunction with Institutes Commercialisation and community organisations, educational RMIT’s areas of research strength Contracts institutions and industry partners. The have been grouped into four Virtual The university was also increasingly university is a participant in 11 Co- Research and Innovation Institutes successful in winning commercial operative Research Centres (CRCs) (VRIIs): research work. Around 300 research including the recently established CRCs • Globalisation; contracts were signed, valued at $15.1 for Bushfires; and Interaction Design. • Biotechnology; million. Average income per contract The university has a strong • Interactive Information; and was around $105,000, while the top 10 commitment to research in regional • Global Sustainability. contracts averaged around $530,000 Victoria, primarily through its Centre for These institutes have been created each. These figures built on the solid Rural and Regional Development at from networks of researchers across a performance of 2002 and are well up RMIT Hamilton and a new $4 million range of disciplines and serve as a on earlier years. Research and Education Centre on mechanism for leading and funding In one of the most significant Bullock Island in Lakes Entrance, research at RMIT. During 2003 the contracts, RMIT University and the Gippsland, which is set to open in 2004. university invested over $5 million in Defence Science and Technology funding for new projects under the VRIIs. Organisation (DSTO) signed a collaborative agreement to commercialise world-class optical modulator technology for the global defence and telecommunications *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 27

Victorian Minister for Education and Training Lynne Kosky (far left) at the RMIT Virtual Reality Centre.

The ARC has provided RMIT with seed to ensure high academic standards. has been the recipient of a large 27

funding to establish research networks A new model of research training for number of research grants from both S rmi t u de to link researchers across disciplinary, international students was developed in government and industry. t an

geographical and administrative 2003. The model focuses on solving For a full list of award winners see n t nu s

boundaries. Associate Professor Sabu social and economic problems and page 39. , S al re

John received funding in 2003 to issues relevant to the student’s home t aff an convene a network on biomachines and country. With sponsorship from the Comparative Research por Professor Paul James was funded to Atlantic Philanthropy Foundation, the Performance Against ATN t d C

convene a network to map and Masters-by-Research program took on The Australian Technology Network 2 0 o 0

understand sources of insecurity that its first group of students from Vietnam is comprised of RMIT University; Curtin mm 3 have come with the globalising of during the year. The group is University; University of Technology, u

violence and the war on terror. investigating projects in areas such as Sydney (UTS); Queensland University of n i food technology, water and the Technology (QUT); and the University of ti es International Research Links environment, and information South Australia. RMIT has experienced RMIT built on its activities at RMIT technology and telecommunications. a very strong increase in comparative International University Vietnam by research performance against its ATN developing new partnerships with Research Awards partners since 2000 including: Vietnamese scientific institutions and RMIT’s annual Research Awards • moving from 5th to equal 1st place for their researchers in 2003. These ceremony recognises the achievements the number of ARC grants won; partnerships will serve as the basis for of our research staff, students and their • moving from 3rd to equal 2nd for collaborative research projects for commercial partners over the past year. external research funding earned; Vietnamese and Australian staff and In 2003, the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for • clearly retaining 1st place for the students. Such efforts will increase the Sustainable Contribution to Research number of higher-degree-by-research many research collaborations and Excellence was awarded to Professor graduates; and exchanges currently involving RMIT Sati Bhattacharya, who first joined RMIT • moving from 5th to 2nd for the research staff and students with in 1975. Professor Bhattacharya has number of research publications institutions across the globe. published extensively in the field of produced. polymer processing and rheology and Research Links with Teaching and Learning During 2003 RMIT had just under 1700 higher-degree-by-research Number of ARC grants awarded 2000-2003 students. More than 1000 of these were part-time research students, many 35 RMIT undertaking research to enhance their 30 Curtin professional careers. RMIT’s Research ts 25 Training Group manages quality an 20 QUT reviews and monitoring of performance C gr 15 AR indicators for research training and 10 South Australia research degree processes. It has 5 conducted a number of research 0 UTS projects relating to improvement of the 2000 2001 2002 2003 research training environment and Year maintains an active supervisor Notes: The most complete data is for 2003 (grant rounds for 2004 not yet completed so registration and development program not included). Includes ARC Linkage and ARC Discovery Grants. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 28

Research and Innovation

Research Income 2000-2002* RMIT Research Centres Specialist centres established to concentrate 35 RMIT effort into building on existing or developing 30 research strengths. 25 Curtin

,000 20 • Centre for Advanced Technology in QUT 15 Telecommunications (CATT) $ ,000 10 South Australia • Centre for Applied Social Research 5 • Centre for Design at RMIT 0 UTS • Centre for Management Quality Research 2000 2001 2002 • Microelectronics and Materials Year Technology Centre • Rheology and Materials Processing * Most recent data available. Centre Notes: Data is from the DEST-Higher Education Data Collection (HERDC). Includes • Multimedia Database Systems externally funded research only. • Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre for Aerospace Design Technology

28 Partner Co-operative Research Centres (CRCs) 3 es 0 0

ti Higher Degree by Research Completions 2000-2002* CRCs involve researchers from universities, 2 i n t government and private industry to conduct u 350 RMIT long-term, collaborative research and por mm

o 300 development of substantial size and quality. Curtin al re 250 d C

nu 200 • CRC for Advanced Composite Structures QUT 150 • CRC for Australian Photonics ompletions t an aff an C t 100 S South Australia • CRC for Bushfires , rmi

s 50 • CRC for Australian Telecommunications t

n 0 UTS • CRC for Construction Innovation de 2000 2001 2002 u • CRC for Intelligent Manufacturing t

S Year Systems and Technologies • CRC for Interaction Design • CRC for Microtechnology * Most recent data available • CRC for Polymers Notes: Includes Masters by Research and PhD completions. • CRC for SMART Internet Technology • CRC for Water Quality and Treatment

Research Publications 2000-2002*

1,000 RMIT 900 800 Curtin 700 QUT 600

500 South Australia 400 300 UTS 2000 2001 2002 Year

* Most recent data available Notes: Data is from the DEST-HERDC. The fraction of the publication attributed to an author is counted and books are weighted according to DEST guidelines.

RMIT science research students. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 29

Researchbackground and pic Innovation

29 section rmi t an nu ti tle al re por t 2 0 0 3 *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 30 Global RMIT University

RMIT believes in creating a sense of global understanding for students and staff and developing partnerships and relationships with other institutions across the world.

30 RMIT has one of the highest International Student Recruitment Key Achievements 2003 3 international student intakes of any es 0 0

ti university in Australia, with International onshore enrolments at • Record international enrolments, 2 i n t international students making up RMIT continued to increase and reached 5% up on 2002. u around 25 per cent of the total student a record 9210 in 2003, a rise of 5 per • Groundbreaking ceremony for por mm

o body. This international focus helped cent on 2002. Of these, 4844 – or 53 per major RMIT Vietnam campus. al re

d C earn RMIT a five-star ranking for cent – were new students. Engineering • More than 600 RMIT students

nu cultural diversity and international was by far the most popular program in studying or working offshore. enrolments in the 2003 Good 2003, with international applications up • Four major international t an aff an t

S Universities Guide. 37 per cent compared with 2002. graduation ceremonies held. , rmi

s The university also received a The USA debuted in the top 10 t

n Business Excellence Award from the source countries for new international de

u Australian Trade Commission; an onshore students, replacing Japan. USA t

S Australian Chamber of Commerce student numbers grew by 39 per cent in RMIT contributed $1.62 million to (Singapore) Export Award; and a 2003. As a percentage of all new international and local student Commendation in the Governor of international students, Chinese student communities to fund new and ongoing Victoria Export Awards for its recruitment has risen from 8 per cent to scholarships and awards for international activities in 2003. 14 per cent of the total over the past international students in 2003. An RMIT engages internationally in three years. Overall, 75 per cent of new example was the tuition fee and living many ways: and returning international onshore allowance research scholarships, which • RMIT International recruits students came from the top 10 source funded seven students to the value of international students to study RMIT countries. approximately $32,000 each for the HE and VET programs in Australia. RMIT International staff attended standard duration of their RMIT • RMIT English Worldwide provides more than 40 trade fairs and program- programs. English language training to specific promotions in over 20 countries international students, both in throughout Asia, Europe and the Top ten source countries Australia and overseas, in partnership Americas. 1. India with local providers. 2. China • RMIT International University Vietnam 3. Indonesia (“RMIT Vietnam”) offers RMIT 4. Malaysia programs to local and international 5. Hong Kong students in Vietnam. 6. Singapore • RMIT programs are taught at partner 7. Thailand institutions in many countries, most 8.USA notably in Asia. Local and 9. Taiwan R.O.C international students can earn an 10. South Korea RMIT qualification. • Domestic RMIT students can travel overseas to partner institutions – and international students can travel to Vice-Chancellor Ruth Dunkin (far left) and RMIT Australia – to complete part of their Vietnam President Michael Mann (far right) with RMIT Vietnam students. programs under the Study Abroad and Student Exchange programs. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 31

The design for the new RMIT Vietnam campus in the South Saigon district of Ho Chi Minh City.

New Offshore Programs 2003 31

Program Location S rmi t u de Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) Vocational Training Centre, Hong Kong t an

Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) Vocational Training Centre, Hong Kong n t nu s

Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) Vocational Training Centre, Hong Kong , S al re

Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) Singapore Institute of Management t aff an Master of Business Administration RMIT International University Vietnam por Master of Business Administration Malaysian Institute of Management t d C

Master of Business Administration (Aviation Management) Air Transport Training College, Singapore 2 0 o 0

Master of Arts (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Capital Normal University, Beijing mm 3 Masters by Research (Business) Shanghai University of Finance and Economics u n i ti es Studying Abroad Travel grants, scholarships and Quality Assurance More than 600 RMIT students took government funding continued to RMIT continued to strengthen its part in overseas study or work provide a valuable source of quality assurance framework for placements during 2003, including encouragement and support to local international activities in 2003. exchange programs, clinical and work students wishing to undertake an Particular achievements included: placements, research projects and study international experience. In 2003, RMIT • the refining of the approval process tours. This was 15 per cent higher than helped more than 60 students to travel for offshore awards; in 2002. to a range of institutions in North • the implementation of a financial In addition, RMIT welcomed 421 America, Europe, Asia and the UK. transparency reporting project to inbound students – comprising 213 improve financial reporting for exchange students (non-fee-paying) Delivering Programs Offshore offshore award programs; and and 208 study abroad (fee-paying) More than 25 partner institutions in • the Offshore Online Infrastructure for students. Asia and Africa deliver RMIT programs Teaching and Learning Project, to RMIT’s International Industry to local and international students. assist academic staff to implement Experience and Research Program Enrolments in programs delivered in online activities offshore. continued to offer students unique China continued to grow – especially at The university is compliant with the opportunities to work abroad. In 2003, RMIT’s partner institution, the Shanghai Education Services for Overseas 135 RMIT students, mostly studying Institute of Foreign Trade – as did those Students Act 2000 and the National engineering or applied sciences, were at RMIT International University Code of Practice for Registration placed in organisations including Vietnam, which offered the RMIT MBA Authorities and Providers of Education Volkswagen, Airbus, Siemens, BMW course for the first time in 2003. and Training to Overseas Students. Group, Porsche and Bosch. The major RMIT conducted a number of multi- destination for students was Germany, partner graduation ceremonies for with a smaller number of placements in graduates of RMIT programs that studied the UK, US and Switzerland. at partner institutions in 2003. Seen as an integral component of RMIT’s work offshore, the university held ceremonies for more than 2000 graduands in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 32

insert pic

32 3 0 tle 0 2 ti t on por sect al re nu t an rmi *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 33

Global RMIT University

RMIT International University Working Worldwide Vietnam RMIT was also involved in a number Established in 2001, RMIT Vietnam is of other education projects around the the first fully foreign-owned university world in 2003. During 2004, RMIT in Vietnam. It teaches a range of computer science diploma and bachelor undergraduate and postgraduate programs will be offered in nine degree programs as well as short universities in Africa under a four-year courses and corporate training e-learning project with the African RMIT Vietnam postgraduate research students visit programs. The university occupies a Virtual University. the RMIT City Campus during a study tour to city-centre campus in Ho Chi Minh City In China, RMIT delivered flight Melbourne. and is building a large campus in the training programs to Hainan Airlines; Saigon South area of the same city. A customised MBA programs to the State dedicated English language campus Power Corporation of China; and an opened in February, while a second executive management training satellite campus opened in June. program to the Tainjin Municipal The year was one of considerable People’s Government. Other growth for RMIT Vietnam, with student commercial work included a trans- enrolments growing by 73 per cent to jurisdiction environmental 619 students. The English language management project with the Asian campus also experienced substantial Development Bank; and a finance and growth. A part-time MBA program was management professional development introduced in October, with an initial program in Liaoning Province. cohort comprising 16 students from RMIT implemented a capacity Australia, America, Singapore, Norway building program for the Forestry 33

and Vietnam. Authority in Papua New Guinea; S rmi t u de The groundbreaking ceremony for partnered the PNG National Research t an

the new campus building in Saigon Institute to design a “tracer study” for n t nu s

South was a major highlight of the year. the Australian Development , S al re

Stage one of the campus is set for Scholarship Program; and delivered t aff an completion in late 2004, with space for training programs for the PNG Forestry por 3000 students and staff. It will be one Authority and Department of Social t d C

of the most modern educational Welfare. 2 0 o 0

facilities in the region and is both In addition RMIT worked on a mm 3 environmentally sustainable and energy number of short-term consultancies in u

efficient. Indonesia and Pacific countries n i The university was again popular including Fiji, Samoa and Tuvalu. ti es with international visitors and welcomed delegations from the World Bank; the Asian Development Bank; the Australian Universities Quality Agency (as part of a wider audit of RMIT); the Vietnamese and Australian governments; and diplomatic delegations from Denmark and Ireland. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 34 Working with the Community

RMIT has a goal to be an active and valued member of the communities in which it operates. We concentrate these efforts in a number of key regions in Melbourne and rural Victoria.

34 Northern Metropolitan Inner City Region of Region of Melbourne Melbourne Key Achievements 2003 3 es 0 0

ti RMIT has developed many links with RMIT has a vast and diverse range of • Innovative support program for 2 i n t local government, education providers activity in the city and is a major refugees and asylum seekers u and industry groups in this region, contributor to the cultural, social and developed. por mm

o which includes the cities of Whittlesea, economic life of Melbourne. • RMIT Hamilton officially opened. al re

d C Moreland, Hume, Yarra, Darebin, • RMIT website redesigned.

nu Banyule and Nillumbik. We play an 2003 Highlights • Record attendance at Graduation active role in many local organisations • Opening up education to refugees Ceremony. t an aff an t

S and in the projects and programs that and asylum seekers through the RMIT , rmi

s develop from this collaboration. Refugee and Asylum Seeker Project. An t

n Open Day was held in November to de

u 2003 Highlights provide course advice and 10 fee-free RMIT Hamilton t

S • Continued delivery of the LearnLinks places were offered to refugees and RMIT Hamilton and its Research Centre Project, which links RMIT trainers with asylum seekers in 2004. for Regional and Rural Development are adult and community education • Providing safe and non-formal located in Hamilton, in western Victoria. providers to develop innovative training learning environments for young RMIT Hamilton is the university’s solutions in local communities. people and their families under the largest regional project, involving all • Helping to address low levels of whereveruni project run in partnership academic portfolios, a large community tertiary education and secondary with the Salvation Army, the Smith network, 32 schools, tertiary and other school completion through projects Family and Microsoft. adult education providers, 150 host including the Whittlesea Youth • Reaching young people not in families and most local businesses. Commitment; Local Learning and employment or education through Employment Networks; and the the Melbourne Youth Learning 2003 Highlights Northern Partnerships Program. The Opportunities program. • The official opening of the RMIT Linking Young People with Employment • Organising the Space Science Hamilton building renovations in April by and Training Project researched the Mentoring Project, where RMIT the Hon. John Brumby,Victorian Minister values of mentoring as a re- engineering students visit inner- for State and Regional Development and engagement strategy for young early- Melbourne primary schools to Minister for Innovation. Dr Margaret school-leavers, while the Northern demonstrate experiments in rocket Skene was appointed Head of RMIT Workplace Education Network science. In October, RMIT hosted a Hamilton in June. supported VET students in space science expo attended by more • Developing a business plan in undertaking local work placements. than 40 space researchers and 400 conjunction with the local community • Participation in the government’s secondary school students. for sustainable growth. Melbourne’s North - The Best for • Partnering the Smith Family in its • Providing funding for community- Business campaign. annual Christmas Book Appeal. More based research that will contribute to than 600 books were collected from the sustainable development of the RMIT collection points. Southern Grampians region through the Handbury Fellowship Awards and the Handbury Research Program. • Partnering local community projects including the Glenelg Southern Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network and the 10MMM youth project. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 35

East Gippsland Promotional activities RMIT University has been active in East While many areas of RMIT conduct individual events such as conferences, Gippsland since 1992 in partnership exhibitions and seminars, Marketing and Public Affairs manages major events with East Gippsland Institute of TAFE media relations, student recruitment and production of program and university (EGIT). EGIT now delivers part of the information. RMIT Bachelor of Commerce and Major university marketing activities in 2003 included: Bachelor of Nursing programs at its • Orientation Week (February); Sale campus. The RMIT research • the University Welcome for international students (March); program in East Gippsland is based on • the Official Opening of RMIT Hamilton (April); environmental issues in the lakes • the Honorary Awards Conferring Ceremony (May); system and the development of • Open Day (August); aquaculture in the region. • the Research Awards (August); • the Teaching Awards (September); 2003 Highlights • Postgraduate Month (October); • Continued construction of the • the Business Plan Competition Awards (October); and Research and Education Centre on • Graduation (December). Bullock Island. Joint management arrangements and contracts with EGIT The university also produced a large range of corporate publications in 2003 were also developed. Three including: postdoctoral research fellows were • Alumni News – www.alumni.rmit.edu.au/news/ appointed to work at the facility. • Annual Report 2002 – www.rmit.edu.au/about • Establishing a steering committee and • Brochures and handbooks – TAFE, bachelor degree and postgraduate programs working group to support and assist • RMIT Update, a weekly newsletter for RMIT staff – www.rmit.edu.au/news/rmitupdate in the planning, coordination and • Speakers Guide development of RMIT’s activities in • RMIT Experts Guide – www.whatson.rmit.edu.au/experts/ East Gippsland. • Openline staff newspaper – www.rmit.edu.au/news/openline 35

• Opening the new nursing laboratory • Promotional material for Open Day, student orientation and staff induction S rmi t u de at the EGIT Sale campus. • Schools Bulletin, a quarterly newsletter for secondary school careers teachers t an

• Facts and Figures 2004 n t nu s

• Student Diary , S al re

Other Regions and • Staff Diary t aff an Communities por RMIT activity is not restricted to key RMIT also redesigned part of its website (www.rmit.edu.au) during 2003. t d C

regions and priorities change Feedback has been extremely positive, with an average of about 45,000 hits per day 2 0 o 0

depending on need, aspiration, RMIT’s being recorded. mm 3 capacity to respond, and identified Copies of this report, as well as other printed and electronic publications, are u

benefits to partners. Other activity in available from: n i regional Victoria in 2003 included: Marketing and Public Affairs ti es • RMIT’s Learning Towns Project in the RMIT University Shire of Buloke, which brings RMIT GPO Box 2476V Melbourne students into the region Melbourne Vic 3001 through a community links study Telephone (+61 3) 9925 2717 program and supports research activity with the Birchip Cropping Group. social, cultural and economic Program enquiries • A similar community links program development in the context of The Office for Prospective Students is also operated in and around learning regions. the central source of program Shepparton, in north-central Victoria. • Partnership in the International information for the general public. In • RMIT continued to deliver TAFE Observatory PASCAL project, a strategic 2003, the office processed 41,000 engineering programs at the Army information-tracking and sharing telephone program enquiries, 38,000 Logistic Training Centre in Wodonga, in service about place management, email enquiries and 12,000 over-the- north-east Victoria. social capital and learning regions. counter program enquiries. • Involvement in the Clearing House project, which aims to provide a single Communities of Learning point of reference and advice on Community and regional engagement Victorian community building policy, is a subset of the broader themes of research and practical information. engagement and partnership, which • Working with communities in inform the university’s approach to Shepparton, Eaglehawk, Ballarat and teaching and research. “Communities” Collingwood under the Smith Family can include communities of learning, Community Learning Network Project practice, interest, profession, identity, (i.can.connect), which aims to improve and culture. the ways disadvantaged Victorians can learn, work and connect with 2003 Highlights others in their communities. • Developing the Australian link to CRITICAL (City Regions and Intelligent Territories: Inclusion, Competitiveness and Learning), a European Union research project aiming to understand *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 36 Our People

Any organisation is only as good as its people. We aim to attract, develop, and retain talented staff across the university, and provide a working environment that encourages client-focused performance.

36 Access and Equity Staff are bound by the university’s Key Achievements 2003 3 RMIT supports access and equity code of ethics and various other policies es 0 0

ti within the university through an intended to ensure that in the course of • Again selected as an Employer of 2 i n t individual case-management service their employment they: Choice for Women. u backed by associated policies that offer • act impartially; • 18 new adjunct professors por mm

o staff and students a safe and • act with integrity and avoid real or appointed. al re

d C discrimination-free environment. We apparent conflicts of interest; • Staff mentoring and leadership

nu are also an active member of the • accept responsibility for results; and programs introduced. Australian Technology Network’s • provide responsive service. t an aff an t

S Women’s Executive Development , rmi

s Leadership Program. WorkCover Claims t

n For the third successive year, RMIT RMIT received 74 new WorkCover Employee Relations in 2003 de

u was recognised by the Federal Equal claims in 2003. This compares to 71 • RMIT implemented Workload t

S Opportunity for Women in the received in 2002. Of these, 32 claims Distribution and Management Guide- Workplace Agency as an Employer of resulted in time lost from work of one lines for academic and general staff. Choice for Women. The much-coveted day or more and 42 resulted in no time • A performance review system linked citation recognises organisations that away from the workplace. The to annual workplans for TAFE teaching have equal opportunity programs that predominant injuries were sprains/ staff was also negotiated and recognise and advance their female strains and stress related illnesses. implemented. workforce. RMIT has policies that: For more information on cocupational • National industrial action in the form • support women across the health and safety see page 44. of a one-day strike called by the NTEU organisation; was supported by 974 people (or 34 per • educate employees on their rights and Staff Development cent of academic and general staff). obligations regarding sex-based During 2003, the RMIT staff • RMIT negotiated in-principle harassment; development Open Program offered 54 agreements for its trades staff and • deliver improved outcomes for women programs, recording 580 participants. security officers that will form the and the business; and People Services also managed a basis of the enterprise agreements to • achieve real outcomes for women by comprehensive and multi-faceted be certified in 2004. delivering equal opportunity for induction program and implemented a • Negotiations with the NTEU for a new women within a diverse workplace new mentoring program. The university enterprise agreement covering environment. also developed a leadership program, academic and general staff also The university has established which will be delivered to heads of commenced. A multi-employer procedures to ensure compliance with school for the first time in 2004. It will certified agreement covering all TAFE sections 7 and 8 of the Public Sector incorporate structured classes, coaching teachers in Victorian TAFE institutes Management and Employment Act and 360-degree feedback. Individual and universities with TAFE divisions is 1988. The university is committed to schools and departments also being negotiated between the equal opportunities and fair processes supported staff development funding representatives of the TAFE directors in all human resource management applications. and the AEU. procedures.

WorkCover Claims 2000 2001 2002 2003 RMIT 74 75 71 74 % Change -5.13% 1.35% -5.33% 4.22% *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 37

Staffing Statistics Staff type Total FTE* Female FTE % Female % Change 2002 2003 2002 2003 2002 2003 01-02 02-03 Academic 1047 1078 357 389 34.04 36.09 3.35 8.95 Executive 86 111.2 25 43 28.85 38.67 13.16 72.00 General 1737 1754 1029 1038 59.26 59.14 7.87 0.83 TAFE/VET 535 511.96 193 197 36.08 38.50 10.34 2.14 Total 3405 3455 1604 1667 47.09 48.24 7.19 3.91 * FTE – Full-time equivalent. Two people both working 0.5 time fractions = 1 FTE. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 38

From left: Chancellor Professor Dennis Gibson, Dr David Malin, Professor Consuelo Diaz-Baez, Dr Keith Bell, Vice-Chancellor Professor Ruth Dunkin, and Dr Simon West at the Honorary Awards Conferring Ceremony in May.

38 Adjunct Professors 2003 RMIT Teaching Awards

3 The RMIT Adjunct Professors Program invites eminent people to become involved Presented at Storey Hall, City Campus, on es 0 0

ti in teaching and research and the university. This helps strengthen RMIT’s links with December 9. 2 i n t industry, community and government and exposes students to leaders in their fields. u Award winners por mm

o Adjunct Professorial Appointments 2003 Category A – Student-Centred (Higher al re

d C • Mark Armstrong Innovation and Service Management Education) Teaching

nu • Professor Desmond Crawley Applied Physics • Josephine Lang – School and Early • Juliana Enberg Art and Culture Childhood Education t an aff an t

S • Michael Ford Fashion and Textiles • Brian Leonard – Biotechnology and , rmi

s • Dr David Graham Life and Physical Sciences Environmental Biology t

n • Professor Mitsunori Kawamura Civil and Chemical Engineering • Kim Leong – Social Science and de

u • Tom Kovac Architecture Planning t

S • Wesley McMaster Economics and Finance • Robert Owen Art and Culture Category A – Student-Centred (TAFE) • Dr Anthony Priestley Civil and Chemical Engineering Teaching • David Rapsey Creative Media • Dinah Barton – Built Environment • Dr Neville Rieger Mathematics and Statistics • Barbara Morgan and Meaghan Botterill • Dr Peter Rogers Civil and Chemical Engineering – Access and Preparatory Studies • Dr Francis Rose Aerospace, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering • Grant Emerson and team – Fashion • Murray Scott Aerospace, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering and Textiles (Team members: Anna • Dr Laurie Sparke Aerospace, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Cavaleri, Cathy Chen, Russell Edis, Hector • Dr Michael Wilson Nursing and Midwifery Gauci, Loraine Grant, Barbara Kuczuk, • Alan Wein Management Yuping Li, Angelo Pantalone, Nardia Robertson, Ben Stranieri)

Category B – Scholarship of Teaching • Elizabeth Creese – Business Management

Category C – Research Supervision • Mike Brown and team – Industry, Professional and Adult Education (Team members: Robert Bain, David Hodges, Veronica Luk, Dr Heather Meyer, Laurene Vaughan, Dr William Vistarini) *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 39

Category D – Institutional Infrastructure 2003 RMIT Research Awards Systems and Services Presented at Storey Hall, City Campus, on Francis Ormond Medal Sub-Category D1 August 13. The 2003 RMIT Francis Ormond • Darren Flugge and team – Business Medal for outstanding service to Online (Team members: Lois Fitz-Gerald, Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Sustained RMIT University by a member of Tom Hennessy) Contribution to Research Excellence at staff was awarded to Ms Rosemary RMIT Marshall, a student administration Sub-Category D2 • Professor S Bhattacharya manager in the former Faculty of • Dr Ken McGregor and team – Applied Applied Science. Physics (Team members: Associate Linkage Grant Awards Professor Peter Daivis, Associate Professor Supplementary funding of $2000 for each Gary Bryant. Joseph Harland, Dr Alex project to receive ARC linkage grants in 2003. Honorary Awards 2003 Merchant) • Professor M Berry; Dr I Patnaikuni; Ms Presented at the Honorary Awards H Lewis; Associate Professor B De Silva Conferring Ceremony in May. Sub-Category D3 • Professor I Cosic • Sheila Howell and team – Computer • Professor P Johnston; Dr S Solomon • Keith Bell, Doctor of Applied Science and Information Technology • Associate Professor L Padgham; Dr M Science Honoris Causa (Team members:Michael Harris, Frank Winikoff For his career achievements and Hemmings, Amgad Louka, Helen • Associate Professor Z Tari contribution to the future prosperity McCumisky, David McLay, John Milton, Ed • Professor S Bhargava; Dr D Akolekar and welfare of Australia. Morris, Simon Wilkinson, Catherine Zuluaga) • Professor S Bhattacharya • Professor A Hudson; Dr S Gavidia- • Professor Maria Consuelo Diaz- Sub-Category D4 Payne; Dr K Nankervis Baez, Doctor of Applied Science • Susan Flint and Angela Nicolettou – • Professor P James; Dr J Humphery Honoris Causa Computer Science and Information • Professor J Macnae For achievements in the field of Technology • Professor D Mainwaring; Professor R environmental toxicology. 39

Shanks S rmi t u de • Associate Professor M D McKenzie; Dr • David Malin, Doctor of Applied t an

Certificates of Achievement A Di lorio Science Honoris Causa n t nu s

Category A – Student-Centred (Higher • Associate Professor D E Siemon; Dr S L For contribution to the field of , S al re

Education) Teaching Dole; Dr J F Izard; Dr M Stephens scientific photography. t aff an • Prue Bramwell – Biotechnology and por Environmental Biology Discovery Grant Awards • Simon West, Doctor of Applied t d C

• Dr Phillip Ebrall – Complementary Supplementary funding of $4000 for each Science Honoris Causa 2 0 o 0

Medicine project receiving ARC discovery grants in 2003. For contribution to the Australian mm 3 • Dr Jim Lewis – Management (HE) • Professor M Burry; Professor L Padgham economy and society through environ- u

• Associate Professor Barry Meehan – • Dr K Cregan mentally friendly scientific solutions n i Applied Chemistry and Associate • Professor P James; Professor M Kalantzis and technical problem solving. ti es Professor Ian Thomas – Social Science • Professor P James; Professor T Nairn and Planning • Professor J Macnae • Professor Rob Watts – Social Science • Dr P Marriott; Dr H Huegel and Planning • Associate Professor J Murphy Publications Awards • Dr J Smith Most prolific publishers from each portfolio. Category A – Student-Centred (TAFE) • Associate Professor Z Tari; Professor H • Science, Engineering and Technology – Teaching Schroder Professor A Subic • Frank Farfalla – Business Information • Associate Professor P Trivailo; Dr C • Design and Social Context – Professor Technology (VET) Blanksby N Yelland; Associate Professor D Forrest • Bev Kennedy – Management (VET) • Dr H Williams • Business – Professor J Dalrymple • Andrea McAdam – Health and • Dr P Wilson Biosciences • Dr C Ziguras RMIT Innovation Awards – Staff • Rodney Noble – Business Information • Associate Professor J Zobel; Dr H • Science, Engineering and Technology – Technology (VET) Williams Professor A Subic • Design and Social Context – Mr R Baines Category C – Research Supervision NHMRC Grant Awards • Business – Associate Professor C Boucher • Associate Professor Shane Murray and Supplementary funding of $4000 for each Associate Professor Nigel Bertram – project receiving NHMRC grants in 2003. RMIT Innovation Awards – Students Architecture and Design • Dr Chun Guang Li • Science, Engineering and Technology – • Dr Dayanthi Nugegoda – Biotechnology • Associate Professor Mark Febbraio Dr R Kusumo and Environmental Biology • Design and Social Context – Mr J Moore • Business – Ms E Coath Category D – Institutional Infrastructure Systems and Services Sub-Category D3 • Jessica Whyte and team – Community and Regional Partnerships (Team members: Chris Raab, Charandev Singh, Trish van Lint) *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 40 Buildings and Environment

40 Property Portfolio Review Student Facilities Key Achievements 2003 3 RMIT Property Services conducted a Student facilities milestones in 2003 es 0 0

ti comprehensive Property Portfolio included: • Alumni Court opened 2 i n t Review in 2003, which made a series of • completion of the Alumni Courtyard • Former Magistrates court u recommendations about the (City Campus); refurbished and opened. por mm

o university’s physical assets. The most • renovation of the student ‘caf’ area in • Sale of disused Janefield site in al re

d C significant recommendation was to sell Building 8 (City Campus) and Bundoora.

nu the unused 103ha Janefield site in development of five new food outlets Bundoora. as well as a space for a new student t an aff an t

S union food cooperative program; , rmi

s Teaching Facilities • renovation of the ‘caf’ in Building Environmental Sustainability t

n Teaching facilities milestones in 56/57 (City Campus); • A project to harvest rainwater from a de

u 2003 included: • opening of the computer “barn” in City Campus building was developed t

S • completion and opening of The Royal Building 512 (Brunswick Campus); and commissioned in early 2004. Dental Hospital of Melbourne • opening of two satellite campus • A water recycling scheme for the (October) facilities at RMIT Vietnam in February Aquaculture facility at the Bundoora • closure of the Fishermans Bend site and June; and West campus was refined and a plan and relocation of aerospace programs • construction of new lounge,‘caf’ and developed that will eventually see 100 to a refurbished area at Bundoora East; bookshop facilities in Building 202 at per cent of waste water reused in the • refurbishment of Buildings 56 and 57 the Bundoora Campus. The new RMIT facility or for irrigation. on the City Campus; and Union Bookshop opened in first • RMIT worked with Yarra Valley Water • near completion of the Research and semester and the adjoining lounge to develop a water management plan Education Centre at Bullock Island, and Refuel Café opened in time for for the university. Lakes Entrance. second semester. • We extended a relationship with For more information on teaching and For more information on students see environmental consultants Energetics learning see page 20. page 22. Pty Ltd, which led to more efficient procurement of electricity and gas. Other Milestones For more information on RMIT’s • RMIT Hamilton was officially opened environmental performance, see page 45. in April. It is built on the site of the former Regional Veterinary Laboratory. Fee Waivers • The former Melbourne Magistrates Internal and external groups wishing Court building (City Campus) was to use RMIT facilities are usually refurbished as offices and meeting charged a fee. As part of its community spaces and opened in February. service commitments, or as a form of • The former police garage (City sponsorship, RMIT can waive these fees Campus) was remodelled, landscaped in certain cases. In 2003, more than and titled the Alumni Courtyard. $91,000 in fee waivers were granted to • A groundbreaking ceremony in internal and external groups. December marked the beginning of construction of RMIT Vietnam’s new campus building in Saigon South. Stage one will be completed in 2004 The new Alumni Courtyard at the City Campus. and have capacity for 3000 students and staff. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 41

Building Statistics 41

All new building and maintenance projects were carried out in compliance with the building and maintenance provisions of S rmi t u de the Building Act 1993. t an n t nu s

Building Works 2001-2003 2001 2002 2003 , S al re

Projects certified for approval: 66 51 25 t aff an Works under construction and the subject of mandatory inspections: 8 11 9 por Occupancy permits issued: 45 40 16 t d C

Note: The significant drop in the projects certified for approval from 2002 to 2003 reflects not only a reduced capital plan but also a change in 2 0 o 0

the type of projects undertaken. mm 3 u

Space, Quality and Deficiency Ratings of RMIT Buildings in 2003 2001 2002 2003 n i S - Satisfactory—require periodic maintenance 74% 76% 74% ti es A - Require expenditure of between 16%-36% of capital replacement value (CRV) 17% 18% 20% B - Require expenditure of between 37%-57% of CRV 8% 5% 5% C - Require expenditure of between 58%-78% of CRV 2% 1% 1% D - Unsatisfactory—require demolition 0% 0% 0% Notes: In 2003 RMIT reviewed the way it reported building space quality and deficiencies. As part of the review, descriptor categories have been narrowed to provide more relevant data. Data for 2001 and 2002 has been reassessed in the light of these revisions to enable a three-year comparison.

Below: The Life Sciences Building at the RMIT Bundoora Campus. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 42 Sustainability at RMIT

42 Since 1887, RMIT University has carried out its goal to 3 T serve people with dedication and accomplishment. 0 0 2 t t RMI As part of this mission, RMIT is committed to building a sustainable organisation por ty a

li that serves the needs and aspirations of its stakeholders. RMIT believes that sustainability al re nabi

nu is at the core of the university’s obligations, its activities and its contributions to the world ai t

t an at large. It is about how we deal with students and employees, how we interact with the Sus

rmi community, how we treat the environment, how we remain economically viable, and how we manage our organisation. In short, it is about how we operate to meet present needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The university adopts the Triple Bottom Line reporting system to assess performance against social, environmental and economic parameters. In line with RMIT’s commitment to good governance in all of its activities, we have expanded this reporting methodology to the Triple Bottom Line Plus One system used in this Annual Report. The key indicators in this Annual Report have been developed to aid in measuring our performance and progress as a sustainable institution as well as contributing to global sustainability in all its dimensions. RMIT is also committed to developing a “living”Triple Bottom Line Report, which will evolve over time. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 43

Social Sustainability 1. Share of First Preferences 2003 2002 2001 RMIT is committed to the principles RMIT HE share of first preferences (HECS-funded places) 18.5% 18.6% 18.7% of social equity, supporting its students, RMIT HE share of all preferences (fee-paying places) 22.1% 23.7% 22.4% staff and local communities. We aim to RMIT TAFE share of first preferences 28.4% 27.7% 30.3% make the university an enjoyable and Source:Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre. Measured at main VTAC Chance of Preference Period. rewarding learning and working environment, giving equal access to all. We also seek to be a valued corporate 2. HE Student Satisfaction 2003 2002 2001 citizen serving communities locally, RMIT 62% 60% 60% regionally and internationally. National N/A 68% 69% To achieve this we must: Source: Course Experience Questionnaire, Graduate Careers Council of Australia. • maintain our reputation for excellence; VET Student Satisfaction 2003 2002 2001 • produce graduates who contribute to RMIT 77% 66% 73% the social and economic development Victoria 83% 75% 79% of their communities; National 82% 77% 81% • meet our students’ expectations and Source: Student Outcomes Survey, National Centre for Vocational Education Research. make their time at RMIT valuable; and • value our staff and make their work environment safe. 3. HE Full-Time Employment 2003 2002 2001 RMIT 82% 83% 86% 1. Share of First Preferences National 80% 81% 83% The social environment is one of the Source: Graduate Destination Survey, Graduate Careers Council of Australia. factors students consider when making their choice of university. In 2003, RMIT VET Employment 2003 2002 2001 continued to lead Victorian universities RMIT 78% 78% 77% 43

in the number of first preferences for Victoria 78% 72% 73% Sus rmi t HECS-funded HE places. Demand National 74% 73% 73% t an ai

continues to be very strong for most Source: Student Outcomes Survey, National Centre for Vocational Education Research. nabi undergraduate programs, particularly in nu al re the social science and community li ty a services disciplines. 4. HE Enterprise Formation 2003 2002 2001 por Fee-paying undergraduate RMIT 5% 6% 5% t RMI t

applications continue to grow slowly, National N/A 3% 3% 2 0 T over a small base. RMIT performs well Source: Graduate Destination Survey, Graduate Careers Council of Australia. 0 3 in this market, behind Monash University and the University of VET Enterprise Formation 2003 2002 2001 Melbourne. RMIT 5% 7% 5% In 2003, applications for TAFE places Victoria 7% 6% 6% offered through VTAC continued to be National 7% 6% 6% well ahead of other TAFE institutions. Source: Student Outcomes Survey, National Centre for Vocational Education Research. This is partly due to our profile configuration. 3. Graduate Activity 4. Enterprise Formation 2. Student Satisfaction RMIT’s mission is to provide RMIT has produced a greater Universities contribute to national technical and professional education proportion of graduates that have social and economic development by that develops graduates for leadership formed their own enterprises compared producing able and skilled graduates. and employment. RMIT has continued to the national average over the past The student satisfaction survey provides to perform above the national average few years. The proportion of VET one measure of how well we do this. for graduate employment rates. graduates forming their own Both HE and VET student satisfaction Notes: enterprises has been similar to the rates rose compared with 2002, but are Table shows the proportion of Australian- national average in recent years. sill below their comparative national resident bachelor degree graduates in full- Notes: averages. time employment at the time of the survey Table shows the proportion of surveyed Notes: (approximately four months after degree Australian-resident bachelor degree HE student satisfaction is measured in a completion). graduates who describe themselves as self- single question on the Course Experience Table shows the proportion of surveyed VET employed. Questionnaire, an annual survey used to graduates, whose courses were of at least Table shows the proportion of surveyed VET determine the overall satisfaction with a 200 hours or one semester in duration, that graduates whose courses were of at least program. have progressed into employment at the 200 hours or one semester in duration, who VET sector student satisfaction is measured in time of the survey (approximately five describe themselves as self-employed or as a single question on the Student Out-comes months after program completion). an employer. Survey. (Note: In 2001 and 2002,VET overall student satisfaction was measured as the percentage of graduates who gave responses of seven or above on a scale of 1-10. In 2003, VET overall satisfaction was measured as the percentage of graduates who gave responses of four or above on a scale of 1-5.) *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 44

5. Research Activity 5. Higher Degree Research Activity 2003 2002 2001 RMIT’s research performance HDR Enrolments (Number of students) 1691 1717 1725 continues to grow, particularly in the HDR Equivalent Full-Time Student Units (EFTSU) 1130 1151 1155 number of DEST weighted research HDR Award Program completions (Graduates) N/A 225 187 publications and higher-degree-by- DEST weighted research publications N/A 713 470 research (HDR) graduates. The university’s commitment to 6. Student Enrolments and Completions 2003 2002 2001 sustainability principles also extends to HE Enrolments (Number of Students) 35,203 34,725 32,988 the innovation professors and adjunct HE Equivalent Full-Time Student Units (EFTSU) 27,381 27,468 26,054 professors programs, which are both HE Award Program Completions (Number of Graduates) N/A 7827 6868 seeking to appoint more people with VET Enrolments (Number of Students) 19,889 22,518 22,609 expertise in the field of sustainability. VET Student Contact Hours 8,394,521 8,606,090 8,024,342 VET Completions (Number of Graduates) N/A 4742 4006 6. Student Enrolments and Completions HE enrolments continued to rise in 8. OHS Incidents Reported 2003 2002 2001 2003, while VET enrolments fell slightly. RMIT 287 259 321 % change +10.8% -19.3% +6.7% 7. Student Safety and Security The campus environment is a pivotal 9. New Staff Female % Male % Total factor in fulfilling students’ expectations 2003 339 57 251 43 590 of university life. According to the 2003 2002 225 55 184 45 409 University Experience Questionnaire 2001 200 56 158 44 358 (UES), many students feel personally 44 safe on campus (83 per cent in 2003), New Staff by Type (2003) Female % Male % Total

3 and believe that RMIT is friendly to Academic (HE) 91 48 97 52 188 T 0

0 people of all backgrounds (82 per cent). Executive (HE and VET) 7 37 12 63 19 2 t

t RMI Safety improvements in 2003 General (HE and VET) 206 65 113 35 319 stemming from issues raised by Teaching (VET) 35 55 29 45 64 por ty a

li students included: Total 339 57 251 43 590

al re • a review of security access and security nabi nu hardware to improve levels of security; Benchmark (Vic. Workforce) Female % Male % Total ai t and 2003 1,145,500 44 1,453,300 56 2,598,800 t an

Sus • a greater focus on creating a sense of Data source: ABS December Labour Force Statistics (Includes Unemployed, looking for full rmi community and belonging for time work) students in coordination with student organisations and service providers. 10. Staff Turnover 2003 2002 2001 Less than 3 years’ service 25% 18% 17% 8. Occupational Health and Safety Greater than 3 years’ service 11% 14% 11% RMIT adopted a three-year Health and Total 15% 15% 12% Safety Improvement Strategy in 2003, with strategies developed around four key Staff-Initiated Turnover (not including VDPs) 2003 2002 2001 improvement areas – safety manage- Less than 3 years’ service 14% 5% 4% ment systems, leadership, active safety Greater than 3 years’ service 7% 10% 7% culture and safe equipment and facilities. Total 9% 8% 6% The priority for 2003 was to Note: Staff turnover percentages are measured as a proportion of the total staff with the implement control systems to minimise same level of service. risks to staff and students. Along with this, occupational health and safety responsibilities were clarified and these incidents was 136 (107 staff and 10. Staff Turnover specific accountabilities assigned to 29 non-staff). Twelve incidents required It is typical for organisations to senior management. notification to WorkSafe Victoria due to experience a higher turnover rate Work will continue in 2004 to ensure the serious nature of the accident. during periods of major restructuring. RMIT is recognised as a safe and healthy The university is satisfied that the The increase in the turnover rates for university by staff,students and the increased number of incidents reported RMIT staff with less than three years community. A new OHS reporting frame- in 2003 demonstrates a strong aware- service and the staff initiated turnover work commenced at the beginning of the ness of the policy and procedures for (not including voluntary departure year to enable the university executive to incident reporting as well as the benefits packages) reflects this. consider improvement initiatives and of early intervention. RMIT supports a Despite this, RMIT’s turnover rate their effectiveness. The university will strong culture of reporting incidents as a was the lowest among the ATN during also review its consultative framework proactive way of managing hazards and 2002 (latest data available). We plan to and develop practical programs to target their associated risks. improve retention rates by analysing the common and costly injuries – results of 2003 exit interviews and sprain/strain injuries and stress. 9. Gender Distribution of New Staff interviewing new staff in 2004 to During 2003 the number of work- The increase in the number of new capture information about their initial related injuries/incidents reported by staff recruited in 2003 reflected a 12 months at RMIT. staff, students, contractors and visitors corresponding increase in the turnover at RMIT increased from 259 to 287. The rate for the same period. total number of injuries resulting from *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 45

Environmental Agreement with University Experience Questionnaire 2003 2002 Sustainability Environmental sustainability on campus is important to me 67% 61% Physical Environment RMIT performs well in terms of environmental RMIT University has had a public sustainability management 35% 40% commitment to environmental sustainability for more than 10 years, first implementing its Environment 1. Electricity Consumed 2003 2002 2001 Policy in 1994. Since then, the university Quantity (GJ) 202,773 204,288 184,921 has developed and implemented many Quantity (GJ) per EFTSU/EFTS and FTE staff 4.77 4.77 4.57 internal environmental policies and Quantity (GJ) per m2 of GFA serviced 0.47 0.49 0.47 initiatives, and signed a number of Source: Property Services, Energetics, Citipower external environmental commitments. Translating these commitments into 2. Gas Consumed 2003 2002 2001 the academic and operational activities Quantity (GJ) 133,410 117,150 113,274 is slowly progressing. RMIT’s Business Quantity (GJ) per EFTSU/EFTS and FTE staff 3.14 2.74 2.80 Plan 2004-2006 has embedded Quantity (GJ) per m2 of GFA serviced 0.50 0.29 0.29 sustainability as a core strategy and will Source: Property Services, Energetics, TXU accelerate the implementation of these key commitments. 3. Water Consumed 2003* 2002 2001 Sustainability is being integrated Quantity (KL) 214,862 300,283 298,203 into teaching and learning via the Quantity (KL) per EFTSU 5.06 7.01 7.37 program renewal process, and is also Quantity (GJ) per m2 of GFA serviced 0.50 0.73 0.76 included in the curriculum of many Source: Property Services academic programs. 45

4. Greenhouse Gas Produced 2003 2002 2001 Sus rmi 2 t Sustainability Awareness Quantity (tonnes CO equivalent) 88,232 87,999 77,833 t an 2 ai

Results from the 2003 University Quantity (tonnes CO equivalent) per EFTSU 2.07 2.05 1.92 nabi Experience Questionnaire indicate Quantity (GJ) per m2 of GFA serviced 0.21 0.22 0.20 nu al re that student awareness of Source: Property Services li ty a sustainability is rising, however por student perceptions of RMIT’s *Estimate only. Final quarter 2003 figures not yet available. t RMI t

environmental performance are low. GJ - Gigajoules (1,000,000 kilojoules) 2 0 T KL - Kilolitre (1000 litres) 0 3 Energy Consumption CO2 - Carbon dioxide In 2003 a comprehensive analysis of EFTSU - Equivalent Full-Time Student Unit; EFTS - Equivalent Full-Time Student; FTE -Full-Time electricity and gas consumption Equivalent (staff) commenced with the engagement of utilities expert Energetics. An analysis of consumption of these services had 2003 Results On the basis of energy consumption been lacking and RMIT needed to better There was a moderate increase in per Gross Floor Area (GFA), in 2002 energy service consumption and gas consumption, a small reduction in RMIT’s consumption of 0.74 GJ/m2 was purchasing. The analysis revealed past electricity consumption and a above the Australian average of 0.69 inconsistencies in electricity usage reasonable reduction in water GJ/m2, but below the Victorian average metering, which were rectified and compared with 2002. of 0.79 GJ/m2. Under this measure revised cost and usage estimates RMIT University’s energy RMIT is expected to report a relatively provided for the 2001-2003 period. consumption (combined electricity and higher level of energy use due to a A water consumption analyst was gas use) of 8.15GJ per EFTSU/EFTS in higher concentration of EFTSU/m2 in also engaged to identify usage at the 2002, the most recent year for which comparison to other universities. local level and develop strategies benchmark data is available, is well Further data that measures around a number of issues including below the Australian university average comparative performance in use minimisation; physical reduction of 9.5 GJ per EFTSU. The university environmentally sustainable methods; and grey water solutions. The expected to continue to be below the development at Australian universities results of the study will be used to Australian university average in 2003. should be available later in 2004 and develop a water management plan that will be reported on in the 2004 Annual aims to reduce water consumption and Report. assist the exemption process where savings cannot be made eg. grounds watering. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 46

Financial Sustainability Commonwealth and Victorian and represents 62 per cent of total Despite the challenges confronted Governments have increased, the expenses. The pool of scholarships, by RMIT during the year, the net proportion of revenue from sources grants and prizes increased to $23.1 operating result attributed to the other than government has also million (compared with $17.5 million in university for 2003 was a $31.5 million increased—particularly contributions 2002). The total amount of bad and surplus, compared with a $0.2 million from international and domestic doubtful debts increased from previous deficit in 2002. students. The university’s reliance on years and is attributed to $10.1m set The university’s total revenue from government support continues to aside because of student debts in 2003. ordinary activities was $574.4 million decline, while revenue from interna- Cash flow from operating activities (compared with $541.0 million in 2002) tional students continued to increase. decreased in comparison to last year, whilst the total expenses from ordinary Expenses from ordinary activities however net assets continued to activities totalled $542.5 million in 2003 attributed to employee benefits increase to $976.0 million in 2003. (compared with $540.8 million in 2002) (covering both higher education and Whilst contributions from both TAFE sectors) increased to $332.3 million

2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 Net operating result attributed to RMIT entity ($ million) 31.5 (0.2) 8.6 22.6 45.1 Cash flow ($ million) 42.7 43.0 43.6 49.2 66.7 Total assets ($ million) 1339 1340 1300 1231 1186 Total liabilities ($ million) 363 418 392 372 350 Net assets ($ million) 976 922 908 859 836

46 Revenue 2003 3 T 0

0 Revenue $ ,000 2

t 30% Fees and Charges t RMI Commonwealth Government Contributions 129,496 Victorian Government Contributions 67,168 por

ty a 23% Commonwealth Government

li HECS, PELCS and Bridging Revenue 77,697

al re Fees and Charges 174,636 14% HECS and PELCS and Bridging nabi nu Superannuation 28,640 ai t Investment Income 2,113 13% Other t an

Sus Consultancy and Contract Research 17,742 rmi Other 76,904 12% Victorian Government Total 574,396 5% Superannuation

3% Consultancy and Contract Research

0.3%Investment Income

Expenditure 2003 Expenditure $ ,000 Employee Benefits 332,299 62% Employee Benefits Depreciation and Mort 27,771 Buildings and Grounds 18,152 28% Other Expenses Bad and Doubtful Debts 11,870 Borrowing Costs 965 5% Depreciation and Mort Accounting and Auditing Services 300 Other Expenses 151,115 3% Buildings and Grounds Total 542,472 2% Bad and Doubtful Debts

0.2%Borrowing Cost Expense

0.1% Accounting and Auditing Services *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 47

Sustainability Through revised and adopted charters for other RMIT implemented a risk manage- Governance committees; and revised its own ment strategy for 2003 and formulated Corporate governance was a major protocols for declaration of conflicts of a strategy for 2004. The charter for the focus for the university in 2003. interest and access to university Audit and Risk Management Group was Legislation governing the university information. Council assessed its own strengthened, and includes oversight of was amended to strengthen the duties performance during a very active year risk management and internal audit for of councillors and provide for councillor (figures 1 and 2). RMIT-controlled entities. remuneration. In making these RMIT’s 11 controlled entities and 31 RMIT must comply with a wide decisions, Council and management took associated entities were a focus of range of external legislative and legal into account Commonwealth and State attention through the conduct of an requirements as well as internal Government reviews of university and overall internal audit, a reorganisation statutes, regulations and policies. To TAFE governance and guidelines from of governing bodies and improvements help manage this process across the university and industry associations. to reporting (figure 3). university, a wide-ranging compliance Governance was the theme of an The report of the Victorian Auditor- management project began in 2004. In RMIT Council retreat. Council adopted a General’s investigation of RMIT’s addition, an improved framework for corporate governance charter; finances was released in June. The revising and communicating RMIT established a Nominations and university has implemented all of the policies and procedures was Corporate Governance Committee; report’s recommendations. implemented during the year.

1. Attendance at Council and Committees in 2003 Member Council Finance and Audit and Risk Remuneration Planning, Quality Membership Major Iniatives Management and Performance 47

Emily Andersen 12/12 2/5 5/7 Sus rmi t Allan Ballagh 12/12 t an ai

Heather Carmody 0/1 nabi Peter Coloe 12/12 nu al re Colleen Coutts 12/12 7/7 li ty a Anne Dalton 6/7 5/5 por Ruth Dunkin 12/12 7/7 8/8 3/3 5/5 6/7 t RMI t

Terrence Francis 7/7 6/6 2 0 T Robert Frater 10/12 1/3 4/5 0 3 Dennis Gibson 7/7 7/7 5/62/24/54/5 Ross Hepburn 9/12 6/7 2/34/7 Kaye Hilliar 12/12 5/5 Garth Lampe 9/12 John Mitcham 1/1 John Nieuwenhuysen 10/12 2/3 5/6 Rebecca Olsen 2/12 3/7 Garry Ringwood 0/1 Neil Robinson 12/12 4/7 Moira Scollay 4/7 4/5 Trevor Tappenden 1/2 5/5 Peter Thomas 12/12 3/5 7/8 1/3 5/5 5/7 Jenny Varcoe-Cocks 9/12 6/8 3/3 6/7 Derek Young 1/1 *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 48

Council Performance System was sent to Council members and • frame its professional development One of the University Council’s senior executives in November 2003. program and communications; and primary responsibilities under its Information from the evaluation is • review the new councillor induction charter is to undertake annual reviews used to: program. of its own performance. A questionnaire • inform the work of Council;

2. RMIT Council Self-Assessment Results 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 y The role of Council e b The people on Council Structure and procedures omanc f Group behaviours and protocols dimension: er

P Overall Council performance

Selection/succession of councillors Understanding issues and trends

: Productivity of Council meetings y Productivity of committee meetings e b Reviewing strategic plan Agreeing annual plan/budget omanc esponsibility f Monitoring university performance er y r

P Ensuring adequate risk management e k Sanctioning and monitoring major investments/disposals 48 Reporting and communicating to stadeholders

3 Setting standards for ethical behaviour and compliance T 0

0 Results averaged. 1 (strongly disagree) – 5 (strongly agree) 2 t t RMI por ty a

li Risk Issues Wheel

al re The Risk Issues Wheel is a summary of the management treatment of the Council nabi nu risk assessment project that formed the basis of RMIT’s annual audit program in 2003. ai t t an

Sus 1.0 Stakeholders 5.0 International Business rmi 1.1 Governance in practice (4) 5.1 Strategic business offshore (4) 1.0 1.2 Government policies and influence (4) 5.2 Vietnam project (3) Stakeholders 1.3 5.3 2.0 External compliance (4) Offshore HR issues (3) 7.0 1.4 Competition policy (4) Teaching and Staff 6.0 Systems Operation Learning 2.0 Teaching and Learning 6.1 IT systems and infrastructure (4) 2.1 Quality of teaching and program 6.2 AMS implementation (4) 6.0 3.0 performance (4) 6.3 Safety on campus (4) Systems Research and 2.2 Strategic business – onshore (3) 6.4 Workplace safety (OH&S) (3) Operation Development 2.3 Student and staff learning support 6.5 Property/facilities infrastructure (3) 2.3.1Learning technology (4) 5.0 4.0 2.3.2Library (2) 7.0 Staff 2.4 7.1 International Financial and Student management/focus (2) Staff recruitment and retention (4) Business Commercial 7.2 Skills and training – staff capability (3) 3.0 Research and Development 7.3 Succession planning (4) 3.1 Research strategy (3) 3.2 Research outcomes/performance (4) 3.3 Spin offs/enterprise creation (4) Key (4) = Needs Active Management 4.0 Financial and Commercial (3) = Needs Regular Monitoring 4.1 Commercial capability & resources (4) (2) = Needs Annual Monitoring 4.2 Cash flow management (4) (1) = No Major Concern 4.3 Faculty, school financial viability (4) 4.4 Spin-offs, joint ventures and research centres – excluding Vietnam (4) 4.5 Foreign exchange risk (2) 4.6 RMIT Foundation (2) *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 49

Risk Management 2003 Risk management is an essential element in the university’s corporate governance framework. The university’s governing body, RMIT Council, plays a fundamental role in the management of institutional risk through its Audit and Risk Management Committee. The Audit and Risk Management Committee, on behalf of RMIT Council, has responsibility for setting the risk management strategy and overseeing risk management within the university as a whole. This committee acts to ensure that the university has a sound system of internal management and control. The committee also monitors the processes for identifying, evaluating and managing the risks faced by the university. To this end, the committee initiated further enhancement of the university’s enterprise risk management strategy during the year. This project involved: • use of the Australian/NZ standard, AS4360:1999, as a base; • identifying the key risks of the university; • allocating responsibility for the key risks; and • developing specific treatment plans for all key enterprise risks. An outcome of the project was the formal expansion of the university’s internal audit group responsibilities to also encompass risk management. To ensure that risk management is further integrated into to the university’s work practices, each portfolio is required to conduct annual risk assessments. Outcomes will be included in the university-wide risk profile presented to the committee. The draft risk management policy and risk management guidelines are available online at www.rmit.edu.au/internalaudit.

3. Risk Management 2003 Associate/Commercial Venture Principal Objects Level of Financial Risk Level of (High, Medium or Low) Reputational Risk (High, Medium or Low) AARNet Pty Ltd Research and education network services Low Low 49

Analytica Medical diagnostics business Low Low Sus rmi t Australian Higher Education Industrial t an ai

Association Pty Ltd University employers’ association Low Low nabi Australian Higher Education Industry nu al re Association Provision of advice and representation Low Low li ty a Australian Housing and Urban Research por Institute Ltd Housing and urban research Low Low t RMI t

Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute Mathematical sciences research Low-Medium Low-Medium 2 0 T Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee Serve interests of Australian universities Low Low 0 3 Biocom International Ltd Medical biotechnology Low Low Biocomm Services Ltd Medical biotechnology Low Low Business/Higher Education Round Table Ltd Fostering links between business and higher education Low Low CAVAL Cooperative library services Low Low CRC for Advanced Composite Structures Research Low-Medium Low-Medium CRC for Australian Telecommunications Research Low-Medium Low-Medium CRC for Bushfires Research Low-Medium Low-Medium CRC for Construction Innovation Research Low-Medium Low-Medium CRC for Intelligent Manufacturing Systems and Technology Research Low-Medium Low-Medium CRC for Interaction Design Research Low-Medium Low-Medium CRC for Microtechnology Research Low-Medium Low-Medium CRC for Photonics (Australian Photonics) Research Low-Medium Low-Medium CRC for Polymers Research Low-Medium Low-Medium CRC for Smart Internet Technology Research Low-Medium Low-Medium CRC for Water Quality and Treatment Research Low-Medium Low-Medium Emerge CMC Ltd Multimedia business development Low Low Global University Alliance Online education Low Medium IDP Education Australia Ltd International student and project services Low Medium International Training Australia Pty Ltd International vocational and training programs and projects High Medium Melbourne Community Television Consortium Ltd (Channel 31) Community television Low Low Nanotechnology Victoria Ltd Nanotechnology and related sciences Low Low Open Learning Association of Australia Online learning services Low Medium RMIT Bookshop Sale of books, stationary and software Low Medium RMIT Student Union Council Student representation, advocacy and services Low Low Triple R Broadcasters Ltd Community radio Low Low UniSuper Ltd Superannuation services Low Low Victorian Partnership for Advanced Computing Supercomputing Medium Medium *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 50 Corporate Governance

50 University Council Consistent with the Royal Melbourne

3 RMIT University is governed by a Institute of Technology Act 1992, as from 0

0 Council that consists of: time to time amended, the Council is the 2

t • the Chancellor; governing authority of the university and rnance e • the Vice-Chancellor; has the direction and superintendence of v por • the Chairperson of the Academic Board; the university. Accordingly, Council al re

te Go • the Chairperson of the Board of members participate in the formulation

nu Technical Studies; of policy and monitoring of the • three people elected by and from the university’s performance. The Council t an orpora

C staff of the university as prescribed by appoints the Vice-Chancellor and rmi the Statutes; executives at Deputy Vice-Chancellor and • two people elected by and from the Pro Vice-Chancellor levels. enrolled students of the university as Members of Council, as required by prescribed by the Statutes; legislation, have duly completed • six people appointed by the Governor in declarations of director-related Council; transactions. No members of Council • one person appointed by the Minister; hold shares as nominees, or beneficially and in any statutory authority or subsidiary • six people appointed by the Council. related to the university. Members of Council do not hold shares in RMIT – no shares are distributed by RMIT – or in related companies. Council members have not received remuneration for being members of Council. RMIT does not make loans to councillors or related parties of councillors. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 51

Council Members in 2003 Ms Emily Andersen Mr Don Mercer BA(Journ) RMIT BSci(Hons) St And, MEc Manch Student Elected by the RMIT Council as Chancellor. Resigned 03/02/03. Elected by the Students. Mr John Mitcham Mr Allan Ballagh DipAppChem, CertMgmt RMIT BEng Deakin, DipEd Melb, MEd RMIT, GradCertEntMgmt Swin Retired Director and General Manager, Manufacturing Division, Acting Director TAFE Kodak (Australasia) Chair, Board of Technical Studies (ex officio) from 10/02/03. Appointed by the RMIT Council. Resigned 12/02/03.

Ms Heather Carmody Professor John Nieuwenhuysen AM BSocSci, GradDipHIthSci Curtin, A/ship in SocSci(Soc Work), MA Natal, PhD London GradDipOrgChgDev RMIT Retired CEO, Committee for Economic Development of Principal Consultant, The Empower Group Australia (CEDA) Appointed by the Governor in Council (Deputy Chancellor). Resigned Appointed by the RMIT Council (Deputy Chancellor). 11/02/03. Ms Rebecca Olsen Professor Peter Coloe BAppSci(OHS) RMIT BSci(Hons), PhD Monash, FASM Student Head, Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Biology Elected by the Students. Chair, Academic Board (ex officio). Mr Garry Ringwood Ms Colleen Coutts BCom NSW, FSCPA GradDipIndRel RMIT Executive Director, Executive Interim Management Faculty Executive Officer, Faculty of Life Sciences Appointed by the Governor in Council (Treasurer). Resigned 11/02/03. 51

Elected by the General Staff. C rmi orpora

Mr Neil Robinson t an Ms Anne Dalton DipAppPhys RMIT, BSci(Hons), MSci LaTrobe, TTTC nu BA, LLB, GradDipComLLB Monash, GradCertPubSecMgmt Griff Senior Lecturer, Dept of Applied Physics, Faculty of Applied Science te Go Partner, Blake Waldron Elected by the Academic Staff (HE). al re

Appointed by the Governor in Council from 15/04/03. v e por Mr lan Sapwell rnance t

Dr Ruth Dunkin ARMIT,TTrIC, MIREE (Aust) 2 0

BA(Hons) Melb, GradDipMgmt CIAE, MPubAd Harv, PhD Melb Deputy Dean, Faculty of Art, Design and Communication 0 3 Vice-Chancellor Chair, Board of Technical Studies (ex officio). Retired 10/02/03. Vice-Chancellor (ex officio). Ms Moira Scollay Mr Terrence Francis BA, LittB(Merit) ANU, DipEd CCAE, GradDipExecMgmt Qld BEng(Civ), MBA Melb Retired CEO ANTA Consultant Appointed by the Governor in Council from 15/04/03. Appointed by the Governor in Council from 15/04/03. Mr Peter Summers Dr Robert Frater AO BA UWA BSci, BEd, PhD, DScEng Syd Consultant Vice President for Innovation, ResMed Ltd Appointed by the Minister. Resigned 28/01/03. Appointed by the Governor in Council. Mr Trevor Tappenden Professor R Dennis Gibson AO ACA, FAICD BSci(Hons) Hull, MSci, PhD Newcastle upon Tyne, DSci(CNAA), Retired Senior Partner, Ernst and Young DUniv QUT, DUniv USC, FTS, FAICD Appointed by the RMIT Council from 09/09/03. Elected by the RMIT Council as Chancellor from 14/04/03. Mr Peter Thomas AM Mr Ross Hepburn BCom Melb, MAICD BEng(Civ) Melb, MAdm Monash Company Director Group Manager Community Support, City of Greater Dandenong Appointed by the RMIT Council (Deputy Chancellor). Appointed by the RMIT Council (Treasurer). Ms Jenny Varcoe-Cocks Ms Kaye Hilliar DipBusStud VUT DipBus(Acct) Swin, Dip Ed SCV Hawthorn Consultant Teacher, School of Accounting and Law (VET), Faculty of Business Appointed by the RMIT Council. Elected by the Academic Staff (VET). Mr Derek Young Mr Garth Lampe MACA City of London, FACA (UK), MASA BEco (Hons), MEco Monash Retired MD, Accenture Director Commercial Gaming and Wagering, Licence Review Appointed by the RMIT Council from 10/11/03. Team, Department of Justice Appointed by the Minister from 30/01/03. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 52

Council Committees

Audit and Risk Management Early in 2003 the committee adopted Planning, Quality and Committee a risk management framework that tied Performance Committee The Audit and Risk Management closely to RMIT’s principal strategies and This committee receives, reviews and Committee acts on behalf of Council to key controls. This approach was monitors reports on: monitor all audit controls and risk reviewed and updated later in the year • strategic planning and 2003 change management of the university and to inform planning for 2004. initiative projects; associated processes. • stakeholder critical success factors Its objectives are to assist Council in Finance and Major Initiatives and the associated improvement discharging its responsibilities with Committee strategies; respect to: This committee receives and reviews • performance reporting – balanced • the integrity of the university’s annual the proposed budget parameters and scorecard and triple bottom line; financial statements and financial the proposed annual budget of the • quality management activities; and reporting and those of its controlled university, and recommends its • profile planning. entities; adoption by Council. It also: • the university’s and its controlled • receives and reviews regular financial RMIT Human Research Ethics entities’ exposure to legal and reports; Committee business risk; • receives and reviews the capital This committee was established by • the effectiveness of the external and program budget, and recommends its Council to safeguard the interests of internal audit functions; and adoption by Council; participants in research conducted at RMIT. • the adequacy and effectiveness of the • advises Council on major initiatives The committee reviews ethical university’s and the controlled entities’ and projects involving significant aspects of proposed research involving management, financial control financial commitment, and/or a people, to ensure that it complies with systems and other internal controls. significant non-financial risk; National Health and Medical Research 52 The Audit and Risk Management including the acquisition or sale of Council guidelines issued as the National

3 Committee met on eight occasions in buildings; and Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research 0

0 2003. Over February and March 2003 • monitors the progress of major Involving Humans, NH&MRC 1999. 2

t the committee considered the financial programs, in particular the Academic The committee comprises 17 rnance e statements for 2002, discussed the Management System, initiatives, and members, including a number of v por audited statements with projects, and advises Council of any external lay-persons and appointees in al re

te Go representatives of the Victorian Auditor- emerging significant issues. areas of expertise specified by the

nu General and recommended to Council guidelines. Most internal members are the adoption of the 2002 financial Membership Committee appointed on the basis of their t an orpora

C statements. This committee discharges a knowledge and experience in areas of rmi The committee met in May to number of responsibilities on behalf of research currently considered by the consider and endorse a response to the the Council with respect to Council committee. draft report of the Victorian Auditor- membership including: The committee has delegated to General on RMIT Finances. It continued • recommending people to be appointed Human Research Ethics Sub- to monitor the implementation of or re-appointed to the Council; Committees power to classify research recommendations arising from this • suggesting candidates to the Minister proposals by degree of risk and to audit through the year, as well as the to be considered for appointment or approve those that are considered likely implementation of internal audit re-appointment; to entail risks no greater than the recommendations. The committee • recruiting new chancellors and everyday norm. Projects involving risks reports regularly to Council on these re-appointing continuing chancellors. believed to be above the everyday norm and other matters. The committee in 2003 considered (risk level 3) are referred to the main Throughout the year the committee its role and function and, on its committee for consideration and received reports on internal audit recommendation, Council reconstituted approval. activities and on remedial action being it as the Nominations and Corporate The committee monitors approved undertaken in areas of concern. It also Governance Committee. projects via annual reports and has monitored the implementation of long- procedures for receiving and resolving term strategic change actions. The Remuneration Committee any complaints with respect to these committee also received regular This committee determines the projects. updates on the Academic Management remuneration policies and procedures System and remediation progress, as for all categories of staff in the Council Code of Conduct well as monthly financial “snapshot” university, as well as the remuneration As part of its commitment to good reports and quarterly reports into for members of the university’s governance practices, in 2003 the occupational health and safety and executive staff. The Remuneration University Council adopted a charter campus security. Committee resolves matters relating to containing broad governance principles, In September the committee the employment of members of the responsibilities, and a framework for recommended to Council a charter that Vice-Chancellor’s Executive. Council to operate in the best interests outlined in greater detail the Audit and of the university. The charter sets out Risk Management Committee’s objects, the responsibilities of Council, Council authority and responsibilities. It also members, the Chancellor and Chairs of reviewed and updated the charter Council Committees and is used to under which RMIT’s Internal Audit and inform new Council members of their Risk Management Group operates. rights and responsibilities. It was also Council adopted both of these charters used to develop the Council Work Plan at its November meeting. for 2004. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 53

Senior Officers

As at 31/12/03

Vice-Chancellor and President Pro Vice-Chancellor Pro Vice-Chancellor Science, Professor Ruth Dunkin International, Enterprise and Engineering and Technology Professor Ruth Dunkin is the Chief Community Development Professor Daine Alcorn Executive Officer of RMIT, both for HE Dr Madeleine Reeve Professor Alcorn contributes to and TAFE. She is responsible for Dr Reeve’s responsibilities include RMIT’s planning, policy and strategic ensuring strong, effective leadership identifying and brokering business and development, enhances the profile and and clear direction within the university commercial enterprise and community position of the university and the through an appropriate vision and needs in the local and international portfolio, and provides academic strategic plan. communities that RMIT serves. In leadership, support and overall addition she oversees the management of the 10 schools within establishment of new models of the portfolio to create an environment Pro Vice-Chancellor Group interaction and partnership in a wide in which research and teaching will Governance range of locations, including Vietnam. flourish. Professor David Wilmoth She is directly responsible for Professor Wilmoth is responsible for Community and Regional Partnerships; ensuring the coherence of the RMIT the International Office; Marketing and Pro Vice-Chancellor Teaching group strategy, the establishment and Public Affairs; TAFE; RMIT International and Learning support of appropriate governance Pty Ltd; RMIT Training Pty Ltd and RMIT Professor Gail Hart systems and processes for the RMIT International University Vietnam. Professor Hart provides vision and Group, and for ensuring that external leadership for teaching and learning compliance and reporting requirements within the broad scholarship framework are met. His portfolio includes Pro Vice-Chancellor Business at RMIT University, including program 53

responsibility for internal audit and risk Professor Chris Whitaker development and delivery and teaching C rmi orpora

management and the provision of Professor Whitaker contributes to improvement. She is directly responsible t an university secretariat services to the RMIT’s planning, policy and strategic for RMIT Libraries; Distributed Learning nu Council and its committees. development, enhances the profile and Systems and Curriculum Innovation and te Go position of the university and the Design. al re

portfolio, and provides academic v e por Pro Vice-Chancellor Students leadership, support and overall rnance Pro Vice-Chancellor Research t Professor Helen Praetz management of the seven schools 2 0

Professor Praetz is responsible for within the portfolio to create an and Innovation 0 3 identifying and planning services to environment in which research and Professor Neil Furlong meet the needs and aspirations of teaching will flourish. Professor Furlong has a leadership RMIT’s different student groups, and role in the development of discovery works closely with the academic and practice-based research and is portfolios and academic and teaching Pro Vice-Chancellor Design and building and enhancing capability staff to implement and enhance a Social Context across the university in research and university-wide approach to student- Professor Belinda Probert innovation. He is directly responsible for centred learning and support and the Professor Probert contributes to Research Partnerships; Research provision of pathways. Her portfolio RMIT’s planning, policy and strategic Support; RMIT’s Research Training includes responsibility for the Office of development, enhances the profile and Group; and the four Virtual Research the Academic Registrar; Student position of the university and the and Innovation Institutes – Learning Support; Student Services; the portfolio, and provides academic Globalisation, Global Sustainability, Office for Prospective Students; and leadership, support and overall Interactive Information (I-Cubed) and Student Hubs. management of the 11 schools within Biotechnology. the portfolio to create an environment in which research and teaching will flourish. Pro Vice-Chancellor Finance and Business Services Mr Cameron Moroney Mr Moroney is responsible for the overall planning, development, deployment and control of finances and resources to enable the university to achieve its objectives. He provides leadership and management of Financial Services; Information Technology Services; Legal Services; the Planning Group; the Major Change Group; and Property Services. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 54 orn y e : es f Engineering e, echnolog T e Scienc aculty o F Engineering Lif essor Daine Alc f Applied Scienc and o C Scienc Pr V P t t es e and ober vic xt onmen : tion f te vir on Languag Design and aculty o ted En F C Design and t, tion, V ommunica Social C Ar P C essor Belinda Pr f ommunity Ser o C duca onstruc Pr E C er Whitak : f aculty o C Business Business F V P essor Christopher f o Pr t ts d/ ar y aetz es ts BS vic U eller or egistr H Ser e f t e Studen echnical Studies t T fic tiv f f earning Suppor Chanc C Studen L O V t d o Academic Boar P essor Helen Pr Studen

54 f Studen ospec o Academic R Pr Pr Boar 3 Studen 0 0 2 t t rnance e e e v por v ther fic terprise f elopmen ee ur v AFE) tional tional T airs ietnam f tnerships f V aining r ar al re T terna terna te Go eting and tional En tion ( tional O T ersity ublic A T In T In nu P ommunity and RMI duca Mark terna terna C E Dr Madeleine R ommunity De RMI RMI Univ egional P echnical and F In T R C In V t an P ellor ouncil and C orpora C uth Dunkin rmi ersity C e-Chanc ic essor R f V o Univ oup t Pr y ch urlong tion a tnerships v ch and ar esear aining Gr r ch Suppor T tion Institutes: I-Cubed C R ch P a Globalism esear V ch v R essor Neil F P Biotechnolog f esear and Inno o R esear Inno Global Sustainability Pr esear R R ) D I t ch C tion ( a earning T&L t v S) C earning V y esear R ar , o P s t y a Libr elopmen stem (DL v f Domains: w essor Gail Har y f S o th Ombuds eaching and L a Pr T Advisor P Distributed L C Curriculum Inno and De V Chairs o P Prime, t C FBS) es to elopmen V oup tional v vic t to P anisa acan g V esponsible ice-Chancellor) eople Ser (r C Or P V Planning Gr V P esponsible (r apability and De C t y y es es es oup one vic vic vic e and es echnolog es Gr T vic on Mor vic ty Ser inanc tion Ser C F amer oper al Ser V inancial Ser P Pr Business Ser F orma eg L Mr C Inf tional Char e t a t ilmoth and is etaria ernanc W emen v udit vid an oup Go ersity Secr ternal A 31/12/03 g essor Da f C Gr Risk Manag In o t V Univ P Pr Or As a *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 55

Freedom of Information Complaints from Ombuds Office

The university received eight applications for information in Eight complaints were referred from the Victorian State 2003 under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. Ombuds on a variety of issues, all of which were satisfactorily • Access granted in full: 4 resolved. • Access granted in part: 4 • Access denied: 0

National Competition Policy Whistleblowers Protection RMIT has developed costing and pricing models that apply all relevant university costs including overhead costs and Act 2001 where appropriate adjust prices to take account of any (a) Procedures competitive advantage the university may have. This enables RMIT developed and introduced its policies and procedures the university to comply with the National Competition Policy relating to the Act in 1991. The procedures define key terms and including the requirements of the Government policy detail actions relating to the reporting system, roles and statement Competitive Neutrality: A Statement of Victorian responsibilities confidentiality, collating and publishing statistics, Policy and subsequent reforms. receiving and assessing disclosures, investigations, action taken after an investigation, managing the welfare of whistleblowers and those against whom disclosures have been made, criminal offences and reviews. The procedures are available online at www.rmit.edu.au/browse?SIMID=hf2xmryvrw5d . Public Funding All public funds allocated to the university have been (b) Number and types of disclosures made during the year. allocated to the purposes specified by the government or There were no reports during 2003. other public funding body. 55

(c) Number of disclosures referred during the year by the public C rmi orpora

body to the Ombudsman for determination as to whether they t an are public interest disclosures. nu Zero te Go al re

(d) Number and types of disclosed matters referred to the public v e por body during the year by the Ombudsman. rnance t

Zero 2 0 0 3 (e) Number and types of disclosed matters referred during the year by the public body to the Ombudsman to investigate. Zero

(f) Number and types of investigations of disclosed matters taken over by the Ombudsman from the public body during the year. Zero

(g) Number of requests made under section 74 during the year to the Ombudsman to investigate disclosed matters. Zero

(h) Number and types of disclosed matters that the public body has declined to investigate during the year. Zero

(i) Number and types of disclosed matters that were substantiated on investigation and the action taken on completion of the investigation. Zero

(j) Recommendations of the Ombudsman under this Act that relate to the public body. Zero *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 56

RMIT Controlled Entities

RMIT International Pty Ltd It delivered a net profit of $840,000 International markets were also RMIT International is RMIT’s for the year, $373,000 above budget. developed during 2003, with sales in international commercial arm and is The strong performance reflects high Canada and the USA. In December, an responsible for promoting and levels of demand for English Language agency relationship was established for developing the university’s global Instruction Courses for Overseas the sale of online products to Asian business initiatives. This includes Students (ELICOS) programs at the countries. International sales reached onshore international student Melbourne Language Centre, both by $52,000 in 2003, but this is expected to recruitment, international business students preparing for other RMIT grow in future years. development, consultancy, training, university programs, and industry research and project management groups. RMIT Workforce Solutions services. RMIT International’s total The Melbourne centre recorded RMIT Workforce Solutions offers revenue for 2003 was $16.7 million, 18,961 student weeks for the year, 16 per workplace assessment and other compared to $19.3 million in 2002. cent more than for the previous 12 human resource consultancy services to Revenue from projects made up $9.1 months, while the total number of industry, predominately within Victoria. million of this. students grew to 1144. Other English A major priority for 2003 was to For more information on RMIT’s instruction and testing programs were consolidate the three key product lines: international activities see page 30. also popular. • workplace assessor training; Overseas, REW experienced a more • workplace assessments; and RMIT Training Pty Ltd difficult year. Several partners • human resources consultancy. RMIT Training includes four separate experienced difficulties as a result of the The foundations for a successful year businesses – RMIT English Worldwide, SARS outbreak in China and Hong Kong were established with over 250 RMIT Publishing, RMIT Workforce and there was also a decline in demand participants attending the public Solutions and RMIT IT Test Lab. A small for English language instruction at RMIT workplace-training program and 56 number of services is undertaken for International University Vietnam. As a ongoing growth in workplace

3 the university on a cost recovery basis. result, numbers attending offshore assessments. The number of workplace 0

0 The company recorded a net profit of programs were lower than had been assessments increased three-fold from 2

t $1.1 million for 2003, $300,000 above projected. Offshore partnerships rose 2002, which placed RMIT Workforce rnance e budget. from five to eight during the year, with a Solutions as the market leader for v por The performance of the four total of 1722 students participating in conducting assessments within the al re

te Go businesses varied. Three delivered a net programs outside Australia. electro-technology industry.

nu profit, in two cases – RMIT English The HR consultancy product area Worldwide and RMIT Workforce RMIT Publishing undertook a major training needs t an orpora

C Solutions – well above budget. RMIT RMIT Publishing publishes a unique analysis contract in the first quarter rmi Publishing ended the period with a collection of Australasian journals, and secured three major contracts in small profit, although below budget, and indexes, conference proceedings, Papua New Guinea, in conjunction with RMIT IT Test Lab delivered a net loss. technical reports and scholarly works, RMIT International. The business RMIT Training operates a marketing primarily in electronic format. The achieved a net profit for the period of and booking service for the university’s company’s InfoRMIT imprint is just under 75 per cent above budget. short and single courses; and a web- recognised in the business, education based employment portal for students, and research sectors in Australasia, and RMIT IT Test Lab potential trainees and apprentices and increasingly by international agencies. The RMIT IT Test Lab provides a the wider RMIT community. It A new search interface was released to range of services that reduce risk and processed 15,329 short and single customers in 2003, enabling the improve the return on investment for course bookings, a 6.9 per cent rise on publishing of online content under the organisations introducing new the 2002 figure. The number of imprint InfoRMIT Library, making it technology products. The Lab has bookings and enquiries made via the Australia’s first real e-press. provided hardware testing services for Internet increased dramatically in 2003. Substantial progress was made the past 15 years. However, there is a The employment web portal, New during 2003 in the acquisition of rights limited market for this type of testing. Career Connections, was re-branded as to publish complete texts on InfoRMIT In order to broaden the market for the JET Apprenticeships and Traineeships in Library. The number of journal titles business, it reorientated its services in November. During the year, jobseeker online increased from five to 38 and the 2003 to areas with greater demand. numbers grew steadily to over 14,000. number of titles available online overall New services introduced during the The RMIT alumni employment portal increased from 37 to 86. By the end of year included: ceased as a commercial venture and 2004, InfoRMIT Library expects to • software testing, covering was integrated with the RMIT provide online access to more than 150 functionality, compatibility and Employment Services Portal for current titles including conference proceedings, performance of a wide range of students. reports and monographs. software applications including InfoRMIT index databases are sold websites; and RMIT English Worldwide (REW) either on CD-ROM or online. As • usability and accessibility testing to RMIT English Worldwide is an expected, CD-ROM sales decreased in improve the user experience of international English language 2003, while online sales grew. This is software applications. instruction business and operates a well- evidence of the trend for libraries to The business also registered as a known language centre in Melbourne move away from buying purely index Commonwealth Endorsed Supplier, and a number of overseas sites in databases towards services that offer which is expected to lead to a position partnership with other institutions. full-text content online and linked to on the Victorian Government e-Services the index. Panel in 2004. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 57

RMIT Vietnam Holdings Pty Ltd Helen McPherson Smith Trust Spatial Vision Innovations Pty Ltd RMIT Vietnam Holdings Pty Ltd Hellenic Republic- Ministry of Education Spatial Vision Innovations Pty Ltd continued to function as a holding Irwin & Mclaren P/L sells geospatial technology and services company for RMIT Vietnam and as a John Bougioukos for use in environmental, land and asset repository for project funds and major Mayne Pharma management, and for a growing range donations destined for Vietnam. During Melbourne Pathology of other government and private sector 2003 it received over $5 million in Omiros College Ltd clients. In 2003, the business: donations for RMIT Vietnam and for Probus Club - Donvale • expanded its client base into NSW and projects such as the Learning Resource Probus Club - Mt Waverley the ACT; Centre programs, the National Library RMIT Student Representative Council • launched three new technology Management System project and the Ron Cruckshank products: RMIT Vietnam scholarship program. Saumit Melita • Tractus – a web-based spatial data Servier Lab capture applet; RMIT International University St George of God Pathology • Extractus – a web-based spatial data Vietnam (“RMIT Vietnam”) St Vincents Hospital export applet; and The year was one of considerable Steve Gordon • Nexus – an incremental spatial data growth for RMIT Vietnam, with student The Cass Foundation file update tool. enrolments growing by 73 per cent Tim Buchanan • won another three water authority during 2003 to 619 students. The Various Donors (x8) technology projects, further English language campus also Vizard Foundation reinforcing its position as the leading experienced substantial growth, WCF Thomas Charitable Trust spatial solution provider in the although this was more of a cyclical Victorian water industry; nature. The groundbreaking ceremony InQuirion Pty Ltd • won a Government Silver Technology for the new campus building in Saigon TeraText database technology was Efficiency Award for an environmental 57

South was a major highlight of the year. developed at RMIT and first management system for the Great C rmi orpora

Stage one of the campus is set for commercialised in 1993. InQuirion is an Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; t an completion in late 2004, while two RMIT spin-off company that • produced 13,000 copies of two nu additional satellite campus facilities commercially manages the technology, regional map books for the Country te Go were opened in 2003 to cater for providing development, support and Fire Authority of Victoria; and al re

student demand. related professional services. In 2003, it • produced a National Marine Atlas v e por recorded revenues of $2.8m, an increase showing the non-fisheries uses of rnance RMIT Foundation t of 86 per cent on the 2002 figure. Australia’s marine jurisdiction for the 2 0

The RMIT Foundation was Expenses remained relatively low, giving National Oceans Office. 0 3 established to receive philanthropic a positive cash flow result. The gifts and donations made to RMIT company actively pursued new clients Meltech Services Ltd University for both specified and in the corporate and government This company, limited by guarantee, unspecified purposes. It is governed by sectors and was involved in major new was established as a nominee company a Board of Trustees, advised by its projects with organisations including for the RMIT Union. It did not trade in Finance and Investment Committee the National Library of Australia, the 2003. and administered by RMIT’s Financial New Zealand Parliament, Tenix Defence Services Group. In 2003, the foundation Systems and the Tasmanian State RMIT (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd distributed more than $920,000 in Government. Dormant. In the process of liquidation. grants, scholarships and prizes. RMIT Union Major Donors to RMIT 2003 The Union recorded an operating Adrian Chambers loss of $598,000 against a budgeted ANZ Trustees deficit of $288,000. In late 2003 the Arthur G Designs P/L University Council called for a balanced Baker Medical Research Institute 2004 budget and a revised business Bendigo Lions Club plan. The outlook for 2004 is for Bendigo Radiotherapy Foundation changed governance arrangements, Bensons Property Group tighter financial management and Brett Kay possible restructure. Bristol Myer Squibb Pharmaceuticals Carleton Family Trust RMIT Innovation Ltd Cerylid Biosciences P/L The company holds RMIT’s shares in Chris Andrianopoulos Spatial Vision Innovations Pty Ltd and CSL (Bioplasma) Ltd made a loss of $8000 in 2003. D & J Cotterill Demos Property Services Earl Carter Photography P/L Frank Mahlab G Auzagelis George Alexander Foundation Glaxosmith Aust Haileybury College Harold Mitchell Foundation Healesville Ladies Club *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 58

Consultancies

Vendor Name Order Invoiced Future Description Amount ($) Amount ($) Commitments ($) T- Systems Pty Ltd 1,990,563 1,990,563 0 AMS Product Support Peoplesoft Australia Pty Ltd 1,730,904 1,730,904 0 AMS Product Support Motet Consulting Pty Ltd 532,158 532,158 0 AMS Product Support Entity Solutions 483,486 483,486 0 AMS Project Work The Production Place Pty Ltd 352,946 352,946 0 Event Management – Graduation KPA Consulting Pty Ltd 345,686 342,686 3000 Financial Management Support Ernst and Young 268,301 268,301 0 AMS QA Review and Process Simplification Project Charter Wilson and Associates Pty Ltd 251,399 251,399 0 AMS Project Management Common Ground Publishing Pty Ltd 242,588 242,588 0 C2C Project Management Bearing Point Australia Pty Ltd 228,240 228,240 0 SFCS Evaluation and FACS Project Support M&T Resources 211,007 211,007 0 AMS Test Analysis Victoria University Of Technology 191,516 185,365 6150 Disability Learning and Development Project Urcot Ltd 159,762 159,762 0 Teaching Services Moore Stephens HF Services Pty Ltd 153,050 150,090 2960 A/Dir Internal Audit Alan Long Quality Pty Ltd 155,000 145,235 9765 Industry Presentations Mark R. Dunn Pty Ltd 119,900 119,900 0 Risk and Quality Management – ITS Nolan - ITU 116,369 116,369 0 LCA Waste and Resource Recovery Spelaion Pty Ltd 115,834 115,834 0 AMS Project Management 58 Howth Services 112,150 112,150 0 Financial Services Group/AMS

3 Financial Reporting 0

0 Transformations 111,680 111,680 0 Disability Learning and Development Project 2

t Presence Of It - Victoria Pty Ltd 105,403 105,403 0 SAP - HR Module rnance e Osa Group 104,775 104,775 0 Employee Assistance Program v por Immersive Productions Pty Ltd 117,600 102,400 15,200 Website Development al re

te Go Total 8,200,315 8,163,240 37,075 nu 674 consultancies of less than $100,000 8,130,769 7,793,712 337,057 t an orpora C rmi *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 59

Additional Information Fees and Charges Available on Request In 2003 there were no significant changes to the level of Consistent with the requirements of the Financial fees charged to students by the university: Management Act 1994, RMIT University has prepared material on the following items, details of which are available on request: Tuition fees • statement regarding declarations of pecuniary interest; In 2003 the level of tuition fees charged to local • shares held beneficially by senior officers as nominees of a undergraduate and postgraduate full-fee paying students was statutory authority or subsidiary; revised to align with the comparable international program • publications; fees. On average domestic non-government funded fees • changes in prices, fees, charges, rates and levies; increased by 9.9 per cent. There were also no changes in the • major external reviews; level of tuition fees charged to State Government-funded TAFE • major research and development activities; students, and only a marginal increase in HECS fees. • overseas visits undertaken; International onshore student fees were increased on average • occupational health and safety assessments and measures; by 2.1 per cent, with the majority of fees held constant. • industrial relations issues; and • major committees sponsored by RMIT University. Compulsory Non-Academic Fees The Compulsory Non-Academic Fee charged to HE and Enquiries regarding details of the above should be international students increased by 3.75 per cent. Student addressed to: Services and Administration Fees charged to local TAFE Robert Stilling students increased by 3.5 per cent. Internal Communications Manager The amount of compulsory non-academic fees collected by RMIT University the university from students and prospective students during PO Box 2476V the year ended December 31, 2003 is shown in Note 36 to the Melbourne Vic 3000 annual financial statements of the university. The note also Tel. (03) 9925 2000 shows the purposes for which the university distributed those 59

fees and the amounts of money made available to the C rmi orpora

university operations and student-related organisations. t an nu Course Material and Administrative Fees te Go There were no significant changes to the level of fees al re

charged as course material and administrative fees. v e por rnance

Schedule of Fees and Charges t 2 0

All fees charged to students at RMIT University are set and 0 3 approved under the authority of Council. An ‘Approved Schedule of Fees and Charges’ is published each year that lists fees charged to students. A copy of the schedule of fees and charges for 2003 and 2004 is available upon request from the Academic Registrar. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 60 Goals and Targets for 2004

The RMIT Strategic Plan, Dissolving the Boundaries: Building a Sustainable RMIT, and the RMIT University Business Plan 2004 – 2006 set the focus for 2004.

60 RMIT’s efforts in 2004 will concentrate Research and Development 3 on consolidating changes initiated in 0

0 2001 to restructure its people, processes Goal 2

t and systems to support core activities. To undertake outcome-related rnance e These actions are helping to dissolve research and development in our areas v por the boundaries across the university of demonstrated research excellence, al re

te Go that limit collaboration, communi- and to support innovation to underpin

nu cation and productivity. They are critical future economic and social to building a solid foundation to development in the communities in t an orpora

C support future sustainability. which we operate. rmi Teaching and Learning Approaches Internationalisation Goal • Build a strong practical research Goal To educate students who culture of project teams to connect To extend the scope of our demonstrate leadership and can disciplinary strengths. international activities and create a contribute creatively, critically and • Create a breadth and depth of sense of global understanding and responsibly to their professions, disciplinary competence in targeted imagination in our students, staff and vocations, employers and the areas. clients. community in an international and • Link research activity to teaching and local context. learning for staff and students. Approaches • Ensure applied research contributes to • Provide curriculum aligned to the Approaches national and international innovation. demands of the global economy and • Focus on quality learning. • Provide a range of research degrees that encourages global understanding • Determine clients’ learning needs and and training tailored for students’ and imagination. provide learning programs tailored to employability. • Establish international research the needs and circumstances of • Commercialise potential innovations. networks and increase international students and clients. research training in Australia and • Provide programs that reflect growing Regional and Local offshore. areas of employment and individual Communities • Develop and maintain strategic and community aspirations. Goal international partnerships and • Develop sustainable learning To make a difference to the alliances. communities that recognise and value communities and regions we serve. • Develop improved policies, procedures scholarship and good teaching. and practices related to the use of • Renew learning environments and Approaches new technologies and quality learning technologies. • Establish and nurture sustainable assurance. • Build capability based curricula – partnerships between community and students apply knowledge and skills regional stakeholders and RMIT. to research and work-based problems, • Ensure that education and research locally and internationally. programs are shaped by community • Focus on employment, leadership and needs and aspirations. career-long learning. • Build capacity to be agile and responsive to community and regions. • Explore and contribute to the scholarship of engagement. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 61

Staffing and Resources Success Indicators and Targets 2003-2006 61

Goals Indicators of Success Targets C rmi orpora

• To assist individual students achieve Teaching and 1. Teaching quality. 1. Teaching quality better than t an their academic, personal development Learning 2. Completion rates. the national (HE) and state nu and career goals. 3. Proportion of graduates (VET) averages by 2006. te Go • To assist industry and enterprises in securing full-time 2. 5% over the national average al re

the processes of change and employment. by 2006. v e por innovation. 4. Proportion of graduates 3. 5% over the national average rnance t

• To ensure that the infrastructure and involved in enterprise by 2006. 2 0

information, management and formation. 4. Percentage of graduates self- 0 3 administrative services and systems 5. Active and meaningful employed. enhance our performance. teaching and learning 5. To be determined as a • To ensure our long-term viability and development, delivery and component of our ongoing sustainability. exchange relationships. Triple Bottom line plus one development. Approaches • Provide high quality, culturally Research and 1. Research income. 1. 25% per annum increase in sensitive and appropriate support and Innovation 2. Completion rates. income until 2006. advisory services. 3. Number of research 2. 20% improvement in research • Provide targeted services for industry publications / exhibitions. completions in minimum and enterprises. 4. Extent of commercialisation time by 2006. • Effectively and efficiently use of ideas and intellectual 3. 100% increase in publications information technology in teaching property, licensing and spinoff by 2006. and learning, research and companies. 4. 100% increase in development and library services. 5. Impact through partnerships. commercialisations, licensing • Maintain excellence in the design and and spinoffs by 2006. management of physical facilities, 5. To be determined as a compo- including equipment and property, nent of our ongoing Triple and facilitate their safe, efficient and Bottom line plus one environmentally responsible development. operation. • Recruit, support, develop and retain Organisation 1. Return on revenue. 1. 15% by 2006. skilled and committed staff. Reward and 2. Employer of choice: 2. To be determined as a them for performance and ensure Management • Quality of applicants. component of our ongoing that they work in an enriching and • Number of applicants. Triple Bottom line plus one stimulating environment, free from • Turnover. development. discrimination. Source: RMIT Strategic Plan and Direction to 2006 • Market and promote RMIT services. • Provide a range of modern financial and commercial advisory services. • Deploy resources efficiently and effectively. *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 62

Glossary

AMS Academic Management System ARC Australian Research Council ATN Australian Technology Network CEQ Course Experience Questionnaire CISS Centre for International Students and Scholars Course Prior to 2001, referred to as a Subject CRC Cooperative Research Centre C&RP Community and Regional Partnerships DBA Doctor of Business Administration DEST Department of Education, Science and Technology DLS Distributed Learning System EFTSU Equivalent Full-time Student Unit ENTER Equivalent National Tertiary Entrance Rank ESOS Act Education Services for Overseas Students HE Higher Education HECS Higher Education Contribution Scheme HEW Higher Education Worker IECD International, Enterprise and Community Development MBA Master of Business Administration MIT Melbourne Institute of Textiles MYLO Melbourne Youth Learning Opportunities NH&MRC National Health and Medical Research Council NIECAP Northern Interactive Education Coordinated Area Program 62 PQA Program Quality Assurance

3 Program A collection of courses leading to a university award y 0 0 ar PVC Pro Vice-Chancellor 2

t RMIT Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology oss

Gl TAFE Technical and Further Education por VCAL Victorian Certificate and Advance Learning

al re VCE Vice-Chancellor’s Executive

nu VET Vocational Education and Training VRII Virtual Research and Innovation Institute t an VTAC Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre rmi *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 63

Compliance Index

The annual report of RMIT University is prepared in accordance with: FMA Financial Management Act 1994 MFD Directions of the Minister for Finance issued under Section 8 of the Financial Management Act 1994 TEA 1993 Tertiary Education Act 1993 PAEC Decision of Public Accounts and Estimates Committee of Parliament RUG Victorian Government response to the Review of University Governance ESOS Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 WPA Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001

This index was prepared to facilitate identification of compliance with statutory disclosure requirements.

Clause Disclosure Page(s) Report of Operations Directions MFD 9.1.2 (i) General and financial information Passim MFD 9.1.2 (ii) Signature of Chancellor or nominee 2 Date of meeting at which Council approved annual report, or date of delegated approval 2

Relevant general information MFD 9.1.3 (i)(a) Manner in which the university was established 7 MFD 9.1.3 (i)(a) Relevant Minister 7 MFD 9.1.3 (i)(b) Objectives, functions, powers and duties 6 MFD 9.1.3 (i)(c) Nature and range of services, people and communities served 6-8 MFD 9.1.3 (i)(d) Administrative structure 54 MFD 9.1.3 (i)(d)(i) Members of the Council 51 63

MFD 9.1.3 (i)(d)(ii) Occupants of senior offices and areas of responsibility 53 C rmi o mpliance In

MFD 9.1.3 (i)(d)(iii) Organisational chart 54 t an MFD 9.1.3 (i)(e) Workforce data for current and previous year; statement on application of merit and equity principles 37 MFD 9.1.3 (i)(f) Application and operation of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 55 nu al re

Financial Year information dex por MFD 9.1.3 (ii)(a) Summary of the financial results with comparative results for preceding four years B56 t

MFD 9.1.3 (ii)(b) Summary of significant changes in financial position B57 2 0

MFD 9.1.3 (ii)(c) Operational objectives and performance including significant activities and achievements 2-61 0 3 MFD 9.1.3 (ii)(d) Major changes or factors affecting the achievement of operational objectives 2-61 MFD 9.1.3 (ii)(e) Events subsequent to balance date which may have a significant effect on operations in subsequent years B29 MFD 9.1.3 (ii)(f) Consultancies in excess of $100,000 58 MFD 9.1.3 (ii)(g) Consultancies less than $100,000 58 MFD 9.1.3 (ii)(h) Compliance with the Building Act 1993 41 MFD 9.1.3 (ii)(i) Additional information available on request 59 MFD 9.1 3 (ii)(k) Implementation and compliance with National Competition Policy 55

Other relevant information MFD 9.1.3 (iv)(a) Declarations of pecuniary interests 59 MFD 9.1.3 (iv)(b) Shares held by senior officers 59 MFD 9.1.3 (iv)(c) Publications 35 MFD 9.1.3 (iv)(d) Changes in prices, fees, charges, rates and levies 59 MFD 9.1.3 (iv)(e) Major external reviews 59 MFD 9.1.3 (iv)(f) Major research and development activities 26-28 MFD 9.1.3 (iv)(g) Overseas visits 59 MFD 9.1.3 (iv)(h) Promotional, public relations and marketing activities 35 MFD 9.1.3 (iv)(i) Occupational health and safety 36,44 MFD 9.1.3 (iv)(j) Industrial relations, accidents and disputes 36 MFD 9.1.3 (iv)(k) Major committees sponsored by the university 59

Additional information RUG Statement that public funds allocated to the purposes specified by the Government or other public funding body 55 RUG Council’s risk management strategy 48-49 ESOS Compliance with ESOS Act 2000 31 WPA (section 104) Compliance with the Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 55 Complaints made to and investigated by the Ombudsman 55 s. 12I TEA 1993 Compulsory non-academic fees, subscriptions and charges 59 PAEC (December 1997) International initiatives and strategies 30-33 PSMEA ss 7 & 8 Employment processes and principles of conduct for public sector employees 36 MFD 9.8 Statement on occupational health and safety matters, and performance measures 36,44 *AR2003-Page layout f2 14/5/04 2:44 PM Page 64

Financial Statements MFD 9.2.2 (i)(a) Financial operations: revenue and expenses B5 MFD 9.2.2 (i)(b) Financial position at end of year B5 MFD 9.2.2 (i)(c) Statement of cash flows B7 MFD 9.2.2 (i)(d) Notes to the financial statements B8-55 MFD 9.2.2 (i)(e) Consolidated financial statements B5-6 MFD 9.2.2 (ii)(a) Financial statements prepared on accrual basis B8 MFD 9.2.2(ii)(b) Compliance with accounting standards B8 MFD 9.2.2(ii)(c) Compliance with Department of Finance accounting requirements B8 MFD 9.2.2 (ii)(d) Accounts prepared in accordance with historical cost convention B8 MFD 9.2.2 (ii)(e) Information for preceding year which corresponds to disclosures for current year B8 MFD 9.2.2 (iii)(a)(b) Rounding of figures in financial statements B2 MFD 9.2.2 (vi)(a) Fair presentation of financial transactions and position B2 MFD 9.2.2 (vi)(b) Financial statements accord with directions of the Minister for Finance B2 MFD 9.2.2 (vi)(c) Circumstances which would render financial statements misleading or inaccurate B2

Relevant information MFD 9.2.3 (ii)(a) Material operating revenue: operating grants, sale of goods, rendering of services B5 MFD 9.2.3 (ii)(b) Investment income B5 MFD 9.2.3 (ii)(c) Material revenue: sale of non-goods assets, non-current assets B21 MFD 9.2.3 (ii)(d) Material revenue: exchanges of goods or services B5 MFD 9.2.3 (ii)(e) Depreciation, amortisation or diminution in value of assets B20 MFD 9.2.3 (ii)(f) Bad and doubtful debts B20 64 MFD 9.2.3 (ii)(g) Financing costs B20

3 MFD 9.2.3 (ii)(h) Net increment or decrement on revaluation of each asset category B25 0 0 dex MFD 9.2.3 (ii)(i) Auditor-General’s fees B20 2

t MFD 9.2.3 (ii)(j) Emoluments of Council B39 MFD 9.2.3 (ii)(k) Council members’ shareholdings in the university N/A por

al re Financial position mpliance In o nu MFD 9.2.3 (iii)(a) Details of assets B6 C MFD 9.2.3 (iii)(b) Details of liabilities B6 t an MFD 9.2.3 (iii)(c) Details of capital B6 rmi MFD 9.2.3 (iii)(d) Details of reserves and transfers to and from reserves B27 RUG Summary table of financial performance of Associates and commercial ventures B58-59

Other relevant information MFD 9.2.3 (iv)(a) Liabilities secured by a charge on assets N/A MFD 9.2.3 (iv)(b) Material contingent liabilities secured over assets N/A MFD 9.2.3 (iv)(c) Commitments for expenditure B28 MFD 9.2.3 (iv)(d) Government grants B18 MFD 9.2.3 (iv)(e) Employee superannuation funds B30-31 MFD 9.2.3 (iv)(f) Assets received without adequate consideration N/A

Responsible person-related disclosure MFD 9.4.2 (i) Names of council members B39 MFD 9.4.2 (ii) Remuneration of council members B39 MFD 9.4.2 (iii) Council members’ remuneration in bands of $10,000 B39 MFD 9.4.2 (iv) Executive officers’ remuneration B39 MFD 9.4.2 (v) Payments relating to council members’ retirement B40 MFD 9.4.2 (vi)(a) (b) Loans made, guaranteed or secured to a council member or related party B40 MFD 9.4.2 (vii) Aggregate amount of loans made to council members and repayments received N/A MFD 9.4.2 (viii)(a) Share or share option transactions by council members N/A MFD 9.4.2 (viii)(b) Terms and conditions of favourable share or share option transactions by council members N/A MFD 9.4.2 (ix) Other transactions with council members B40 MFD 9.4.2(x)(a) Aggregate amount of revenue or expense resulting from council members’ transactions B40 MFD 9.4.2(x)(b) Aggregate amounts receivable and payable resulting from council members’ transactions B40 MFD 9.4.2(x)(c) Aggregate amounts of provisions for doubtful receivables resulting from council members’ transactions B40 MFD 9.4.2(x)(d) Other benefits derived by council members from transactions B40

Pages with the prefix ‘B’ refer to the RMIT 2003 Financial Statements.

This Annual Report is printed on recycled paper. Produced by Marketing and Public Affairs, RMIT University. April 2004 www.rmit.edu.au