THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY SYDNEY THE OF UNIVERSITY annuaL report 2011 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 REPORT ANNUAL The University of Sydney NSW 2006 April 2012 The Hon. Adrian Piccoli, MP Minister for Education Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place Sydney NSW 2000 Dear Minister, The Senate of the University of Sydney has the honour of presenting to you, in accordance with the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 and its subsequent amendments, the report of the proceedings and financial statements of the University of Sydney for the year ended 31 December 2011. Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO Chancellor Dr Michael Spence Vice-Chancellor and Principal 3 The University of Sydney: FINANCIAL REPORTS AND CONTENTS our charter and purpose STATEMENTS 2011 4 Chancellor’s message 70 Independent auditor’s report 5 Vice-Chancellor’s message 72 Statement by appointed officers 6 Highlights of 2011 73 Audited financial statements 16 University governance 74 Income statement 18 Senate report 75 Statement of comprehensive 35 Academic Board income 36 Management 76 Statement of financial position 40 University officers and 77 Statement of changes in equity organisational chart 78 Statement of cash flows 42 Student statistics 79 Notes to the financial statements 43 Student feedback and consumer response 144 Financial review of 2011 44 Human resources 45 Staff statistics 154 Index 48 Equal employment opportunity 52 Multicultural policies and services program report 54 Occupational health and safety 56 Legal affairs and risk management 58 Privacy and personal information 60 Freedom of information 64 International promotion 66 Research performance 67 Honorary awards and promotions to professor 68 Waste and sustainability In October 2011, Associate Professor Min Chen (standing) won the Science Minister’s Prize for Life Scientist of the Year, part of the prestigious Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science, for her contribution to our understanding of one of the building blocks of life on Earth: chlorophyll. 3 THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY The University of Sydney is OUR CHARTER OUR PURPOSE The University of Sydney was The University of Sydney can make a a leading, comprehensive incorporated by the Parliament of New strong claim to being the first university research and teaching South Wales on 1 October 1850, making in the world to admit students purely on community. We pursue a it the first university to be established the basis of academic merit. in Australia. shared commitment to the We aim to create and sustain a Under the University of Sydney Act university in which, for the benefit of transformative power of 1989 (as amended), the University’s both Australia and the wider world, the education, and to fostering principal functions include the: brightest researchers and the most greater understanding of – provision of facilities for education and promising students, whatever their research of university standard social or cultural background, can thrive the world around us. – encouragement of the dissemination, and realise their full potential. advancement, development and This purpose is at the heart of our Through critical analysis, application of knowledge informed by 2011–15 Strategic Plan and resonates thought leadership and free enquiry with the historical aims of our active contribution to public – provision of courses of study or institution. This report tells you how we instruction across a range of fields, worked throughout 2011 to ensure we debate, we help to shape and the carrying out of research, to will succeed in the future. Australia’s national and meet the needs of the community – participation in public discourse international agenda. – conferring of degrees, including those This annual report tells you about our of bachelor, master and doctor, and University in 2011. To find out more the awarding of diplomas, certificates about who we are and what we aspire and other awards to be, please visit sydney.edu.au/about – provision of teaching and learning that engage with advanced knowledge and enquiry. 4 CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE 2011 was a year of continued whom have progressed to influential Chancellor Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir at the University’s Beijing graduation achievement for the University. positions. We are touched by the ceremony in October 2011. There has been significant progress, considerable effort alumni make to both physical and academic, towards attend these receptions, which have Great Hall in February. The Hon. RP the establishment of an important now been held in several Chinese cities. Meagher QC and Dr Rowan Nicks component of the strategic plan, the The Senate of the University welcomed were among a number of distinguished Charles Perkins Centre for education seven new Fellows, including members alumni and generous benefactors to and research in obesity, diabetes and drawn from the academic staff and the University who died during the cardiovascular disease. from postgraduate students. We year, and who were remembered in University gatherings. We have also continued to enhance acknowledge with considerable our international links through valuable appreciation the valuable service of The appointment of our first Deputy interaction with visiting delegations retiring members Ms Kim Anderson, the Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and through the University’s visits Hon. John Aquilina, Professor Belinda and Services), Professor Shane to collaborative projects with Bennett, Dr Ros Bohringer, Professor Houston, has been received with international colleagues. Simon Chapman, Ms Chirine Dada and much acclaim. This is a most welcome Professor Margaret Harris. John Shipp, development in the history of our In Beijing in October we celebrated University Librarian since 1997, retired University, an initiative from which, the graduation of 156 of our Chinese after distinguished service appreciated I believe, significant advancement will students. As with previous such events, by countless students and staff. be achieved for the whole University the ceremony was greatly appreciated community and for the nation. by many families of graduands who The news of the death on Christmas would have been unable to make the Day 2010 of former Vice-Chancellor HER EXCELLENCY PROFESSOR long journey to Sydney to see their child Professor Gavin Brown AO, was MARIE BasHIR AC CVO graduate. Later that day a reception received with considerable sadness. Chancellor was held for Chinese alumni, many of A memorial service was held in the 5 VICE-CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE In a period of consolidation and a process for curriculum review and Vice-Chancellor Dr Michael Spence is interviewed at Christie’s in London ahead of the considerable achievement, the renewal. Work continued on the June 2011 auction of a Picasso donated to the University completed the first year of new Student Lifecycle Management University to raise funds for scientific research. its Strategic Plan for 2011–15. program, which will create a seamless first outreach initiatives was the China One of the significant changes has student experience from first enquiry Business Forum in conjunction with the been the establishment of a new to alumni engagement. Once again City of Sydney and KPMG. structure for institutional governance, the National Union of Students collective planning and decision-making. rated Sydney’s as the best student Planning and strategic development The University’s Senior Executive experience in Australia. continued on another major Group, with divisional boards and Our commitment to promote indigenous cross-disciplinary research initiative, committees, was established to bring participation and engagement was a new centre for obesity, diabetes faculties together and to foster mutual underlined with the appointment of a and cardiovascular disease. Funding accountability. At the same time Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous for new academic positions in this the introduction of a new University Strategy and Services). Significant centre received a boost of more Economic Model has provided greater progress was made in the development than $19 million thanks to the transparency of the University’s of an integrated indigenous strategy proceeds of the sale of a donated financial situation. For the first time we to reposition Aboriginal and Torres Picasso. These funds, together with allocated budgets according to the new Strait Islander issues as integral to the other generous gifts, meant we had divisional structure on the assumption University’s core business. our most successful year ever in philanthropic activity. that academic units are the key revenue Our commitment to research excellence generators of the University. was highlighted with the establishment We have high ambitions, and as this As part of our commitment to of a new China Studies Centre, bringing year shows the University community is manage more effectively the size and together more than 150 academic working hard to achieve them. shape of the University, we began experts from all major disciplines to DR MICHAEL SPENCE an institution-wide assessment of provide national leadership in the study VICE-Chancellor AND Principal all degree programs, together with of modern China. One of the centre’s 6 … INSPIRED MORE THAN … supported 49,000 students FROM MORE THAN 3000 AROUND THE world academic staff – 1040 students received University-funded – The federal government’s Excellence scholarships totalling almost $7 million. in Research for Australia initiative – 13,225 students graduated in 64 ceremonies.