university of otago leading thinkers initiative 2007 annual report 31 march 2008 2007 university of otago leading thinkers initiative annual report leading thinkers initiative annual report 2007 This is the third annual report to the Tertiary Education Commission on the operation of the Leading Thinkers initiative at the University of Otago. The report is required by the Capital Injection Agreement concluded in June 2005 between the Government and the University within the Government’s Partnerships for Excellence framework. Although generated in response to that agreement, this report is equally addressed to the University’s private donor partners. The agreement with the Government contains certain specific reporting requirements, and the form of the report follows those requirements as listed below, followed by individual project reports and a selection of news media coverage. Overview 1 A brief narrative, including matters relevant to reaching both the Project Conversion Criteria and the Programme Conversion Criteria, and assessing in general terms the success of the Leading Thinkers Initiative as a whole. 1 Summary of the principal outcomes of the Leading Thinkers Initiative and its impact on the University. The summary surveys the Leading Thinkers Initiative in terms of its overall status and impact on the University and includes specific comments about individual projects as may be appropriate or useful. 1 A brief description of all the Leading Thinkers Projects approved for inclusion in the Leading Thinkers Initiative. 2 Confirmation of the University’s continued support for, and ability to carry out, the Leading Thinkers Initiative. 8 Audited annual accounts of that portion of the Trust’s activities relating to the Leading Thinkers Initiative, each to incorporate Statement of Financial Performance, statement of Financial Position and Cash-flow Statement, together with explanatory notes and detailing the distributions of the Trust by Leading Thinkers Project, and other expenditure items. 9 A summary of the total funding provided to each Leading Thinkers Project from the University, the Trust and Third Party Donors, either directly or via the Trust. 26 university of otago OVERVIEW LEADING THINKERS An investment in people The Leading Thinkers Initiative at the University of Otago is designed to add to the human capital of the University and the nation. It is a set of individual projects, mostly endowed chairs, which are each joint ventures between private donors, the Government of New Zealand and the University. The name is intended to state directly what the initiative is all about - attracting and retaining leaders in research and ideas, enriching all disciplines and with sufficient mass to create a step up for the University. Individual donors likewise seek “leading thinkers” – albeit for the slightly different purpose of delivering particular project outcomes - and so a fruitful partnership can be formed. The whole programme was designed to comprise about 25 individual projects and to require a total investment of $50 million. The mechanism is that the Government matches private donations, according to an agreement signed in 2005, up to $25 million. Projects are subject to a robust internal approval process and all meet a set of criteria that ensures they are in the interests of both the University and the wider public. THE YEAR Meeting a target 2007 was the year in which the setting up phase of the Leading Thinkers Initiative was completed. The total number of projects reached 27, the total monetary sum committed by private partners reached $26.7m, and the full available Government matching contribution of $25m was drawn. We were pleased that this was all completed well before the contracted deadline of March 2008. Having agreements signed and funds available is only the start of course, and not the point of the exercise. The real outcomes from the programme are realised once projects become established. In this respect, steady progress can be reported. Seventeen projects were operational by the end of the year, with several more appointments made or imminent. Some individual projects are now well established and some have significant momentum. The list of projects reveals the satisfyingly good spread of project areas. We are very pleased indeed with having chosen to invest in people and we are extremely grateful to our partners, both private and Government, for joining us in this investment. Our intention is to justify their faith in our ability to deliver the sought outcomes. As previously reported, the cumulative effect of Leading Thinker projects certainly seems to be greater than that arising from a set of individual projects. The human capital of the University has been increased, the direction of the university has been reinforced, and our role in society has also been reinforced and enhanced. 1 leading thinkers initiative annual report 2007 CARNEY CENTRE FOR PHARMacoGENOMICs – ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MARTIN KENNEDY Donor – Jim & Mary Carney Charitable Trust Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genes influence a patient’s response to drugs. This new research area has created great excitement through the promise of understanding genetic differences that contribute to risk of side effects or failure of drug treatment, and the possibility of better tailoring medications to each patient, leading to improved safety and effectiveness. CAROLINE PLUMMER FELLOWSHIP IN COMMUNITY DANCe – 2007 RECIPIENT: DR KATRINA RANK Donor – Caroline Plummer Memorial Trust The Caroline Plummer Fellowship in Community Dance honours Caroline Plummer (1978-2003). Caroline completed a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Diploma for Graduates in Dance, and was awarded the University of Otago Prestige Scholarship in Arts. The Fellowship acknowledges Caroline’s outstanding scholarship at the University of Otago, her passion for dance, and her vision for community dance in New Zealand. RoN LISTER CHAIR IN GEOGRAPHY & CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDies – PROFESSOR J.A. (TONY) BINNS Donor – Anonymous Former University of Otago Foundation Chair of Geography, Professor Ron Lister, served as the Head of the Geography Department for nearly thirty years and inspired many students with his passion for the integrative discipline which aims to establish knowledge of relationships between and among human and natural systems. To pay tribute to his vision and enthusiasm, a benefactor has assisted with the establishment of the Ron Lister Chair in Geography and Centre for Development Studies. CENTRE FOR MOLECULAR RESEARCH IN INFECTIOUS DISEAses – PROFESSOR KURT KRAUSE Donor – Dr John Thrash (USA) The Centre is multidisciplinary and advances understanding of the molecular basis of some of the world’s worst human diseases. The laboratory’s work involves minutely probing the molecular structure of proteins inside infectious viruses and microbes to seek out weaknesses that can be exploited. Using state-of-the-art X- ray equipment recently installed in the Biochemistry Department, the laboratory’s aim is to identify and closely examine sites of interest within these protein structures. HOWARD PatERSON CHAIR IN THEOLOGY & PUBLIC Issues – APPOINTMENT TO BE MADE Donors – Paterson Charitable Trust, Presbyterian Synod of Otago & Southland, Ian and Annette Tulloch New Zealand’s first research centre tackling social issues such as poverty, social welfare and the environment from a theological perspective will soon be established. The professorial appointee to the Chair will direct a centre charged with undertaking and promoting informed theological and ethical analysis of the challenges facing contemporary New Zealand society. NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH TRUST CHAIR IN CANCER PathoLOGY – PROFESSOR MIKE ECCLES Donor – New Zealand Institute for Cancer Research Trust New Zealand has some of the worst cancer statistics in the OECD. But groundbreaking genetic research promises to kill rogue cells that cause cancer. Professor Eccles’ work seeks understanding about cancer diagnosis and treatment through first understanding the biology of the disease. CHAIR IN EARLY MODERN PHILOSOPHY – PROFESSOR PETER ANSTEY Donor – Anonymous Professor Anstey, joining us from Australia, adds further critical mass to philosophy at Otago. His research focus is John Locke and those philosophers who underpin modern western political systems. 2 university of otago STUART CHAIR IN SCIENCE COMMUNIcatIOn – PROFESSOR LLOYD DaVIS Donor – Stuart Residence Halls Council New Zealand’s first Chair in Science Communication. The Chair builds on existing science education activities such as the prestigious Diploma in Natural History and Filmmaking and the NZ Marine Studies Centre at Portobello and is grounded in the idea that the University sharing its knowledge with the public will benefit New Zealand and in the observation that the Southern Hemisphere is short of places committed to better understanding of science. Professor Davis will lead an associated Centre for Science Communication. STUART CHAIR IN ScottISH STUDies – PROFESSOR LIAM MCILVANNEY (TO START JULY 2008) Donor – Stuart Residence Halls Council The country’s only Chair in Scottish Studies was appropriately launched on St Andrews Day 2006 at the University established by Scottish settlers as New Zealand’s first, and in the presence of the British High Commissioner. The endowment will not only foster research and study into Scottish history and culture but will, importantly, provide understanding about the Scottish impact on New Zealand’s