University of Canberra Annual Report 2015
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ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL VOLUME ONE VOLUME 2015 UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA ANNUAL REPORT 2015 VOLUME ONE LETTER TO THE MINISTER April 2016 Dear Minister In accordance with Section 36 of the University of Canberra Act 1989, we present the Report by the Council of the University of Canberra for the period of 1 January to 31 December 2015, together with the financial statements in respect of that period. Yours sincerely Professor Tom Calma AO Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker AO Vice-Chancellor and President 1 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY The University of Canberra acknowledges the Ngunnawal people – who are the traditional custodians of the land on which the University is situated – and pays respect to the Elders of the Ngunnawal Nation both past and present. TABLE OF contents TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT 43 From the Chancellor 4 Health Precinct 44 Campus Community Precinct 44 INTRODUCTION Innovation Park 45 From the Vice-Chancellor 6 Capital works 45 COUNCIL REPORT 8 COMMUNITY 46 Council Activities 10 Sporting partnerships 46 VICE-CHANCELLOR’S GROUP 12 Public lectures 51 Alumni 52 IMPACT 14 Honorary appointments 54 EDUCATION 18 University of Canberra Honours 58 From the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) 18 UC FOUNDATION 62 RESEARCH 26 UC Foundation at a glance 64 From the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) 26 2015 Donor honour roll 65 INTERNATIONAL 38 APPENDICES 68 From the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global) 38 A1. Workplace Health and Safety 68 A2. Freedom of Information 69 A4. Risk Management Statement 70 GLOSSARY 71 3 UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA 2015 ANNUAL REPORT FOREWORD FROM THE CHANCELLOR Last year was one of exceptional Dean of Aboriginal and Torres Strait we are committed to the creation of achievements for the University Islander Leadership and Strategy, the opportunities for all. of Canberra; accomplishments most senior appointment of its type in the ACT. This appointment will The University has a range of programs, pathways and support services in place that have filled us with pride. help us consolidate our Aboriginal to make sure that regardless of their Prestigious international rankings and Torres Strait Islander education, background or stage in life, our students have now positioned the University research, employment, and student have a fair go at realising their potential of Canberra in the top four per cent engagement under the same and pursuing a degree. of universities worldwide. For the leadership within the University, first time, the University has also improving our outcomes in this area. Support to students in need has come, been listed among the top 100 in part, through scholarships and These are only a couple of examples young universities in the world, which assistance via the UC Foundation. I’m of the University’s strive for excellence effectively had us achieve one of our very grateful to our alumni, staff and the and innovation in education, research Strategic Plan goals two years ahead community, whose generous donations and our social justice commitments to of time. continue to contribute to the generation the larger community. In research, the University continued of more education opportunities. Our role goes beyond the generation to make its mark as an up-and-coming I’m particularly proud of the University institution with strong performances of knowledge and skills, and beyond of Canberra’s commitment to improve across the board in measures of equipping our graduates with the education opportunities for Aboriginal excellence, research income and needed toolkits to hit the ground and Torres Strait Islander people. impact. A group of researchers from running when applying for jobs; Through its collaboration with the the Institute for Applied Ecology, something we are very good at. Aurora Project, and other support for example, was able to prove that a programs it has in place, the University climate-induced change of male reptiles At the University of Canberra we has been able to develop the into females occurs not only in the lab are well aware of the role we play as aspirations of Indigenous students and but also in the wild, earning them the active agents of social change both in convert those aspirations in concrete coveted cover of prestigious journal individuals and the broader society. career paths. In fact, our Indigenous Nature – a first for the University. With a clear sense of equity and enrolments and completions are In another first, the University of equality permeating our teaching, significantly higher than the national Canberra appointed its inaugural our research and social engagement, average and growing. Aboriginal and 4 Foreword From the ChanceLLor Torres Strait Islander student numbers Student numbers are higher than development of a health precinct, have grown 40 per cent over the ever and student satisfaction has an innovation park and a residential past five years, reaching 241 enrolled also increased. Our partnerships development turning the campus students in 2015. with universities, private education into an integrated space that will providers and industries internationally facilitate international partnerships and As an institution, our commitment continue to thrive. transformational research and learning. to gender equality and our stance on the prevention of violence against The University has posted record With the guidance and support of the women also set us apart. We have surpluses and has been world- Council – the University’s governance been named an Employer of Choice ranked for three consecutive years. body – we will ensure that the new for Gender Equality for nine years in The University’s graduates remain Vice-Chancellor helps us fulfil the a row and 2015 marked the second some of the highest paid and most ambitious plan we have mapped out in year we operated as a White Ribbon employable in the country and our current Strategic Plan to continue Accredited Workplace. campus development has seen new the steady progress of the University. accommodation, teaching facilities, All these achievements are health complexes and a sporting For now, I would like to recognise the product of an enormous commons open during his tenure. Professor Parker for his tireless collaborative effort, and for that I dedication, passionate guidance, and thank the University’s Council, senior In his role, Professor Parker has made relentless determination to make the management, staff and students. an outstanding contribution not only University of Canberra one of the best to the growth and development of young universities in Australia. In particular, I want to thank Vice- the University of Canberra but to Chancellor Professor Stephen Parker Australian tertiary education in general. AO, who last September announced he will be stepping down from his role Although his departure will be a great on 1 July 2016. loss for the University, his legacy has set solid foundations for his successor Stephen Parker is without a doubt to take the University to the next stage one of the country’s top Vice- of growth and competitiveness. Chancellors. His leadership of Professor Tom Calma AO the University has been first class There are exciting times ahead Chancellor and his vision and achievements with many opportunities and major will be his enduring legacy. projects in the pipeline, including the 5 UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA 2015 ANNUAL REPORT INTRODUCTION FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR In the midst of political On the world stage, we entered the above world standard, compared uncertainty about future World University Rankings 2015 with only three in the previous – 16 collated by The Times Higher exercise in 2012. Of particular note, funding arrangements for higher Education magazine, in the group Environmental Science research at education in Australia, 2015 501–600, which, they say, places us in UC was assessed at five, our first was a successful year for the the top four per cent of universities in ever five, meaning “well above world University of Canberra. the world. This is a good achievement, standard”. Further details appear bearing in mind that we have only elsewhere in this report. been a university for 25 years. We also rose 100 places in the QS World The University’s commitment to its University Rankings, into their bracket staff was rewarded with a further of 551–600, and for the first time citation as an Employer of Choice appeared in their list of top 100 for Gender Equality, for the ninth universities under the age of 50. consecutive year. We were one of only two local institutions to We think this recognition confirms receive the citation, and the only national and internal data about our educational body. strengthening research and academic performance. In late 2015, the Improved underlying financial Australian Research Council released performance in 2014 enabled us the results of its research evaluation, to declare our first bonus under the Excellence in Research for Australia. new Employee Bonus Scheme. This Out of 20 fields of research assessed, is designed to share responsibly 13 were found to be at, above or well some of the fruits of financial success with our staff. 6 Introduction From the Vice-ChanceLLor A great deal of behind-the-scenes number of other building projects Jon Stanhope AO, Katy Gallagher work went into preparations for very which the University or its business and Andrew Barr have also provided significant campus development over partners are committed to. It will be a considerable support for the University the next 10 to 15 years. Amendments busy campus for some time to come. and for the cause of education in the to the University of Canberra Act Territory; as indeed have all sides 1989, the Territory Plan and general This being my last Introduction to our of politics. The future is bright for planning legislation have put us in Annual Report as Vice-Chancellor the University of Canberra and the a position where we can enter into I would like to say that it has been a Australian Capital Territory and I look arrangements which will bring health privilege to lead the only university forward to witnessing it.