2 011 The Honourable Adrian Piccoli MP Minister for Education New South Wales Parliament House Macquarie Street Sydney NSW 2001 30 April 2012 Dear Minister On behalf of the Council of the University of Newcastle, we have the honour of submitting the Annual Report to you for presentation to Parliament. The Annual Report summarises the work and activities of the University of Newcastle for the year ended 31 December 2011. The Annual Report and the accompanying audited Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 and the Public Finance and Audit Act 1983. Conjoint Professor Trevor Waring AM Professor Caroline McMillen Chancellor Vice-Chancellor and President 02 INTRODUCTION 08 GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP 20 TEACHING AND LEARNING 28 RESEARCH 36 INDIGENOUS COLLABORATION 40 OUR COMMUNITIES 48 CAPABILITIES AND RESOURCES 55 APPENDICES 76 COMPLIANCE INDEX VOLUME TWO AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE AND ITS CONTROLLED ENTITIES MessageFrom the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor In 2011, the University of Newcastle continued its focus on The University hosts significant research partnerships with fostering innovation, developing skills and promoting strong government and industry. The Newcastle Institute for Energy economic and social growth in our regional communities, Australia and Resources (NIER) continued to build valuable national and and beyond. Our achievements in 2011 are demonstrated in international research collaborations for the University across key the delivery of innovative approaches to teaching and learning, areas including smart grid technology research with partners in China the provision of greater opportunities for people to enter higher and bulk solids research in South Africa. education, the delivery of world class research and innovation, Engagement is an institutional strategic priority and the University’s and strong engagement with our communities. connections with local, regional, national and international Recognising the growing need for a skilled workforce to build communities were strengthened in 2011. The University promotes a strong knowledge based economy, the Australian and NSW new thinking about community engagement through its leadership Governments have set targets to improve participation in higher role in the Australian Universities Community Engagement Alliance. education. In 2011, the University has supported the delivery of In 2011, the University partnered with the Australian Chamber of these targets through the enrolment of 35,998 students. To improve Commerce and Industry to enhance employer engagement with the learning environment for our students, we have implemented students through our Work Integrated Learning programs. Our alumni a number of innovative measures. Work Integrated Learning was are recognised globally for their achievements across a range of embedded into 90 per cent of our undergraduate programs, ensuring fields. Around 20 per cent of our students are international students that our graduates are well prepared for the workforce. There were and in 2011, four of the eight Australia China Alumni Awards went to major upgrades to our online learning environment to enhance Newcastle graduates. student learning and the University introduced teaching champions The commitment of our staff resulted in significant achievements to provide mentoring support for academic staff. for the University in 2011. The foundations are strong as we realise In 2011, Newcastle consolidated its position as a sector champion our global aspirations to deliver first rate education, research and in providing access to higher education for students from innovation that positively contributes to our regions, Australia and disadvantaged backgrounds. Indigenous participation and access the world. is significantly higher in our University than the national average, with enrolments growing to 676 Indigenous students in 2011. The University introduced a Bachelor of Aboriginal Professional Practice and became the first university in NSW to launch a Reconciliation Action Plan. A strong focus on promoting Indigenous participation in higher education continues to position us as the university of choice for Indigenous students in NSW. Conjoint Professor Trevor Waring AM Chancellor The University consistently ranks in the nation’s top 10 for research – the only university outside a capital city to achieve this position. In 2011, the Australian Government’s Excellence in Research Australia exercise determined that almost 70 per cent of the University’s research was equal to or better than world standard. In the same exercise, we were rated as Australia’s top university for applied mathematics and well above world standard for research in a wide Professor Caroline McMillen range of science, engineering and health fields. Vice-Chancellor and President 02 | The University of Newcastle Rankings Five stars QS Stars overall maximum rating Ninth in Australia for research funding outcomes Top 150 universities in the world and ninth in Australia for Life Sciences and Medicine QS World University Rankings 2011 Top 200 universities in the world and 13th in Australia for Engineering and IT QS World University Rankings 2011 Top 300 universities in the world and 12th in Australia for Natural Sciences QS World University Rankings 2011 Top 350 universities in the world and 18th in Australia for Social Sciences QS World University Rankings 2011 Top 400 universities in the world QS World University Rankings 2011, Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2011, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Academic Ranking 2011 Annual Report 2011 | 03 Locations The University of Newcastle CALLAGHAN SYDNEY is a multi-campus institution The Callaghan campus (pictured on opposite At Bathurst Street in the centre of Sydney, offering programs in a number page) is 12 kilometres from the Newcastle the University offers postgraduate studies in of locations. CBD, and comprises high-tech laboratories business and professional accounting, and and teaching facilities across 140 hectares English language studies. of bushland. PORT MACQUARIE NEWCASTLE CITY On the mid-north coast of NSW, the multi- In the Newcastle CBD, the University’s sector Port Macquarie campus offers Conservatorium has a concert hall, University nursing, teaching and foundation classrooms and studios. University House studies courses and TAFE programs. accommodates postgraduate business students, the Legal Centre and library ORANGE and teaching spaces. Located in Orange on the central tablelands of NSW is the Centre for Rural and Remote OURIMBAH Mental Health. On the Central Coast of NSW, the multi- sector Ourimbah campus (pictured below TAMWORTH, ARMIDALE, left) offers University, TAFE and Community TAREE AND MOREE College programs. The University’s Department of Rural Health and Rural Clinical School operates SINGAPORE from various locations in northern NSW. The University offers a comprehensive range of degree programs in partnership with PSB Academy at a campus near Tiong Bahru MRT station. University programs with Singapore Accountancy Academy – Global Education (SAA-GE) are delivered through the CBD premises of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore. 04 | The University of Newcastle Purpose Vision Values OUR PURPOSE OUR CORE VALUES STRATEGIC PLAN The University of Newcastle strives to make Our core values guide the activities and Our Strategic Plan, Building Distinction 2011- a distinctive difference to the lives of behaviour of staff and students. They are 2015 underpins the vision to be a leading individuals and to society. critical to fulfilling our purpose and realising university in teaching, learning and research. our vision. The seven strategic priorities identified are: We prepare graduates who are lifelong learners, sought after by employers, and We value distinction – excellence and • Promoting and improving a positive who contribute to society by being adaptable, achievement combined with a clear sense student experience and quality teaching critical and global citizens. of identity. and learning • Enhancing and promoting a positive staff We pursue outstanding scholarly teaching We uphold and are models for the highest experience and research. standards of academic, personal and business integrity and in doing so, practise • Achieving growth in research excellence We contribute to the intellectual, the values of honesty, fairness, trust, • Expanding leadership and initiatives in social, economic, cultural, sporting accountability and respect. Indigenous collaboration and environmental enrichment of our communities. We take opportunities to build and promote • Developing and strengthening our collaboration within and outside the University international approach and engagement OUR VISION so that we achieve more than is individually • Promoting and supporting our alumni, The University’s vision describes how possible. partnerships and communities we wish to be as we fulfil our purpose. • Ensuring sustainable perspective and actions. We are recognised and respected as a university of distinction. Our teaching leads in the education of professionals and our research is internationally acclaimed. Our organisation is responsive, dynamic and strong. Annual Report 2011 | 05 Student snapshot Enrolments 2011 Newcastle (24,529) Ourimbah (4,292) Gradschool (3,345) UoN singapore (1,993) Sydney (687) Port Macquarie (359) other (793) Enrolments by program level 2011 Elicos (994)