The University of New South Wales The University of New South Wales Annual Rep Annual Annual Report 2007 o r t 2007 COVER IMAGE: The world’s first 360-degree interactive stereoscopic cinema was showcased during 2007. The T_Visionarium is a cross disciplinary project developed by the iCinema Research Centre. The University of New South Wales Scientia manu et mente Sydney, NSW 2052 Australia Phone: +61 2 9385 1000 Knowledge by hand and mind* Website: www.unsw.edu.au Hours of business Switchboard: Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm Many departments of the University operate beyond standard business hours. Produced by the UNSW Office of Media and Communications Editor: Steve Offner Design and production: Bright Red Oranges Photos: Grant Turner: Mediakoo Susan Trent: Gasbag Studios Michelle Young: Lantern Studio Trent O’Donnell Britta Campion ISSN 0726-8459 Volume 1 © The University of New South Wales 2008 For copies of the Annual Report please contact the Office of Media and Communications on +61 2 9385 3192, email [email protected] The Report is also available on the University’s website at www.unsw.edu.au/news/pad/publications.html CRICOS Provider 00098G Printed on Onyx, a 100% recycled paper containing a combination of pre consumer and post consumer waste sourced entirely within Australia. The recycled pulp is brightened in a process chlorine free environment (PCF) and manufactured under the international environmental management system ISO 14001 which guarantees continuous improvement. Due to technical constraints, the cover is 70% recycled. The balance is ECF fibre from certified well managed forests. Printed by an environmentally accredited printing company. * The University’s motto encapsulates its central philosophy of balancing the practical and the scholarly. 00 / 01 Contents 02 At a glance 04 Message from the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor 06 Year in review 08 Snapshot 10 Organisation and governance 16 Research 24 Student experience 32 Community engagement 40 Capabilities and resources 48 Appendix At a glance 02 / 03 The University of New South Wales is one of Australia’s leading international universities, renowned for its research and teaching, and the quality of its graduates. We have more than 44,000 students enrolled in a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and more than 5,000 staff working across two Sydney campuses and the Australian Defence Force Academy (UNSW@ADFA) in Canberra. We are a founding member of the Group of Eight, an association of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities, and one of only three Australian founding members of Universitas 21, an international alliance of premier research institutions. We are consistently ranked as one of the best universities in the Asian region and in the world’s top 100. We are a major recipient of competitive research grants from government and industry. ASPIratION OBJectIves WHAT WE VALUE Our aspiration is to be a leading research – To achieve a position in the top In pursuing our aspiration, we value: university in the Asia–Pacific region, focusing three Australian universities in research – Academic freedom on contemporary and social issues through performance. – Innovation, initiative and creativity defined strengths in professional and – To be the destination of choice for – Leadership scientific fields – a peer in good standing students with the highest potential, – Recognition of merit with the best globally. irrespective of background. – Accountability, integrity and transparency – To be a valued member of key communities, making an impact – Equity, opportunity and diversity on contemporary issues. – Teamwork – To improve underlying leadership – Sustainability and operational capabilities. What we value is embedded in our policies, – To maximise the availability of resources processes and procedures. to underpin the core activities of research and teaching. Message from the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor 04 / 05 The University achieved a number of important Centre and master planning was initiated on refurbishments milestones in 2007 and focused on setting a clear to the Faculty of Medicine’s Wallace Wurth Building and Biological direction for the future. Sciences facilities. Community outreach was another area the University sought The University Council approved the Blueprint to Beyond 2010 to highlight. In line with the vision set out in the B2B, UNSW has – B2B which sets out the University’s aspiration, values and embarked on a major audit to recognise, support and evaluate our strategies in relation to the core activities of research, student community engagement activities and to continue our social justice experience and community engagement. commitments evident in the work of such University entities as the 2007 saw improvements in our research profile. Our efforts were Kingsford Legal Centre and the Australian Human Rights Centre, recognised with record external funding from competitive grants. as well as the endeavours of individual academics and students. We achieved an increase in Australian Research Council grants, Also in December we announced the creation of a new Centre for being awarded more than $47 million, including $27 million for Social Impact, headed by eminent senior public servant and UNSW 87 Discovery Projects. In health and medicine, National Health alumnus Professor Peter Shergold, which will build the capacity of and Medical Research Council funding approached $30 million Australia’s not-for-profit (NFP) sector, philanthropic endeavour and – a best ever result for the University. Importantly, research funding the development of social responsibility in the corporate sector. was translated into significant breakthroughs in a number of We believe it is an extraordinarily important initiative that will open areas, with some major successes on the commercialisation front. the channels of communication between business, government The University continued to build on its reputation as a world and the NFP sector, and enable that sector to play a much more leader across areas of research strength, including cancer significant role in addressing future challenges. research, neurosciences, public and social policy, HIV research, In the realm of governance, the University Council enjoyed nanotechnology and photovoltaics. A particularly significant a successful year in which changes introduced in 2006 – a strict development was UNSW entering into a $40 million agreement focus on strategy and changes to the committee structure – took with Guide Dogs NSW/ACT to open the world’s first ocular hold and were translated into measurable improvements at the imaging centre to offer free diagnosis and management services management level. Our thanks go to outgoing Council member to the general community. When established in 2008, the Guide Peter Mason for his hard work over the years and we welcome Dogs Vision Centre at UNSW is expected to see up to 40,000 Warwick Negus in his place. The appointment of Joan Cooper clients annually. as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Students), and Professors James Donald Another significant achievement was the $10 million donation and Graham Davies as Deans of the Faculty of Arts and Social by businessman Frank Lowy – the largest ever individual gift to the Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering respectively will enhance University – to help build a dedicated adult and childhood cancer the University’s performance. research facility housing 400 of the world’s best medical scientists. Finally on a sad note, the end of 2007 was marked by the death In teaching and learning we again showed that it was possible of UNSW’s longest-serving Chancellor, the Hon Gordon Samuels to be a leading research university while also providing the very AC, aged 84. Gordon was Chancellor from 1976 to 1994, and also best student environment. We topped the bill in The Good Governor of NSW and a Judge of the Supreme Court and the Universities Guide, putting us well ahead of any other Go8 university. Court of Appeal. We know we speak for the UNSW community, The quality of our teaching was further recognised by the Federal past and present, in paying tribute to the contribution made by Government’s Learning and Teaching Performance Fund for Gordon to the community generally and to UNSW in particular. 2008, when we were ranked among the top three in the country and number one in business and law. A record 29 UNSW staff members were recognised by the Carrick Institute for their REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY contribution to the student experience. OF NEW SOUTH WALES The University resolved a number of difficult issues over the year, For the period 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2007. including the decision to close our Singapore campus, UNSW Asia. In pursuance of the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 There was also the major tasks of re-aligning Schools within the (NSW), the Council of the University of New South Wales has the Faculty of Arts and the amalgamation of the Australian Graduate honour to present to Honourable John Della Bosca MLC, Minister School of Management (AGSM) with the Faculty of Commerce for Education and Training, the following report of the proceedings and Economics to create the Australian School of Business (ASB). of the University for the year ended 31 December 2007. The AGSM continued to consolidate its excellent reputation, ranking as the leading full-time MBA program in Australia and Asia, and number six among non-US programs. Campus renewal was a major theme in 2007. The redevelopment