The University of Adelaide 2015 Annual Report The University of Adelaide 2015 Annual Report To His Excellency, the Honourable Hieu Van Le, AO, Governor of South Australia In accordance with the requirement of Section 25 of the University of Adelaide Act 1971 (1 June 2007), it gives me great pleasure to submit the Report of the Council of the University of Adelaide for the period 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2015. The University Council approved this report at its meeting 30 March 2016. Rear Admiral the Honourable Kevin Scarce, AC, CSC, RAN (Rtd) Chancellor Contents Foreword from the Chancellor 2 From the Vice-Chancellor and President 4 Vision 6 2015 at a glance 6 New performance initiatives 8 Adelaide Enterprise 9 Supporting South Australia’s future prosperity 10 By the numbers 12 Awards and achievements 18 Governance 24 Learning and teaching 30 Research 40 External relations 50 Enablers and supporters 56 Financial statements 60 2015 Annual Report 1 Foreword from the Chancellor As 2015 drew to a close, it gave me the opportunity to reflect on the first year of my appointment as Chancellor of the University of Adelaide. The University has again moved up the Works are proceeding apace on the I would like to thank long-serving University prestigious Times Higher Education World University of Adelaide Health and Medical Council member Mr Charles Bagot, who University Rankings released in October. Sciences (AHMS) building in the City’s retired from Council at the end of 2015, The ranking of 149 follows the University’s West End. When completed in time for having served the University for 12 years. jump to 169 in the Academic Ranking semester 1, 2017, it will be the largest During his time on Council, Mr Bagot of World Universities, produced by the capital works project in the University’s had chaired the Audit, Compliance and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, earlier in history and will support medicine, Risk Committee (2007-2013) and the the year. This is a most pleasing result, nursing and dentistry students, as well Finance Committee (2014-2015), and which will help to recruit more international as the University’s researchers in the new had served on various other Standing students and the best academics from South Australian Health and Biomedical Committees of Council. around the world to South Australia. The Precinct. In July, the University of Adelaide Finally, I would like to acknowledge the rankings show that the University’s efforts, and SA Health formalised a 30-year work of all members of Council and its through its Beacon of Enlightenment agreement on dental training, paving the Standing Committees for their work during Strategic Plan, are paying dividends in way for improved dental services for the the year. I hope that looking back over the boosting Adelaide’s reputation on the community. As a result of the agreement, highlights of 2015 in this Annual Report global stage. I congratulate the Vice- the University will fund a $58 million serves as a reminder of the success the Chancellor and President, Professor purpose-built, 89-chair Adelaide Dental University has achieved in a great many Warren Bebbington, for steering the Hospital, which will be located on the top fields. It should also serve as a promise of institution towards this outstanding result. three floors of the AHMS building. The the many achievements yet to come. Earlier in the year, I travelled to Singapore new dental facility is scheduled to open in for my first official visit as Chancellor and July 2017—a gift from the University we presided over our graduation ceremony, are proud to give to the people of South at which 211 graduates received their Australia. In October, I welcomed more degrees. My trip coincided with a than 500 guests to a reception, where Singapore Alumni cocktail reception, former Prime Minister Julia Gillard officially held to mark the 50th anniversary of launched the Health and Medical Sciences Singapore’s independence. I am also Building Appeal, which aims to raise $2 delighted that the University’s Singapore million. When completed, the building will joint venture—Ngee Ann-Adelaide be a pivotal element in the University’s Education Centre (NAAEC)—had been vision to transform health sciences awarded four-year EduTrust certification education, research and patient care. by the Council for Private Education. During the year, I visited many areas of Rear Admiral the Honourable I congratulate all staff involved in this the University and met with all members Kevin Scarce, AC, CSC, RAN (Rtd) Chancellor significant achievement. of the Senior Executive, Executive Deans The University’s onshore graduation and a number of Institute Directors. I was ceremonies were held in April, May and most impressed with the vast diversity of September; the highlight being the award teaching and research undertaken at the of 11 honorary degrees to outstanding University, and the talent, enthusiasm and alumni and members of the community. dedication of our staff and students. Further details on these distinguished recipients are provided in the ‘Governance’ section of this report. 2 Foreword from the Chancellor From the Vice-Chancellor and President By the end of 2015 the University had comfortably achieved the key objectives of the first three-year phase of its strategic plan, Beacon of Enlightenment. In the 2015 Excellence in Research for thinking in the setting of new targets but there is no question the present Australia (ERA) process, 82% of the for the second three-year phase of funding system will be unsustainable University’s research areas were rated the Beacon, in our new Operational unless genuine reform occurs. 4 or better (above or well above world Plan 2016-18. I would like to acknowledge the standard) and the University reached A report on the Library of the Future encouragement, energy and support 149th position in the Times Higher was commissioned, the results of which brought to the University during the year Education World University Rankings and will serve to transform the shape of the by our new Chancellor, Rear Admiral 169th in Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s University’s library collections and service the Hon. Kevin Scarce, AC, CSC, RAN Academic Ranking of World Universities. in the coming years. Sydney architects (Rtd), as well as the advice and interest Key international collaborations were Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt) were of a number of new appointees to the established with universities in China, appointed as consultants on development University Council. I remain indebted to the UK and North America; research of a new Campus Master Plan, to be my three deputies for their dedication contracts were signed with companies in ready by mid-2016 to guide the medium and loyalty, and to our staff, industry Australia and abroad; and the University’s and long-term physical shape of all partners, numerous volunteers and vast income from commercialisation of University campuses. The Adelaide Health alumni, who all share a commitment to research topped $39.3 million—in the top and Medical Sciences building, being the University, which provides a constant three of the Group of Eight universities. constructed in the new SA Health and source of inspiration. Meanwhile, domestic enrolments were Biomedical Precinct, remained on track As we enter the second three-year phase maintained, despite South Australia’s for opening in time for semester 1, 2017, of our decade-long Beacon plan, we can flat school leaver applications, with the and an appeal for donors wishing to have take pleasure in having had a period of median ATAR score for entry reaching their names on parts of the building was significant progress. But with Australia’s 92.3—the highest in the University’s launched in October. difficult economic climate and the growing history. International enrolments continued Financially, the University delivered a governmental expectations of universities, to increase, with particularly sharp growth solid end-of-year result, having met the we will face more challenge and change in postgraduate courses, and passed 2015 performance targets outlined in in the years ahead. I am sure that we are 26% of the total student enrolment. the Five-Year Financial Plan. The result ready to respond with confidence, with Study Abroad programs continued to was assisted by a program of asset clarity of purpose, and an unwavering progress towards the Beacon target, divestment, in which four CBD properties belief in the value to our society of first- reaching 8% of undergraduate students. and one rural block were sold. But it class scholarship and discovery. Local outreach through our Children’s was obvious to staff that the year-end University program expanded rapidly, outcome was achieved only through connecting the University with more than significant pressure on operating budgets 3500 children of all walks of life across in all parts of the University. In an effort the state. And globally, at the end of to alleviate this pressure, a program our first full year of presenting Massive of Professional Services Reform was Open Online Courses (MOOCs) through commenced to deliver support services EdX, we had over 150,000 enrolments more effectively, and this will continue online in 180 countries. throughout 2016-17. With its ERA and international rankings The University’s progress in 2015 was outcomes, the University had approached made against a backdrop of continuing two of the 10-year objectives of the uncertainty for the sector. After several Professor Warren Bebbington Beacon early. But not all the 2015 targets attempts to pass it through the Senate, Vice-Chancellor and President had been met; in particular, the targets the Australian Government’s higher for gender equity (30% of senior positions education reform package was eventually filled by women) and donations and gifts deferred.