THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE MAGAZINE WINTER 2002 INSIDE: Leadership New Vice-Chancellor bringing fresh impetus Innovation NASA & Professor Ian Young Relevance Stemming human suffering Partnership Petroleum School success New insight on refugees GLOBAL RELATIONSHIPS – INTERNATIONAL EVENTS LUMEN - The University of Adelaide Magazine Registered by Australia Post No 56500/00097 MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR elcome to the winter edition of Lumen, the biannual magazine that keeps you informed about what is W happening at the University of Adelaide. Regular readers will notice that this issue has a new look. The redesign gives the magazine a brighter, more eye-catching appearance that I hope will encourage more people to pick it up and read about the exciting research and educational developments at the University. As before, the content reflects the rich diversity of our endeavours. The feature story on asylum seekers presents a range of academic perspectives on one of the most contentious political issues facing Australia. Two successful Law graduates, Kym Taylor and Nicholas Owens, are profiled; the University’s involvement in the World Congress on Information Technology is documented; and there is a report on the generosity of Mr Raymond Ryce, who has provided $100,000 to fund specific research work by a PhD student at the University. This edition also provides updates on significant University initiatives. These include the opening of the new School of Petroleum Engineering and Management, the establishment of a new English Language Centre, and the launch of the Barr Smith Library fundraising appeal. On 5 August 2002, Professor James McWha will become the nineteenth Vice-Chancellor in the University of Adelaide’s 128-year history. This edition of Lumen introduces you to him. I would like to take this opportunity to wish him every success in his appointment and to thank all alumni of the University – and the University community in general – for their continued support, commitment and loyalty to the University of Adelaide during my time as Vice-Chancellor. C.D. BLAKE AO Vice-Chancellor winter 2002 THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE MAGAZINE lumen contents WINTER 2002 Bringing fresh impetus English language programs 4 In August, Professor James McWha will become 16 A new English Language Centre is helping the University of Adelaide’s 19th Vice-Chancellor in the recently-arrived international students to adjust more institution’s 128-year history. quickly to their new surroundings. The Nexus – IT in focus Radio Adelaide turns 30 5 It’s not every day that outstanding students take 17 The pioneer of community broadcasting centre stage in front of some of the world’s most in Australia celebrates three decades of outstanding successful – and powerful – people. achievement. Suffer the people Global relationships 6 A blueprint for a ‘humane and politically 18 international events achievable’ policy on asylum seekers. Alumni and Community news from around the world and within Australia. FEATURE STORY Challenge of nation building Proud proof 11 Life is busy for Dr Helder Da Costa in 24 Two recent Law graduates show how their East Timor at the moment as he helps in the work education at the University of Adelaide has helped them of nation building. to achieve so much so early in their careers. NASA turns to Adelaide Hi-tech solution for horses 12 Professor Ian Young has recently received a 25 A new technique - to breath test horses – hopes major contract from NASA for oceanographic study. to provide a healthy outcome for equines that is of major interest to the horse racing industry. FEATURE STORY Stemming human suffering Petroleum School success 14 The debate is charged with emotion; but for 26 The University of Adelaide’s new School of sufferers of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, Petroleum Engineering and Management is a case of the hope offered by cell therapy is too great to ignore. thinking globally while acting locally. The Lumen masthead is derived from the University of Adelaide motto “Sub Cruce Lumen” – the light (of learning) under the (Southern) Cross. Lumen Online: www.adelaide.edu.au/lumen Executive Editor: John Edge • Production Manager: David Ellis Editorial Committee: John Edge, David Ellis, Sharna Pearce and Elaine Baker Contributors: John Drislane, David Ellis, Ben Osborne, Sharna Pearce, Rosslyn Cox, Joan Soon, Kim McBride, Robert Perrin Photography: John Drislane, David Ellis, Ben Osborne, Emily Shepherd, Alumni & Community Relations Office, NASA, 5UV Radio Adelaide and Department of Molecular Biosciences Front Cover: courtesy of photolibrary.com Article on Refugees: courtesy of The Advertiser Design: David Lyons (Web Services) Pre-press & Printing: van Gastell Printing Editorial Enquiries: Marketing & Public Relations Office • Phone: +61 8 8303 5174 • Fax: +61 8 8303 4838 The University of Adelaide SA 5005 Australia Copyright © 2002 The University of Adelaide ISSN 1320 0747 • Registered by Australia Post No 56500/00097 Views expressed by contributors in LUMEN are not necessarily endorsed by the University of Adelaide. No responsibility is accepted by the University, editor or printer for the accuracy of information contained in either the text or advertisements. Material may be reproduced without permission from LUMEN with acknowledgment of its origin. lumen leadership New Vice-Chancellor to bring ‘fresh impetus’ In August, Professor James McWha will become the University of Adelaide’s nineteenth Vice-Chancellor in the institution’s 128-year history. Professor McWha has served as Vice-Chancellor and President of Massey University in New Zealand. He is also Chairman of the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee and has recently become Secretary-General of the International Association of University Presidents. efore his appointment at pending the appointment of a Massey in 1996, Professor permanent Vice-Chancellor. McWha had extensive Professor McWha says he is B experience in the looking forward to taking up his management of biological research appointment. institutes. He has since played a “The University of Adelaide formative role in the development of is renowned internationally as one the New Zealand universities’ quality of Australia’s great universities,” assurance system. he says. Aged 54, Professor McWha is “In my own days as an married with three adult children. agricultural student I was very aware A native of Northern Ireland, he of the Waite’s reputation for research graduated from the Queen's and teaching, and it is exciting for University, Belfast, with a BSc me to be joining a University with and BAgr (Hons in Agricultural such proud traditions. Botany) and obtained a PhD from “Two of the University of Glasgow University. Adelaide’s greatest strengths are the University of Adelaide Chancellor quality of its staff and the standard Mr Robert Champion de Crespigny of its facilities. My priority will be to says Professor McWha has an continue the staff renewal presently outstanding record as an academic “Professor McWha is underway and to ensure that the administrator and communicator. committed to strengthening institution has a secure financial “He has the leadership qualities the University’s key resource base so that it can continue required to keep the University of leadership role in South to build on its teaching and research Adelaide moving forward and ensure Australia by developing activities. that the process of development and more partnerships with “I will be looking also to increase change within the institution is the number of international students maintained,” Mr de Crespigny says. industry, other research and by broadening the countries from “It is essential that the education institutions, and which they are drawn and the University’s drive to build on its the wider community.” disciplines within which they study. research strengths, secure its “Community involvement is funding base, and support the “He will give fresh impetus to the another area which I am keen to provision of quality services to University as it works to enhance its develop,” Professor McWha says. students is underpinned by effective contribution to the wealth and well- “I believe very strongly in management. being of South Australia through drawing communities into universi- “Professor McWha is committed high-quality education, research ties, and the sort of resources and to strengthening the University’s and community service.” facilities which the University of key leadership role in South Australia Professor McWha joins the Adelaide has should certainly by developing more partnerships University following the appoint- provide more opportunities to with industry, other research and ment last year of Professor Cliff do that.” ■ education institutions, and the Blake AO, who took on the role of Story David Ellis wider community. Vice-Chancellor at short notice and John Drislane lumen page 4 winter 2002 nexus 1. a tie or link; a means of connection 2. a connected series The Nexus approach to working IT IN FOCUS and the challenges ahead for both graduates and industry. He said attending the event, and having the opportunity to speak to delegates, was a unique experience. the Department of “It’s an excellent opportunity Computer Science and to ‘have the ear’ of so many is also studying for a Bachelor important people in the audience,” of Arts, majoring in history Mr Gawley said. and philosophy. Other key speakers at the World Ms Howard had the lucky Congress included three high profile (and nerve-wracking) opportunity graduates, two of whom are IT’S not every day that to follow the highest-profile recognised leaders in the IT world outstanding students take speaker at the congress, Mr and the other a specialist for NASA. Clinton. She made the comparison They were: Dr Roger Brissenden, centre stage in front of some between the world in which many Manager of the Chandra X-ray of the world’s most successful of the delegates experienced their Center at the Smithsonian youth and the world that the youth Astrophysical Observatory in and powerful people.