— Annual Report 2019 3 Office of the Chancellor Dr Ziggy Switkowski AO GPO Box 2476 Melbourne VIC 3001 Australia Tel. +61 3 9925 2008 Fax +61 3 9925 3939 23 March 2020 The Hon Gayle Tierney MP Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education Level 1, 2 Treasury Place East Melbourne VIC 3000 Dear Minister In accordance with the requirements of regulations under the Financial Management Act 1994, I am pleased to submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the Annual Report of RMIT University for the year ended 31 December 2019. Published by: RMIT University Communications The Annual Report was approved by the Council of RMIT University at its meeting on 23 March 2020. Building 1, Level 2 124 La Trobe Street Melbourne Yours sincerely GPO Box 2476 Melbourne VIC 3001 Australia Tel: +61 3 9925 2000 ABN: 49 781 030 034 CRICOS Provider No: 00122A RMIT Annual Reports are available online at: Dr Ziggy Switkowski AO rmit.edu.au/about/governance-and-management/annual-reports Chancellor Cover Image: 'Tree' by Louisa Bloomer The repeatable print design called "Tree" is based on my connection to my Aboriginal heritage and the bloodlines of many in our country. We come in many colours now, but the blood of our ancestors continues on. We come from many tribes/mobs across this land, but we will always be connected as one to our land. The gum. The Indigenous design element used throughout was created by RMIT alumnus Taylah Cole, who was influenced by Mandy Nicholson, a Wurundjeri women who created the Ngarara Willim Centre logo. Mandy used the Manna gum leaf – diverse and unique in its appearance and with cultural significance to the Indigenous community – and Taylah has carried on this idea in her work, also using emu feathers, which are used for ceremonial purposes. Taylah's design highlights the dynamic and contemporary approach that RMIT takes to its departments, syllabus and culture. It invites us to enjoy Indigenous art. Image Credits: © RMIT unless otherwise stated 4 RMIT UNIVERSITY 2019 Annual Report 5 — Table of Contents Charter and Purpose 06 About RMIT 07 Strategic Direction 08 Values 10 Organisational Overview 12 Chancellor’s Statement 12 Vice-Chancellor's Statement 14 Organisational Chart 16 Senior Officers 18 Academic Schools and Research Platforms 24 Statistical Snapshot 26 Occupational Health and Safety 30 Operations 32 Plans and Performance 33 Diversity & Inclusion 44 Reconciliation & Indigenous Engagement 48 Sustainability 50 Financial Performance 52 Governance 54 Governance Summary 55 Council Members 56 Council Committees 58 RMIT Subsidiaries 60 Statutory Reporting 62 Consultants 65 Objects of the University 66 Financial Statements 67 Disclosure Index 148 6 RMIT UNIVERSITY 2019 Annual Report Charter and Purpose 7 — About RMIT RMIT is a multi-sector university of technology, design and enterprise with more than 94,000 students and 12,000 staff globally. RMIT offers postgraduate, undergraduate, vocational education and online programs to provide students with a variety of work-relevant pathways. The University’s mission is to help shape the world through As a global university, RMIT has two campuses and a research, innovation, quality teaching and engagement, language centre in Vietnam and a research and industry and to create transformative experiences for students, collaboration centre in Barcelona, Spain. RMIT also offers getting them ready for life and work. With strong industry programs through partners in destinations including Singapore, connections forged over 132 years, collaboration with Hong Kong, Indonesia and China, with research and industry industry remains integral to RMIT’s leadership in education, partnerships on every continent. applied and innovative research, and to the development of highly skilled, globally-focused graduates. In 2019, RMIT was named as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE) from the Workplace Gender Equality RMIT is redefining its relationship in working with and Agency (WGEA) for a second consecutive year. RMIT was also supporting Aboriginal self-determination. The goal is to named as Employer of the Year in the Australian Workplace achieve lasting transformation by maturing values, culture, Equality Index (AWEI), in recognition of our commitment to policy and structures in a way that embeds reconciliation celebrating the diverse genders, sexes and sexualities (DGSS) in everything the University does. RMIT is changing its ways of our community. RMIT was the first university to ever receive of knowing and working to support sustainable reconciliation this honour. — and strengthen the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Released in 2019, RMIT ranked 238th in the 2020 QS World University Rankings. The University is also ranked eighth in Charter RMIT’s three campuses in Melbourne – Melbourne City, Australia and 32nd in East Asia and the Pacific for employer Brunswick and Bundoora – are located on the unceded reputation, and 22nd in the Top 50 Universities Under 50 lands of the people of the Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung Years Old. The QS Graduate Employability Rankings placed language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation. RMIT at 77th globally and eighth in Australia for graduate and Purpose employment. RMIT also ranks in the world’s top 400 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) and the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. 8 RMIT UNIVERSITY 2019 Annual Report Charter and Purpose 9 — Strategic Direction At RMIT we focus on giving everyone the chance to be their best, shape their future and belong. That’s what our strategy, Ready for Life and Work – RMIT to 2020, is all about and thanks to our extraordinary people we’re making it a reality. Our journey began in 1887 when Francis Ormond had a a global university of design, technology and enterprise, with Life-changing experiences vision for helping workers acquire real-world skills, through passionate students and inspirational staff who proudly Create life-changing experiences by offering transformative education a founding motto of “a skilled hand, a cultivated mind”. live and breathe our purpose every day. and connected pathways to students from all backgrounds. The people of Melbourne matched his enthusiasm to start a very We are passionate about the communities we’re part of and Passion with purpose practical place of learning where students would leave ready for we’re driven to make a purposeful contribution. We shape employment. We still live this vision today – now on a global scale. the world with our research and impactful partnerships with Demonstrate passion with purpose by empowering our people industry, government and enterprise. We provide life-changing with smarter, simpler systems and managing our resources for As society and the economy have become more sophisticated experiences when we give our students their first, second a sustainable future. and complex, RMIT has grown and changed alongside. or even third opportunity to prepare for the world of work. We are proud to have been part of key developments Shaping the world in work and industry since our inception. 2020 will see RMIT enter the final year of a five-year strategy. Shape the world by focusing on high-impact research and The RMIT strategic plan defines three directions that are collaboration, embedding industry and enterprise into everything Today, more than ever, the transformational power of shaping the University for the future. education is lifelong, generations deep and worldwide. We are we do, and deepening our global reach and outlook. 10 RMIT UNIVERSITY 2019 Annual Report Charter and Purpose 11 Passion Courage We take pride in RMIT and its achievements and we are deeply We are honest and fair in our conduct and relationships. committed to extending and deepening RMIT’s positive impact. We embrace new thinking and evidence, test it rigorously and apply it to our own learning. We are strongly committed to performance, accountability and value for money. We speak Impact out on issues of importance to our community and the world. RMIT achieves impact through an applied, practice-based We respect the rights of others and our obligations to the approach to meeting contemporary needs. We shape the health of the planet. world for the better through collaborative design, research, learning and problem-solving. Agility We are forward-looking, balanced and sustainable in our Inclusion approach to organisation and resourcing. We are able to adapt — RMIT creates life-changing opportunities for all and quickly and effectively to new pressures and opportunities. welcomes students and staff from diverse backgrounds. Values We are an accessible and open institution dedicated to serving the needs of the whole community. Imagination We value innovation and creativity as essential qualities Our staff and students understand the importance of a of our work and resources for the economy and society. values-based culture. We are committed to living our six We are committed to developing, applying and sharing values and making a difference both locally and globally. new ideas and perspectives. 12 RMIT UNIVERSITY 2019 Annual Report Organisational Overview 13 Our commitment to be a practical place of learning, where These cash flows and further borrowings funded new students come to prepare for employment in the real world, scholarships, supported important research programs, remains. Our promise to cultivate inclusion and freedom of allowed for increased investment in IT capability and thought, celebrating scholarly exploration, remains. These helped us continue to develop our Australian and will continue to be the fundamentals of contemporary international campuses. education, even as we continuously adapt to ensure RMIT is relevant and ready for tomorrow. As we look ahead to the fifth year of our Ready for Life and Work strategy and the exciting task of creating its evolution, What has changed however, are the demands of the I applaud Vice-Chancellor Martin Bean. He is a leader of — modern global workforce. Training may occur at international terrific vision and energy and embodies the values of our campuses, careers exist as multiples rather than University.