Annual Report 2020 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 10 March 2021 The Hon. Gayle Tierney MP Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education Level 1, 2 Treasury Place East Melbourne VIC 3002 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 2020. The Annual Report was approved by the Council of RMIT University at its meeting on 10 March 2021. Yours sincerely Dr Ziggy Switkowski AO Chancellor Published by: RMIT University Communications 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: rmit.edu.au/about/governance-and-management/annual-reports Image Credits: © RMIT. Table of Contents Charter and Purpose 06 Organisational Overview 12 Operations 32 Governance 54 About RMIT 07 Chancellor’s Statement 13 Plans and Performance 33 Governance Summary 55 Strategic Direction 08 Vice-Chancellor's Statement 14 Diversity and Inclusion 44 Council Members 56 Values 10 Organisational Chart 16 Reconciliation & Indigenous Engagement 48 Council Committees 58 Senior Officers 18 Sustainability 50 RMIT Subsidiaries 60 Academic Schools and Research Platforms 24 Financial Performance 52 Statutory Reporting 62 Statistical Snapshot 26 Consultants 65 Occupational Health and Safety 30 Objects of the University 66 Financial Statements 67 Disclosure Index 138 4 RMIT UNIVERSITY 2020 Annual Report Contents 5 Charter and About RMIT Purpose RMIT is a multi-sector university of technology, design and enterprise with 95,000 students and almost 10,000 staff globally. RMIT's mission is to help shape the world through research, innovation, quality teaching and engagement, and to create transformative experiences for students, getting them ready for life and work. With strong industry connections forged over 133 years, RMIT has continued to consolidate its reputation as one collaboration with industry remains integral to RMIT’s of the world’s leading academic and research institutions. leadership in education, applied and innovative research, Released in 2020, RMIT ranked 223rd in the 2021 QS World and to the development of highly skilled, globally University Rankings. The University is also ranked eighth in focused graduates. Australia and 39th in East Asia and the Pacific for employer reputation, and 18th globally in the Top 50 Universities Under RMIT is redefining its relationship in working with and 50 Years Old. The University ranked 281st globally in the 2021 supporting Aboriginal self-determination. The goal is to achieve US News Best Global Universities rankings. RMIT also ranks lasting transformation by maturing values, culture, policy and in the world’s top 400 in the Academic Ranking of World structures in a way that embeds reconciliation in everything Universities (ARWU) and the Times Higher Education (THE) the University does. RMIT is changing its ways of knowing and World University Rankings. RMIT ranked 10th globally in the working to support sustainable reconciliation and activate a 2020 Times Higher Education Impact Ranking. relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. For more information, visit rmit.edu.au/about. RMIT’s three campuses in Melbourne – Melbourne City, Brunswick and Bundoora – are located on the unceded lands of the people of the Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung language groups of the Eastern Kulin Nation. As a global university, RMIT has two campuses and a language centre in Vietnam and a research and industry collaboration centre in Barcelona, Spain. RMIT also offers programs through partners in destinations including Singapore, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and mainland China, with research and industry partnerships on every continent. 6 RMIT UNIVERSITY 2020 Annual Report Charter and Purpose 7 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 We are passionate about the communities we’re part of and a vision for helping workers acquire real-world skills, we’re driven to make a purposeful contribution. We shape through a founding motto of “a skilled hand, a cultivated mind”. the world with our research and impactful partnerships with industry, government and enterprise. We provide life-changing The people of Melbourne matched his enthusiasm to start experiences when we give our students their first, second or a very practical place of learning where students would leave even third opportunity to prepare for the world of work. ready for employment. We still live this vision today – now on a global scale. In 2020, when the global pandemic hit, we diverted expertise to where it was needed most to continue delivering on our As society and the economy have become more promise to provide life-changing experiences for our students Life-changing experiences sophisticated and complex, RMIT has grown and changed and to shaping the future with our research. As we continue Create life-changing experiences by offering transformative education alongside. We are proud to have been part of key to manage through the significant and evolving situation, and connected pathways to students from all backgrounds. developments in work and industry since our inception. we are committed to adapting in every way we can to support our students and minimise study disruptions while ensuring Passion with purpose Today, more than ever, the transformational power of a sustainable future for the University. education is lifelong, generations deep and worldwide. Demonstrate passion with purpose by empowering our people At RMIT we focus on giving everyone the chance to be with smarter, simpler systems and managing our resources for their best, shape their future and belong. A global, a sustainable future. multi-sector university of design, technology and enterprise, with passionate students and inspirational staff who proudly Shaping the world live and breathe our purpose every day. Shape the world by focusing on high-impact research and collaboration, embedding industry and enterprise into everything we do, and deepening our global reach and outlook. 8 RMIT UNIVERSITY 2020 Annual Report Charter and Purpose 9 Values Our staff and students understand the importance of a values-based culture. We are committed to living our six values and making a difference both locally and globally. Passion Inclusion Courage Imagination We take pride in RMIT and its achievements and we are RMIT creates life-changing opportunities for all and welcomes We are honest and fair in our conduct and relationships. We value innovation and creativity as essential qualities deeply committed to extending and deepening RMIT’s students and staff from diverse backgrounds. We are an We embrace new thinking and evidence, test it rigorously of our work and resources for the economy and society. positive impact. accessible and open institution dedicated to serving the needs and apply it to our own learning. We are strongly committed We are committed to developing, applying and sharing of the whole community. to performance, accountability and value for money. We speak new ideas and perspectives. 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 approach to organisation and resourcing. We are able to adapt quickly and effectively to new pressures and opportunities. 10 RMIT UNIVERSITY 2020 Annual Report Charter and Purpose 11 Chancellor's Statement Since 1887, RMIT has lived and breathed its promise to educate people for the real world of work and to partner with government and industry in the most practical of ways. At every turn in society and the economy for more than 133 years, our University has anticipated the challenges ahead, changed with the times, and adapted to the day, in order to uphold this mission. So when COVID-19 challenged the world around us, RMIT responded energetically and with its hallmark resilience. The University quickly refocused expertise and resources I would like to acknowledge my colleagues on the RMIT to where they were most needed, to ensure our students Council and thank them for bringing their deep experience could continue their education and our researchers and commitment to bear during a demanding year. Especially could continue to innovate and help shape the world, to Deputy Chancellor, Ms Janet Latchford, whose dedication safely. Enormous energy and personal commitment were to our University is enduring and contribution highly valued. evident, and our community members were supported at their point of need every step of the way. While some This year, more than ever, my thanks to the extraordinary ambitions were necessarily paused, there was never people of RMIT. Education is a calling and it is asking a lot a moment when the University’s core purpose and lived of those who make the choice to give their own skills to values were not at the heart of every decision. the betterment of others. However, this year has asked more than any previous. I have witnessed RMIT Values in Large numbers of international students were unable to practice: exceptional collaboration, innovation and personal commence their studies due to the closure of our borders sacrifice, and the University is well positioned for the future and this drove a revenue reduction of 4.0%.