ANNUAL REPORT 2019 VOLUME 1 LETTER TO THE MINISTER April 2020 Dear Minister In accordance with Section 36 of the University of Canberra Act 1989, we present the Report by the Council of the University of Canberra for the period of 1 January to 31 December 2019, together with the financial statements in respect of that period. Yours sincerely Professor Tom Calma AO Chancellor Belinda Robinson Interim Vice-Chancellor and President CONTENTS FOREWORD FROM THE CHANCELLOR 2 INTRODUCTION FROM THE 4 VICE-CHANCELLOR AND PRESIDENT GOVERNANCE 6 2019 HIGHLIGHTS 10 IMPACT 12 ACADEMIC 18 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION 34 INFRASTRUCTURE 52 COMMUNITY 58 UC FOUNDATION 74 END NOTES 80 The University of Canberra acknowledges the Ngunnawal people, traditional custodians of the lands where Bruce Campus is situated. We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of Canberra and the region. We also acknowledge all other First Nations Peoples on whose lands we gather. Printed April 2020. Information in this report was correct at time of printing. Up-to-date information is available on the University’s website at www.canberra.edu.au Design and typesetting by University of Canberra Marketing Services Studio. Australian Government Higher Education (CRICOS) Provider #00212K. UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA FOREWORD From the Chancellor The University of Canberra had a The Council also welcomed new member Patricia Kelly and said farewell to Council members Prue Power, Caroline Gouws, progressive and successful year in 2019 Kieran Heid, Dr Holly Northam and Mara Eversons. We would as we strengthened our team of leaders like to especially thank Professor Dharmendra Sharma for his commitment as the Chair of the Academic Board, as he retired and retained our commitment to the from Council in December. I extend my gratitude to all retiring Distinctive by Design strategic plan. Council members for their commitment and contributions to the University. It is with a mixture of sadness and fondness that we farewell In 2019, I was honoured to be re-appointed for a third term as Professor Deep Saini as our Vice-Chancellor and President. the Chancellor of the University of Canberra, until December Deep’s devotion to the growth of the University of Canberra 2022. I am incredibly proud of the growth of the University was impactful and clear. He inspired success across the board during my tenure as Chancellor and a Council member since and led the University through difficult times with grace and 2008 and am looking forward to achieving much more in the reliability. I sincerely thank Deep for his time and service to the years to come. University and wish him all the best in his new role at Dalhousie University in Canada. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and enthusiasm of the University of Canberra family: We underwent the recruitment process for a new Council members, staff, students and the community. Vice-Chancellor and were pleased to appoint Professor Paddy The achievements and work that are outlined within these Nixon to the position, commencing in April 2020. Professor pages are testimony to the direct contributions of many Nixon will come to the University with an extensive list of higher committed teams and I am very proud of our collective success. education accomplishments and a thorough understanding of We have reformed and laid the foundations in the past couple civic universities and their missions. of years and we will reap the outcomes in the coming years as As we welcome him in 2020, I want to assure the University we edge closer to our 30th year anniversary as a university. community that we will remain committed to our Distinctive by Design strategic plan and Professor Nixon will continue to lead the team along this path. In 2019, we welcomed many new additions to our leadership team including Professor Geoffrey Crisp as our new Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic following an international search. Professor Crisp joined us from the University of New South Wales, where he was the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education). Professor TOM CALMA AO Some new faces also appeared across our faculties, as Professor Chancellor Wendy Lacey began as our new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business, Government and Law, Professor Jason Bainbridge started as our new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design, and Professor Barney Delgarno became the new Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education. We welcomed a new Chair of the University of Canberra Academic Board, Professor of Engineering in the Faculty of Science and Technology, Elisa Martinez-Marroquin. 2 | FOREWORD ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | VOLUME 1 FOREWORD | 3 UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA INTRODUCTION From the Vice-Chancellor and President The University of Canberra enjoyed Of course, another highlight for me was cheering on our University of Canberra Capitals to their 8th WNBL another successful year in 2019 as Championship. It was a well-deserved achievement collaborations expanded, within from an incredible team and we are so proud of their skill, the University community and with dedication and success. external partnerships. We developed As my time at the University of Canberra comes to a close, I have much to reflect on with pride and gratitude. Throughout my and celebrated new ventures while tenure, the UC team has collectively made the University the progressing with our overall strategic fastest-rising in the world rankings; delivered research outcomes with real-world benefits; prioritised and made improvements on plan, Distinctive by Design. equality, inclusion and access; been innovative in creating and developing more effective practices; upgraded campus facilities It was another year of rankings success as the University rose to and services; and always strived to deliver the best educational 193rd place globally in the 2020 Times Higher Education (THE) experience for our students. I would like to sincerely thank the World University Rankings and 10th in Australia. We also rose team at the University of Canberra for the remarkable three from position 58 to 34 in the world in the 2019 Times Higher years that we have shared. Education (THE) Young University Rankings. The University of Canberra retained the top spot in the ACT for full-time While there are always challenges to overcome, I have no doubt employment and starting salary for graduates, according to the University will continue to thrive under the leadership of the the 2020 Good Universities Guide. These achievements are new Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paddy Nixon. a celebration of the efforts and strategic commitment of our Until we meet again, take care and continue to work well research, teaching and professional staff. together, as real and respectful collaboration is the key to success. We officially opened the Canberra Specialist Medical Centre, which is home to researchers, educators, students and health professionals, providing health services to Canberra and the surrounding community. It is a truly impressive space that will witness great achievements for many years to come. A number of public UnCover events were held throughout the year to integrate our University community with the wider Professor Deep Saini Canberra community. Experts from each faculty participated in Vice-Chancellor and President conversations about women in sport, technology and the future, September 2016 – December 2019 sustainability and urban planning and progress in the LGBTQI space. It was wonderful to host these important conversations and invite the broader community in for these discussions. Online systems are vital for a positive student experience, and 2019 was a year of improvement in this area as we rolled out the new MyUC interface, providing a place for student engagement at all levels of the student journey. The Digital, Information and Technology Management team did a fantastic job and continue to improve these areas for the University. In November, I was honoured to meet our 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award winners. To see the immense impact, both nationally and globally, of a handful of individuals was humbling and inspirational. It was a wonderful evening to celebrate the long-lasting influence of an education at the University of Canberra. I encourage all alumni to stay connected and share your stories of success. We love to hear from you. 4 | INTRODUCTION ANNUAL REPORT 2019 | VOLUME 1 INTRODUCTION | 5 UNIVERSITY OF CANBERRA GOVERNANCE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL The University Council acknowledges and observes the Members of the Council also engaged in a range of Universities Australia and University Chancellor’s Council other activities including University functions, graduation Voluntary Code of Best Practice for the Governance of ceremonies and meetings of committees of the Council. Australian Universities and confirms that it complies At each meeting, the Council received reports from the with this Code. Vice-Chancellor and the chair of each Council committee, The University Council (the Council) is established under including the Academic Board. The Council also received Section 9 of the University of Canberra Act 1989 (ACT) regular updates on budget and financial matters, risk and as the governing authority of the University. Under the Act, audit matters, work health and safety, strategic engagements the Council is responsible for the control and management and partnerships and campus developments. Presentations of the entire University. However, except for matters that on the objectives