2020 ANNUAL REPORT swinburne.edu.au CONTENTS From the Chancellor AR:4 From the Vice-Chancellor AR:5 About Swinburne AR:6 At a glance AR:8 2020 highlights AR:10 Organisational chart AR:12 University governance AR:14 Council boards and committees AR:15 Swinburne in numbers AR:17 Strategic plan and performance AR:18 Future-ready learners AR:19 Research with impact AR:25 Innovative enterprise AR:30 Sustainability AR:33 Social sustainability AR:37 Swinburne's commitment to reconciliation AR:42 Staff and student awards AR:43 Vice-Chancellor’s awards AR:45 Alumni and supporters AR:47 Statutory reporting AR:48 Financial performance SFR:52 Disclosure Index SFR:118 Front Cover: The Swinburne crest is a We respectfully acknowledge the Wurundjeri People of the modified version of George and Ethel Kulin Nation and their Elders past, present and emerging, Swinburne’s family coat of arms. The who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which demi-boar and the cinquefoil perpetuate Swinburne’s Australian campuses are located in Melbourne’s the Swinburne connection – the book is east and outer-east. symbolic of learning. The crest was recently modernised to reflect the digital and We are honoured to recognise our connection to Wurundjeri contemporary age that we are in now. Country, history, culture and spirituality throughout these locations, and strive to ensure that we operate in a manner that respects and honours the Elders and Ancestors of these lands. We also acknowledge the Traditional Owners of lands across Australia, their Elders, Ancestors, cultures and heritage. AR:2 2020 ANNUAL REPORT SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY 8 April 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 applicable requirements of the Financial Management Act 1994, the Directions, the Financial Reporting Directions and Australian Accounting Standards, I am pleased to submit for your information and presentation to Parliament the Swinburne University of Technology Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2020. As you will read in this report, Swinburne was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020. As lockdowns commenced across Australia, our university campuses emptied of staff and students, and international students were unable to travel to study on Australian shores. As a result, the financial impact on Swinburne has been severe, requiring incredible resilience and agility. As the pandemic continued, it was vital that Swinburne was reshaped to ensure our sustainability into the future. Further detail can be found in this report. The Swinburne University of Technology Council approved the Annual Report at its meeting on 12 March 2021. Yours sincerely, Professor John Pollaers OAM Chancellor Swinburne University of Technology PO Box 218, Hawthorn Victoria 3122 swinburne.edu.au John Street, Hawthorn VIC 3122 Australia T +61 3 9214 8000 CRICOS 00111D RTO 3059 SWINBURNE.EDU.AU 2020 ANNUAL REPORT AR:3 FROM THE CHANCELLOR Unprecedented. Challenging. Turbulent. These have all been words to describe the year that was 2020 around the world. However, as I reflect on the year that has been, ‘resilient’, ‘agile’ and ‘human-centred’ are the words that also come to mind. For these have been While this was an the characteristics that have truly shone through in a unsettling time, challenging year for higher education, and many other sectors, in Australia and around the globe. Swinburne’s core Swinburne University of Technology responded quickly to the strength and challenges of 2020 and continues to focus on the health and safety of our students, our people and the broader community. capabilities have been Whilst the challenges we face remain substantial, I’ve seen our the cornerstone of people respond with optimism and energy. Tough decisions were needed in 2020 to ensure Swinburne is a viable institution and our adaptability and will be able to thrive into the future. While this was an unsettling time, Swinburne’s core strength and capabilities have been the will set the university cornerstone of our adaptability and will set the university up for greater success in the future. up for greater success Swinburne will continue to be a driver of connectivity in a post- COVID world where the goals of technological advances and in the future. economic growth are balanced against equally essential notions of sustainability, inclusion and social equity. During this year of disruption, Swinburne has reconnected with the importance of knowing the university’s value. We know we can be one of the My sincere thanks also go our former Vice-Chancellor, Professor largest high-tech businesses in the country, as well as deeply Emerita Linda Kristjanson AO, for her commitment and dedication connected with the community. This is what will differentiate us to Swinburne. Professor Emerita Kristjanson was instrumental in in a post-COVID world. forging Swinburne's societal influence and led new connectivity Swinburne’s supporters stood with us in 2020 – perhaps more so and readiness models for our ever-evolving workforce. than any previous year. Alumni from 18 countries gave $1 million I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my Council to support our students who were adversely affected through colleagues for their tireless contributions to Swinburne COVID-19. The same community invested a record amount of throughout 2020. vital philanthropic funds towards building our understanding of Finally, I thank our students, staff, partners, alumni and donors, the ways technology can advance mental health and wellbeing, all of whom contributed to a year like no other at Swinburne. delivering better outcomes for Australians living with dementia, increasing the impact of philanthropy, and advancing our understanding of space. Universities like Swinburne are critical to shaping a new post-COVID society and philanthropic partnership is an essential element of this recovery. In August 2020, I was delighted to welcome Professor Pascale Professor John Pollaers OAM Quester to Swinburne as our new Vice-Chancellor and President. Chancellor A bold and driven leader, Professor Quester has already begun to guide Swinburne into an exciting new future. On behalf of the Council, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to Professor Quester and the executive team. They have worked incredibly hard under extraordinary circumstances to guide this great university through these unparalleled times. AR:4 2020 ANNUAL REPORT SWINBURNE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR From bushfires to a global pandemic, 2020 has indeed been a challenging year for everyone. The world continues to face profound disruption. As a result, we have all adjusted how we live, work and learn. We are now building 2020 is also the year that I joined Swinburne. It certainly was an experience like no other, joining during the COVID-19 pandemic, on the Swinburne particularly during the ‘second wave’ in Victoria. My first 100 days were, like those of many Victorians, spent in stage 4 lockdown. But I legacy to create a new was, and will remain, deeply honoured to join Swinburne University of Technology as the new Vice-Chancellor and President. and exciting university I would like to thank the Swinburne community for welcoming me so warmly. I would also like to acknowledge the great work and for the 21st century. legacy of my predecessor, Professor Emerita Linda Kristjanson AO and thank her not only for her commitment to the university over the past 10 years, but also for the gracious and generous way she enabled as smooth and seamless a transition as could be In September of 2020 – as our university faced unprecedented, managed, or expected, during a pandemic. challenging times – hundreds of our staff and students joined in At the beginning of the pandemic, Swinburne responded quickly a collaborative online discussion to co-create our 2025 strategy. to move our learning environment online, thanks – in large part – Our Swinburne Unlimited conversation yielded thousands of ideas to our established reputation and capabilities in online learning. and suggestions to refresh Swinburne’s strategic direction. The It meant our students could continue their studies without enthusiastic commitment from staff and students was terrific, significant disruption. Our researchers also quickly pivoted so and I am thankful for their genuine contribution and engagement. critical activities could continue virtually while our professional These ideas will form the backbone of our refreshed strategy, staff moved at pace to support our activities from home. I have Horizon 2025, to be launched in early 2021. A focus on human been so impressed with the flexibility and professionalism of and technological interconnection has never been more important Swinburne staff in ensuring the continuity of our teaching and – and Swinburne is perfectly poised to deliver its benefits for research, all within safety and government requirements. students, researchers, staff and industry. We are committed to For our students experiencing incredible hardship, we helped bringing people and technology together to build a better world. through Swinburne’s Student Emergency Fund, worth $4.5 million. I bring to that vision boundless enthusiasm and energy and a My thanks to our many donors, alumni, staff and industry partners genuine ambition to write the next chapter of Swinburne’s story who so generously donated to this worthy initiative and ensured together with our staff, students and partners. that we could support those who needed our help. In closing, I would like to acknowledge and thank our students, Inevitably, the COVID-19 pandemic has also hit Australia's economy staff, executive group, council and our Chancellor Professor John hard. This was felt deeply in the tertiary sector with lockdowns and Pollaers OAM for their incredible commitment, professionalism international border closures severely impacting the university's and hard work during such a turbulent year.