UTS ANNUAL REPORT 2015 Review of operations The Hon. Adrian Piccoli, MP New South Wales Minister for Education Governor Macquarie Tower 1 Farrer Place Sydney NSW 2000 Dear Minister The University of Technology Sydney is pleased to present the UTS Annual Report 2015. Volume one of the report provides a comprehensive overview of our performance and activities. Volume two contains our financial statements as endorsed by the UTS Council. The report has been prepared in accordance with the Annual Reports (Statutory Bodies) Act 1984 (NSW). Yours faithfully, Professor Vicki Sara, AO Professor Attila Brungs Chancellor Vice-Chancellor OVERVIEW Who we are Letter of submission inside front cover UTS is a dynamic and innovative university. One of Australia’s Who we are 1 leading universities of technology, UTS has a distinct model of Chancellor’s message 2 learning, strong research performance and a leading reputation for engagement with industry and the professions. Vice-Chancellor’s message 4 At a glance 6 UTS has a culturally diverse campus life and vibrant international exchange study and research programs that prepare graduates Rankings and ratings 6 for the workplaces of today and the future. Key statistics 7 UTS is part of the Australian Technology Network of universities: Strategic objectives and strategic priorities 8 a group of five prominent universities, from each Australian 2015 performance 9 mainland state, committed to working with industry and government to deliver practical and professional courses. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT 10 Our campus is in the heart of Sydney’s creative precinct and RESEARCH 16 neighbours Sydney’s central business district. Through our Campus Master Plan, we are delivering world-class teaching, TEACHING AND LEARNING 22 learning, research and social spaces to support our vision to be a world-leading university of technology. RESEARCH AND TEACHING AWARDS 25 ENGAGEMENT AND ADVANCEMENT 26 What we do UTS offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses across STUDENTS 32 traditional and emerging disciplines including analytics, architecture, business, communication, creative intelligence, data STAFF 42 science, design, education, engineering, information technology, international studies, law, midwifery, nursing, orthoptics, CAMPUSES AND RESOURCES 46 pharmacy and science. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SNAPSHOT 50 In line with the UTS model of global practice-oriented learning, many of our students undertake professional practice throughout APPENDICES 55 their degree. In addition, we offer a range of extracurricular 1. Controlled entities 55 programs to give our students the opportunity to further develop the knowledge and skills needed for their future careers. 2. Academic promotions 56 Students also have the opportunity to study overseas as part of 3. Employees 57 their degree program. UTS has exchange agreements with more 4. Workforce diversity 58 than 250 universities around the world. 5. Meetings of Council members 59 We continue to build on our research performance and profile. 6. Senior executive remuneration 60 In the latest Australian Research Council’s Excellence in 7. Multicultural policies and services 60 Research for Australia evaluations, two-thirds of UTS research was classified as ‘above world standard’ or ‘well above 8. Access and inclusion 61 world standard’. 9. Consumer response 62 Through various partnerships, projects and events we also 10. Legal change 62 maintain strong relationships with the local community, industry, 11. Overseas travel 64 government and the professions. 12. Privacy 64 13. Right to information 65 Our history 14. Internal audit 68 On 26 January 1988 — with the commencement of the University 15. Risk management 69 of Technology, Sydney Act — the former New South Wales 16. Public interest disclosures 69 Institute of Technology became the University of Technology, Sydney. The New South Wales Institute of Technology was 17. Consultants 70 established in 1964. The School of Design of the former Sydney 18. Land register 75 College of the Arts was incorporated into the institute on 19. Works in progress and completed 76 25 January 1988. On 1 January 1990, the Institute of Technical and Adult Teacher Education and the Kuring-gai College of Advanced 20. Land disposals 76 Education were amalgamated with the existing University of Technology, Sydney to form UTS. Glossary 77 On 1 August 2015, the comma was removed from the university’s Index 78 title to become the University of Technology Sydney. Our objects About the annual report and contacts 80 and functions are outlined in the University of Technology Sydney Financial statements see volume two Act 1989 (NSW) and in the constitutions of its controlled entities. OVERVIEW Chancellor’s message I have no doubt that Catherine will prove The UTS Council is instrumental to the to be an excellent Chancellor for UTS, success of the university and throughout and that she will continue to position my time as Chancellor all of its members us firmly as a leader in all that we do. have been committed to achieving the Until Catherine takes up the position of university’s strategic objectives and have Chancellor, the university is fortunate to worked constructively with management. have Brian Wilson, who has served as I wholeheartedly thank all members who Deputy Chancellor since 2011, to take on I worked with over the years for their the role. unwavering support and dedication. In my time at UTS I oversaw the strategic I was proud to hear that UTS Council direction of the university. In 2008 Council member Russell Taylor was named a approved a new 10-year strategic plan Member (AM) in the General Division for the university. The plan provided one of the Order of Australia in this year’s central vision — to be a world-leading Queen’s Birthday honours list for his university of technology — designed to service to the community in the field of inspire staff and students and outline our Indigenous affairs. I was also delighted intentions to the wider community. that, in the same honours list, our former Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Ross The UTS Strategic Plan 2009–2018 came Milbourne, was appointed an Officer (AO) up for review in 2013. Council revised the in the Order of Australia. four key strategic objectives that form the foundation of the plan and established a I strongly believe that through the set of overarching outcome statements. discovery and dissemination of new UTS Chancellor Professor Vicki Sara, AO knowledge universities improve society. The strategic plan, and its subsequent PHOTO: CARMEN LEE PLATT UTS has a responsibility to influence revisions, set the university on a clearly and to contribute to the community defined path; one that will lead to the and, as Chancellor, I have always been attainment of its vision to be a world- in awe of the contribution that UTS At the August meeting of Council I leading university of technology. staff and students have made in their announced my intention to retire in Another major undertaking by the UTS efforts to improve the lot of peoples and February 2016 as Chancellor. Council was the approval, back in 2008, communities the world over. It has been a great privilege to serve as of one of the most ambitious building Entrepreneurship, determination and a UTS Chancellor since December 2004 projects ever undertaken by an Australian passion for giving back to the community and to be a part of the university’s university: our Campus Master Plan. earned two UTS Business School amazing transformation. I leave on a high The plan provided us with the opportunity graduates the UTS: Chancellor’s Award for note, being Chancellor of a university that to fundamentally change the way we Excellence at this year’s alumni awards. is recognised as the highest performing deliver our teaching, learning and Lance Kalish and Ido Leffler, co-founders university in Australia under 50 years research, and, I believe, has put us of natural beauty company Yes To Inc, of age (and among the top 25 globally), at the forefront of educational design direct a portion of their company’s profits and with an enviable reputation for its and technology. to a fund that is used to teach children innovative and collaborative teaching about nutrition and healthy living through and learning, research and industry We now have a building designed by projects such as micro-farms in Africa and partnerships. one of the world’s leading architects, organic school gardens. Frank Gehry; several buildings that In December, the Vice-Chancellor have won national awards, including One of the schemes I am most proud announced my replacement. Catherine sustainability awards; and a campus that of is the UTS Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Livingstone, AO, President of the is being utilised and enjoyed by our staff, Research Fellowships, which, for a Business Council of Australia, will take students, and research, industry and number of years now, has been attracting up the position of Chancellor of UTS from government partners. outstanding early-career researchers to 1 December 2016. UTS. The scheme supports the university’s strategy to become a world-class research-intensive university by bringing in excellent researchers to produce research with real-world impact. 2 UTS ANNUAL REPORT 2015 OVERVIEW OVERVIEW I have seen our research go from A perfect example of this is our strength to strength throughout my involvement in Piivot. Piivot is Sydney’s time as Chancellor. Our researchers new digital creative knowledge hub: a are increasingly being recognised by the collaboration between UTS, the New South external research community. Two of our Wales Government, the Commonwealth researchers — Professor Dacheng Tao Bank of Australia, Microsoft, Arup and and Professor Dayong Jin — were awarded Fishburners. Working with local industries, 2015 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes for Piivot will grow and support startups in their innovative research. Sydney, becoming a globally competitive hub of digital creative industries. I was also pleased to present the 2015 Chancellor’s Medal for Exceptional The UTS community is very special.