Life Impact The University of Adelaide Annual Report 2003 Part One, Annual Review The University of Adelaide annual report 2003 | part 01 annual review From the Chancellor 2003 was a historic year for the University of Adelaide. ii The passing in State Parliament of the University of and build on their existing strengths, while it ensures Adelaide (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill in November that funding is linked to strong performance measures. Vice-Chancellor Message from the effected major changes to the structure of Council and In this context, the University of Adelaide is well the governance of the University, including abolition positioned to become more competitive and strategic in of the Senate, establishment of the Academic Board as its outlook. an advisory body to Council, clarifi cation of the powers and responsibilities of Council, and the incorporation of In particular, the University’s new Strategic Plan 2004- best practice provisions in respect of Council members’ 2008, developed through a sustained, consultative activities. planning process throughout 2003, and approved by Council early in 2004, now provides both a vision and a In 2003, the University of Adelaide also returned to road map for sustained and effective development over a sustainable fi nancial position and outlook. The the next fi ve years. University achieved a consolidated surplus of $23.9 million, a sound result, which, provided it is maintained, In the context of good governance at a university, will ensure the University is able to operate successfully succession planning is crucial for both the governing in the new environment established by the Nelson body and the management of the institution hence my reforms. decision to hand over the reins during the second half of 2004. Those reforms, outlined in Our Universities: Backing Australia’s Future, and enacted in the Federal Parliament It has been a privilege to serve the third oldest university in December, signifi cantly changed the operating in Australia, during a period of enormous change. The environment for Australian higher education. The University has amended its Act and going forward it is new legislation will allow universities to consolidate in sound academic and fi nancial shape. Report of the Council of The University of Adelaide For the period 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003 To Her Excellency, the Honourable Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, AC, CVO, MBE, Governor of South Australia. May it please Your Excellency, I have the honour to transmit to Your Excellency the Report of the Council of The University of Adelaide for the period 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003, furnished in compliance with Section 25 of the University of Adelaide Act 1971. Robert Champion de Crespigny AC Chancellor Note This Report comprises two volumes. Part One, Annual Review, reports on key activities and Part Two, Financial Statements, provides a full statement achievements of the University of Adelaide in 2003. of the University of Adelaide’s fi nancial position. It covers Governance, Strategic Planning, Learning These volumes are available together or separately from and Teaching, Research and Research Training, the Marketing and Strategic Communications Offi ce Internationalisation, Community Relations and (contact details inside back cover). Property and Infrastructure. This section also discusses the Higher Education environment and provides an They are also available on the University’s web site at overview of fi nancial matters for 2003. www.adelaide.edu.au/pr/publications Table of contents contents Vice-Chancellor From the From From the Vice-Chancellor 31 section: 01 Mission, Vision and Values Mission, Vision and Values 5 section: 02 Highlights of 2003 a glance 2003 At a Glance Student Statistics 2003 at Staff Statistics 7 section: 03 Research Activity Financial Performance Higher Education Environment Higher Education Environment 11 section: 04 Governance Strategic Governance 13 section: 05 Planning Strategic Planning 17 section: 06 Learning and Teaching Learning and Teaching 21 section: 07 Research Training Research and Research and Research Training 27 section: 08 Internationalisation Community Internationalisation 35 section: 09 Relations Community Relations 39 section: 10 Infrastructure Property and Property Property and Infrastructure 45 section: 11 Financial Financial Overview Financial Overview 47 section: 12 Message from the Vice-Chancellor 2 Vice-Chancellor From the From 3 Mission, Vision and Values From the a glance Vice-Chancellor 2003 at Higher Education Environment In 2003, the University of Adelaide moved to take stock Great credit for this must be given to the former Deputy of itself, to examine its own beliefs and circumstances, Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Edwina Cornish. and to consider its future directions. During her time at Adelaide, Professor Cornish oversaw a 33% increase in research revenue and a major increase The greatest imperative was a desire to ensure that the in domestic research student numbers. Governance Strategic University’s vision of its future should arise directly from its inherent values, and that those values should be International student numbers increased signifi cantly understood and expressed in a way that both refl ected in 2003, and the University moved to strengthen and reinforced the University’s ability to achieve its its commitment to internationalisation by the vision of the future. appointment of Professor John Taplin as its fi rst full-time Pro Vice-Chancellor (International). The Planning That vision, and the road map to achieving it, are University acknowledges the seminal contribution expressed in the major outcome of 2003, The University made by the former part-time Pro Vice-Chancellor of Adelaide Strategic Plan 2004-2008, which was (International), Professor Ian Young — who has taken completed in the second half of 2003 and approved by up the position of Vice-Chancellor at Swinburne — in Council at its fi rst meeting in 2004. laying the foundation for the future development of the Learning and internationalisation program. Teaching The year also saw major achievements in the area of Quality Assurance, particularly in respect of Learning Financially, the University achieved a consolidated and Teaching. The Australian Universities Quality surplus of $23.9m in 2003 — an excellent result that Agency (AUQA) report on the University of Adelaide confi rms the strategic restructuring undertaken in 2002 Research Training was released in March 2003. It identifi ed many to improve the University’s fi nancial position. Research and signifi cant achievements by the University, and some areas requiring further attention. The University itself This report highlights some but by no means all of had identifi ed these in the self-assessment portfolio the strengths and achievements of the University of prepared as part of the Quality Audit process. Work Adelaide in 2003. Above all, we remain committed to Internationalisation Community had begun on addressing them even before the release excellence, to the quality of the student experience, and of the AUQA, and continued throughout 2003. to a belief that research intensity and innovative high quality teaching have a symbiotic relationship, and In 2003, the University also embarked on an ongoing together underpin the fi nest universities of the world. campaign to defi ne and promote its brand story. The The University’s belief in these values, together with campaign, built on market research that illuminated the undoubted talent and dedication of its staff, will the key attributes of the University’s public image, drive us forward so that we continue to make an impact Relations focused on the outcomes of research and education at on the world around us. the University under the theme of “Life Impact”. It was the fi rst such campaign in the University’s 130-year history, and a critical component of the University’s Infrastructure strategic focus on communication of its core values. and Property The University continued to perform outstandingly in the area of research. Using various indicators of research performance, from funding awarded through to higher degree completion rates, the University of Adelaide’s Professor James A. McWha Financial Financial achievements far exceeded the average performance of Overview the Australian universities. Vice-Chancellor Message from the Vice-Chancellor 4 Vice-Chancellor From the From Mission, Vision and Values 5 a glance “Universities exist by the will of the 2003 at communities of which they are a part.” Higher Education Environment Mission, Vision, Values Governance Strategic Mission To be an Australian leader in research and teaching and seeks to implement these in the conduct of its Planning of excellence, unequalled in the positive impact our activities and relationships. university has on the lives of our students, staff and The University of Adelaide has reaffi rmed its alumni as well as the local, national and international commitment to a vision for a united Australia, community. expressed in our July 2003 Statement of Reconciliation: Learning and www.adelaide.edu.au/pr/docs/reconciliation.html Teaching Vision 3. The rights and responsibilities of freedom The University of Adelaide will build upon its tradition of inquiry and expression of innovation through high-impact research and excellent teaching across a broad range of disciplines Dispassionate, rigorous and honest intellectual Research Training and professions. It will be a growing, internationally- inquiry is