Annual Report 2016 latrobe.edu.au ii La Trobe University Contents 2 Letter of transmittal 22 External reporting obligations 3 Message from the Chancellor 22 Freedom of information 3 Message from the Vice-Chancellor 22 Information privacy 4 La Trobe at a glance 22 Whistleblowers, grievance and complaints 5 50 years in the making 22 National competition policy 6 2016 in review 22 Conformity with the Building Act 1993 8 Organisation chart 23 Key capital investments 9 University council membership details 24 La Trobe University consultants 2016 10 Operating framework 24 Statement on compulsory non-academic fees, subscriptions and charges 10 Governance and accountability 26 Financial review 10 Relevant minister 30 University disclosure index table 10 Objectives, functions, powers and duties 33 Financial statements 11 La Trobe’s code of conduct 12 Human resources 13 Key statistics 15 Risk management 15 University’s risk management strategy 16 Risk management office 16 Insurance office 16 Risk management approach 16 Health and safety statement 17 Details of indemnity for members of Council and senior officers 18 Sustainability reporting 21 Risk management statement Annual Report 2016 1 Letters of transmittal Mailing address La Trobe University Victoria 3086 Australia T +61 3 9479 5268 F +61 3 9479 1045 OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR E [email protected] latrobe.edu.au MELBOURNE CAMPUSES Bundoora Collins Street CBD 15 March 2017 Franklin Street CBD REGIONAL CAMPUSES Minister for Training and Skills Bendigo Albury-Wondonga 2 Treasury Place Mildura East Melbourne VIC 3002 Shepparton 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 La Trobe University Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2016. Yours sincerely Richard G Larkins AO Chancellor ABN 64 804 735 113 CRICOS Provider 00115M 2 La Trobe University Messages Chancellor’s message Vice-Chancellor’s message The Council’s work on overseeing implementation of the Future During 2016 La Trobe University was ranked in the top 400 Ready Strategic Plan 2013-2017 and Campus Masterplan for both universities in the world according to the three most prestigious Bundoora and Bendigo continued in 2016. Council was also involved international rankings: the Academic Ranking of World Universities in planning for the 50th Anniversary in 2017 and in future strategy (ARWU), Times Higher Education and QS university rankings. beyond 2017. This was the first time in the University’s history that we have been ranked simultaneously in the top 400 of all three rankings, and At the end of 2016, we farewelled two Council members, Mr Bill Kelty we rose 200 places in the ARWU ranking to be one of the most AC and Ms Jennifer Williams AM. Mr Kelty had served on the Council improved universities in Australia. These outstanding results reflect since June 2008. His wise counsel on all the issues that came before the hard work of staff across the University over the last several years Council, including appointment of the Vice-Chancellor, development to implement the University’s ambitious Future Ready: Strategic Plan of the Masterplan and the Future Ready Strategy, has been 2013-2017. extremely valuable. Ms Jennifer Williams had served on the Council since March 2008. She Chaired the Corporate Governance Audit We made considerable progress towards our goals during 2016, and Risk Committee during this time and guided the development a year in which we grew our teaching, research, partnership and of a strong governance framework and a rigorous risk assessment community engagement activities. In particular, we made significant framework. Both Mr Kelty and Ms Williams have played critical roles progress during 2016 to increase our engagement with industry, in all the major decisions our Council has taken during the last six and we announced some major collaborative projects with industry years and we are grateful for their hard work and dedication partners. We were also awarded funding to establish a regional to the University. accelerator program with Deakin and Federation Universities; we established a Strategic Investment Fund to support innovation Following changes to legislation in 2015 to add elected staff and projects; and we increased our focus on providing industry student members to the Council we welcomed Mr Kevin Kapeke experience for our students. (elected by students for a one year term) and Dr Jillian Murray (elected by staff for a three year term) in September 2016. We have in place a significant capital program and have also made major investments in outstanding new staff appointments over the 2016 was the sixth and final year of my term as Chancellor. We are last 12 months. These activities have given the University a solid now seeing results of five years of change and reform under the foundation to continue its renewal as we look to 2017 and beyond. direction of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar. During this In 2017 we will celebrate our 50th anniversary and set a new time La Trobe has risen dramatically in all the international rankings strategic plan for the University so that we can take full advantage and is in a strong financial position. Professor Richard Larkins AO, of the opportunities of the 21st century. who joined the Council in 2014, has been appointed by Council as the incoming Chancellor. I am delighted to hand over to such I thank staff for their hard work during the year, and hope that they a distinguished scholar and experienced leader. I am confident that will share in the successes that come from our shared commitment. the University is well positioned with strong leadership at all levels, The progress we made this year was only possible because of the for future success. dedication of our staff, who worked tirelessly to continue La Trobe’s tradition of serving distinctive communities and at the same time helping to address the big issues of our time. On both counts we have many significant achievements of which to be proud, and the following pages contain information about many highlights of a very productive year. I would like to congratulate all staff and students on their Adrienne E Clarke AC achievements this year and thank them for their hard work and Chancellor dedication. Together, we have set the platform for the University to pursue our bold vision to be a great university of a different kind. Professor John Dewar Vice-Chancellor La Trobe University Annual Report 2016 3 La Trobe at a glance Purpose/Mission The purpose of La Trobe University is set out in the La Trobe University Act 2009. “La Trobe’s founding mission was, and remains, to serve the community of Victoria for the purposes of higher education, for the education, economic, social and cultural benefit of Victorians and for wider Australian and international communities. From inception, La Trobe has been particularly focused on providing access to quality higher education to those from disadvantaged backgrounds and has become an internationally recognised leader in this field. Innovation in teaching and research was, and remains, central to its mission. Through this re-enactment of its foundation legislation, La Trobe University reaffirms its commitment to the pursuit of excellence and innovation, providing for the needs of the Victorian, Australian and international communities.” Vision and aspiration Connected • are open, friendly and honest Since its foundation in 1964, La Trobe We connect to the world outside — • hold ourselves accountable for making University has sought to be different. the students and communities we serve, great things happen. We were created to broaden participation both locally and globally. in higher education among communities Quick facts in Melbourne’s north and regional Victoria. Innovative • Established in 1964 We have joined this mission with that We tackle the big issues of our time of pursuing world class research that to transform the lives of our students • First enrolments in 1967: 558 and society. makes a difference to some of the world’s • Student Load (EFTSL) in 2016 most pressing problems. We are one (provisional) 28,795 (full time equivalent) of Australia’s most successful universities Accountable • Staff (full time equivalent) in 2016 in pursuing these multiple missions. We strive for excellence in everything (provisional) 1,994.0 In short, La Trobe is a place where we do. We hold each other and social inclusion and globally recognised ourselves to account, and work to the • More than 188,000 alumni excellence come together for the benefit highest standard. • Campuses in Melbourne (Bundoora) of our students and our communities. and (CBD), Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga, While pursuing this distinctive path, Care Mildura and Shepparton we will still measure ourselves against the We care about what we do and why • Colleges. Science, Health and rest of the sector. Accordingly, La Trobe we do it. We believe in the power Engineering (SHE) and Arts, Social will be one of the top three universities of education and research to transform Sciences and Commerce (ASSC) in Victoria, one of the top 12 nationally lives and global society. We care about and one of the top 500 internationally. being the difference in the lives of our students and communities. Acknowledgement Our culture La Trobe University proudly acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands We aspire to “Be The Difference”. Be The Our values on which its campuses are located Difference acknowledges why we exist, La Trobe University’s values are outlined in Victoria. where we have come from, and where in Future Ready: Strategic Plan 2013-2017. We recognise that Indigenous Australians we are going. It is the thread connecting Five values guide everything we do. our roots in serving the northern suburbs have an ongoing connection to the land At La Trobe University we: of Melbourne and the regions and and the University values their unique communities around Victoria, to our • take a world view contribution both to the University and the wider Australian society.