Monash University

Academic Board Meeting 7-2001

The Chair, Professor AW Lindsay, welcomed to the meeting Professors J Anderson and R Bignall, who were in attendance at the South Africa and Malaysia campuses.

On behalf of the Board, Professor Lindsay farewelled and thanked retiring members Professor E Lim, Professor R White, Professor B Schroder and Ms H Hortis, for their significant contributions to the Academic Board throughout their membership.

No further items were starred at the meeting.

There were no confidential items on the agenda for this meeting.

Documentation was circulated (p 1-60).

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor D Robinson, introduced this item and noted that, following discussions at the previous meeting of the Board, the Global Development Framework and Plan had been well received at the Resources and Finance Committee and in other forums. The Vice-Chancellor advised that following input from the various areas the ‘Global Development Plan 2002 – 2006’ would be re-titled as ‘Global Development 2002 – 2006’. Members were invited to provide further comment about the documents for incorporation of any additional amendments prior to the submission of the final versions to Council.

A document was circulated (p 61-82).

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Planning), Professor A Lindsay, spoke to this item and advised that this course overview paper was intended to shape a set of statements that would maintain flexibility and diversity across different areas of the university whilst providing a degree of commonality at the university level. Members noted the Chair’s advice regarding the outcomes of the survey and the Faculty Strategies on electronically supported teaching and learning (ESTL). Professor Lindsay noted that teaching strategies should be appropriately matched to learning outcomes within the limits of reasonable and acceptable cost.

The Chair of the ESTL Committee, Mr C Avram, highlighted the need for people to be aware of the support available, including existing activities and developments, and for an appropriate process for identification and approach in relation to faculty ESTL strategies.

Discussion occurred about the course overview paper and the following comments and issues were raised:

• the need for awareness of potential partnerships in relation to publishers’ use of the web and the support available for unit offerings;

• the importance of student feedback and the preference of some students for traditional modes of delivery. Members noted that a proposal had been prepared in 1999 to collect information regarding the learning preferences of current and potential students of Monash. Ms M Jackson, Executive Director of Marketing and Public Affairs, would look into this; and

• the need to identify methods of supporting staff through similar technologies.

The Chair thanked members for their consideration of the paper and, on behalf of the Board, thanked Professor J Harris, Director of CeLTS, ITS, faculties and other areas that had provided input, for their contributions. Professor Lindsay foreshadowed the potential benefit of producing a further snapshot of the university’s electronic support for teaching and learning within the next couple of years.

Ms J Gaffey, Manager, Research Grants and Ethics Branch, was invited to attend.

A document was circulated that was prepared in response to a call for comment, from recently appointed full professors and applicants for 2001 ARC grants, in relation to experiences and methods for improving application processes and internal support for research (p 83-102).

The Vice-Chancellor spoke to this item and highlighted that comments from colleagues had been included within the context of major themes. Members noted that whilst the call for comments had been prompted by the recent ARC application round, the focus of the exercise was to enhance general research activity and outcomes throughout Monash.

Substantial discussion ensued and points were raised including:

• the importance of a variety of sources of research funding and the need to appropriately match the right proposals to the correct funding source;

• difficulties experienced with the turn around time for application lodgement;

• a query about the potential impact of involvement with CRCs (and the receipt of CRC funding) on the amount of other funding sought;

• a theory that senior researchers may rely heavily on internal funding rather than seeking competitive grants;

• the importance of a university-wide belief in the need for strong research and outcomes to strengthen and maintain Monash’s research reputation;

• encouragement for the university to support a number of dynamic and significant projects (eg the Synchrotron project) in the pursuit of research excellence; and

• the need for faculties to lessen their tendencies towards protectionism and internal competition and work together wherever possible in the interests of the broader university.

Ms Gaffey provided advice regarding internal improvements to the application process and support for the 2002 ARC application round, including the review of ARC Discovery applications received by the Research Grants and Ethics Branch by 4 February 2002. Ms Gaffey highlighted the need for strong applications targeted to the appropriate funding source and the importance of seeking and giving honest and constructive feedback for the enhancement of applications.

A document was circulated that was prepared by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), Professor P LeP Darvall (p 103-110).

Professor R Mein, Director of the CRC for Catchment Hydrology, was invited to attend this meeting. Professor Mein informed the Board about the origin and purpose of CRCs, the organisation of CRCs throughout Australia and some of the aspects of the role of a CRC Director. Members noted Professor Mein’s advice regarding some of the challenges of operating a CRC including a decrease in the level of autonomy in research, and the academic and administrative coordination of people and projects where no direct control applied. The Board also noted the substantial benefits and advantages involved with CRCs such as the positive links created between researchers and funding sources, the extra funding and relationship building that could be achieved through links with industry and the enrichment of the student experience with exposure to industry expectations.

The Deans of the faculties of Engineering, Information Technology, Science and Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, were invited to comment on the paper. Members noted advice from Professors M Brisk, J Rosenberg and R Norris, and Associate Professor C Browne on behalf of Professor N Saunders, regarding their faculties’ specific involvement with the CRCs and some of the outcomes of the shared research experience. The Deans supported Professor Mein’s observations about the challenges and the strong benefits involved. Further, members were advised about the significant research conducted in CRCs (in addition to the strong involvement by the same areas in other research activities), the need for careful selection of partners and the management of CRC funding.

Members commented on related issues including efforts to allow increased involvement with CRCs from social science faculties; methods for coordinating the Synchrotron project such as the possibility of a CRC for this purpose; and possible benefits for the organisation of CRCs from the experience with Monash’s Global Institute.

A report from Professor R White, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Monash University London Centre, was circulated (p 111-116). This was the final report from Professor White prior to his retirement at the end of 2001.

The Chair introduced this item and noted thanks to Professor R White for his efforts towards Monash’s involvement in London and the Centre. Professor Lindsay advised the Board that Professor M Evans, Director of Planning and Academic Affairs, had been appointed as the new Director of the Monash Centre in London.

The Vice-Chancellor informed members about current developments at the London Centre with regard to positive support from government, refurbishment and the acquisition of an office at the Strand. Professor Robinson highlighted the Centre’s anticipated future progress and welcomed Professor Evans as Director.

Professor Evans noted the range of activities detailed in the report and informed members about activities/areas that would be further developed. Members and other academics were invited to provide input into the Current Issues Series. Professor Evans noted the importance of information available in the Centre, joint teaching and ongoing feedback and collaboration.

Members provided comment about the enthusiasm of students in relation to joint teaching and the significance of identifying and planning for appropriate use of the limited space available in the information centre.

A document was circulated (p 117-120).

Mr P Marshall, Divisional Director, Student and Staff Services, spoke to this item and highlighted the key aspects of the Report presented including detail about the student and staff services survey, and the key areas of focus for the Division in 2001 and 2002. Mr Marshall informed the Board about the integration of relevant support services following the realignment of administrative arrangements in 2000. The key areas of the Division, including Community Services, Services and Systems, Policy and Consultancy and Strategy, had been put in place over the past year.

Mr Marshall highlighted some of the focus points during 2001 including follow up and improvements in line with the survey results, update to the Staff Hand Book, consideration about devolution of staff classifications to faculties and introduction of the new staff and student ID cards. Members also noted key areas of focus for 2002 such as student administration in fees, enrolment and re-enrolment, a joint student services centre at Caulfield, introduction of PELS, the Divisional web page and e-Services.

Discussion occurred in relation to the need for involvement and input from senior faculty staff regarding processes such as selection, probation, promotion and performance management. Mr Marshall informed members about relevant working groups and projects presently underway and advised that feedback about processes was currently being sought from faculty executives.

This item was added at the meeting.

The Vice-Chancellor announced to the Board the successful accreditation of the new five year medical degree following the review of the medical program by the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences over the previous two years. Members noted that the Australian Medical Council (AMC) had written to the Vice-Chancellor and Professor N Saunders, Dean of the Faculty, to advise that the new Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) had received accreditation from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2008, subject to AMC review and finalisation of the later part of the course.

This item was added at the meeting.

The Chair, Professor A Lindsay, advised the Board that Professor N Tapper, Head of the School of Geography and Environmental Science, had recently won the National Business and Environment Award.

There were no items considered in this section.

At Meeting 3/2001, the Academic Board approved its schedule of meetings for 2002. Meeting 4/2002 of the Academic Board has subsequently had to be re-scheduled, from 28 to 14 August, due to a change to Council meetings dates. Members noted the revised schedule for meetings of the Board in 2002 that was included for reference:

A document was circulated (p 121-124).

A document was circulated (p 125-128).

A document was circulated (p 129-132).

A document was circulated (p 133-136).

A document was circulated (p 137-142).

A document is attached (p 143-150).

This proposal had previously been accepted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development).

A document was circulated (p 151-152).

A proposal was circulated (p 153-160) from Professor B Mackenzie, Pro Vice-Chancellor Gippsland, for the establishment of a research Institute for Regional Studies at the Gippsland campus. The proposal had been commended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development).

A document from the Faculty of Arts was circulated (p 161-164).

The Committee of Deans had endorsed the proposal at its meeting on 20 November.

A document from the Faculty of Arts was circulated (p 165-168).

The Committee of Deans had endorsed the proposal at its meeting on 20 November.

A document was circulated (p 169-176).

This proposal was endorsed by the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at its meeting on 21 November, and by the Committee of Deans at its meeting on 20 November.

The proposed 2002 membership of the Exclusion Appeals Committee was circulated (p 177-178).

A document was circulated (p 179-180).