Academic Board Meeting 6-2007

MINUTES

Meeting No 6/2007 of the Academic Board was held on Wednesday 3 October 2007, from 3:30pm-5:20pm, in the Council Chambers, First floor, Building 3A, Clayton campus.

Associate Professors John Hurst (Chair), Hamil Abachi, Professor David Abramson, Dr Phil Andrews, Professor David Arnott, Mr Jason Bagg, Associate Professors Harry Ballis, Stephen Barkoczy, Professors Greg Barton, John Beardall, Drs Jason Beringer, Mita Bhattacharya, Ben Boyd, Professors Robert Brooks, Chris Browne, Barbara Caine, Associate Professor Ben Canny, Dr Des Casey, Associate Professor Keryn Chalmers, Professors Colin Chapman, Iain Clarke, Val Clulow, Dr Sandra Cockfield, Professor Graham Coleman, Associate Professor Brian Cooke, Dr Gloria Davies, Professors Helen De Cieri, Rodney Devenish, Associate Professor Maryanne Dever, Professors Richard Doherty, Merran Evans, Stephanie Fahey, Associate Professors Graham Farr, Professors Raelene Frances, Arie Freiberg, Associate Professor Trevor Gale, Professor Jayne Godfrey, Ms Robyn Harris, Professors Graeme Hodge, Bernard Hoffert, Mr Colin Jevons, Professors Helen Keleher, Max King, Paul Komesaroff, Kim Langfield-Smith, Richard Larkins, Merilyn Liddell, Associate Professor Margaret Lindorff, Drs Chandani Lokuge, Joy Lyneham, Professor Andrew Markus, Associate Professor Louise McCall, Professors Catriona McLean, Ross Mouer, David Murphy, Brian Oldfield, Graham Oppy, Associate Professor Michael Page, Dr Annamaria Pagliaro, Professor Gill Palmer, Ms Alexandra Phelan, Professor Ian Prince, Dr Mary Lou Rasmussen, Professors Martin Rhodes, Julian Rood, Drs Grace Rumantir, Stephen Saunders, Jan Schapper, Professors Michael Skully, Amrik Sohal, Tam Sridhar, Phillip Steele, Associate Professor Kay Stewart, Professors Elsdon Storey, David Suter, Dr W Sutherland-Smith, Professors On Kit Tam, Julian Teicher, Bruce Tonge, Drs Christine Varsavksy, Sabatino Ventura, Professors Jeff Waincymer, Geoff Webb, Graham Webb, Ron Weber, Associate Professor Igor Wendt, Professors Steve Wesselingh, Bryan Williams, Rob Willis, Sue Willis, Drs Rita Wilson, E Wilson-Evered, Associate Professor Cherrie Jiuhua Zhu,

Drs Gideon Boas, Ross Booth, Susan Burney, Professosr Bill Charman, Edwina Cornish, Tony Dingle, Mr Rajesh Dudhani, Professors Mark Gabbott, Michael Holland, Owen Hughes, Associate Professor Sally Joy, Ms Mei-Ling Kok, Professors Arthur Lowery, Tony Luff, Dennis Moore, Roger Nation, Dr Bronwyn Naylor, Professors Robert Norris, Harmen Oppewal, Leon Piterman, Marilyn Pittard, Tyrone Pretorius, John Redmond, George Simon, Julian Smith, Leone Spiccia, Nigel Tapper, Mr David Watson, Professors William Young, R Edwards

Professor John Sheridan

Mr Tony Calder, Ms Sue Gleeson, Dr Cecilia Hewitt, Mr Kendall Williamson, Ms Wilna Macmillan, Professors Walter Wong, Pua Eng-Chong, Anuar Zaini, Lee Poh Aun (Malaysia)

Professor Robin Pollard

In attendance:

Ms R Hinds

1.1  Alterations to the Agenda and Starring of Items

Associate Professor John Hurst welcomed members to the meeting including members attending the meeting by teleconference from the Malaysia and South Africa campuses.

1.2  Approval of Non-Starred Items

The recommendations of the Steering Committee were adopted without discussion for all items other than those starred.

C 1.3  Confidential Items
 

2.1  Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 5/2007

The Minutes of Academic Board Meeting 5/2007, held on 29 August 2007, were confirmed.
 

3.1  President’s Report

Associate Professor Hurst reported on a range of matters of interest to the Board, including:

• The requirement to vary the conditions of eligibility specified in the notice of election to the positions of President/Vice-President, in order to ensure continuity of expertise amongst office bearers.

• The receipt of nominations for vacancies on Steering Committee from Associate Professor Marg Lindorff and Mr D Watson.

• Ratification of nomination of Professor Rob Willis to membership of the Vice-Chancellor’s General Staff Awards Panel.

• Council’s recent successful visit to the South African and Sunway campuses, arising from which the President suggested that there were two issues of particular importance requiring attention, namely, the need to improve communication both technical and social, and to recognise the efforts of staff in the evolution of Monash’s offshore campuses.

Academic Board:

• Received and noted the report of the President.
• Varied the conditions of eligibility specified in the notice of election to the positions of President/Vice-President.
• Confirmed the nominations of Associate Professor Marg Lindorff and Mr David Watson as alternate non-professorial members of Steering Committee of Academic Board, with terms of office to 31 August 2008.
• Ratified nomination by the President of Professor Rob Willis to membership of the Vice-Chancellor’s General Staff Awards Panel.

For information: Associate Professor J Hurst, Associate Professor M Lindorff, Mr D Watson, Professor R Willis

3.2  Role of Academic Board

The President introduced this item by reminding members that, at its last meeting, the Board requested Steering Committee to bring forward a draft statement of Terms of Reference for discussion. He further indicated that it was not proposed that amendments (if required) be made to the draft "on the spot" - rather, it was proposed that the draft be revised as a result of discussion at this meeting, for further consideration by Steering Committee and thence the Board at its final meeting for the year.

Discussion by the Board canvassed a wide range of matters, including:

• The need to more clearly articulate the governance characteristics of the Board at an early stage in the document and ensure that these were distinguished from its management responsibilities.

• Recasting the preamble to more accurately reflect the Board’s focus and status.

• The need to consider inclusion of the offshore campuses in the Board’s membership.

• Whether some groups only of the Monash community should receive specific mention.

• The importance of appropriately defining the relationship between the Board, Council and the Vice-Chancellor.

• Whether the role proposed of members in disseminating information necessarily forecast a change to the Board’s membership, and whether these issues should be debated together.

• The need to clearly articulate the Board’s responsibilities prior to considering whether it was appropriately constituted to discharge them.

Concluding discussion, the President reminded members that once the Terms of Reference had been approved by the Board, it would then proceed to consider its membership.

For information: Associate Professor J Hurst
 

4.1  Report of the Vice-Chancellor

Members had before them the Vice-Chancellor’s written report. Items from the Report highlighted by Professor Larkins included:

Sunway campus

Referring to the recent official opening of the new campus, Professor Larkins moved a vote of thanks to Professor Merilyn Liddell for her outstanding leadership of the development and expansion of the campus.

Academic Board endorsed the Vice-Chancellor’s vote of thanks to Professor Liddell by acclamation.

CHALCO Agreement

The recent signing of an agreement with CHALCO was a high-profile event, and would result in the establishment of an international centre for light alloy research at Clayton.

Professor Alan Trounson

Observing that Professor Trounson’s pioneering work in IVF and stem cell research had also brought great prestige to Monash, Professor Larkins noted that his new appointment as Director of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine had the potential for Monash to link with research being conducted in California.

Other Items

• Monash had received the largest allocation of funds from the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund ($10.55M) – it was particularly pleasing that funding had been allocated in each of the four discipline bands.

• The ranking of the Monash MBA by the Economist Intelligence Unit had improved to second in the category 'personal development and educational experience' and 43rd in the world, the highest ranked MBA in Australia.

• Monash had significantly improved its ARC/NHMRC grants performance.

• The inaugural Research Month had been a great success.

• The Academy of Performing Arts had successfully re-instated "Music in the Round", attracting 600 paying attendees to the recent event.

• NUS had recently ranked Monash (Clayton) in the top three Australian universities for provision of student support.

• Monash had achieved second place overall in the recent Australian university Games.

Academic Board received and noted the Report of the Vice-Chancellor.

For information: Professor R Larkins

4.2  Education Portfolio

4.2.1  University Performance Indicators

Members had before them the following draft reports

University Key Performance Indicators

Internal Performance Indicators

Professor Merran Evans introduced this item by reminding members of the source of the data, highlighting the dashboard indicator format summaries and advising that several changes to the measures had been made.

Academic Board received and noted the draft University-wide Key Performance Indicator and Internal Performance Indicator reports.

For information: Professors A Shoemaker, M Evans

4.2.2  HEQC Audit

Professor Graham Webb reported on the results of the HEQC Audit, reminding members that the process had (similar to the AUQA Audit) been portfolio-based. Monash had commented extensively on the initial draft report, as a result of which a further commendation had been added, and two recommendations removed from the final version.

Monash had received the equal lowest number of recommendations in the entire higher education sector, and largest number of commendations for institutions in the private sector.

An Action Plan was in the process of being drafted, would be submitted to VCG (Q) in November and to HEQC by February 2008.

Subsequent discussion ranged over strategies to increase the number of South African born African students and the details of the staff profile.

Academic Board received and noted the report on the HEQC audit.

For information: Professors A Shoemaker, G Webb, T Pretorius

4.3  Research Portfolio

4.3.1  Research Quality Framework (RQF)

Members had before them a tabled report on the progress of RQF preparations.

Speaking to this item, Professor Max King highlighted the following:

• 18 September release of the RQF Specifications and the full list of RQF Panel members, following which the next phase of the process would require organisation of research groups (the unit of RQF assessment) and preparation of evidence portfolios.

• The composition of evidence portfolios, noting the importance of, inter alia, ‘best output justifications’.

• RQF researcher eligibility, reminding members of the 31 March census date and noting that there had been some changes to eligibility rules, including eligibility for inclusion of all Level A staff. Members were also advised that researchers from offshore campuses were also eligible for inclusion in research groups.

• The RQF timetable, progress against which would culminate in submission to DEST no later than 30 April 2008.

• The strategies proposed for Monash’s submission, which would endeavour to include groups in all discipline areas, structure the groups with a view to RQF competitiveness, include members with high impact research and early career researchers where possible.

Professor King emphasised that, not only was $45M in known funding at stake as a result of the RQF, but also the possibility of adverse impact on Monash’s reputation and ability to attract new research funding.

Academic Board received and noted the report on the RQF.

For information: Professor E Cornish, Professor M King

4.3.2  Induction and Research Development

Professor King presented a progress report on induction and research development, observing that the initiatives had arisen from recommendations made in the Research and Research Management Review of 2004.

Academic Board received and noted the Progress Report on Induction and Research Development.

For information: Professor E Cornish, Professor M King

4.4  International Portfolio

4.4.1  International Strategy

Professor Fahey presented an update on the work surrounding the establishment of partnerships with other institutions, noting that over the next few years, the goal was to reduce the current 700 to 10-15. This would be achieved by a process of analysing the effectiveness of all partnerships against specific KPIs.

Professor Fahey reported on initiatives in the following regions:

• China – following the recent SCU Deans Training Program, 8 faculties had committed to engage with Sichuan University. Further, CHALCO wished to expand its collaboration with Monash into other areas, which would involve a number of faculties.

• India – the relationship with IITB was progressing well. The HDR agreement had been signed and the first students enrolled.

• Africa – a number of activities were planned, some of which were in response to the HEQC Audit:

  • A seminar on research in Africa was scheduled for the end of the month.

  • Discussion was underway on establishment of a Monash Centre for Research in Africa in the Faculty of Arts, with a longer-term goal of transferring the Centre to MSA.

  • Fundraising for scholarships for South African born African students by the expatriate community in Australia and linkage with the Oaktree Foundation.

  • Investigation into an emerging artists program with the Faculty of Art and Design.

  • USA – relationships with Purdue (research collaboration), Arizona State (best practice university management) and California Universities (climate change) were emerging.

  • Prato was developing strongly, with four faculties delivering programs at that location. A new business plan aimed to establish the Centre as a focal point for cross-European collaboration by increasing teaching collaboration and research.

Academic Board received and noted the report on the international strategy.

For information: Professor S Fahey

4.4.2  APEC Summit

Professor Fahey reported on the Business Leaders’ component of the Summit, which was attended by the heads of all major companies/institutions.

She also noted that APEC discussion centred on economic integration, human security and the future of APEC. In addition, the focus on climate change would provide research opportunities in furthering collaboration with China.

Academic Board received and noted the report on the APEC Summit.

For information: Professor S Fahey

4.5  Question Time

4.5.1  Student Support Rankings

Responding to a question regarding specific identification of the Clayton campus in the NUS ranking of Monash in the top three Australian universities for provision of student support, Ms Phelan agreed to obtain further information and report back to the Board.

For information: Professor R Larkins, Professor R Willis, Ms A Phelan

4.5.2  Research Quality Framework (RQF)

The following information was provided in response to a range of questions relating to the RQF:

• Monash was expecting to submit portfolios for 150-180 research groups.

• Potential impact of the imminent Federal election notwithstanding, Monash was acting appropriately by preparing for the RQF.

• Given that four outputs per researcher were to be submitted, consideration could be given to allocation of researchers with a large number of high-quality publications across more than one group.

Responding to concern expressed at the implications of the RQF classification of early career researcher and its possible detrimental effect on PhD completion, Professor King noted that little feedback on earlier request for comment had been received. A possible solution to the perceived emphasis on publications over completion of a PhD might be the award of a PhD by publication.

For information: Professor R Larkins, Professor M King, Professor T Sridhar, Professor S Willis

4.5.3  Performance Indicators

Responding to a question regarding the nature of the performance targets, Professor Evans emphasised their aspirational nature. Professor Larkins then noted that, given the stretch nature of some of the targets, those most difficult to achieve were those with a longer timeframe. Despite this, it was expected that Monash would continue to make progress in achieving its targets.

For information: Professor R Larkins, Professor M Evans, Professor J Rood
 

7.1  Requests for Special Leave

Academic Board granted special leave from attendance at Meeting 6/2007 of the Board to Professor John Sheridan

For information: Professor J Sheridan
 

Academic Board noted the summary of approved course and unit developments during the past 12 months.

9.1  Disestablishment of Centres

Academic Board endorsed for transmission to Council the proposal to disestablish the Centre for Dynamical Meteorology and Oceanography.

For information: Professor R Norris, Mr A Calder
 

Members had before them a proposal to amend the Faculties Regulations, Schedule 7 – Faculty of Law, Part II – Membership of the faculty board.

Members were advised that the report to be made following establishment of the Graduate Attributes Implementation Working Party would now be made to Academic Board Meeting 7/2007, following discussion at Education Committee.
 

12.1  Monash University Research Committee Meeting 5/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 5/2007 of the Monash University Research Committee.

For information: Mr K Williamson

12.2  Education Committee Meeting 5/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 5/2007 of the Education Committee.

For information: Ms M Soederberg

12.3  Research Graduate School Committee Meeting 8/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 8/2007 of the Research Graduate School Committee.

For information: Mrs P Herman
 

13.1  Faculty of Science Meetings 5/2006 – 3/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Reports of Meetings 5/2006 - 3/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Science.

For information: Ms G Key

13.2  Faculty of Information Technology 5/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 5/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Information Technology.

For information: Mr R Gillon

13.3  Faculty of Education Meetings 3/2007 and 4/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meetings 3/2007 and 4/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Education.

For information: Ms S Plowright

13.4  Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Meeting 5/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 5/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.

For information: Ms J Tong

13.5  Faculty of Engineering Meeting 6/2007

Academic Board received and noted the Report of Meeting 6/2007 of the Board of the Faculty of Engineering.

For Information: Mr R Smiley
 

The next meeting of the Academic Board will be held on Wednesday 21 November 2007 in the Council Chambers, 1^st floor, Building 3a, Clayton Campus commencing at 3.30pm.