Skip to content | Change text size
Assets | Includes | header.shtml
 

Deans Discussion Group Meeting 3-2000

Meeting 3/2000 of the Deans Discussion Group was held between 4.00 pm and 8.55 pm on Tuesday, 11th April 2000 in the Monash City Office, Level 11, 30 Collins Street, Melbourne.

There were present:

Professor D A Robinson, Vice-Chancellor and President

Professor P LeP Darvall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Research and Development)

Ms A Crook, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Resources)

Professor J Anderson, Pro Vice-Chancellor, South Africa Campus

Professor M L Brisk, Dean, Faculty of Engineering

Professor M Evans, Director, Academic and Planning

Professor H Le Grand, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Acting Dean, Faculty of Science

Professor D Gunstone, Acting Dean, Faculty of Education

Professor S Parker, Dean, Faculty of Law

Professor J Redmond, Dean, Faculty of Art and Design

Professor A Russell, Acting Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics

Mr Owen Slattery, Director, Finance Administration, Monash International Item 3.1

Secretary:

Mr Tony Calder, University Secretariat

NOTES

1. Attendance and Apologies

An apology was received from Professor S. Parker.

The Vice-Chancellor welcomed Mr Owen Slattery, Director Finance Administration, Monash International.

2. Notes

The meeting received the notes of meeting 2/2000 of the Deans Discussion Group held on 11th April 2000. The Vice-Chancellor updated members on the following matters arising from the notes:

  • The separation agreement had been agreed to without dissent at the Annual General Meeting of MME shareholder and guarantor members.

  • Links with North American institutions.

  • Members were advised that Monash regularly received proposals to participate in major projects such as the establishment of a new offshore campus. Further, it was noted that Monash but did not have an appropriate forum established to oversee and progress such matters to a stage where the matter could be submitted to the Vice-Chancellor’s Group for initial consideration. Currently an ad-hoc group consisting of Mr Neil Bradley, Professor R Willis and Mr Ian Porter were progressing several new initiatives.

  • Graduation Ceremonies – Members were advised that Professor Darvall was undertaking a review of Graduations and would appreciate suggestions from Deans. Noting the need for enhancing the majesty of graduation ceremonies, Deans were requested to deliver the occasional address at all ceremonies except those where an honorary degree was being awarded.

3. Vice Chancellor and President

3.1 AusAid Scholarships

Mr Owen Slattery, Director Finance Administration Monash International reported that Monash currently had 241 AusAid Scholarship students enrolled generating $3.2 million in tuition fees. Noting that Monash was ranked second for commencing students in 1998 (1996 = eleventh), Mr Slattery advised members that from semester one of 2001, the provision of fully serviced AusAid Scholarships would be decided via a competitive tender process. As a result of the tender process, selected institutions would then be able to compete for the enrolment of prospective AusAid sponsored students.

Further aspects of the tender process discussed included:

  • the price basis will consist of the CRICOS fee less the tendered discount rate,

  • the contract includes a set of performance indicators and a benchmarking process to assess performance,

  • the evaluation criteria for assessing tenders is weighted – 80% technical, 20% financial,

  • pricing considerations, and

  • the range within which an appropriate discount price could be tendered.

Following discussion, members were advised that staff from the Monash International Scholarship Unit would be seeking further input from faculties.

3.2 Science at Monash

Professor Le Grand introduced this item by noting that the dot points on page one of the document titled ‘Science Forward’ provided a good overview of the content of the document. Commenting on the document, Professor Le Grand advised members that the document represented an ‘end to the beginning’ in that the proposals still needed further development and elaboration following further consultation within the Faculty of Science and with other faculties. Professor Le Grand advised members that he considered the document a promising first draft of a blueprint that was of the utmost importance to the Faculty of Science. Prior to continuing discussion of the matter during dinner, Professor Le Grand requested that members continue to assist with the process via continued cooperation, constructive criticism and assistance in maintaining the momentum currently evident throughout most of the faculty.

3.3 South Africa Update

Reporting on his most recent visit to South Africa, Professor Anderson reported that there was strong public interest in the project. Professor Anderson indicated that although he had received advice that Monash would be ‘flooded with students’; such predictions rarely eventuated as students in South Africa usually made decisions about their preferred University over the last two years of their education.

Other matters raised by Professor Anderson included:

  • the need for all staff members traveling to South Africa to share information regarding travel plans, itinerary, objectives,

  • the importance of ensuring that contact with the business and government sectors was suitably coordinated,

  • initial research contacts and short courses must be suitably coordinated in order to maintain Monash’s credibility and reputation, and

  • recent staff appointments include Ms Caryn Ralston (Student Liaison Officer) and the appointment of a Project Manager.

Following discussion, the Vice-Chancellor emphasized the need for all aspects of the project to be carefully managed and correctly implemented.

4 Dinner Discussion

Science at Monash

Professor le Grand briefed members on the major elements of the draft document titled Science at Monash : Directions and Strategies. Matters discussed included:

  • the establishment of a Monash Science Precinct subject to completion of a feasibility study,

  • construction of a new building to accommodate an enhanced Monash Science Centre,

  • the concept of interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary schools, centers and programs involving key partners from other faculties, and

  • the development of new interdisciplinary undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

Noting that the proposals had emerged from a faculty based strategic thinking process, members were advised that the proposals would be discussed at a meeting of the Faculty Board scheduled for the following day.

5 Other Business

It was suggested that Mr Stephen Dee (Executive Director – Public Affairs) and Mr Serhat Abdurazak (Development Manager – Public Affairs) attend a future meeting re joint approaches to fundraising and the principles and protocols pertaining to fundraising. Further, it was suggested that Mr Paul Ramler, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, be invited to attend the dinner discussion on development and fundraising issues.

Distribution

(Hard copy):

Vice-Chancellor and President
Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Vice Presidents

Deans