Issue 14 - 10 May 2000

History guides an imaginative future

At the official launch last week of Simon Marginson's book Monash - Remaking the University, guest speaker Professor John Button was quick to note that the organisers had successfully rounded up "all the usual suspects".

Among the former staff present were Professor Mal Logan (vice-chancellor), Professor John Hay (deputy vice-chancellor), Professor Ian Rae (dean of Science), Professor Gus Sinclair (dean of Economics and Politics) and Mr Peter Wade (general manager).

They joined current chancellor Mr Jerry Ellis, vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson, deputy vice-chancellor Professor Peter Darvall, deans and invited guests, including Mr Ray Marginson and other members of the Marginson family, to celebrate the achievements of Monash during its 40-year history.

Focusing on the 'Logan years' in the late 80s and early 90s in particular, Monash - Remaking the University tells the story of the rapid development of Monash during this time when it more than doubled in size.

"The history of Monash reflects the political environment of the different eras, and also reflects each of the vice-chancellors who has been exactly the right choice for his particular time," Professor Button said.

"Monash has been dynamic, growing and pushing the boundaries. It became a mirror and at times a model for the changes in higher education. Simon's book is very well researched and written. I don't think anyone could have done it better."

Speaking about Monash history, Professor Marginson said that whereas the 80s were years of rapid expansion, the 60s and 70s had been very significant in building and consolidating the disciplines of the university.

"The right decisions were made time and time again, which had a lot to do with the leadership and the quality of the professors," he said.

Professor Marginson said the living experience of students and staff was grounded in a university's history.

"We need to hold on to our history and to our achievements. The reputation of a university is not created by marketers but rests on its organic identity - what really happens in teaching and learning and what the atmosphere is like.

"What distinguishes a university is not knowledge, but its commitment to imagination.

"Tensions are inevitable", but it's important for the future of a university to enter into the spirit of looking at things differently."

Monash - Remaking the University, by Simon Marginson, is published by Allen and Unwin ($45). Monash staff and alumni can take advantage of the discount rate of $35, plus $7 for postage and packaging, by emailing monashalumni@adm.monash.edu.au

At the book launch were, from left, Professor John Button, Professor Peter Darvall, Mr Jerry Ellis, Professor Simon Marginson and Dr Peter Rogers.

Secondary students extend their learning Japanese Enhancement Studies students Patrick Breen, left, and Hana Provan with Dr Kayoko Hashimoto. The Monash Enhancement Program, the largest extension studies program of its type in Australia, has this semester attracted more than 650 students from about 180 schools from around Victoria and interstate. The program provides the opportunity for high-achieving secondary students to extend their learning in a particular subject area by completing the first year of a standard university subject as part of their Year 12 program. According to Enhancement Studies Program coordinator Ms Ngan Booth, students who have completed the program often outperformed their first-year university colleagues. "As well as extending the students academically, feedback we have received indicates that experience in the program also assists students with their transition to university," Ms Booth said. "A fundamental part of any enhancement study at Monash is the regular contact with Monash University staff. Regardless of the study mode they elect to undertake, students can attend special on-campus sessions, and have access to university academic staff throughout the year." Japanese enhancement studies coordinator Dr Kayoko Hashimoto says that teaching in the program is very demanding but that it was also very fulfilling for a teacher to see the motivation and dedication of the students involved. Dr Hashimoto explained that the Japanese Enhancement Program offers Japanese background students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of their culture and identity. At the same time it offers non-native-speaking students the opportunity to enhance their language skills by interacting with native-speaking students in a small group environment. "It offers both groups of students the opportunity to really extend their language and cultural skills beyond what is offered in the standard secondary classroom," Dr Hashimoto said. Students can complete their enhancement study either by attending classes at selected secondary schools, by distance education or by a combination of both. Information Technology was added this year to the list of 17 subjects on offer through the program. Further information on the Enhancement Studies Program can be found at www.monash.edu.au/pso/PSO3.html

A virtual reunion

The Monash Videoconference Services facility on Clayton campus was recently used to reunite two brothers who have not seen each other for 40 years.

Melbourne resident 79-year-old Mr Reg Heathcote was reunited with his 80-year-old brother in Derbyshire in the UK via the hour-long linkup.

The virtual reunion received a great deal of interest in Derbyshire, with a local BBC news reporter interviewing the men during the linkup and local newspaper photographers and reporters in the studio to report on the event.

According to the manager of Monash Videoconference Services, Ms Pam Miller, while the university's facilities are used mainly to enhance academic and administrative operations, they are also available for public or commercial hire.

Videoconference facilities are located at Berwick, Clayton, Peninsula, Caulfield and Gippsland campuses.

For more information on Monash Videoconference Services, contact Ms Pam Miller on extn 54779.

Mr Reg Heathcote, centre, surrounded by his family and right, Videoconference Services manager Ms Pam Miller.

Reasons for celebration Information Technology dean Professor Rosenberg, centre, with School of Information Management and Systems staff (from left): deputy head Mr Martin Atchison, Associate Professor Sue McKemmish, research fellow Dr Kirsty Williamson, senior lecturer Dr Frada Burstein and Professor Don Schauder. The School of Information Management and Systems and the newly formed Enterprise Information Research Group (EIRG) in the Faculty of Information Technology recently joined forces to hold a double celebration at Caulfield campus. Faculty staff were celebrating the Strategic Monash University Research Fund grant to EIRG for the Knowledge Management in Information Communities project and the proposed Virtual Knowledge Management Laboratory. The laboratory will be established at the Caulfield campus as a flexible state-of-the-art facility to provide research, teaching and training in knowledge management, both on campus and remotely. The group was also celebrating the launch of a new book by research fellow Dr Kirsty Williamson, Research Methods for Students and Professionals: Information Management and Systems, written in collaboration with her EIRG colleagues. The book was launched by Information Technology dean Professor John Rosenberg, who congratulated the authors on its multidisciplinary approach. Further information on EIRG, which is collaborating on research with universities and other organisations from around the world, can be found at www.sims.monash.edu.au/

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