|
|
Professor Bill Kent has been appointed the inaugural director of Monash University in Prato, a new centre of the university located 20 minutes by car from central Florence.
The Prato centre, housed in a magnificent eighteenth-century building, the Palazzo Vaj, will provide opportunities for international conferences, study and cultural tours, short courses, research, workshops, studio work, exhibitions and performances.
Monash University in Prato joins the Monash University Centre at King's College London as part of the university's strong European presence.
Its establishment is another step towards Monash's vision to develop a network of centres, campuses and alliances around the globe.
Professor Kent, an internationally distinguished specialist in the cultural and social history of late medieval and Renaissance Italy, has been associated for 20 years with the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies in Florence (Villa I Tatti).
He has championed the establishment of an Australian Study Centre in Italy, and the Australian Foundation for Studies in Italy.
"The establishment of the Monash centre is a natural extension of this work and has been warmly welcomed by the Tuscan authorities," Professor Kent said.
Situated in close proximity to distinguished Italian and international universities and centres, Monash University in Prato will expand Australia's connections with universities, governments, cultural organisations and industry in Europe.
Prato is a dynamic industrial centre, with many small and medium-sized businesses. Its textile industry is of particular interest to Victoria and will present an excellent opportunity for joint ventures involving industrial research and technology exchange.
The city is also interested in Australian experience of, and expertise in, multiculturalism and immigration, since there has been considerable Asian, especially Chinese, migration into the commune in recent years.
Announcing Professor Kent's appointment, vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson said Monash University in Prato was strongly supported by the Australian Government.
"But it could not have happened without active encouragement from the Commune of Prato and the financial support of a generous benefactor," he said.
"The new centre is just the right development to be part of the global Monash, and we are delighted that Professor Kent has agreed to take up the position of director."
A special website about Monash University in Prato has been developed to keep staff informed and to provide contact details for people interested in developing activities in Prato. See www.monash.edu.au/staff/prato/ for further details.
Above: Professor Bill Kent. Right: The new Monash centre occupies the entire first floor of the Palazzo Vaj (left).
New dean opens MBA officeThe GST took on a new meaning when the new dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics Professor Gill Palmer took up her position last week.
Work colleagues dubbed Professor Palmer's first day 'GST Day' - 'Gill Starts Today' - just two days after the Federal Government had its own GST Day. Getting straight down to work, Professor Palmer opened the new MBA office at Caulfield campus on the first morning in her new role. The faculty has recently resumed management of the MBA, and the new office is now located on the ground floor of the Chisholm Tower, facing onto Sir John Monash Drive. "This launch marks the start of a broad review of postgraduate and post-experience business courses at Monash which will build a program for the 21st century," she said. "The refurbished office adds a welcome touch of colour to the entrance of the Chisholm Tower. It represents the start of the exciting new developments which will emerge in this area over the next few years." Professor Palmer said the MBA needed to "cross boundaries and deliver flexibility" and the new program had been accordingly redesigned to meet the emerging demands of the workplace beyond 2000. The emphasis of the new Monash MBA programs is re-focused on global business, innovation, the information economy and the interface with the new world of e-business. As part of this new focus, the Monash MBA.com degree will be introduced in January 2001 and will feature a specialist strand of electronic commerce subjects drawn from the Faculty of Business and Economics or the Faculty of Information Technology. Inquiries about the new MBA programs are welcome. Contact extn 31166, fax 31168 or email MBA@BusEco.monash.edu.au |
Fourteen senior Thai officials have just completed a program about government reform at Monash Mt Eliza's International Centre for Management in Government.
Thai Police Colonel Panaspong Sirawongse said the four-week program, 'Participation, Decentralisation and Civil Society', had given participants a chance to learn methods of social, economic and development planning which they could apply to Thailand.
Participants included Thai executives from the Royal Thai Police, the Department of Labour, the Interior Ministry, the Office of the Attorney-General and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
ICMG director Dr Graeme Hodge said each visit from an overseas group boosted Australia's international reputation in education.
"The AusAID-sponsored program for the Thai group was the second in a series of three being run by the centre," he said.
"The programs aim to promote good governance and intelligent management and governance skills in the public sector."
Speakers from the centre included Dr Graeme Hodge, Dr Ken Coghill, Mr Alan Hunt, Ms Valarie Sands, Dr Race Mathews, Mr Neil Walker and Mr Denis Ives.
Taking time out from the program are, from left: Ms Araya Thongsupim, Dr Graeme Hodge, Mr Chainarong Vasanasomsithi, Mrs Hathaipat Silanoi, Dr Race Mathews, Ms Wairia Sa-imi, Police Colonel Panaspong Sirawongse and Mr Oppathum Kasetwaytin.
 |
|
Jasmine
Wakely has been slimed.
|
Monash's recent vacation care program was fully booked, with kids involved in activities such as making slime and growing bonsai.
Monash University Family Advisory Services manager Ms Michelle Waters said the holiday program, for the children of Monash staff and students, had been very successful.
"The program has really expanded over recent years, and now includes activities such a bonsai workshop, tap dancing and a cartoonist," she said.
"The children have also been involved in other areas of the university, such as making slime in the Chemistry department. We've been really trying to tap into existing resources and networks we have here."
Ms Waters said the family advisory service offered a range of services to enable staff and students to combine employment and educational pursuits with family responsibilities.
"As well, we can provide up-to-date information on childcare throughout Victoria including kindergarten, vacation care, out-of-school-hours care, family day care, occasional care, special needs services and nanny agencies."
Childcare is available on the Clayton, Caulfield, Peninsula and Gippsland campuses. For further information on the services offered by the Family Advisory Services, contact extn 53156.
Celebrating indigenous cultures
Aboriginal student Jemima Gardiner, who is studying under the Monash Orientation Scheme for Aborigines at the university's Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies, made a short speech before the flags went up. Ms Gardiner, who is one of the Wurundjeri people, said the theme for NAIDOC Week this year was 'Building pride in our communities'. "MOSA is a form of building pride in our communities as it gives Indigenous people an opportunity to further their education or gain entry to tertiary education," she said. At a separate function, Professor Eleanor Bourke, from the Centre for Australian Indigenous Studies and director of Monash Aboriginal Programs, spoke about the history of NAIDOC. She said NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders' Day Observance Committee) aimed to celebrate and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. |
Law
visitor from King'sReader at King's College London Mrs Jane Fortin last week spoke to Faculty of Law staff about the United Kingdom Human Rights Act 1998 and its effect on the rights of the child.
Mrs Fortin, a well-known family and child lawyer in the UK, said her interest in the Human Rights Act, particularly Article 8, was motivated by her concern about the impact it will have on the current laws protecting children.
"Article 8 will move the focus from the protection of children's rights to that of the family and the rights of the parent," she said.
The Human Rights Act incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into the domestic law of the UK.
Mrs Fortin is visiting Australia to attend the International Society of Family Law's 10th World Conference in Brisbane from 10 July to 13 July.
Dean of Law Professor Stephen Parker saw Mrs Fortin's visit as an opportunity to utilise Monash's links with King's and provide a chance for staff to gain insight into the implications of the act.
~ Fleur Haberfield
Building works estimated at $2 million are now under way in building A at Peninsula campus.
Works manager Mr Greg Brown said demolition on parts of the building had started to make way for the planned renovations that would result in a new 127-seat lecture theatre and new space for education, maths and science.
"We are endeavouring to refurbish the entire building, but the main principle behind it is to relocate the Faculty of Education into building A to allow us to remove building B, which is the second-oldest building on campus," he said.
"Every attempt will be made to keep the disruption to a minimum."
Building A now houses part of the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Arts, CeLTS and Community Services.
The second stage, part of an $8 million refurbishment plan, is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
 |
Contact
|
Return to
|
| Copyright © Monash University - All rights reserved - Disclaimer |
Maintained by webmaster@adm
|
|
The
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were last week raised at
the Wellington Road entrance of Monash's Clayton campus in a ceremony
to mark NAIDOC Week.