|
|
|
The Monash Malaysia campus in Kuala Lumpur: vital to the future of the university. |
The September meeting of Monash Council will be held at the university's campus in Malaysia as part of a substantial round of activities for the university.
The three-day visit is timed to coincide with a graduation ceremony, and will also give Council members an opportunity to meet government officials, key employers, community leaders, senior alumni and the university's partners - the SungeiWay Group, who have constructed the campus and now provide much of the service infrastructure for the university's activities.
The Malaysian campus has been open for just under one year and has already attracted high-quality staff and excellent students. The staff and student members of Council will be able to meet these new colleagues.
The chancellor, Dr Jerry Ellis, and the vice-chancellor, Professor David Robinson, consider the Council visit to mark a significant point in the development of Monash University.
"The campus is vital to the future of the university, and within three years it will be our third largest," Professor Robinson said. "Active and first-hand oversight of and support for this dynamic enterprise is a key part of the Council's responsibility."
He said Monash was the obvious choice for the Malaysian Government when it was seeking to enhance its higher education provision and respond to the needs of the broader region.
"Monash's sustained and active relationship with Malaysia, where we have more than 9000 alumni, is what has set us apart in the past and what provides such a sound base for future developments," Professor Robinson said.
Two academics from the Politics department within the Faculty of Arts have accepted prestigious visiting positions at Princeton University, New Jersey, from September 1999 to June 2000.
Professor Alastair Davidson has been appointed a professorial fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies. He will participate in a research group on the universalism of human rights and will also complete a book on the new civic virtues appropriate for multi-ethnic societies.
Dr Roger Spegele will take up a visiting fellowship with the Center for International Studies. Along with about 10 other research fellows from several countries, he will participate in weekly discussions with faculty associates and will also work on two book projects on emancipatory international relations and international ethics in a divided world.
New graduate certificate for Monash teachersThe Centre for Higher Education Development has recently introduced a new Graduate Certificate in Higher Education, giving Monash teachers first-hand experience of a flexible learning environment. The program has attracted 46 enrolments in its first intake, and includes teachers from across the university's six Australian campuses and from nine of its 10 faculties. According to CHED director Professor Graham Webb, one of the biggest challenges facing teachers today is the requirement to teach in a more student-centred, flexible way. "We specifically designed the certificate to provide participants with direct experience of flexible learning so that it could inform their own approach to teaching," he said. The program is delivered flexibly through a mix of intensive face-to-face sessions integrated with web-based activities, print materials and an online discussion site. CHED has developed an innovative software tool, InterLearn, which enables participants to share their contributions through the use of dedicated personalised worksites. Learning activities can be shared among participants, encouraging them to develop online collaborative learning networks. Students undertake activities based on their own teaching situations and study four semester-length subjects: 'Designing for learning', 'Teaching for learning', 'Evaluating teaching and assessing learning' and 'Negotiated project'. CHED is currently seeking international accreditation for the program. For more information about the graduate certificate, contact Dr Helen Edwards on extn 56811. Details about the InterLearn software tool can be obtained from Associate Professor David Murphy on extn 56820. |
A chance
to make slime, build hot air balloons and fire off rockets attracted more
than 1500 secondary students to Science 'Monash Style' during National Science
Week in early May.
The students travelled to Monash for the day from as far away as Gippsland, Leongatha and Healesville "just to find out how things in science work", as one student said. For many of the younger students involved, this was their first visit to a university.
Supported by funding from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Science 'Monash Style' events included a series of lectures on the theme of 'time' and hands-on activities led by current Monash Science students and diploma of education students who are aiming to become science teachers next year.
More than 80 students and their parents attended an evening course and careers session, where CSIRO's Dr Ian Enting spoke on global warming, Monash's Dr David Ranson discussed careers in forensic science, and young Dulux chemist Ms Genna Brown talked about her work as a new graduate.
Event organiser Ms Sandra McNamara, who is also external relations manager of the Science facutly, said the week had been a great success thanks to the efforts of the staff and students involved.
"The school students were fascinated by what they saw and heard," she said. "Certainly the feedback from the teachers indicated that it had been a very positive and enjoyable experience for all."
Monash Physics demonstrator Mr Simon Drew had Gippsland Grammar School students intrigued by the properties of liquid nitrogen during National Science Week.
Items of interest from CouncilFollowing each meeting of Council, a short outline of issues considered by Council will be published in Monash Memo. Where possible, web addresses or contact details will be provided so that further details can be obtained. Council - 15 February 1999Council welcomed Dr Jeremy Kitson Ellis, MA (Oxon), FTSE, FAICD, FAIMM, as chancellor of the university to his first meeting as chair of Council. New members of Council were also introduced and welcomed - Ms Louise Adler, Mr Darriel Jeffree, Mr John Laurie, Associate Professor Andrew Marcus, Ms Wendy Peter, Dr Paul Rodan, Dr Mark Schapper and Ms Ann Sherry. At this meeting, the chancellor outlined his view of the role of the chancellor, his understanding of the university and the role of Council. The vice-chancellor reported on the year ahead in the context of the Monash Plan, which is due to be released mid-year. Council - 15 March 1999Council received a report from Mr John Julian, director, Integrated Administrative Systems Project. In his presentation, Mr Julian outlined the need for replacement of the old administrative systems, including non-compliance in relation to Y2K. Other matters
Council - 10 May 1999Council welcomed a new member of Council, Dr Ian Allen, deputy secretary and director, Higher Education, Department of Education, who replaced Mr Frank Peck as the ministerial appointee to Council. Council received a report from Professor Nick Saunders, dean of the Faculty of Medicine, on future directions for the Faculty of Medicine, the first of five such decanal presentations to Council in 1999. Council congratulated Professor Saunders on his report. The vice-chancellor presented a paper following up issues raised in his presentation at meeting 1/99 on 'The Year Ahead'. Topics included the Monash Mt Eliza School of Business, Strategy of the Gippsland Campus and the Group of Eight Universities. Other matters
Agendas and minutes for meetings of Council can be accessed at http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/unisec Queries should be directed to Mr Phillip Siggins on extn 52010 or phillip.siggins@ adm.monash.edu.au |
 |
Contact
|
Return to
|
| Copyright © Monash University - All rights reserved - Disclaimer |
Maintained by publishing@adm
|
|
