Monash partners with ABC The main players in emerging communications technologies from academia and industry both in Australia and internationally have joined forces to put together the second multimedia educational series in the Monash-Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) partnership. The 13-part weekly radio series In the Pipeline: Converging Communications is being presented on Radio National on Fridays at 5 am, with repeats at 12.30 pm on Radio Australia, ABC Online, and World Radio Network in North America and Europe. The associate producer and academic consultant to the series, Monash's National Centre for Australian Studies lecturer Ms Joanne Jacobs, said the series would be of interest to a wide range of audiences. "Digital TV is set to begin on 1 January 2001, the Federal Government is considering regulation of the Internet, and 22 per cent of Australian homes are currently connected to the Internet, with hundreds more connecting each day - we are clearly in the middle of a period of rapid change," Ms Jacobs said. A range of Monash academics will feature in the series, along with some major industry players including Mr Robert Cringely, presenter of the ABC television program Nerds; Mr Howard Rheingold, author of Virtual Communities; Ms Tara Lemmey, president of Electronic Frontiers Foundation; Mr Simon Davies, head of Privacy International; Ms Laura Miller, editor of the online magazine Salon; and Ms Kim Anderson, head of marketing at PBL. The Pipeline website at www.abc.net. au/pipeline will publish a fortnightly e-zine throughout the radio series and will include a reading room, program transcripts and audio. A six-part television series on e-commerce will screen next year, and later this year Monash will be delivering online an e-commerce training module targeted at small business.

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Students conquer mountain on clean-up hike

Monash students who recently undertook a hike to Nuang Mountain with hike leader and Business Systems lecturer Mr Tan Y. O.

Some 30 students from the Malaysian campus, led by trekking enthusiast and lecturer in Business Systems Mr Tan Y. O., took up the challenge to conquer Gunung Nuang (Nuang Mountain) on a clean-up hike during their recent semester break.

According to Pro-Tem Council vice-president Dinesh Rudra, there has been a strong demand among students to organise such trips.

"The Nuang Mountain in Hulu Langat was chosen for its beginner-to-intermediate mountain trekking trail and its close location to the university campus," he said.

Rudra added that the clean-up of Nuang Mountain was initiated by the students to help maintain the pristine environment of the mountain trail and peak area, which are very popular among trekkers.

- Seng Yee Moi

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Mt Eliza and Monash agree to pursue separation

Chairman of the board of Monash Mt Eliza Mr David Karpin last week announced that the board of Monash Mt Eliza Business School is recommending the school's separation from Monash University following a comprehensive review of the school's future strategic direction.

"The review, while acknowledging the successes and achievements of the school during its existence, put the view that the interests of both parties will be best served by separation," Mr Karpin said.

"As a result, the board has unanimously agreed to recommend to a general meeting of the shareholder and guarantor members an amicable separation of Mt Eliza Business School from Monash University to take effect from 1 January 2001."

Mr Karpin said the principal focus of Monash University was its undergraduate and graduate award courses.

"Mt Eliza, on the other hand, serves a wider interest, incorporating management development programs for business and government as well as management education courses that lead to formal awards," he said.

"It has, therefore, been jointly agreed that the two institutions pursue their individual objectives separately and independently."

The Business School will pass to Monash University full responsibility for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Public Policy and Management (MPPM) award courses.

The school has been delivering these Monash University accredited award courses since 1994 under an agreement struck between the institutions.

Monash vice-chancellor and Monash Mt Eliza board member Professor David Robinson said the lengthy period leading up to the separation would give both organisations the opportunity of adjusting to the new arrangements and would ensure that the interests of students were well catered for.

Currently enrolled Monash Mt Eliza MBA and MPPM students will have the opportunity to complete their courses as Monash University students," Professor Robinson said.

"Both Mt Eliza and Monash are fully committed to ensuring that MBA and MPPM students will be able to complete their programs without disruption.

"The MBA and MPPM will form part of a broad range of quality postgraduate programs offered by Monash University's Faculty of Business and Economics."

Mr Karpin said Mt Eliza would continue to provide an MBA and other top-quality graduate management education courses, as well as the traditional Mt Eliza management development programs for business and government.

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Singapore celebrations

At the inaugural Singapore Employers' Dinner are, from left, vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson, deputy chancellor Mr Paul Ramler AM, Ms Serene Koh and employer representatives Mr Christopher Koh (Contact Singapore) and Ms Rose Lim (EMDS Consulting).

Monash celebrated the graduation of 520 of its students at two graduation ceremonies held in Singapore last month.

Students from the faculties of Information Technology, Business & Economics, Arts, Art & Design, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine and Science received their degrees from deputy chancellor Mr Paul Ramler AM.

Vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson delivered the opening address to the new graduates.

On the eve of the graduation ceremonies, Mr Ramler and Professor Robinson joined more than 25 representatives from Singaporean companies and members of Monash University Alumni Association Singapore at the inaugural Singapore Employers' Dinner, jointly hosted by the university and Monash Unicomm Pty Ltd.

In his address to the employers and alumni, Professor Robinson said Monash had a proud history of association with Singapore. He said the occasion was an excellent opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen the university's links with employers and graduates in the region.

The first Monash Malaysia Employers' Dinner will be held on Saturday 18 September as part of the university's next graduation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.

Further information can be obtained from Monash Unicomm Pty Ltd CEO Mr Joe Curtis on extn 53100 or email joe.curtis@adm. monash.edu.au

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Monash University - Elections to Council Nominations have been called for the election of: one professorial staff member of the university, and one general staff member (other than the academic staff or professors) to University Council from among their number. Professorial staff The qualifications of both voters and candidates are that they are a member of the professorial staff of the university other than a non-teaching professor, an associate professor, a clinical associate professor, an emeritus professor, a visiting professor, an honorary professor or an adjunct professor. General staff The qualifications of candidates are that they are a member of staff other than academic staff or the professors, and must hold either a full-time appointment or a fractional appointment of not less than 0.4 and must have held that appointment for a period of more than six months. The qualification of voters is that they are a member of Monash University staff other than academic staff or the professors. Nominations and elections Nominations for these positions may be lodged with the returning officer/assistant returning officers from 20 September 1999 and no later than 12 noon on Monday, 4 October 1999. Requests for nomination forms and inquiries should be directed to Ms Isa DiTrocchio in the University Secretariat on extn 55049. If more than one nomination is received for either of these positions, a ballot will be held at 12 noon on Monday, 15 November 1999. Voting papers will be posted to each elector before Monday, 1 November 1999. The successful candidates will be elected to these positions from 1 January 2000, until 31 December 2001. In nominating and voting, Monash staff are asked to consider Monash University's commitment to equal representation of women and men on committees. At June 1999, there were 8 female and 13 male Council members.