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Monash staff and students are now able to share research interests and conduct exchange visits with colleagues at Europe's oldest university, the University of Bologna in Italy.
Following an agreement signed between the two universities at the end of last month, academics from across the range of disciplines will be encouraged to find areas of cooperative research and teaching. The most likely areas will be in the fields of medicine, economics, fine arts and the humanities.
In one of his last projects before his retirement from Monash, Professor John Maloney, deputy vice-chancellor (International and Public Affairs) was welcomed into the Great Hall of the University of Bologna by its rector, Professor Fabio Roversi Monaco, as part of a grand ceremony, following which the agreement was signed with Monash.
"This agreement offers many exciting opportunities for staff and students at Monash," Professor Maloney said.
"The University of Bologna is very interested in the integration of Australian universities into the operations of universities of the European Union. And, in contrast to what we find in Australia, the culture of strong government support for the university system is evident throughout Europe, but particularly in Italy."
Under the agreement, each university will pay for the travel costs of its staff and students, while accommodation costs will be borne by the host institution. It is also expected that joint seminars and discussion groups will be planned on topics of common interest.
The opportunity for Monash to develop a partnership with Bologna arose through the existing research links of the Institute of Reproduction and Development in the Faculty of Medicine.
Professor Adrian Walker, of the Centre for Baby Health Research within IRD, said that over the past five years research cooperation had developed in the areas of sleep physiology, IVF and other fields of reproductive medicine.
The University of Bologna recently celebrated its 900th birthday and claims among its former teachers two Popes, Alexander III and Innocent IV, and among its past pupils Dante, Petrarch, Copernicus and Erasmus.
- David Bruce
A sound budget for the timesMonash Council unanimously approved the university's budget for 2000 and noted the indicative budgets for 2001 and 2002 last week, on the understanding that steps will be taken over the next year to eliminate the deficit which is currently indicated for 2001. With funding high on the university's agenda at this time, Council, the Vice-Chancellor's Group and the NTEU have all said they are concerned to ensure that the core activities of Monash University are not eroded. Speaking at Council, vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson said it was vital for the university to lessen the impact of inadequate government funding by generating new income and implementing the new developments signalled in Leading the Way: Monash 2020. "Developments such as the Malaysian campus, our joint activities with King's College London and the proposed campus in South Africa not only make very good sense educationally, but have the potential to increase resources available to the greater Monash," he said. Commenting on the Science faculty's budget for 2000, Professor Robinson said the initial reduction of $267,000 on last year's figure was partly caused by a reduction in Commonwealth funding for research infrastructure. "But more importantly, the faculty loses many of the students it enrols to applied science areas in other faculties. This has a significant impact on its financial position." Professor Robinson said he expected this structural problem to be addressed by next March as a result of the process already set in train by himself and the dean. "However, the university's budget includes a further $11.3 million for distribution to the faculties during 2000 for teaching and research initiatives. "Once these funds are allocated, together with any adjustments made for the structural problem, and with the benefits of the new incentive scheme for increased fee income, the Faculty of Science operating budget for 2000 should exceed significantly the 1999 figures. "The university's overall financial situation is now beginning to be understood more widely, and all staff are encouraged to access the budget document on the web site at www.adm.monash.edu.au/bass/ibud.htm "Council has approved as sound a university budget as can be expected in these very difficult financial times." |
The
establishment of the Monash link with the University of Bologna is a timely
example of Professor John Maloney's significant work for the university, according
to vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson.
Speaking at the farewell function last week, he said Professor Maloney had taken on the challenging role of deputy vice-chancellor (International and Public Affairs) at a critical time in the university's development.
"As the former vice-chancellor of Curtin University, John is known for his immense skills in the international arena and, coincidentally, also has a great love of the arts," Professor Robinson said.
"His willingness to put on hold his plans for retirement and get these areas into the centre of the university's operations has been of great benefit to Monash."
Paying tribute to Professor Maloney's leadership, executive director (International) Mr Tony Pollock said it was clear that he understood the importance of humanity and that people are critical to success.
"Professor Maloney has had confidence in people, and inspired and fostered people. His expertise and guidance have been valued greatly," he said.
Planning now to return to Perth, Professor Maloney said he was looking back on nine years' involvement with Monash University through the Ritchie Baby Health Research Centre, where he was foundation professor, to the last two-and-a-half years as deputy vice-chancellor.
"I've had a wonderful experience here, with great staff and a fascinating time as a member of the Vice-Chancellor's Group.
"Monash is really on a roll now, and if it keeps its focus, in 10 years it will be right up there with the best in the world."
Items of
interest from Council meeting
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The results of the recent State election have put the Federal Government on notice to produce good outcomes for rural communities, according to the director of Gippsland's Faculty of Education, Ms Helen Sheil.
Ms Sheil, who recently attended the Regional Australia Summit, said it was important for planners and policy makers to heed the clear message the electorate in rural areas had given the previous state government.
"The summit identified as a missing link the capacity for rural communities to work and plan together," she said. "It is clear the Federal Government now understands that rural communities are leading the change, and it is important for planners and policy makers to learn how to work with this changed agenda."
She said the Federal Government received a strong message from the Regional Summit that "partnerships directed from within communities are more likely to succeed".
Ms Sheil said the work of the Monash-based Centre for Rural Communities had created an Australian first by piloting programs to ensure people within rural communities have access to the skills, knowledge and information to take on the rebuilding of country communities.
The Monash Short Courses Centre has just released its new summer brochure.
Courses include food and wine, art and craft, health and well-being, music and dance, personal development, computer training and Christmas craft. Inquiries on extn 53180.
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