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Affirmative action initiatives can deliver major cultural change by generating a work environment that is more productive and better to work in, according to Monash Council member Ms Ann Sherry.
Launching the university's Affirmative Action Plan 2000-2001 recently, Ms Sherry, who is head of Group Resources at the Westpac Banking Corporation, said she had seen enormous benefit from affirmative action initiatives in a variety of industries.
"Affirmative action issues are certainly not confined to higher education, but also need attention in sectors such as financial services, where many females are at the lower levels of the organisation and very few are in senior positions.
"It seems ironic that even within universities where the core activities relate to the application of merit principles, the identification of talent and the development of human capacity, there has been under-development of female staff and consequently an under-representation of the full diversity of talent."
Introduced by Professor Margaret Clayton, who is convenor of the Subcommittee for Equal Opportunity in Employment, Ms Sherry noted Monash's achievements in affirmative action acknowledged by the Affirmative Action Agency's high rating of the university in its 1995 report, and the recognition of Monash as a 'Best Practice' organisation in affirmative action by the Australian Chamber of Manufacturers and the Australian Industry Group.
"Much has been achieved at Monash, but there is still a way to go, particularly at the more senior levels of academic and general staff. The new plan is outcome focused, and Monash Council will be very interested to follow progress," Ms Sherry said.
Commenting on the university's commitment to the new Affirmative Action Plan, vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson said major cultural change was one of the main aims of the Vice-Chancellor's Taskforce on the Advancement of Women, which was set up in 1998 to address organisational barriers to women's advancement.
"Monash is taking the issue very seriously, and accountability for achievement of the targets of this new Affirmative Action Plan will be linked into the performance management process," Professor Robinson said.
"The number one requirement of the plan is to ensure that we recruit, advance and support women staff to maximise their contributions to the university."
Monash Council member Ms Ann Sherry (second from right) is joined at the launch of the Affirmative Action Plan by, from left, Professor David Robinson, manager of Equal Opportunity and Employment Equity Dr Margaret James, and Professor Margaret Clayton.
Interim dean for ScienceProfessor Homer Le Grand has been appointed interim dean of Science until a new dean takes up the position to be advertised this week. Announcing the arrangement, vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson said that Professor Le Grand, who will continue as dean of Arts during this period, is well known for his belief that top-class universities must have strong faculties of arts and sciences. "Professor Le Grand has the full support of heads of departments and associate deans in Science and is an ideal person to assist the faculty to take the critical decisions necessary at this time," he said. Over the next few weeks, Professor Le Grand will work with current dean of Science Professor Ron Davies to ensure a smooth transition for the faculty when Professor Davies leaves Monash next month. "I'll be dependent on the good will, good sense and advice of colleagues to ensure that the faculty not only maintains its current strengths, but also secures its future," Professor Le Grand said. "In particular, I'm keen to ensure the further development of the new science degree, which is not only very innovative and a genuine service to tertiary science teaching but also of real benefit to the university as a whole." Commenting on Professor Le Grand's new role, head of Chemistry Professor Ron Dickson said that the departments in the faculty are very aware that they must convey the excitement of science to incoming students. "The appointment of Professor Le Grand as interim dean provides an opportunity for all departments to have a new look at what they are doing," Professor Dickson said. "We look forward very much to working constructively with him until a new dean takes up the position." |
The 10th International Congress for Stereology, organised recently by Monash's Professor John Bertram and his colleagues from the Anatomy department, has been declared a great success.
The congress, was attended by more than 100 people from over 20 countries.
Professor Bertram said he was delighted with the attendance, as this was the first time the congress had been held outside Europe or the US.
Keynote speaker Dr Jens Nyengaard from Aarhus University in Denmark, an expert in quantitative microscopic (stereological) techniques, described how advances in stereology were helping identify possible causes of hypertension and diabetes.
At the 10th International Congress for Stereology are, from left, keynote speaker Dr Jens Nyengaard, Institute of Reproduction and Development director Professor David De Kretser and Anatomy department chair Professor John Bertram.
Solar cycle a winnerA solar cycle team supported by Caulfield campus Mechanical Engineering staff and students blitzed the field in the recent World Solar Cycle Challenge, finishing first nearly three hours ahead of its nearest competitor. The Reflex-Southern Alliance team, supported by Monash, Chisholm Institute of TAFE and the Geelong West Cycling Club, finished the 1434 km race from Alice Springs to Adelaide in 32 hours and 47 seconds at an average speed of 44.3 km per hour. Senior lecturer Mr Paul Wellington said the Monash group, made up of final-year mechanical engineering students, designed the new-generation cycle, which, with further development, should break the 50 km per hour barrier.
Monash students and members of the successful World Solar Cycle Challenge Team are, from left, Hugh Maguire, Matthew Rizio, Renee Caruana, and Tim Waterman, with Stefce Risteski in the car. |
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| Deputy chancellor and chairperson of Monash Unicomm Pty Ltd Mr Paul Ramler AM (right) congratulates Monash Unicomm Pty Ltd chief executive officer Mr Joe Curtis on the release of Unicomm's strategic plan and the opening the Monash Unicomm Business Centre. |
Monash Unicomm's strategic plan, Towards 2002, sets out Unicomm's commitment and approach to assisting the university achieve its agreed vision, deputy chancellor and chairperson of Monash Unicomm Pty Ltd Mr Paul Ramler AM told those gathered for the document's release last week.
"It reflects the key themes and values articulated in Monash 2020, is consistent with the university's vision and goals and clearly elaborates Unicomm's role in the greater Monash by detailing its capacities to foster an active relationship with the university and other stakeholders," Mr Ramler said.
"It is a significant initiative as it sets out a three-year growth plan for Unicomm to pursue its distinctive mix of activities including student employment, careers counselling, catering and retail operations, facilities management and building services."
This is the first strategic plan developed by Unicomm since it was incorporated in 1998. The company, which provides management, financial and commercial services across the university's campuses, currently has 214 full and part-time staff and manages assets on behalf of the university that total around $35 million.
Mr Ramler said he hoped that all university staff would work with Unicomm to achieve the vision and new directions articulated in the plan.
Following the plan's launch, Mr Ramler officially opened Unicomm's new multi-purpose business centre on Clayton campus.
The Monash Unicomm Business Centre is a modern facility specialising in small business conferences, corporate functions, meetings, training sessions, presentations and seminars, and is available to Monash staff and outside organisations.
"The opening of these facilities now provides the opportunity for Unicomm to offer a lifelong association with the university - from employment counselling for students and assisting graduates seeking employment opportunities, to the provision of conference services for alumni," Mr Ramler said.
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