On Campus blog: Daily news updates from the tertiary education sector

Marine bioproducts, digital finance, heavy industry’s move to net-zero emissions and disaster research have received new funding.

The University of Adelaide’s Professor Gus Nathan, who led the successful bid for the heavy industry low-carbon transition CRC. Supplied.

On Campus daily blog: Higher education news as it happens

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Friday 2 July

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Research centre funding announced

The federal government has allocated $158 million for three cooperative research centres and a further $85 million to fund natural hazards research through the establishment of the Natural Hazards Research Australia.

The Flinders University-led Marine Bioproducts CRC will receive $59 million over 10 years, which will add to $200 million support from partners in the field which includes manufacturers of omega-3 oils and other “nutraceuticals”, cosmetics, agrochemicals and bioplastics.

The University of Adelaide-led Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition CRC which will contribute towards the transition toward zero net-carbon emissions has been awarded $39 million over 10 years and has more than $175 million partner investment.

HILT CRC lead Gus Nathan said tackling the contribution of heavy industry to climate change was a challenge, but also “an economic opportunity because of the growing demand for new, higher value, green products”.

The Macquarie University-led Digital Finance CRC will receive $60 million to develop and monetise products and services created as the financial markets digitise both traditional assets and new asset classes, such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

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New DVC at the University of the Sunshine Coast

The University of the Sunshine Coast has appointed Ross Young as its new deputy vice-chancellor (research and innovation).

Professor Young, a clinical psychologist, comes from the Queensland University of Technology, where he was the faculty of health executive dean and had also been director of the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation. He is a former director of the University of Queensland’s Behaviour Research and Therapy Centre.

Professor Ross Young, the new DVC at USC.

Professor Young has an international reputation for his work on the role of psychological and biological risk factors in the development and treatment of mental illness.

He said he wanted to amplify the impact of USC’s research nationally and internationally, especially its work in forestry, oceans, human heath, sports science and sustainability.

USC vice-chancellor Helen Bartlett said apart from Professor Young’s academic leadership and research strengths he brought extensive experience in international partnerships, commercialisation and licensing.

Professor Young will succeed Roland De Marco who is leaving after 10 years.

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IDP ups its stake in IELTS English language testing

Education company IDP, owner of one-third of the IELTS English language test, will pay 130 million pounds for the share of the IELTS business in India currently owned by its partners, the British Council.

At the moment IELTS testing in the lucrative Indian market is carried out by both IDP and the British Council, which also owns one-third of IELTS.

Once the deal is complete, expected to be in August, all IELTS tests in India will be delivered by IDP.

IDP, which also conducts international student recruitment worldwide, is 40 per cent owned by Australian universities.

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Thursday 1 July

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Monash expert to advise Facebook on curbing abuse

Monash University expert in women’s safety Asher Flynn has been named to a group of global advisers by Facebook to aid the social media giant in ensuring women’s safety online.

The university said that Associate Professor Flynn, a criminologist, had extensive knowledge of technology-facilitated abuse, AI-facilitated abuse, image-based abuse, gendered violence and digital crime.

Associate Professor Asher Flynn of Monash University

She is the only Australian member in the group established by Facebook, currently 12 strong, whose other members are not-for-profit leaders, activists and academic experts.

Professor Flynn said the abuse of technology had harmful consequences.

“I have argued that we need multifaceted responses to this that includes placing responsibility onto social media platforms and Internet intermediaries to step up and improve their prevention, education and responses to technology-facilitated abuse,” she said.

She said the group was an opportunity to work with Facebook to improve women’s experiences on the platform.

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Wednesday 30 June

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Macquarie Business School wins AMBA accreditation

Macquarie Business School’s postgraduate degrees have won a coveted internationally recognised accreditation from the Association of MBAs.

MBS dean Eric Knight said the school was delighted to have AMBA accreditation, which follows a period of rigorous assessment by the association.

“Macquarie Business School is known amongst employers and students alike as the place to be for real-world application and employer-relevant skills. This accreditation will unlock exciting opportunities for our students and alumni to develop the skills, knowledge and networking to further them in their careers,” he said.

AMBA chief executive Andrew Main Wilson, said he wanted to congratulate Macquarie Business School which had “reputation for excellence in both teaching and research”.

“I am delighted that it is joining our network, which is exclusive to the top 2 per cent of business schools globally,” he said.

As a result of AMBA recognition current MBA students and recent MBA alumni of Macquarie Business School are invited to join AMBA’s global community of more than 57,000 students and alumni for networking, thought leadership, career development, and other benefits.

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Tuesday 29 June

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$10m for La Trobe agri-food research

The Victorian government will give $10m to La Trobe University to fund agriculture research including the development of new crop varieties to improve food production.

The money — part of the $350m Victorian Higher Education State Investment Fund announced last year to help universities through their funding crisis caused by Covid-19 and the loss of international students — will help La Trobe’s agri-food researchers deliver innovation to industry.

La Trobe vice-chancellor John Dewar said the university was already a recognised international leader in research aiming to improve the production of high-quality foods and plant-based medicines.

“We’re pleased to be expanding our platforms to benefit the sector — from primary producers to manufacturers,” Professor Dewar said.

Of the $10m grant, $6.5m will be spent on laboratories for plant phenomics and $3.5m will be used to expand research glasshouses.

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Monday 28 June

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UniSA extends VC’s term until 2027

University of South Australia vice-chancellor David Lloyd has been extended until the end of 2027, which will give him at least 14 years in the job by the time his term is up.

Aside from giving Professor Lloyd a longer tenure in the role, UniSA’s council also reappointed chancellor Pauline Carr for another four years until March 2026 and reappointed deputy chancellor John Hill for another two years until June 2023.

Professor Lloyd, who was appointed in 2013, said he was grateful for the opportunity to continue in the role.

“I am continually impressed with the energy and sense of enterprise among our student and alumni population, the engagement and support of our industry and community partners and the dedication of our staff,” he said.

The university also announced a new appointment to the UniSA council. Advertising executive Bill Muirhead, who was formerly the global CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi and is currently the South Australian Agent-General in London, will join the council next year.

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Hard road to success

Violet Hildebrandt did not complete high school, but this year she graduated from Charles Darwin University with a bachelor of education (early childhood), the first in her family to gain a university degree.

Ms Hildebrandt was chosen as CDU’s Indigenous Student of Excellence and delivered the graduate response at its Indigenous Valedictory ceremony at the Central Australian campus in Alice Springs.

Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) graduate Violet Hildebrandt

The proud Gurindji, Kungarakan and Ngen’giwumirri woman gained her degree via distance education after first completing a Preparation for Tertiary Success program.

“Distance education is hard as you have to manage your own time — but life is hard,” Ms Hildebrandt said. “The supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students exist but you have to find them and use them.”

Ms Hildebrandt, who said she had lacked role models for finishing school and never thought about university, is now working full time at Ross Park Primary School in Alice Springs. “I wanted to be someone who broke the stigma and give these kids a role model,” she said.

More than 200 students graduated, including 34 Indigenous students: there were 54 higher education students, 144 from vocational education and training, and six PhD recipients.

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Events coming up

Community Colleges Australia National 2021 Adult and Community Education (ACE) Summit(June 29). The Mint, Sydney, and online

A showcase for ACE providers’ innovative programs and pathways that can help governments succeed in meeting Australia’s economic, employment and social challenges in the wake of the pandemic-induced economic downturn.

‘No Frills’, the 30th National VET Research Conference (7-9 July). Online

The annual mid year conference of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research. This year’s theme is “Past informing the future”. It will be held online due to uncertainty about Covid restrictions.

Collaborate Innovate 2021 (9-11 August). Canberra

The Cooperative Research Centre Association conference will feature an early career researchers competition, the annual Ralph Slatyer address, and the 30th anniversary of the CRC Innovation Showcase at Parliament House.

Knowledge Commercialisation Australasia Annual Conference (8-10 September) RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast

The conference theme is Global Partnerships and Commercialisation themes. It also features the annual KCA awards that celebrate the achievements of members, and highlight “top tier work” in Australasian tech transfer.

Quantum Australia 2021 (8-10 September) Doltone House, Sydney and online

Sydney Quantum Academy’s conference and careers fair for the rapidly growing quantum technology industry. It’s for researchers, businesses, government decision makers, start-ups and big tech.

Australian International Education Conference (5-8 October) Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre and online

AIEC 2021 will explore new horizons for international education with five key subthemes: global challenges, digital innovation, life and learning, policy and politics, and strategic insights.

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