Curtin wins Library Excellence Award

I am pleased to advise that the Curtin Library has won the 2013 Library Board of Western Australia Award for Excellence.

The Award recognises excellent achievement in the provision of library services by any person, library or organisation in Western Australia and Curtin is leading the way.

The Library received the accolade for its Virtual Bookshelf technology which provides library users with a convenient way of viewing library materials in a visual format using the cover images of books. This technology has been made freely and openly accessible to clients of Western Australia, national and international libraries.

This is a significant achievement for Curtin, as universities worldwide aspire to deliver similar functionality.

Congratulations to Curtin Library staff for fostering new ideas to ensure that innovation within the Library and University continues.
 

Safety on Campus

With the onset of darkness now occurring considerably earlier, I remind you to be vigilant about your personal safety, particularly when leaving campus at night. 

Whenever possible, please do not walk alone and use the well-lit pathways. Curtin Security offer personal escorts to your vehicle at any time. Simply contact Security on extension 4444. This is a great service that our Security team offer, particularly as the two bus services the University provides, the Curtin Courtesy Bus and free CABS shuttle bus finish this Friday and won?t become operational again until second semester.

I also encourage you to download the free mobile phone app SafeZone, if you haven?t already. SafeZone can be used by staff and students across each of Curtin?s Western Australian campuses to contact Security for general assistance, first aid or urgent help.

Always remember if you have any safety concerns or see any unusual behaviour, please report these immediately to Security.

For general Security assistance, including non-life threatening emergencies:

?  Call 4444 from an internal phone
?  Call 9266 4444 from an external or mobile phone.

For life-threatening emergencies only (Fire, Police or Ambulance):

?  Call 0 000 from an internal phone
?  Call 000 from an external or mobile phone. 

To find out more about Curtin Security initiatives, please visit http://properties.curtin.edu.au/roles/am/security/

Hazel Hawke Collection at JCPML

I know I join many when I express my condolences to Hazel Hawke?s family on the passing of a remarkable woman. Many of you may not be aware that Curtin enjoyed a valuable connection with this proud Western Australian.

Mrs Hawke?s strong ties to her home state were the motivation for her to donate a consignment of her papers to Curtin?s John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library (JCPML) in 1999 and 2009.

The JCMPL is honoured to take care of the Hazel Hawke Collection which can be viewed by staff and also online.

These records document her time at the Prime Minister’s Lodge (1983-1991), with speeches delivered in her role as Prime Minister Bob Hawke?s wife; a series of interviews, photographs which provide an insight into her public work and some of her personal interests.

Mrs Hawke was a strong supporter of affordable education, and with her family worked with the JCPML to establish the Hazel Hawke Undergraduate Scholarship at Curtin for mature age applicants whose finances would not normally allow them to study at university.

Spatial Sciences marks a centenary of excellence

Curtin?s Department of Spatial Sciences within the Western Australian School of Mines is celebrating three milestones this year: 100 years of mine surveying, 50 years of surveying and 25 years of geographic information science.

Professor Lyn Beazley, the Chief Scientist of Western Australia, delivered the keynote address at a triple anniversary event on campus for staff, alumni and industry members.
 
I congratulate all those involved in showcasing the wonderful achievements of our rich history in spatial sciences.  

Green Campus Update ? World Environment Day

World Environment Day is the largest, most widely celebrated, global day for positive environmental action.

As part of Curtin?s commitment to environmental sustainability, staff are encouraged to help plant 800 native seedlings around Jack Finney Lake, on the Bentley Campus, on Wednesday 5 June, between 9.00am and 12.00pm.

You can drop in to do your bit to help or stay for the full three hours. All equipment will be provided.

To register, please contact Odile Pouliquen-Young on extension 3376 or via email, as numbers need to be tracked.

Curtin Ball 2013

This year?s Curtin Ball will be held on Saturday 13 July at the Hyatt Regency Perth with the theme ?Venetian Carnivale?.

Tickets are on sale now and I encourage as many staff as possible to support the ball, which is an important event on the University?s calendar. This year, Curtin is providing all staff with a $25 subsidy, making tickets only $100 and $125 for guests.

Tickets can be purchased via the payment portal. For more information, please contact the Curtin Ball Committee  

World No Tobacco Day

Friday 31 May is World No Tobacco Day, a World Health Organisation initiative that highlights the health risks associated with tobacco use and advocates for effective policies to reduce consumption.

In case you are not aware, Curtin provides many resources to assist staff and students to quit, including cessation support programs and access to health and counselling services.

As staff will be aware, Curtin?s WA campuses have been smoke-free since 1 January 2012. Curtin is a leader in the field of health research and teaching, and recognises that both smoking and second-hand smoke are harmful to health. By going smoke-free the University is aligning its policies and practices with the evidence and its research outcomes.

I encourage staff considering giving up smoking to take advantage of these support services, and to use World No Tobacco Day as the impetus to make the change.

To read more about Curtin?s commitment to a smoke-free environment and the resources that are available visit smokefree.curtin.edu.au

Curtin introduces its first MOOC

I am pleased to announce that Curtin has introduced its first Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), as part of Open2Study, a platform created by Open Universities Australia.

The first MOOC will be on Astronomy ?Discovering the Universe through Science and Technology, exploring the evolution of the universe, the future of astronomy and the role technology plays in new discoveries.?  Enrolments are now open and the course will run for four weeks starting on 1 July.

Open2Study gives everyone the opportunity to study online for free and is based on the core principal that learning is life-long and should be accessible by all.

We are all aware that the higher education sector is in the midst of transformative change, responding to major technological advances and student demand for flexibility in learning experiences which challenge the traditional model of lecture-intensive, campus based education.

As technology makes knowledge accessible anywhere, anytime at low or no cost, Curtin is re-thinking teaching and learning in relation to its students, and with respect to the competitive environment in which we now operate.

Curtin has launched a program of strategic change in the teaching and learning area under the banner of Transforming Learning at Curtin (TL@C). Through TL@C, we are using transformative technology to rethink learning for the benefit of students and employers.

National Reconciliation Week

Each year between 27 May and 3 June, Australia celebrates National Reconciliation Week. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in our country?s reconciliation journey ? the 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.

This week-long celebration is an ideal opportunity for all of us to join the national reconciliation effort. This year?s theme is, ?Let?s Talk Recognition? prompting us to focus on how we might best recognise and support the rights of Indigenous people.

Curtin has a strong commitment to reconciliation and in 2008 was the first Australian teaching and research institution to develop and implement its own Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

I encourage staff and students to take the time to read the current plan (and give input into its upcoming revision) and become familiar with both the plan and participate in events at Curtin during this important week.

For more information about National Reconciliation Week, visit reconciliation.org.au/nrw

Two weeks to go ? nominations deadline for John Curtin Medal

I would like to remind everyone that nominations for this year?s John Curtin Medal, the University?s highest non-academic award, will close in just two weeks.

Nominations must be received prior to 5pm on Friday 7 June 2013.

The John Curtin Medal is presented to outstanding members of the external community who demonstrate John Curtin?s attributes of vision, leadership and community service.

I encourage you to consider nominating someone from the external community who you believe meets the criteria for this award.

The nomination form and further details can be found at http://johncurtin.curtin.edu.au/ or please contact Hailey Ross, acting Director, Public and Community Relations on extension 7711.

Please note that nominations should be kept strictly confidential. Candidates should not be contacted for information regarding their nomination.

Indigenous mentoring program

I am pleased to advise that Curtin will receive an additional $1.2 million towards its existing Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) program as part of the Federal Government funding boost to expand AIME.

The Federal Minister for Higher Education and Skills, Sharon Bird recently announced $2.4 million has been allocated to programs in Western Australia and South Australia to enable an additional 900 Indigenous students access to the program in those two states.

Curtin will receive an additional $400,000 each year for three years.

AIME pairs university students with Indigenous high school students to help them succeed at high school and enter university. It also connects students with post Year 12 opportunities, including further education and employment.

I am proud that Curtin has 87 AIME mentors who have been carefully selected and trained to work with local Indigenous high school students and that number is set to increase.

Induction and essential staff training

Thank you to all staff who have completed the induction and essential staff training in Code of Conduct, Health and Safety, Equal Opportunity and Information Management.

Completion of these programs enables staff to understand their role in the University and their rights and responsibilities. It also enables the University and its staff to meet legislative requirements.

When legislation is breached, both individual staff members and the University are at risk of substantial penalties. In some cases these penalties can include large fines and even imprisonment, and the University?s reputation can be significantly diminished which affects all of us.

A recent audit of Curtin?s compliance with the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) revealed that not all staff have completed the induction (Corporate or Sessional, and Local Area) and essential staff training, where nominated to do so.

I am also pleased to announce that Curtin has launched Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Act) Staff Online Learning courses. The two courses, SOL Competition and Consumer Act training 1 (Modules 1-5) and SOL Competition and Consumer Act training 2 (Module 6), are designed to provide an introduction to sections of the Act that are of upmost importance to Curtin. If you are required to complete one or both of the courses you will receive an email from the Chief Marketing Officer and the courses will be listed in your Blackboard.  Please complete the training by 31 July 2013 help protect both you and Curtin from the consequences of any possible compliance failures.

A light version of the training will be available in future for those few staff who are not required to complete the above course/s. In the meantime, if you believe you require the training to assist with fulfilling your role at Curtin, please speak with your line manager.

I remind staff who have not completed all the required components of the induction or essential staff training that they need to do so. 

Induction information: http://odu.curtin.edu.au/induction_guidelines.cfm

Essential staff training (online): http://odu.curtin.edu.au/staff_online_learning_sol.cfm

Executive Managers will be reviewing completion of training as part of the follow up actions from the audit.

Pride in Diversity Awards

I am delighted to announce that Curtin was named the Highest Ranking University for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality at today?s national Pride in Diversity (PID) Awards.

Curtin was also ranked seventh in the top ten employers for LGBT people and the University?s Ally program was a runner-up for LGBT Employee Network of the Year.

Congratulations to Student Equity Advisor, Sheldon Smith who was a runner-up in the LGBT Diversity Champion Award.

PID is Australia?s first and only not-for-profit workplace program to assist employers with the inclusion of LGBT employees, and Curtin is proud to promote fairness and equal opportunity for all.

Today?s PID Awards coincide with International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO).

IDAHO was created in 2004 to draw the attention of policymakers, opinion leaders, social movements, the public and the media to the discrimination, homophobia and transphobia which deny millions of people across the world their basic human dignity.

Curtin?s Diverse Sexuality and Gender Identity Inclusion Strategy is aligned with best practice recognised by PID. Curtin?s Ally Program was created to help staff, students and community members of diverse sexual and gender identity feel welcome and supported to work and study at the University.

Professor Mike Daube

Congratulations to Professor of Health Policy, Mike Daube who this year celebrates his fourth decade campaigning for tobacco control and public health reforms around the world.

Professor Daube is internationally recognised as a public health advocate and has led the way on tobacco issues, including the introduction of plain cigarette packaging in Australia, which resulted from the Federal Government?s expert committee that he chaired.

He has won numerous awards including the American Cancer Society?s Luther Terry Distinguished Career Award, the National Heart Foundation?s Kempson Maddox Award, and the World Health Organisation?s Tobacco Medal.

Professor Daube is Director of the McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth at Curtin, and the Public Health Advocacy Institute, President of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health, and Co-Chair of the National Alliance for Action on Alcohol.

He is an inspiration to staff, students and the wider community on the power of passionately following something that you believe.

Curtin?s Place Activation Plan now online

As many of you will be aware, Curtin is progressing significant development on the Bentley Campus, starting with enlivening the academic core through place activation.

I recently invited staff to attend information sessions with Andy Sharp, Director, Campus Development and myself, to hear about the activation plans. If you weren?t able to attend one of the sessions or are interested in learning more, the Place Activation Plan is now online and can be viewed at http://properties.curtin.edu.au/place-activation-plan/

A team of Curtin staff have been working on place activation across the campus, with input from external experts in urban planning and place-making, to identify and implement immediate and long-term projects to improve campus life.

A number of initiatives are already in place including pop-up food vans, bean bags and moveable seats which are scattered across campus, and the outdoor cinema ? Bankwest Movies by Burswood. 

I encourage you to use the new amenities and I look forward to sharing more exciting plans with you in the future.

?Stolen generations? artwork to transfer to Curtin

It was my pleasure this week to sign a memorandum of understanding with Colgate University, New York, to transfer 119 Indigenous artworks to Curtin.

Representatives from Colgate University and the Mungart Boodja organisation attended a special ceremony at Curtin?s Centre for Aboriginal Studies (CAS) along with Curtin staff and CAS students.

The works are a significant part of the heritage and history of regional Western Australia and were created by Noongar children between 1945 and 1951 at the Carrolup Native School and Settlement in the Great Southern region of WA.

The paintings feature native landscape and bush scenes as well as animals, hunting and traditional Noongar cultural activities. They were given to Colgate in 1966 by alumnus Herbert Mayer, a well-known New York collector who purchased the collection from a benefactor to the Carrolup School.

The collection has, and will continue to be, the focus of a joint study between Curtin and Colgate. Over the past eight years, many Colgate students have travelled to WA to visit the Mungart Boodja Art Centre and the John Curtin Gallery to learn about Noongar art and culture.

The relocation of the art will allow both the conservation and exhibition of the work for future generations of Noongar people and others in WA.

Mr Angus Wallam; Colgate University Provost and Dean of Faculty, Professor Douglas Hicks; Mr Ezzard Flowers and Vice-Chancellor Jeanette Hacket

Curtin improves in world?s elite subject rankings

I am pleased to advise that Curtin has improved its ranking in education, environmental sciences, psychology and agriculture and forestry in the 2013 QS World University Rankings by Subject of the world?s top 200 institutions.

The findings revealed that this year Curtin ranked in 11 of the 30 published subjects with an outstanding result for education which rose to number 41 in the world.

These rankings are drawn up on the basis of academic opinion, recruiter opinion and citations.

Academic disciplines are sorted into five categories: arts and humanities, engineering and technology, life sciences and medicine, natural sciences and social sciences and management, each of which shows the top universities in that particular field. For further information on the rankings, please visit: www.topuniversities.com

Thank you to everyone for your continued effort to strive for excellence.

Western Australian Fellowships

I am pleased to announce that two acclaimed scientists will take up Western Australian Fellowships at Curtin later this year.

Professor Carole Jackson, an astronomer from New South Wales, will research low frequency radio astronomy and Professor Darlene Ketten, a marine biologist from the United States, will look at marine mammal biology and acoustics.

Professor Jackson will work with Professors Steven Tingay and Peter Hall at the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy, leading a team to exploit the data taken by the Murchison Widefield Array survey teams and investigating the physical properties of radio sources.

Professor Darlene Ketten, a marine biologist and neuro-anatomist from the United States specialises in functional analyses and biomedical imaging of sensory systems.

Her research will look at how sounds in marine environments impact marine life including shark deterrent technologies. Professor Ketten will be working at the Curtin Centre for Marine Science and Technology (CMST) with Dr Christine Erbe, Director, CMST.

Western Australian Fellows are chosen for their vast experience and the knowledge that they bring to the State.

This is wonderful news for Curtin and I look forward to welcoming Professors Jackson and Ketten to the University.

Imam Yahya Ibrahim awarded Individual Excellence Award

I would like to congratulate Curtin?s Visiting Chaplain, Imam Yahya Ibrahim on receiving an Individual Excellence Award in the WA Multicultural Community Service Awards 2013.

Imam Ibrahim is well-respected and known for his dedication to promoting multiculturalism, social cohesion and cross-cultural dialogue to the wider Western Australian community.

He has presented his diversity training, cultural sensitivity programs, education lectures and media presentations to schools, and universities and travels throughout Australasia, Africa, South East Asia, Europe and Canada to deliver lectures on Islam and Muslim religion.

Imam Ibrahim is committed to spreading a message to Muslims that empowers them spiritually and helps them integrate into the broader community.

The Visiting Chaplaincy Team includes recognised leaders from a wide range of world faiths and provides specialised support for members of their particular faith community.

I acknowledge the contribution Imam Ibrahim has made in providing collaborative spiritual and religious support to students, staff and the Curtin community in general and congratulate him on this public recognition.

Imam Yahya Ibrahim with the Minister for Energy; Finance; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests, Dr Mike Nahan, MLA

National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education

I am pleased to announce that Curtin has been successful in its bid to host the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education.

The Hon. Sharon Bird, Minister for Higher Education and Skills made the announcement at Curtin.

The Federal Government?s decision to move this important and prestigious National Centre to Curtin is a vote of confidence both for the University and for equity and access in higher education.

The Centre will be established within the John Curtin Institute of Public Policy and will be aligned with the Curtin Learning Institute. It will provide policy analysis, research and advice on student equity issues to support the national effort to improve higher education participation and success for marginalised and disadvantaged people.

The Centre will employ its own staff and PhD students, as well as running a national competitive grants program.  The program will be open to researchers and practitioners across Australia to conduct research and evaluation projects on equity initiatives in universities.

A board and advisory committee with links to key stakeholders in government, education, business and equity groups, will be set up to assist with the governance of the Centre and to ensure it is fully connected to ongoing work in the equity area.

Professor John Phillimore, the Hon. Sharon Bird and Vice-Chancellor Jeanette Hacket

Curtin FM Radiothon well above expectations

The annual Radiothon held by Curtin FM 100.1 has once again been a resounding success, raising $105,100 this year. This amount was well above expectations after the station set an internal target of $90,000. 

The event, which ran from 10 to 14 April, received more than 1,900 individual donations ranging from $5 to $3,000. With a listenership of 180,000 each week, Curtin FM is a well-loved voice in the community, and it is excellent to see the significant support the station receives.

More than 50 volunteers helped with the Radiothon by taking calls, collating pledges and assisting in the smooth running of the event, and I congratulate all volunteers and staff who contributed towards making it such a great success.

Vale ? Professor Pauline Sadler

It is with great sadness that I advise that Professor Pauline Sadler, our highly esteemed colleague and former faculty member of the Curtin Business School, passed away on Monday 29th April.

Pauline joined the Curtin School of Business Law in 1989 and at the time of her retirement in February 2013 was Professor of Information Law.

Pauline was instrumental in spearheading the research endeavours of the School of Business Law and Taxation. She made an extensive contribution to education and research at Curtin, and was an active participant in many aspects of University service.

I send my deepest condolences to Pauline?s family, friends and colleagues.

Five weeks to go ? nominations deadline for John Curtin Medal

I would like to remind everyone that nominations for this year?s John Curtin Medal, the University?s highest non-academic award, will close in just over five weeks.

The John Curtin Medal is presented to outstanding members of the external community who demonstrate John Curtin?s attributes of vision, leadership and community service.

I encourage you to consider nominating someone from the external community who you believe meets the criteria for this award.

The nomination form and further details can be found at http://johncurtin.curtin.edu.au/ or please contact Julia Nicol, Director, Public and Community Relations on extension 7711.

Nominations must be received prior to 5pm on Friday 7 June 2013.

Please note that nominations should be kept strictly confidential. Candidates should not be contacted for information regarding their nomination.

Geoffrey Tucker Laboratory

I am pleased to announce that the laboratory in Building 300 has been named after the first Head of School of Pharmacy at the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT), Mr Geoffrey Tucker, for his distinguished contribution to the field of Pharmacy.

Mr Tucker played a key role in the development of the first three-year, full-time academic course in Pharmacy in Western Australia, which commenced in 1964. He was also instrumental in the creation of the School of Pharmacy at WAIT in 1967.

In 1968, the Pharmaceutical Council of Western Australia acknowledged Mr Tucker?s contribution to pharmacy education by making him an Honorary Member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Western Australia.

Mr Tucker remained a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy until his retirement from the University in 1989.