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December 2007
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Round of Applause
Vice-Chancellor Recognises Staff ExcellenceNominations for the 2007 VC Excel Awards surpassed previous years with a total of 36 nominations being received. This year the awards were judged on innovation, how the people concerned contributed to the reputation of the University, the sustainability of projects and income received. On 8 November, in a packed Council Chamber foyer, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jeanette Hacket presented awards to the successful applicants. Professor Hacket praised the work of all nominees and the nominations received were only a small indication of the excellent work that is being carried out by staff across the university. She said that she looked forward to next year where she hoped we would have even more nominations and encouraged staff to continue to nominate their peers and colleagues. The Excel Committee had indicated that they would be putting forward a revised structure for the award, taking into account the opportunity for provision to better recognise staff not necessarily in positions that generate income or are externally focussed.
Individual WinnersGraeme Burton - Dept of Imaging and Applied Pysics Recognition for his provision of exceptional support in providing a quality research environment that encourages science to progress. He has played a vital role in creating a facility, which is the most advanced of its type in the world. Curtin can now provide unique and internationally competitive research facilities to its students, staff and international visitors. Denise Griffiths - School of Public Health Through her work as Community Liaison Officer with the School of Public Health Denise has established a volunteer work-experience program. She has provided both support mechanisms and obtained resources, which ensures the sustainability of the program. The program has enabled both local and international students to expand their interpersonal and professional skills as well as putting them in touch with future potential employers. Geoffrey Jalleh - Health Sciences Geoffrey has developed strong working relationships through collaborative research projects and supervision of staff and students undertaking higher degrees with other Curtin research groups. He has established an innovative Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) system which through its accessibility has increased the research capacity of the Centre, other Curtin research groups, and other external organisations in terms of research data collection. Nathan Low - Campus and Community Life Nathan developed and implemented the John Curtin Leadership Academy, for aspiring student leaders. The programs main focus is the strategic issue of improving campus life and the student experience through the development of vibrant and sustainable clubs and societies. Levus Mejus - Library Curtin Sarawak Under her leadership, the library has received the recognition from the Curtin Community as a provider of excellent services and a central pillar of teaching and learning. In addition, Levas has developed linkages between the campus library and the libraries nationwide, made contributions to the library profession by engaging community service activities such as the Information Literacy Skills workshop, particularly for rural and sub-rural secondary school students in Miri. David Moore - National Drug Research Institute David is an anthropologist whose research involves mapping the social contexts of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) use and related harms through the use of ethnographic/qualitative research methods. Consistent with Curtin's mission and values he aims to inform AOD policy and practice, build national capacity and promote innovation in research, and disseminate research findings. His research publications are widely cited in Australian and international literatures, used widely in university courses and workforce education and training. Vishnu Pareek - Dept of Chemical Engineering Vishnu has made substantial contribution to Curtin’s vision to become a leading university in education and research, through the supervision of many researchers as well as conducted extensive applied research/consultancy for several multinational companies. All his projects have resulted in widespread benefits to his industrial partners. Extensive involvement in research and development has not precluded him from achieving excellence in teaching and learning, and in particular transforming a major unit to being fully industrially-sponsored. Colleen Mortimer - Curtin Business School Consistent with the ethos of Curtin as a University of Technology Colleen has a pioneer and innovator approach to recent technological improvements. These innovations have substantially enhanced the learning experience of all students, especially off-campus students, who undertake study in her units. Zora Singh - Muresk Institute He has placed great emphasis on partnerships with industry to address quality and marketing constraints. Zora has a high research record with a number of his innovations being adopted by industry. Through the partnerships developed he has secured funds to establish a purpose fitted laboratory - The Curtin Horticulture Research Laboratory. Group WinnersJanice Butt & Jennifer Fenwick - School of Nursing & Midwifery Janice Butt and Jenny Fenwick have played a significant role in having midwifery recognised as a distinct profession and in having the Western Australian legislation changed to reflect this. As a result of the change in legislation it has provided a platform for the development of the undergraduate midwifery course. This course will be the most significant change in midwifery education in WA since the transfer of hospital to university based programs and secures Curtin’s leadership in the discipline. CISCO Academy for the Vision Impaired Team Working in collaboration with the Association for the Blind (WA) and Cisco Systems Inc. and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Iain Murray and Helen Armstrong have developed the Cisco Academy for the Vision Impaired (CAVI). This academy offers the vision impaired education and industry standard certification in preparation for either IT support positions in industry or further tertiary education. The CAVI project raises the profile of Curtin University not only in leading education for the vision impaired, but also illustrating strong collaboration from within and with outside partners. Curtin Health Services Team The Curtin Health Services Team provides an outstanding service for staff and students and extends beyond the usual realms of most General Practitioners services. Their collective efforts have assured successful health outcomes for thousands of students and staff and the demand for the service has grown by 48% over the past four years. They display outstanding loyalty through their support for on-campus residences, health promotion activities, staff well-being initiatives and provision of student placements. Discovery Reporting Team The Discoverer Reporting Project Team have implemented a new reporting tool (Discoverer Viewer) that improves decision making, analysis, managerial and operational reporting. It enables users to generate reports and extract data from Alesco that can be presented in both tabular and graphical forms. This provides managers with consistent and timely information to inform decision making pertaining to staff, including salary expenditure. Library espace@Curtin Development Team The collegiate attitude of the espace@Curtin team has supported the development of effective, whole-of-university systems for the capture, reporting and dissemination of research publication activity. Through the implementation of a digital repository of openly accessible research, Curtin has increased the exposure and impact of its intellectual output. Dr David Stanley & Nursing & Midwifery Student Mentors The Nursing and Midwifery Student Mentor Team have helped in the new to course students’ transition to university life by facilitating support groups, offering study advice and finding or directing students to useful resources. As a direct result, of the action of the student mentors throughout the semester, student retention rates have improved, student morale is high and the student support related workload of the school staff has been reduced. The program is a leading program which enhances the student learning experience, provides collegial support and provides opportunity for personal development. Occupational Therapy Abroad Team The Occupational Therapy Abroad Team has, since 2001, coordinated and grown a unique innovative international multidisciplinary fieldwork program for occupational therapy, physiotherapy and human communication science students. From a base of one country this program has now extended to include China, India and South Africa and in 2008 will extend to the Ukraine. This program provides participating students with unique and innovative cross cultural experiences. University Planning Course Review Data Team The University Planning course Review Data Team has developed a dynamic web based system within the University Planning Information Reportal that enables Heads of Schools/Departments, Course Coordinators and other managers to access and review course key performance indicators readily and in a very user friendly format. WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care The WA Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care Team specialise in conducting innovative research to design future health care in life limiting conditions in close partnership with health care practitioners and policy makers. In the 15 months since moving to Curtin the team has proved an effective energetic, innovative force recognised for their entrepreneurial working partnership with the state health department and the clinical cancer and palliative care network in particular. Congratulations - John Curtin Weekend Team
Congratulations and well done to the John Curtin Weekend Team. The team, comprised of 18 students and staff, organised 520 volunteers to travel to 30 country towns, two metropolitan sites in WA and three International sites over five weekends in October to do community work. This project, in its eighth year, is organised through Curtin Volunteers!, a student run organisation. A fantastic effort by an amazing group. See the Feature Story for more information. John Curtin Weekend Team 2007
Tomorrow’s leaders graduate from John Curtin Leadership AcademyThe John Curtin Leadership Academy instills a sense of vision, leadership and community service in the young leaders of today. Eleven students have graduated from the John Curtin Leadership Academy (JCLA) in a ceremony held at Curtin’s Bentley Campus recently. The John Curtin Leadership Academy draws its ethos from John Curtin’s values of vision, leadership and community service. The JCLA is a Campus and Community Life initiative which was set up this year to build successful candidates’ management and leadership skills. The Academy provides a year long program consisting of two, three day camps, and three study modules, each with a focus on an important aspect of team work and involvement in a fund raising process. Ben Low, a Viticulture Management and Oenology student said that the Academy helped him learn how to effectively work on group projects ranging from fundraising to client relations. "I learnt a great deal from the program including handling disputes, self management, facilitation, communication and project management skills," Ben said. This year the inaugural group have made outstanding progress in their fundraising projects which included developing a program for the Red Cross Blood Bank, raising awareness of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, setting up various activities for the John Curtin Diabetic Foundation and many more. The students also worked on an advanced eight week project with Rio Tinto focusing on China, both as a competitor and a source of demand in the resources sector. Tristan Haberley, a Finance and Marketing student said working closely with industry had provided him with beneficial contacts and improved his networking and relationship building skills. "I enjoyed working with Doug Paling who is the CEO of Foodbank and Gina Yoon, the Senior Analyst at Rio Tinto," Tristan said. "This experience has allowed me to see the day-to-day running of a real business as well as introducing me to valuable industry contacts that may be able to assist with future employment opportunities." The group also attended communications seminars focusing on public speaking as well as building on project management skills. The students are nominated by their lecturer or club presidents and selection is based on the student’s leadership experience and community involvement. The eleven successful graduates of the 2007 John Curtin Leadership Academy are:
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