RQF under the microscope

On Tuesday 14 November, the Australian Government endorsed the Research Quality Framework (RQF) for all Australian universities, following the presentation of a recommended model by the RQF Development Advisory Group.

This announcement will dramatically change the business of research at UNSW from 2007 onwards for academics and general staff alike.

UNSW’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Les Field, will hold an all staff forum on Thursday 14 December to address issues relating to the nature and implementation of the RQF at UNSW.

Topics to be covered include:

• The recommended RQF Model - what are the key issues?

• How will the RQF affect government funding for research?

• What are the critical dates for the RQF?

• How will UNSW implement the RQF?

• How will the RQF affect me?

All staff are encouraged to attend.

What: All staff forum on the RQF

When: 9am – 10am Thursday 14 December

Where: CLB7, Kensington campus.

Sunny skies for solar research

Suntech Power, the largest solar cell manufacturer in China, has donated $1.5 million towards solar and renewable energy research at the University of New South Wales.

Dr Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, is a PhD alumnus of the solar photovoltaic research group at UNSW.

“Dr Shi has been a long time supporter of our work on renewable energy sources and this latest contribution toward photovoltaic research will allow us to continue to develop the energy of the future,” says Dr Richard Corkish, head of the School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Engineering.

Dr Shi describes the partnership between Suntech and UNSW as a step forward in the global quest to find renewable energy.

“Suntech’s research relationship with the University of New South Wales strives to make solar power an even more attractive clean solution to the world’s energy needs,” he says.

“Through our unique collaboration, UNSW students and staff are involved in the complete technology development process, and we are able to transfer new technologies to commercial production in a relatively short time.”

Dr Shi, who received his PhD from UNSW in 1992, is a specialist in crystalline solar cell technology. Suntech’s contribution will fund the research and development of technology that increases the conversion efficiency of solar cells and decreases solar energy’s cost per watt.

Suntech and UNSW have agreed to explore possibilities for further collaboration for the mutual benefit and the benefit of photovoltaic research generally.

Donations key to Christmas spirit

It really is very hard to be good for the entire year, but UNSW staff have the chance to secure their place in Santa’s good books by donating to the University’s Barnardos Christmas drive throughout December.

The University is inviting all staff to leave toys and non-perishable food items under the Christmas tree in the Chancellery’s foyer from next Tuesday, 5 December.

Goods will be donated to Barnardos, Australia’s leading children’s charity. Barnardos has been operating in Australia for over 120 years and provides a diverse range of integrated welfare programs and services for children and young people who suffer the traumas of neglect, abuse, poverty and homelessness.

“This drive is an opportunity for staff to give back to the community,” says Sheri Norton, Director of UNSW Commercial Services. “Management are encouraging all staff of the University to be involved in this very worthwhile cause.”

In order to ensure the goods are packaged appropriately for Barnardos, please leave your donations unwrapped.

For more information, contact Sheri Norton, ph 9385 1631.

Team teaching to the top

Two UNSW academics are among the recipients of the 2006 Carrick Awards for Australian University Teaching, announced yesterday by the Federal Education Minister Julie Bishop.

Associate Professors Andrew Metcalfe and Ann Game from the School of Sociology and Anthropology have been teaching and researching together for more than 15 years. The Carrick Institute recognised the pair in the special category of ‘team teaching’.

Metcalfe believes the key to team teaching has been in transforming a two hour lecture into a tutorial style session.

“We’ve worked together for so long that we can turn a first year lecture of 300 plus students into an interactive tutorial that will see up to 50 people actually speak - this is rare,” says Metcalfe. “It works because the students have done the readings and are able to actively participate in group work.”

Metcalfe and Game also spend a lot of time preparing for each class and don’t believe in ‘all purpose’ lectures.

“Each lecture is for that particular day for that particular class,” says Metcalfe. “We also find the students actually teach us so much through their questions and interaction in the classroom.“

The awards cap off a successful 2006 for UNSW, which also received nine Carrick citations earlier in the year for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.

Vale Tina Castillo

UNSW’s Dr Tina Castillo has passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Dr Maritina (Tina) T. Castillo joined the University of New South Wales from the University of the Philippines-Diliman in July 2002. Prior to her joining UNSW, she held positions at UP-Diliman, the Actuarial Society of the Philippines, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and a number of non-government agencies in the Philippines.

At UNSW, Tina taught in the major undergraduate and postgraduate actuarial courses and was instrumental in organising activities including industry and professional events. She pursued her research in optimal control in insurance and presented her research at a number of major conferences while at UNSW. Tina was well regarded by the actuarial profession for her interest in actuarial education and student learning, as well as in the advancement of actuarial science through basic and applied research in problems related to insurance.

“Tina will be sadly missed by colleagues and students at UNSW,” said Professor Alec Cameron, Dean of the Faculty of Business. “I'm sure all staff will join me in sending our deepest condolences to her family at this very sad time.”

Tina is survived by her husband Roel, daughter Chakri and three sons: Miguel, Paulo and Noah.