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Meet the Professors The University has 18 new Professors. Congratulations to the following academics who take up their promotions in January 2009.
There were 22 applications for promotion to Professor in 2008. Just under a third (28 per cent) of successful applicants were women. Lecturer promotions For a full list of academics who have been promoted to Lecturer go to the HR website. Ending the year in style: top teachers The UNSW Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Awards recognise and encourage sustained excellence in teaching and postgraduate research supervision. Congratulations to the following individuals whose outstanding contributions have been honoured this year. They will receive their medals at the appropriate graduation ceremony in 2009. General Category
A lifelong passion for teaching Emeritus Professor Adrian Lee has received a Career Achievement Award from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) for his extensive contribution to the development of learning and teaching in higher education. During the six years Professor Lee served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Education and Quality Improvement at UNSW, he worked tirelessly with staff to enhance the student learning experience. Within his discipline he was Chair of the Education Committee of the Australian Society of Microbiology for 12 years. At a national level he served on a number of committees including the Australian University Teaching Committee and the original DEST reference group for the Learning and Teaching Performance Fund. He also contributed to the quality of learning and teaching nationally as an auditor for the Australian Universities Quality Agency. In recent years, Professor Lee has worked with a number of universities, as well as the ALTC, to share his expertise. Video makes UNSW an online star UNSW's YouTube channel marks its first anniversary by exceeding the half million mark for the number of views. The channel, launched last November, has consistently rated number one in the education category of YouTube, the world's most popular video sharing site.It also rates as one of YouTube's most popular Australian partner channels, ahead of such channels as Sky News Australia and Foxtel Comedy. UNSW on YouTube comprises three channels – along with the main channel there is a community and e-learning channel. UNSWTV, the university's own higher-resolution online channel, will launch in semester one, 2009. With YouTube and iTunes U, it will be a third video publishing outlet for the University. A simple wizard-like system will allow anyone with a staff number to automatically publish rich media content into the various channels. For further information on UNSWTV contact Mary O'Malley, phone 9385 2873 or email m.omalley@unsw.edu.au. New Executive Director Finance and Operations starts 19 Jan The University’s Executive Director Finance and Operations, Jonathan Blakeman, will take up his role on 19 January 2009. His appointment to the newly created position was announced by the Vice-Chancellor last month.Mr Blakeman has extensive experience in the higher education sector. He is currently Director of Administration at the University of Auckland and was previously General Manager at the Auckland Institute of Technology. As Executive Director Finance and Operations, Mr Blakeman will be responsible for finance, IT, facilities management, procurement and risk management. The position replaces the existing roles of Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, consolidating major functions currently split between these portfolios. Other functions now sitting under the Operations Division will be allocated to a new portfolio called University Services. Recruitment of an Executive Director for this Division is underway. 100% Eco-Friendly – the UNSW Environment Achievement Awards At a time of year when excess is the norm, it’s refreshing to attend an event that celebrates sustainability rather than consumerism. The 2008 UNSW Environmental Achievement and Leadership Awards were presented in simplistic style – the strains of live classical guitar, a locally grown organic lunch and a collective commitment to the environment united attendees in an atmosphere of clean and green goodwill.Now in its second year, the awards program highlights the outstanding achievements, innovation and leadership shown by members of the UNSW community in various different areas. Congratulations to the following winners: EcoColleges Excellence in Energy Savings Excellence in Water Savings Excellence in Waste Reduction Food Outlets Retail Tenants Outstanding Contribution by a Volunteer Excellence in Environmental Leadership The awards presentation was a completely sustainable event with all waste collected and composted onsite, all printed material was printed on 100 per cent recycled paper and the estimated carbon output was approximately one tonne which was offset by the planting of local, native trees on campus. Tax conference or African action adventure? Conferences can be dull, but rarely life-threatening – boredom and bad catering notwithstanding. Unless of course, the conference is in Nigeria. Professor Chris Evans from the Australian School of Taxation describes rubbing shoulders with armed soldiers and being involved in high speed motorcade dashes at the First International Tax Conference in Abuja.“Abuja resembles Canberra but in an African setting. There was, however, no cab waiting for me, just a military cavalcade made up of one jeep, a car, four armed soldiers, and a police vehicle. Convinced it was a case of mistaken identity, I obeyed my orders and climbed into the back seat to endure an 140km per hour ride into the city complete with sirens blazing and guns at the ready. I soon realised they did have the right guy and that I was in a country guided by procedures and protocol where foreign visitors are treated like dignitaries. I also realised that Nigeria is a country of warmth, friendliness and genuine hospitality but nothing happens quickly. All 400 conference delegates assembled at 8.30am each morning but prolonged introductions and welcomes meant the conference never started before 11am. We were on Africa-time but it was worth the wait - the Nigerians have an infectious thirst for knowledge and want to understand how other developing countries are progressing. It was a privilege to discuss tax administration possibilities with a nation dangerously over reliant on depleting oil-revenues for income generation. However, I was determined not to be the typical ‘expert’ parachuting in – instead, I attempted to offer the delegation options that can help them implement solutions in the future. I left Nigeria in the manner I arrived: guns, sirens and a cavalcade which delivered me directly onto the airport’s tarmac. My bags were thrown straight into the cargo hold and I took my seat on the plane. I decided then that there’s nothing quite like dramatic travel; taking a cab to a conference seems slightly understated now.” Chris was a keynote speaker at the conference ‘Emerging Trends in Tax Administration as a Tool for National Development’. His paper ‘Improving Taxpayer Compliance in Nigeria: Challenges and Strategies for Policy Makers and Revenue Authorities' was co-authored with Atax colleague, Associate Professor Margaret McKerchar. 2008 UNSW Professional and Technical Staff Awards Professional and technical staff play a valuable role in the achievement of the University's strategic priorities and the overall success. The University seeks to recognise and reward professional and technical staff who have demonstrated excellence through either sustained outstanding performance or a single one-off exceptional success which has delivered an outstanding contribution to UNSW.The 2008 Professional and Technical Staff Award Recipients are: Excellence in Leadership and People Management
The following staff were highly commended for their contribution: Excellence in Enhancing the Student Experience
For enquiries regarding the Awards, please contact Adrianne Harris, Organisation and Staff Development Services, on 9385 3426. Celebrating 60 years of achievement UNSW will commemorate 60 years of achievement in 2009. A range of events throughout the year will pay tribute to the past and present accomplishments of staff and students. We will keep you informed on the celebrations through news@unsw from early next year and details will also be posted on the Events Calendar.An anniversary graphic "Celebrating 60 Years of Extraordinary Achievement” and text has been developed to mark this anniversary and we encourage its use in 2009 in printed or online publications, including information guides, reports, websites, advertising and other material. The graphic can be downloaded by staff via myUNSW (click on UNSW Brand Guidelines under Services for Staff). Any queries regarding the graphic or text can be directed to Marketing Services, brandguidelines@unsw.edu.au or phone 9385 3752. news@unsw signs off for 2008 This is the final issue of news@unsw for 2008. Thank you to all the readers who have provided stories, information and feedback throughout the year.Please continue to let us know of events happening around the University that will be of interest to the whole UNSW community. We return in February 2009. The news@unsw team would like to wish all staff a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy start to the New Year. Fran Strachan |