AnAnnnuuaal lR Reeppoorrtt 22001144 UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA THE FIELD IS OPEN TO TALENT TIgHnEe nFiIiEsL PDa tIuSi tO CPaEmNp TuOs TALENT Ingeniis Patuit Campus 1 University of Tasmania CONTENTS Mission and Vision 4 Chancellor’s Message 5 Vice-Chancellor’s Message 6 Snapshot of the Year 7 Governance 8 Division of Provost 12 Division of Students and Education 16 Division of Research 22 Division of the Chief Operating Officer 27 Advancement 29 Organisational Chart 31 Financial Report 32 Annual Report 2014 2 03 UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA ANNUAL REPORT 2014 This report is made in accordance with a resolution of the members of the Council of the University of Tasmania on 27 March 2015. To Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AM Governor of Tasmania May it please Your Excellency: The Council of the University of Tasmania, in conformity with the provisions of the University of Tasmania Act 1992, has the honour to report, for Your Excellency’s information, on the proceedings of the University for 2014 and to present the financial statement for that year. The Honourable Michael Field AC Chancellor June 2015 3 University of Tasmania Mission The University of Tasmania continues a long tradition of excellence and commitment to free inquiry in the creation, preservation, communication and application of knowledge, and to scholarship that is global in scope, distinctive in its specialisations and that reflects our Tasmanian character. The University will provide leadership within its community, thereby contributing to the cultural, economic and social development of Tasmania. Vision The University of Tasmania will be ranked among the top echelon of research-led universities in Australia. It will be a world leader in its specialist, thematic areas and will be recognised for its contribution to state, national and international development. The University will be characterised by its high-quality academic community, its unique island setting and its distinctive student experience. University of Tasmania graduates will be prepared for life and careers in the globalised society of the 21st century. 76 AAnnnnuuaall RReeppoorrtt 22001144 44 Chancellor’s Message Content from higher education institutions to the State this year; and a capital works around the globe has become free and program of $564 million hit its straps with the readily available while at the same time promise of revitalising the CBDs of Hobart, technology and government policy has allowed Launceston and Burnie. competition to increase both nationally and internationally. These developments are driving We are delighted that, having made such a need for universities to be truly world-class, considerable gains, Professor Rathjen so they have a compelling offering in this committed to build upon them into the future. hypercompetitive environment. A key appointment to the Council this year was Further to these broad sectoral changes, the one of Australia’s most esteemed academics, University of Tasmania balances other issues Professor Kwong Lee Dow AO, who attended As I noted in my inaugural which make it unique on the higher education his first meeting in March. Professor Lee Chancellor Lecture in stage. Given our unique status we must offer Dow’s three-year appointment has enhanced July, the University of breadth in curriculum, and pathways and the Council’s understanding of the national Tasmania is operating a multi-campus model to ensure equity of and international issues impacting on higher through a period of access. education. the greatest challenge and change since it It is a vital mission for the state as raising Two exemplary Council members were was founded. These educational aspirations and outcomes might reappointed in September, Pip Leedham for profound changes are not provide us with the key to unlocking the social three years and Dr Peter Davis for a further year. completely apparent or and economic disadvantages that are well appreciated unless you recognised here. Among the significant initiatives considered by are living through them. Council in 2014 were plans for the University’s At the same time there is an emerging 125th anniversary celebrations in 2015; the understanding of the University – and related rebranding of the University, which saw education more broadly – as being an a new logo approved for use, and the approval economic pillar in its own right. We are striving of the Strategic Research Plan 2014-2018 in to further strengthen this pillar through a drive September. to boost the number of international students in our ranks. Staying with research, a major decision this year by Council in consultation with the Vice- With the aforementioned currents of change Chancellor – in the face of the great uncertainty swirling through our sector it is to our great about what the future might hold for the tertiary advantage to have someone with the strategic sector in Australia – has a strong commitment vision to see through the myriad issues to maintaining or extending the research domestically, nationally and globally. strength of this institution. It is an expensive undertaking but it defines us as a university. Accordingly it was with great pleasure that That is probably our single most important the Council has reappointed Professor Peter priority. In a similar vein, we have made it very Rathjen as Vice-Chancellor to the end of 2018. clear that we want to maintain our presence in Since arriving in 2011, Professor Rathjen has Launceston and Burnie. taken a fine vision for our University, crystallised it and been instrumental in driving it into reality. Underpinned by a deep bedrock of tradition, but open to the opportunities presented by the In Professor Rathjen’s first three years we have globalisation of tertiary education, the University seen the annual budget pass the $500 million of Tasmania and its Council enters its 125th and near $600 million; the expectation and year both resilient and forward-thinking. performance of the University for globally significant research raised, with about The Honourable Michael Field AC $130 million in research income being attracted Chancellor 5 University of Tasmania Vice-Chancellor’s Message In 2014, the University consolidated its position move, given the once-in-a-generation visit to as Australia’s leading learning and teaching Tasmania of the Chinese President Xi Jinping in university, a place we claim on the basis of November. success in the award of national competitive grants. Our student body grew by about 6 per Hobart’s built environment was enhanced cent and the University experienced an end-of- by the official opening in January of a new year surge in international student applications home for the Institute for Marine and Antarctic that bodes well for our future. The MOOC Studies. The University’s building program is Understanding Dementia, our first entree dominated by the construction of additional into this new educational world, attracted student accommodation; now completed and almost 50,000 students from 124 countries, a fully occupied at Newnham in Launceston, formidable achievement given that 124 years of nearing completion on the West Park site in IWbuhsil,e q 2u0e1 4s iwtaatess at dyeuanrt . history have seen about 100,000 graduate from Burnie, and soon to be underway in the Hobart Eofr crheliact tiveem u inncceiirstianicnttoy the University. An unexpected consequence CBD and at Inveresk in Launceston. ifdo rq tuhied en aptoior nmaol hleigs her has been remarkable demand for the new qeduuocdaigtieonni sste, cintocri,a t ihnet Bachelor of Dementia Care which, at 1,330 Our staff and students, past and present, qUunaivee erssittiy a olifa T paosrmeamn ia students, has become our third-biggest degree have continued to be visible on the national stuerqnusi ttoe t2 i0n1v5e l–ib ouusr. 125th in terms of enrolments in its debut year. and international stage. For the second Fyeaacre a–t wuri tmh oal usepntastee of successive year a Eureka Prize was brought to laacncdoemllp olirsruhnmte qnut.u Wnte The endeavours of our researchers continue Tasmania, in 2014 by the members of the Reef pcerelerab rdaitte a ap imdeis psieornio t hat to attract support, with particular success at Life Survey team. Professor Jocelyn McPhie oendcigoemnpi aasesceastu irm, eporos vqeudis the industry interface where the University was elected as a Fellow of the Academy of estsutidise neta atitata cinomnseenqt,u as ranks first nationally in the ARC Industrial Technological Sciences and Engineering and escxpheorlasrpsiht,i psi ta ensdt ,r ecsuellaurpcth Transformation Research program. This Professor Rob White a Fellow of the Academy athtiaotn usneddeisrp einst c loitmiscmitu nity has brought us a combination of Research of Social Sciences. Professor Kim Beswick was uplrloicsipde mritiny,i sa ndde nrteugsito nal Hubs and Research Training Centres totaling appointed to the federal government review of iebnugsadgaeem neitnetm thpaotr sant. $17.4 million to drive improvement and teacher training and Professor Janelle Allison Abrqinuge sd eocluomno rmeriics cainmde excellence across the nation’s mining sector joined the Joint Commonwealth and Tasmanian social opportunity to a and $31.5 million to develop food-based Economic Council, co-chaired by the Prime dispersed and relatively industries. Our Antarctic researchers secured Minister and businessman Dale Elphinstone. challenged population. major funding including almost $50 million to continue the work of the ACE-CRC and initiate We are also grateful for the reflected glory the Antarctic Gateway program. Large awards afforded by Professor Kate Warner’s to researchers in maths and science education, universally-acclaimed appointment as cardiovascular medicine and smoke toxicity Tasmania’s first female Governor, and point to the breadth of research excellence in alumnus author Richard Flanagan’s stunning our midst. Slightly more than $150 million won Man Booker Prize triumph. And we are in external grants – a record year – suggests well advanced with our 125th anniversary a vibrant future for the research programs that celebrations, for which another alumna, Crown underpin our international reputation. Princess Mary of Denmark, has graciously offered to serve as Honorary Patron. We continue to expand links with the Tasmanian community, an important priority As always, I am deeply appreciative of the given our status as the only university on the island. Open Day saw all our campuses dedication and perseverance of academic and opened simultaneously for the first time, professional staff. It is our people who underpin attracting a record attendance of around our reputation nationally and internationally, our 10,500, while we recorded more than 9,000 performance in research and teaching, and our attendees at our public lectures and forums preparedness for an uncertain future. across the state. Establishment of the Asia Institute Tasmania, a partnership with the Professor Peter Rathjen Tasmanian government, proved a prescient Vice-Chancellor Annual Report 2014 66 01 SNAPSHOT OF THE YEAR 37% AM The average completion rate for the three iterations of the Faculty of Health’s Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Professor Kate Warner was made a Understanding Dementia – one of the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in world’s highest. the 2014 Australia Day Honours for her significant service to law. In December she was sworn in as Governor of Tasmania. 33,879 The number of students enrolled at the University in 2014 213 $152 million 468 3500 The record number The amount of The number of The number of of papers published research funding students given maritime training short by researchers at the awarded to the scholarship support course certificates – a Menzies Institute for University in 2014 by the University of 33 per cent increase Medical Research. Tasmania Foundation. on the previous year – issued by the Australian Maritime College’s commercial arm AMC Search. $16.5 million The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology won a total of $16.5 million in funding under the ARC Industrial Transformation Research scheme for two training centres (Innovative Horticultural Products and Portable Analytical Separation Technologies) and one research hub (Transforming the Mining Value Chain) 77 UUnniivveerrssiittyy ooff TTaassmmaanniiaa 02 GOVERNANCE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL The Council is the governing body of the University, established under the University of Tasmania Act 1992. Under the Act, the Council has responsibility for high-level strategic direction, major financial planning, monitoring management performance and compliance, staff appointments and the allocation of funds. The Council: Front row, left to right, Dr Peter Davis, Brenda Richardson, Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen, Chancellor Michael Field AC, Susan Chen and Harvey Gibson; back row, left to right, Isaac Foster, Rhys Edwards, Professor Jim Reid, Professor Dianne Nicol, Paul Gregg, Pip Leedham, Corey Peterson and Professor Kwong Lee Dow. The Act was amended in 2001 to make Council delegates broad powers to the the functions and structure of the Council Vice-Chancellor (the managerial and academic consistent with contemporary governance leader) to manage the operations of the practices. In 2004, a further amendment University in conformity with agreed plans, enabled the University to comply with the principles and policies. The Vice-Chancellor, in National Governance Protocols for Higher turn, empowers other members of the Senior Education Institutions. In 2012, the Act was Management Team. again amended (with effect from 1 January 2013) to enable better compliance with the Council is advised by its committees (Audit Voluntary Code for University Governance, and Risk, Built Environment and Infrastructure, through reducing the size of the Council (now Ceremonial and Honorary Degrees, Finance, 10-14 members) and specifically providing Investment [subcommittee of Finance] and for the removal of the Chancellor or Deputy Nominations and Remuneration) and, in Chancellor. relation to academic matters, the Academic Senate. COMPLIANCE WITH THE VOLUNTARY CODE OF BEST PRACTICE FOR THE GOVERNANCE OF AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITIES 1992 The University complies with the Voluntary Code of Best Practice for the Governance of Australian Universities. ACT Annual Report 2014 8 0023 OGOTAV ECRONNA PNRCAE EA VOLENDAE NATEM UT ULLATEC ABORES SUNT AM RERIANT, OMMOLES TESSIM AUT MOSTIS RESTRUM ET ET ELLAMUS. During the year, the TABLE 1: Summary of financial performance 2014 principal continuing $M Consolidated University activities of the 2014 2013 % Increase/ 2014 2013 % Increase/ consolidated entity (decrease) (decrease) consisted of: learning and teaching; research, Total revenue from continuing knowledge transfer 561.3 550.3 2.0% 544.2 537.2 1.3% operations and research training; community engagement; Total expenses from continuing and activities incidental 557.6 509.5 9.4% 544.5 499.9 8.9% operations to undertaking these activities. Net result 3.7 40.8 (90.9)% (0.3) 37.3 (100.8)% Total equity 882.3 879.0 0.4% 828.0 828.6 (0.1)% While there were changes in the make-up and The key impacts on the 2014 result compared to 2013 were the decline in investment income resulting from market movements, continued balance of these activities funding cuts, a large reduction in capital income and the increasing costs of supporting the growth in student numbers and research. there were no significant changes in the nature Financial Position of the activities of the The key consolidated assets include ■ maintain focus on executive accountability for consolidated entity that property, plant and equipment (increased by portfolio risks; occurred during the year. $22.1 million [3.3%] to $688.1 million) and Investments held (increased by $21.1 million AUDIT The summary financial [8.2%] to $276.5 million). Liabilities increased A rolling three-year Internal Audit Strategy performance for the by $32.6 million which was mostly attributable supports both the Audit and Risk Committee financial year ended 2014 is to an increase in trade and other payables and Council in its governance activities and presented above. ($19.1 million) and revenue in advance senior management in an improvement focus. ($9.1 million). In 2014, the University further progressed its MATTERS SUBSEQUENT TO THE END OF internal audit strategy with continued focus on THE FINANCIAL YEAR improving the quality of internal audit activities. Nil. Key elements of the program of activity included: RISK MANAGEMENT ■ a balance of compliance, risk-based and Risk management at the University is overseen contemporary practice projects; and supported by Council through the Audit ■ increased focus of follow up of management and Risk Committee. actions arising from internal audit recommendations; Through 2014 risk management practices ■ a greater level engagement with key continued to mature. In this regard, the focus stakeholders across the University more for risk management during 2014 has been to: generally and in respect to delivery of internal ■ further embed a risk-aware culture across the audit projects; University; ■ an increased level of in-house activity; ■ better leverage risk-management information ■ enhanced use of data analytic procedures to to assist with informed decision making; interrogate large volumes of data; and ■ further incorporate risk-management ■ continued use of controlled self-assessment considerations in strategic planning and verification activities. processes; ■ increase focus on enhanced and more The Auditor-General, through the Tasmanian meaningful reporting of risk; Audit Office, conducts the annual statutory audit of the University financial statements. 99 University of Tasmania 02 GOVERNANCE Right to Information Insurance of Officers During the year the University received nine During 2014, the University has insured all the applications for access to information under listed Council members, Council committee the assessed disclosure provisions of the members and members or directors of a Right to Information Act 2009, all of which were controlled entity against liability for costs processed under the provisions of the Act. and expenses incurred by them in defending any legal proceedings arising out of their Public Interest Disclosures conduct while acting in their capacity as a There were no relevant disclosures under the Council member, Council committee member Public Interests Disclosures Act 2002 during or director of a controlled entity, other than 2014. conduct involving a wilful breach of duty in relation to the University or a controlled entity. Council Membership Chancellor (Ex Officio) Up to six members One member elected by These people were Hon Michael Field AC appointed by Council Academic Staff members of University The Honourable Mr Field has Professor Kwong Lee Dow Professor Jim Reid Council during the whole been Chancellor since 1 January Professor Lee Dow was Professor Reid has been a 2013 and has been a member of appointed to the University member of the University Council of 2014 (unless otherwise the University Council since 16 Council on 3 March 2014. since 1 January 2003. He was indicated): July 2012. also a member of Council from Dr Peter Davis 1994 to 2001 as the Chair of Vice-Chancellor and Dr Davis has been a member Academic Senate. President (Ex Officio) of the University Council since 1 July 2005. One member elected by Professor Peter Rathjen Professional Staff Professor Rathjen has been Deputy Chancellor Mr Corey Peterson Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tasmania and member of the Mr Harvey Gibson Mr Peterson has been a member University Council since 28 March Mr Gibson has been a member of the University Council since 2011. of the University Council since 1 January 2013. 1 January 2009 and Deputy Chair of Academic Senate Chancellor since 1 January 2013. A minimum of one student appointed by the Council (Ex Officio) Mr Paul Gregg Mr Isaac Foster Professor Dianne Nicol Mr Gregg has been a member Mr Foster was a member of the Professor Nicol has been Chair of the University Council since University Council from 1 January of Academic Senate and member 1 January 2009. 2014 until 31 December 2014. of the University Council since 1 January 2013. Ms Phillipa Leedham Secretary to Council Ms Leedham has been a member Two members appointed by of the University Council since Ms Belinda Webster the Minister for Education 1 January 2012. Ms Webster has been Secretary to the University Council since Mr Rhys Edwards Mr Edwards has been a member Ms Brenda Richardson May 1999. of the University Council since Ms Richardson has been a 1 January 2007. member of the University Council since 1 January 2005. Mrs Susan Chen Mrs Chen has been a member of the University Council since 1 January 2012. Annual Report 2014 10