Newsletter - Vol 1, 2011

Welcome from the IRU Chair, Professor Ian O'Connor

Welcome to the first edition of IRU's newsletter. This quarterly publication will provide our members and other interested parties with updates on collaborative activities across our network as well as commentary on government policy and matters relating to Higher Education.

Post budget analysis, IRU Executive Director, Mr Conor King

The political and economic imperatives for a tight 2011 budget removed any prospect for any major announcements of benefit to universities. Instead the 2011 Budget maintained the Government's support for the reform program it outlined in 2009 across teaching and learning and research. It was a budget night where no news was likely to be good news.

Project Spotlight - Collaboration in Physics

Course collaboration across the IRU network enhances the curriculum, provides students with the best possible course content and facilitates collaboration in teaching and research among academics and students.  It also ensures economies of scale and that important disciplines where demand is not sufficient are sustained.
The collaboration in physics project was established to preserve and strengthen the quality physic programs across IRU, an area of national importance and in need of invigorating. 

IRU members Newcastle and JCU are experimenting with offering some advanced physics electives to students of the other university.   The next step is to extend the option to students at other IRU universities and to consider extension to a wider array of courses.

The project was highlighted in the Australian's HIgher Education Supplement (HES) on 7 June 2011

Project Update - Benchmarking

Dr Julie Jackson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Educational Partnerships and Quality) along with her team at La Trobe University and peers across IRU are developing a Quantitative Benchmarking Interface, providing users with valuable comparative information. The Interface will be open to university use during the second half of 2011.
With an increased focus on standards and benchmarking under TEQSA this exercise places the IRU in a good position with respect to evidence and the ability to conduct informed and more focused investigations of quality issues.

IRU Forums

Each year the IRU network runs forums providing members with an opportunity to network, hear from external speakers, share ideas and collaborate on projects.

July 2011 - This year's annual IRU Senior Staff Forum, "Research, Research Engagement and Commercialisation" is being hosted by the University of Newcastle.

July 2011 - The Deputy Vice-Chancellors International are supporting the "International Student Experience - engaging with Campus and Community Life", forum hosted by James Cook University in Cairns.

September 2011 - The Deputy Vice-Chancellors Academic, are supporting the "Academic Standards for Bachelor Degree Students” forum, hosted by La Trobe University

Conferences

IRU is delighted to be a major sponsor of the inaugural (Council of International Students Australia) CISA conference - 12-15 July in Melbourne, by providing ten equity scholarships for international students to attend.

The following conferences are available to IRU member university staff at a 10% discount.

• Inaugural Student Satisfaction in Higher Education Conference
  21-22 June – Melbourne, Rendezvous Hotel


• Higher Education on the Edge (HERDSA) hosted by Griffith University
  (HERDSA) Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia
  4-7 July – Gold Coast, Radisson Resort


• Building an International Education Strategy
  19-20 July – Melbourne, Novotel on Collins


• Measuring & Enabling Research & Innovation Capacity
  26-27 July – Sydney, Citigate Central


• Partnerships between Employers and Tertiary Education
  30-31 August – Sydney, Citigate Central


• Australian Campuses Towards Sustainability and Green Gown Awards
  28-30 September – National Wine Centre, Adelaide