Academic board
December 2005
by Peter Cardwell
Developments and priorities in the Division of Health Sciences
The Pro Vice Chancellor (Health Sciences), Prof Robyn McDermott, gave a special presentation on developments and priorities for the Division.
The Division comprises three schools: the School of Health Sciences, the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences. There are two Deans: the Dean (Research) and the Dean (Teaching and Learning).
The Division has undergone significant change throughout 2004-2005. New Heads of School have been appointed in Pharmacy and Medical Sciences and Nursing Midwifery. In addition, there have been a number of senior staff changes and a research performance review of all senior academic staff, which has led to the introduction of explicit criteria for Level E staff. A new International Business Manager has also been appointed to help expedite international growth opportunities.
A new Bachelor of Nursing curriculum is on track to commence in 2007. At the same time, major policy changes and a new costing model for consultancy work have recently been developed. The emphasis in future will be on fewer small projects and more large ones, and the introduction of an 18 per cent Divisional levy.
Total research income for the Division has doubled since 2002. In 2005 research funding reached $7,619,441. Most of the 2004-2005 increase was due to two major grants from the Department of Defence and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Research funding is expected to increase further, particularly through the Sansom Institute. Other promising developments have been the establishment of the Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, and approval for a new Centre for Rural Health and Community Development in collaboration with the University’s Whyalla campus and the Spencer Gulf Rural Health School. It is anticipated that the new Chair in Biostatistics will also foster research growth in the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Besides the appointment of a new Dean, recent teaching and learning initiatives have included a well subscribed Teaching and Learning Colloquium in 2005, a thorough review of low Course Evaluation Instrument (CEI) courses obtaining low scores, a strong focus on staff development and performance management with the aid of CEI and SET data, and a major review of assessment practices.
There has been a 39 per cent increase in onshore international student numbers since 2004. This includes a 38.5 per cent increase in Physiotherapy with most students coming from India, a 98 per cent increase in Nursing predominantly from China, and a 35 per cent increase in Pharmacy mostly from Malaysia, while transnational program growth has increased by 30 per cent from 2004 largely due to the offering of the Masters in Clinical Pharmacy in Singapore and increased Nursing student numbers. This is set to increase further with the Masters of Nursing to be offered in Singapore and Malaysia commencing in 2006.
Chemical and Biological Hazards Policy
Academic Board approved changes to the University’s Chemical and Biological Hazards Policy. The changes involve the establishment of a formal approval process for all University activities involving the use of potentially hazardous substances or equipment. This includes biohazards, genetically modified organisms, chemical hazards, radiation, mechanical risks, electrical hazards and pressure equipment. The committee with overarching responsibility has been renamed the Chemical and Biohazards Committee and the frequency of its meetings has been amended.
Pank UniSA PAL Scholarship
The Board approved a new Pank UniSA PAL Scholarship. The scholarship is for financially disadvantaged students who are endeavouring to gain entry into the University through UniSA PAL. The new scholarship has been approved following a donation of $50,000 from the Pank Family Trust. The scholarship is for $2000 per year for a student starting in the UniSA PAL year at Para West Adult Campus and continuing into one of our undergraduate degree programs, and will commence in 2006.