Academic board
September 2006
by Peter Cardwell
Indigenous College of Education and Research
Academic Board approved a new structure, governance arrangements and name for the Indigenous College of Education Research. The Unaipon School will merge with the College, which will be renamed the David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research. It was confirmed that the Unaipon family has given its consent to this change.
The new governance arrangements involve the disestablishment of the Unaipon School Board, and the establishment of a college board and a number of college leadership positions. Academic Board resolved that the positions of Portfolio Leaders (Teaching and Learning), (Research) and (Indigenous Student Services) should be at senior lecturer level or above, rather than limited to senior lecturer only as originally proposed. The new arrangements took effect October 1 2006.
Revised Honours Program Policy
An amended Honours Program Policy (A-42) was endorsed. The policy has been revised to remove some inconsistencies and ambiguity. The Board noted that a major review of the policy is scheduled in the near future.
UniSA Academic Profile
Pro Vice Chancellor Academic, Professor Peter Lee, presented an analysis of the University’s academic profile. It was noted that a series of workshops with academic staff will be held before the end of the year, which will focus on the development of experiential learning opportunities. A report on the outcome of these discussions will be brought back to Academic Board in 2007.
UniSA Research Leadership Program
A UniSA Research Leadership Program was approved. The aim of the program is to build research leadership capability.
The Research Leadership Program will enhance participants self-awareness of their existing leadership abilities, provide guidance and strategies to refine and develop higher level skills and knowledge, and strengthen their engagement with colleagues and institutions through practical leadership of research degree completions.
The program will have three components: a negotiated research outcome, to be agreed on entry to the program; senior mentoring; and a series of programmed events.
Up to 20 emerging research leaders will be selected into the program on an annual basis. The criteria for successful candidacy is likely to include three years of postdoctoral experience, a growing publication track record, a competitive research income, demonstrated evidence of leadership, and apparent leadership potential.