In brief
Kirby and Hetzel new Hawke Centre Patrons
Former Chancellor of UniSA Dr Basil Hetzel AC has accepted an invitation to become a national Patron for the Hawke Centre. It will actually be a change of pace for Dr Hetzel who played a key role in the foundation of the Centre and has been its Chair for 10 years.
He will be joined by a second new Patron, the Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG and Honorary Doctor of the University of South Australia since 2001. A champion of human rights worldwide, Justice Kirby delivered the 10th Annual Hawke Lecture last year to a standing ovation.
UniSA collaborations expanded in India
UniSA strengthened two important relationships in India in March that will foster research collaboration in health sciences, education, sociology, communication and cultural studies and help stem India’s pilot shortage.
As part of a SA State Government delegation, UniSA Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Anna Ciccarelli signed an MOU with India’s prestigious Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University (SNDT) in Mumbai to enhance research and teaching relationships between the two universities and build on existing collaborations with the Hawke Institute.
And a new agreement was also signed with the PSG Institute of Advanced Studies in Coimbatore, India to open up specialist aviation training in Adelaide for graduates from Bachelor of Applied Sciences programs at PSG. UniSA has developed an arrangement with PSG to offer successful graduates the option of coming to UniSA to undergo flight training and obtain their Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in Australia.
Parfitt to lead national radio science committee
Pro Vice Chancellor of the Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment Professor Andrew Parfitt has been appointed Chair of the Australian Academy of Science National Committee for Radio Science.
The committee has an important role in advising the Academy on issues relating to radio science, maintaining links with relevant national and international bodies and societies, particularly the International Radio Science Union (URSI), and ensuring Australian radio science experts have the opportunity to contribute to the international radio science research agenda. Prof Parfitt said the committee would encourage and promote the study and application of radio science and the adoption and standardisation of common methods of radio wave measurements, and stimulate studies of the scientific applications of telecommunications using radio waves and represent radio science to the general public and to public and private organisations.
UniSA staff among top TDU riders
It
wasn’t only UniSA’s Vice Chancellor who had the chance to show off
his cycling prowess as part of the Mutual Community Challenge Tour,
the 134km ride along the Stage 4 Tour Down Under route from Mannum
to Strathalbyn in January.
Quietly spoken Brian Pike, Manager of Business Analysis and Information Systems, was the first UniSA rider across the finish line with a stellar time of three hours, 33 minutes – just 15 minutes shy of the times later recorded by the pros.
This was Pike’s fourth consecutive ride in the Tour Down Under series. He said it was vital to prepare before such long rides.
"I normally ride an average of 400km a week and take it up to around 500km a week in preparation for a big event.
"The hardest part is giving up beer for the week before the ride," he laughed.
Pike also rides the 7km from his home in Magill to work in the city each day.
"My wife thinks I’m a nut, but I think it’s a great pastime to still be running around playing chasey in the hills with my mates."
Pike credits fellow UniSA rider and Business Manager at the Institute for Telecommunications Research, Jeff Kasparian, with getting him involved in the Tour Down Under rides.
"Jeff does a fantastic job of promoting the sport to staff, which was evident by the number of riders who participated from the Uni this year.
"The Uni is really supportive and very bike friendly with secure bike storage racks and showers for staff.
"The involvement of the Vice Chancellor this year also sets a great example and promotes the concept of a fit and healthy workforce."
Although Pike would not admit to any competition between himself and Kasparian, who also recorded an impressive time of three hours and 40 minutes, he cheekily advised that Kasparian might have to work just a little bit harder next year.
To find out how you can get involved in Uni cycling events email jeff.kasparian@unisa.edu.au
Vale Emeritus Professor Bob Northcote
Emeritus Professor Bob Northcote passed away on Monday March 17. Over his long career Prof Northcote made a significant contribution first to the South Australian Institute of Technology and then to the formation, development and success of the University South Australia. Among his varied roles at this institution and its antecedent, he was Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology - one of the faculties that provided the basis for our present multi-disciplinary Division.
He was conferred as an Emeritus Professor in 1997 and continued to be a firm friend of the University until his death.