April 21, 2005

Message From the Acting Rector

There were a number of activities in the last fortnight that indicate how the commitment of both students and staff has enriched our campus. 

The Formula Society of Automotive Engineering (FSAE) car Sponsors day on 6 April was attended by the Chief of Army, LTGEN Peter Leahy and the team patron, LTGEN David Hurley amongst many distinguished sponsors and supporters. The FSAE car project generated a lot of enthusiasm among those present on the day.  Congratulations to all the team members that have come from all parts of the campus.

The book "The Somme" authored by Robin Prior, Head of School of Humanities and Social Science and Trevor Wilson was launched by the Chief of Defence Force, General Peter Cosgrove at the British High Commission on 14 April. Congratulations to Associate Professor Robin Prior for this outstanding piece of work.

Many years of research by Professor Peter Dennis and Professor Jeffrey Grey on the AIF (Australian Imperial Force) have enabled them to produce the AIF database which is now accessible from the web http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au.  Congratulations to both Professor Dennis and Professor Grey on this timely and significant contribution. 

As we reflect on ANZAC day, may I wish you a safe long weekend.

Professor Joseph Lai
Acting Rector
UNSW@ADFA

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RESEARCH OFFICE REPORT

Department of Education, Science and Training Endeavour Award for visiting Postdoctoral Researcher in the School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences (PEMS). The DEST-funded Endeavour Research Scholarships are prestigious awards which are aimed at: - enabling high achieving scholars from around the world to undertake research in Australia; - further developing award holders' knowledge and skills in their field of study; - strengthening bilateral ties between Australia and the participating countries; - showcasing Australia 's education sector around the world; -strengthening mutual understanding between the peoples of Australia and the peoples of the participating countries; and - building international linkages and networks. Dr Saravanan Somasundaram from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore is working with the Advanced Materials group at the School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences (PEMS) until October this year in collaboration with Dr Heiko Timmers and PhD student Santosh Shrestha. Dr Somasundaram was one of only two researchers from India this year to obtain an Endeavour Scholarship. His previous work included studies of organic, semiconducting polymers. During his time with the School of PEMS he will focus on the role of hydrogen in the III-V semiconductor indium nitride, being located in room 105 (S.Somasundaram@adfa.edu.au). On 29 April at 11:10 am Dr Somasundaram will give a seminar on his work in PEMS and he hopes that during his sojourn he will have many interactions within the local academic environment.

Staff Bulletins

If you have something you would like to contribute, please download and complete the submission form and email the information to newsletter@adfa.edu.au.

"Creating a Teaching Portfolio" Interactive Workshop

Date: May 12-13

Venue: Room 154, Building 15, UNSW@ADFA

UNSW uses leading approaches to considering the merits of its staff for promotion. In recent times, this has seen the introduction of the requirement for staff to submit their teaching portfolio with promotion applications. Creating a teaching portfolio is an excellent means to help you focus on and make clear your beliefs, approaches and ability as a teacher. These two powerful motivators have prompted the Teaching and Learning Committee to offer this workshop on "Creating a Teaching Portfolio".

The workshop will guide participants through the content and form of a teaching portfolio as well as highlighting how the portfolio can be used as a self-improvement tool. Participants will be able to create a draft of their own portfolios in the workshop to allow direct experience of the concepts outlined by the workshop. The workshop will also introduce participants to ‘coaches' who have volunteered to assist individuals in developing their portfolio beyond the limited exposure of the workshop.

Registrations to Anne Green (a.green@adfa.edu.au or x6189) by close of business 6 May 2005.

 

UNSW@ADFA Teaching Prizes – Rector's Commendations

In order to further increase the profile of teaching, and consequently its quality, UNSW@ADFA is introducing a new type of teaching prize – Rector's Commendation. Rector's Commendations will recognise excellence in one aspect of teaching, rather than the overall general excellence in teaching required for the more prestigious UNSW@ADFA Teaching Awards.

Guidelines

1. Nominations for a Rector's Commendation for teaching can be made at any time during the year; however, the TLC will only consider awards in July and November each year.
2. Nominations will be accepted in, but are not restricted to, the following categories.

   •  Excellence in Classroom Teaching

   •  Excellent Innovation in Teaching

   •  Excellent use of Technology in Teaching

3. Team nominations will be considered where the teaching initiative has involved group effort and development of team approaches.
4. Recipients of a Rector's Commendation must wait three calendar years before being eligible for another commendation .

Process

1. Potential recipients do not apply for an award; they are identified through either HOS recommendation, student or staff nomination. Nominations, identifying the category of teaching excellence, should be sent to the Presiding Member of the UNSW@ADFA Teaching and Learning Committee (A/Prof Himanshu Pota, School of Information Technology & Electrical Engineering, h.pota@adfa.edu.au, 6268 8197).
2. Based on the nominations, the TLC will invite short-listed staff to provide a brief document (2 pages) outlining their teaching methods and achievements.
3. TLC recommends to Rector the names of staff whom it believes should receive an award.
4. TLC provides feedback to unsuccessful short-listed nominees.

Commendation

The commendations will be in the form of a $500 prize and a certificate that outlines the basis of the commendation. Recipients will be awarded their prize at a UNSW@ADFA Academic Board meeting.

 

Conference Paper

Dr Frank Cain, Humanities and Social Sciences, presented an invited paper to a Conference on 'The Great labor Split; Fifty Years On' arranged by the Australian Studies Centre at Monash University and conducted in the Legislative Assembly Chamber of the Victorian Parliament on Friday 15 April 2005. Dr Cain's paper was on 'Doc Evatt, the Petrov Affair and the Labor Split'

 

Notice to all Military & University Staff - Carpark 91 - Exit/Entry

On numerous occasions vehicles have been seen exiting carpark 91 past the ‘no exit' sign onto Tobruk Road. This location was changed from being exit/entry to an entry only point for safety reasons. Not only are people, who ignore the signage endangering their lives and that of others, they are making an illegal exit. Cars and buses use Tobruk Road and those that are familiar with the road configuration would not be expecting a car to exit from this point. The exit point for car park 91 is on Kapyong Road. Any cars seen leaving by the no exit point will be reported and action will be taken.

GPCAPT Loch Mitchell
Deputy Commandant, ADFA

 

Doughnut Thursdays are here!

The ADFA Volleyball Club will hold its first Doughnut Thursday for the year in the area between the ADFA Cafe and the IT Service Centre on Thu 14 Apr 05.
Fresh cinnamon doughnuts will be on sale from 9.30am until approximately 1.00pm.
They will be available individually for 80c each or as packets of five for $3.50.
All proceeds will be directed to inter-state tournament entry and miscellaneous club equipment for the year.

POC: OCDT Grant Joy, 6268 6121, g.joy@student.adfa.edu.au

 

4 May - Flu injections

Once again the University is giving staff the opportunity to be vaccinated against influenza.

Health Services Australia advises that the antibodies only last about six months, so they will be given on the afternoon of Wednesday May 4 in room SR101. For further details and booking information please telephone Jacqui Jillard on ext. 8707.

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Classifieds

If you have something you would like to contribute, please download and complete the submission form and email the information to newsletter@adfa.edu.au

FOR SALE

2000 Landrover Freelander 1.8L 4wd (Mid Size), Manual, Towbar, Aircon, CD, Power Windows, Low Km's: 91000, $18 000 willing to negotiate. Exc Cond Must Sell soon.
Contact Geoff from Student Administrative Services
ext: 6008 M:0403146360 or Email: g.brooks@adfa.edu.au

Dining Suite - High quality timber square (1500cm x 1500cm) eight seater dining table and eight chairs. For sale for $800.00. Phone 0404 091 491.

WANTED I am in the process of organising my life so that I can start caring for injured native wildlife to then, once they are fighting fit release them back into their habitat. To do this I need to purchase Bird Aviaries, Cages with top opening lids (Cat Carry Cages), old towels, sheets etc. The list goes on. So if anyone has Avairies and/or cages etc they would like to get rid of or sell cheaply I would be very interested. If you do have any of the above that you would like to get rid of please contact Vicki King on 6268 8719 at work 6287 1101 at home, or email: v.king@adfa.edu.au

WANTED TO RENT

House in Campbell – 3 or 4 bdr., good-sized garden for UNSW@ADFA lecturer, spouse and 5 year old child . Seeking lease for 1-2 years.

Please contact Gary Lea on x6253 or via g.lea@adfa.edu.au

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Free Community Lectures

Geography Seminar Series – All Welcome

Date: WEDNESDAY 27th April

Time: 11:10am (Note this is Monday Timetable due to Anzac day)

Place: SL1 Building 21  (Old  Geography and Oceanography Building )

Presenter:  Prof. Roger McLean School of PEMS, UNSW@ADFA

Impact of the Sumatran tsunami on the low-lying islands of the Maldives

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Important Dates

Event		Date
Petro Fedorczenko Lecture - Adams Hall, ADFA		1 June 2005
UNSW@ADFA Degree Conferral Ceremonies		7 December 2005
ADFA Graduation Parade		8 December 2005

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