May 4 2006
Next Newsletter published 18 May
Message From the Rector
I would like to welcome our new Human Resource Consultant, Robyn Alford commenced on Monday 1st May. Robyn will be looking after ACME, Business, HaSS, Admin and DSA and can be contacted on extn 88726.
Learning & Teaching
UNSW@ADFA has received an extememly positive report with the ADFA campus placed first in terms of overall score in relation to UNSW faculties. I would like to thank everyone for their efforts to improve learning and teaching.
On Thursday 27 April, UNSW@ADFA held a function to honour its academic high achievers. 41 midshipmen and officer cadets joined the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mark Wainwright; the Rector, Professor John Baird; the Commandant, Brigadier Brian Dawson; the UNSW Senior Management Committee and a number of senior military guests; university and ADFA staff at a function in the ADFA Cadets Mess.
The first year students attending the Academic High Achievers Function had received tertiary entrance scores above 95 or equivalent.
In addition, five students from Years 2,3 and 4 were acknowledged for their outstanding academic achievement.
In his welcoming speech, Professor John Baird said, “this reception is not just a moment to reaffirm why ADFA was established; it is also an opportunity to bring the exceptional academic achievements of our students to the attention of those present. Attracting fine students spurs us on to be better teachers and researchers”.
“I am very proud of what we do here at ADFA. I’m proud that our successes keep attracting new and outstanding students”, said Professor Baird.
During a lunchtime function at the ADFA Cadets Mess on Monday 1 May, the Chief of the Defence Force Students Program (CDFSP) was finally launched.
The event was attended by students enrolled in the CDFSP, university and military staff from ADFA, a number of senior military dignitaries, the Rector and the Commandant. In addition twelve prospective ADFA candidates joined the proceedings with staff from the Woden Defence Force Recruitment office.
Unfortunately, the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston was unable to attend the launch and was represented by MAJGEN Mark Evans, Head of Defence Personnel Executive.
Professor John Baird said that UNSW@ADFA had introduced the suite of undergraduate degrees for high-performing students, either entering the Australian Defence Force Academy with a high Entrance Rank (UAI/TER/OP) or those who achieve a high Weighted Average Mark (WAM) in their first year of study.
The aim of the program is to build a strong research culture into a high achievers degree by developing critical thinking and independent research skills beyond that available in the existing undergraduate degree programs.
In the speech delivered on behalf of the CDF by MAJGEN Evans, Air Chief Marshal Houston said, “the new degree options were a testament to the commitment of the Australian Defence Force Academy and the University of New South Wales at ADFA in seeking and encouraging academic and military excellence from its students”.
Air Chief Marshal Houston said that "the midshipmen and officer cadets’ education and training at the Academy is both physically and mentally demanding.
As they undertake their education and training at the Academy, we ask them to work very hard in becoming the very ‘Best Leaders for the Australian Defence Force’ that they can be,” he said. “ADFA and UNSW have created a fitting program for these gifted and committed cadets."
Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston applauded the innovative academic program and said he was "honoured to have the title of CDF associated with this wonderful program.
“I congratulate ADFA and UNSW for providing an exceptional opportunity for gifted students to reach their full academic potential”.
Students enrolling in the Chief of Defence Force Students Program are expected to maintain a high level of academic and military performance over all sessions in order to remain within the program.
The Chief of Defence Force Students Program will be on offer across all five schools of the Academy and is an exceptional opportunity for gifted students to reach their full academic potential. Degree programs are available in Business, Arts and Science and across the engineering disciplines of Aeronautical, Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.
Professor John Baird
Rector
UNSW@ADFA
Reminder: Campus Newsletter published fortnightly - Next published on 18 May
Please note that the UNSW@ADFA Newsletter is a fortnightly newsletter. If you have any suggestions as to the usability or content of the Newsletter please send to newsletter@adfa.edu.au. Please keep the items coming.
Professor John Baird
Rector
Staff Bulletin
The Newsletter will now be published on a fortnightly basis. 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 by 12 noon on the Wednesday prior. The website will be changed to reflect Fortnightly news rather than weekly as show above.
NEXT PUBLISHED CAMPUS NEWSLETTER THURS 18 MAY 2006.
Farewell Reception for Outgoing Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark S Wainwright - 13 June 2006
TO: All UNSW Staff
You are cordially invited to a Farewell Reception for the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark S Wainwright. Professor Wainwright is retiring after thirty-two years of service to UNSW and he would be delighted if you would join him as he farewells his many friends and colleagues at the University.
The Reception will be held on Tuesday 13 June 2006 from 4.00pm till 6.00pm in Leighton Hall, the John Niland Scientia Building.
Please RSVP (acceptances only) to Ms Alyson Wills by Tuesday 6 June 2006, via email vcreception@unsw.edu.au or telephone: 02 9385 2884.
Facilities in SL5
SL5 in building 21 has now been fitted out with a video projector and screen, plus connections for using a laptop and video player. The projector is controlled by the remote control which is accessible on the side of the rack. This remote also controls the audio volume if required. Please note that the system is not connected to ETS and if you experience any problems please call ETS Venue and Technical Support using the phone in the room. extn 88964.
ETS - LMS Products
Monday 8 May. Functionality submissions close and Usability submissions open. Please ensure that your LMS preferences, indicating which system has the best functionality for your needs, is registered online by close of business on Monday 8 May, Alternatively, if you are writing a more extensive submission, that your submission has been received in ETS by the close of business the same day.
Usability submissions will then be invited up until June 9.
See http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/learning_teaching/lms-input.html for further details about submitting your preferences.
15 - 19 May. Time to experience all the LMS options under consideration. A series of times will be available for staff and students to come to the staff training lab in the ICTS building and experience working with each of the LMS options under consideration. These hands on events are particularly to help people think about how they would rank the products in terms of Usability.
NOTE: Thinq and Sakai have been withdrawn from the LMS products under consideration. It has been determined that implementing Thinq would be unable to achieve the benefits that stimulated its inclusion in the products to be considered, and that Sakai represents a higher risk option than is reasonable for an institution of this size to carry at this stage of product development. Further details of the rationale behind the decision to withdraw these products is available on the web site http://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/learning_teaching/lms.html
Wanda Jackson
LMS Review Project Manager
EXHIBITION - Passchendaele Beyond Imagination
An Exhibition of Drawings by Murray Kirkland
The Library, ADFA - 20 April to 18 June
Library hours: Mon-Turs: 9am - 9pm Friday: 9am to 5pm Sat-Sun: 1pm - 4pm
For information email: jeff.doyle@adfa.edu.au or phone the Library on 6268 8111.
Trooping the Queen's Colour Parade - 10 June
To celebrate the official birthday of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Military College will conduct the annual ceremonial Trooping of the Queen's Colour Parade at Duntroon, on Saturday, 10 June 2006, commencing at 1015 h. An invitation has been extended by the Commandant of RMC, BRIG Chris Appleton, to all military and University staff of ADFA to attend the parade.
Any member of the academy who wishes to attend should forward the following details onto robert.odonnell1@defence.gov.au by Friday, 19 May:
a. rank, initials, name and post nominals (if applicable);
b. if being accompanied; and
c. an address for correspondence (including postcode).
B.R. Dawson
Brigadier
Commandant
Workshop "Preparation for Retirement" - 13 July
On Thursday 13th July the Staff Development Unit has organised a one day workshop Preparation for Retirement and if you wish to attend please forward your expression of interest to the Staff Development Unit to secure a place. The cost will be $185/person and will commence at 9.00am finishing at 5.00pm with lunch and light refreshments included.
A copy of the workshop content is below.
"SUCCESSFUL RETIREMENT –
LIFESTYLE PLANNING WORKSHOP - Judy Cole Coaching
WORKSHOP / COURSE OVERVIEW
Helping Pre-retirees plan their Retirement Lifestyle
The things that most happily retired people have in common is a healthy positive attitude and a clear image or plan of how they want the retirement phase of their lives to be.
While many approaching retirement age have taken financial planning advice, few invest time and energy planning the nonfinancial aspects of retiring. Many underestimate the impact this significant change will have on them, and with hindsight, wish they'd planned it better.
The goal of this workshop is to encourage attendees to take responsibility for creating a retirement they'll love. It will stimulate their self-awareness, discuss their belief systems around retirement, give advice on making a smooth transition, and examine eight important areas to consider when putting in place a Retirement Plan for the next 20 plus years of their life.
Attendees must bring a pen and an open mind.
TIMING AND DURATION
This workshop/course is designed as 4 sessions allowing for lively discussion.
It should run:
9.00-10.30 (20min tea/coffee break)
10.50-12.30 (1hr lunch break)
1.30 - 3.00 (20min tea/coffee break)
3 .20 - 5.00 (close)
RESOURCES AND TRAINING AIDS
The workshop is intended to be highly interactive, with maximum participation through brainstorming, awareness questionnaires and exercises.
W orkbooks including presentation material with space for personal notes, questionnaires, exercises, motivational pieces, inspiring case studies, summary of suggested further reading and websites with useful information will be provided."
Anne Green, Staff Development and Equity Units
PH: 02 6268 6189 Fax: 02 6268 8405
Email: a.green@adfa.edu.au
ISC – Pool Lifeguard
The ISC now has a part-time Pool Lifeguard to enable improved access to the pool on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The revised pool opening times are as follows:
Mon, 1600 h – 1730 h
Tue, 1600 h – 1730 h
Wed, 1100 h – 1900 h
Thu, 1600 h – 1730 h
Fri, 1100 h – 1900 h
Sat, 1000 h – 1600 h
Sun, 1000 h – 1600 h
The ISC will be closed on public holidays. The revised timings take effect from Wed,
19 Apr 06. All personnel are reminded that Physical Training pool activities have priority over personal exercise. All personnel are advised to confirm availability of the pool from the ISC Secretary on Ext: 88689.
ADFA Indoor Sports Centre (ISC) Pool Usage
The ISC Pool now has a lifeguard on duty from 1100-1900 h Mon - Fri and 1000-1600h on weekends. In light of this change the following personnel are permitted to use the ISC pool during the above times if the pool is not being used for military or other authorised training:
• ADF members and their dependants
• UNSW@ADFA Staff and their accompanied dependants
• APS members employed at ADFA and their dependants
• Full-time postgraduate ADFA students.
The prerequisite for the usage of the ISC is an ADFA ISC 06 Pass or ADF ID Card. The priority of usage will still remain with ADFA training, ADF activities then general swimming.
If the lifeguard is not present only ADF Members who have passed their swim test and are registered at the ISC will be able to access the ISC Pool.
It is requested that weak swimmers identify themselves to the lifeguard before entering the ISC pool.
Any questions on pool availability will be answered on Ext 88689.
RESEARCH & RESEARCH TRAINING OFFICE
REPORT
Postgraduate Research Skills Workshops
Preparations are well under way for the next Research Workshop Program for Postgraduate Students and Staff which will take place from 26 June to 7 July 2006. The program brings together postgraduate students, researchers and academics and provides then with opportunities to explore relevant issues, enhance research skills and learn from each other. The program is the result of cooperation between the four Canberra universities, is offered at no cost to ADFA postgraduate students. This is possible because of the input of UNSW@ADFA staff and academics into the various workshops. The program will be advertised to academics and research students as soon as the details of the individual worshops are finalised.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) RQF Seminar
On Thursday April 27, Professor Les Field, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) presented a very illuminating seminar on the Research Quality Framework and the potential impact of this beast on UNSW.
Faculty Seminar May 9: DSA: UNSW@ADFA’s new Defence and Security Applications Research Centre: A/Prof Hussein Abbass
The Defence and Security Applications Research Centre (DSA) is a newly established UNSW research centre to be located in Building 21 at UNSW@ADFA (the ‘Research Hub’). The establishment of this Centre emerges from UNSW@ADFA strategic research directions in the area of Defence and Security Applications, and demonstrates the commitment of UNSW Senior management to supporting UNSW@ADFA’s role as the premier undergraduate education provider for the Australian Defence Force.
In his talk A/Professor Hussein Abbass will introduce to the audience the concept of the Centre, his vision on the operations and role of the Centre within UNSW@ADFA. He will also place special emphasis on the potential opportunities which the Centre may provide for academic staff members at UNSW@ADFA. The talk will conclude with a timeline of the Centre’s activities over the next 6 months, after which the floor will be open for discussion and feedback.
The Faculty Seminars are held in SL1 (Bld 21). Refreshments will be available from 3:15 and the seminar commence at 3:40pm. After Hussein’s presentation time will be available for questions and feedback. All staff and research students are encouraged to attend. Faculty Seminars provide a great opportunity for networking across all Schools at UNSW@ADFA. Please RSVP to Elvira Berra at e.berra@adfa.edu.au or on 88112 by Friday 5 May. RSVPs are greatly appreciated.
Success by recent PhD Student
Ms Minh Ha, a PhD candidate in ITEE recently submitted her PhD thesis. Professor Joseph Lai, Associate Dean (Research) and A/Prof Hussein Abbass (supervisor) are very please to note that for the second Quarter, Minh’s paper in Applied Soft Computing is on the list of the most downloaded papers in the Journal. In this Quarter Minh Ha's paper is ranked 8th on the 25 most downloaded papers. http://top25.sciencedirect.com/?journal_id=15684946
Both A/Prof Abbass and Professor Lai also congratulate Minh on her newly accepted paper in the Neurocomputing journal.
RRT Report
By the time this newsletter is available, we trust that all staff at UNSW@ADFA will have received a copy of the 2005 Research and Research Training Report. The publication of this report is a great credit to the indefatigible Associate Dean (Research) (and also explains the exhaustion evident to anyone who has spoken to RRTO staff in recent times). We would also like to thank Ms Hwei-Fe’n Cheah, who did a superb job in the compilation of material for the report and the staff at ETS for their assistance with every stage of production!
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Classifieds
The Newsletter is published each Thursday fortnight. 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
by 12 noon on Wednesdays.
For Sale
Holden Barina - 1998 - 121,000 - one owner - excellent condition - service history available - $4,800. For inspection or further information please call 6286 6542.
LOST - Gold Parker Pen
My mother received this pen from my father and as such has much sentimental value. Engraved with “Ellice, happy 18th birthday. Love Brett”. Possibly lost around time of the CDF Parade. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Call OCDT Boyd Schrader 86124 or
b.schrader@student.adfa.edu.au
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Upcoming Events
| DATE |
TITLE |
VENUE |
| 20 April - 18 June |
Exhibition of Drawings by Murray Kirkland "Passchendaele Beyond Imagination" |
ADFA Library |
| 9 May |
Faculty Seminar: The Defence and Security Applications Research Centre |
3.15pm SL1 Bldg 21 |
| 5 June |
Petro Fedorczenko Memorial Lecture Speaker Peter Sheahan |
1730 Adams Hall |
| 10 June |
Trooping the Queen's Colours Parade |
1015 Duntroon |
| 27 June |
UniSuper - Contribution Flexibility |
12.30-1.30pm LT 3 |
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FREE COMMUNITY LECTURES
Petro Fedorczenko Memorial Lecture
Date: Monday 5 June 2006
Time: 1730 (staff are requested be seated by 1715)
Venue: Adams Hall
Dress: Lounge Suit or equivalent for Ladies
Guest speaker: Generation Y Expert, Mr Peter Sheahan.
All staff and partners are welcome
POC: Kerry Neal SOCOORD Ph: 6268 8606
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Unisuper Seminar
Tuesday 27 June 2006
Lecture Theatre 3
12.30 – 1.30pm
Topic: Contribution Flexibility (where members will be able to vary contribution levels, from 1 July 2006, within certain limits)
Registering for a Seminar
To register for a seminar, please go to the website below, click on the nominated topic, select the ACT in the drop down menu, click on register. Registration of your attendance will ensure an accurate number of handouts are available. http://www.unisuper.com.au/resources/seminars.cfm
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Got a Story?
If you have something you would like to contribute, please download
and complete the submission
form and email the information to: Email: newsletter@adfa.edu.au
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Contact Us
Office of the Rector
Phone: 02 6268 8701
Email: newsletter@adfa.edu.au
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