Cheered on by the Prime Minister The Hon Malcolm Turnbull and Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton, more than 1000 students from around the Asia Pacific recently put their skills to the test at Australia’s largest student robotics competition.

Supported by industry leaders, educators, families and fans, and united by a mutual love of science, technology, and engineering, nearly 50 high school student teams from the United States, Singapore, Taiwan, China, India, and Australia converged at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre on 17-19 March to launch robots they’d designed, built and programmed themselves over a six week period.

The 2016 ‘Stronghold’ challenge had a medieval theme that required the robots to overcome obstacles and weaken their opponents’ defences by catapulting ‘boulders’  to conquer their castle tower.

Much more than just a game for robots, the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), is part of a much larger FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) program aimed at inspiring and educating students in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths), and encouraging them to consider further study or career options in these fields.

Joined on the sidelines by Foreign Minister The Hon Julie Bishop, and the Member for Reid The Hon Craig Laundy MP, Prime Minister Turnbull said they were excited to visit the event and to be so inspired by such brilliant young minds.

“They’re right here at the cutting edge of technology; the technology that delivers jobs, the opportunities of the 21^st century for our children and our grandchildren.”

The winning team alliance will compete at the world championships in St Louis in April; an honour which was collaboratively achieved by Team 3132 Macquarie University, Team 4613 Barker College and Team 6035 Ulladulla.

Team 6035 was supported by Robots in the Outback – a program which Macquarie University proudly partners in. Volunteer mentors drove donated cars to 12 high schools in rural and regional New South Wales to support teams with expertise and guidance in order to help them compete.

Take a look at some of the social media highlights from the event below.

If you are new to surveys at Macquarie read the tips and considerations before placing your order.

Place your order.

Read more about survey order dates.

If you have any questions relating to student evaluation surveys please contact teds@mq.edu.au.

Important: Allow 21 days notice to ensure you receive your surveys when required.

What if your students have a ‘stuck point’ while they’re writing an essay?

How can students action the feedback you’ve given them on an assignment?

Learning Skills can support your students in these and other areas as they tackle the demands of their courses.  We help students understand university expectations and to develop key reading, writing and critical thinking skills.

Our free services include:

• workshops
• online resources
• individual assistance (face-to-face and via email).

Learn more about our services.

In addition to the scaffolding you offer students, you can remind them about help available from Learning Skills.

First year convenors: keep an eye on your inbox! We’ll be sending a set of slides about our services to all convenors of first-year core units, suitable to include in a Week 1 lecture.

Other interested convenors, please email learningskills@mq.edu.au.

New training sessions available
Office 365 training sessions for 2016 are out now. Sign up if you missed out any courses last year and remember to check out our new Skype for Business course.

See a full list of training options.

Key things to know
The Office 365 Team have identified a number of key things to know and FAQs to help you get the most out of Office 365 and ensure your experience using email and the other Office 365 applications is as easy as possible.

View key things to know.

Feedback survey
We would love to hear your thoughts on Office 365, now that you have been migrated and had the chance to test it out. Please let us know what works for you or any areas you feel could be improved on.

Complete the five-minute survey by 5pm Friday 5 February.

Office 365 Desktop Clients
The Office 365 Pro Plus Suite and Skype for Business clients are available to University staff. The deployment and installation of these programs on University administered computers and devices is dependent on your Faculty/Office IT Team. Contact your local IT team regarding their support policy and schedule for the roll out of these programs.

Where to get support

• Visit the Office 365 support page  for news, FAQs and user guides
• Email ask.office365@mq.edu.au
• Contact your local faculty or office IT team , or the IT HelpDesk on 02 9850 HELP (4357)
• Check out the latest user guides and the official Microsoft Office Training Centre site.

Thank you again for your continued support throughout the Office 365 migration. For questions or to provide feedback contact: ask.office365@mq.edu.au

“The Green Paper provides an opportunity to consider how Macquarie University can bring real change to Indigenous education. The Green Paper offers seven strategic directions to build our cultural footprint and develop our future Indigenous leaders,” says Associate Professor Shane Hearn, Director of Indigenous Strategy.

Access a copy of the Green Paper.

Feedback is invited until Friday 29 January and can be made via the online feedback form.

Indigenous Strategy Green Paper forum

All staff are invited to hear more about the Green Paper’s vision and priorities from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and the Director of Indigenous Strategy.

When: Wednesday 10 February
Time: 12.30pm – 2pm
Where: Building C5C, Collaborative Forum

Register your attendance now.

The Office of Indigenous Strategy has commenced meetings across campus to discuss how the strategies of the Green Paper can be implemented across campus.

To book a meeting with the Office of Indigenous Strategy to discuss the Green Paper, please contact alex.swain@mq.edu.au

Getting the student experience right is the biggest challenge that faces any university. The biggest part of this challenge is offering a learning and teaching program that is engaging and interesting, challenging, meaningful in the context of individual aspirations, and well matched to expectations.

And now, following endorsement from the Vice-Chancellor, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) are proud to release the Learning and Teaching Strategic Framework 2015-2020.

“Learning for the future sets a bold course for our learning and teaching, capturing the full potential of new technologies and changing landscapes but always keeping the capabilities of our graduates at the heart of all that we do,” says Professor Dowton, Vice-Chancellor “Our students remain our constant purpose, and this framework will help us provide each of them the greatest possibility for success in their studies.”

Developed in collaboration with the University community, Professor John Simons, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) says that “the Strategy presents an opportunity for Macquarie to build its reputation around excellent student experiences and outcomes.”

Presented in short-form, three key objectives capture a range of goals that, when combined, forms a connected learning community dedicated to the service of its students.

1. Provide connected, creative and innovative learning experiences.
2. Ensure deep, broad graduate capabilities through a connected curriculum.
3. Foster a culture that supports excellence.

“The strength of this strategy is assured by our dedicated staff, committed to achieving objectives across our community of faculties, departments, disciplines and partnerships,” says Professor Sherman Young, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching). “It highlights unique and valuable ways for every office, portfolio, department, and engages with the University’s educational mission.”

The long-form version of the strategy is anticipated for release in early 2016, detailing an implementation framework to further guide strategic planning.

Confident about this strategic approach to learning and teaching, John says: “The future is already here, and this is how we will distribute it. Macquarie will actively embrace and prepare to respond to the uncertainty that comes with life on the cutting-edge in the service of innovation and a more valuable experience for every student.”

Access a copy of the short-form Learning and Teaching Strategic Framework

• download a short-form PDF copy of the White Paper
• download a screen reader compatible version

A limited number of hard-copies are available. Request a copy by emailing pvclt@mq.edu.au

Learn how and order now.

It’s a short session so get your orders in early!

Contact teds@mq.edu.au for any questions or concerns.

“The Green Paper aims to start a dialogue across the University about what we can do over the next ten years to address the challenges and opportunities for Indigenous education and proposes a set of strategic directions and priorities to bring real change in the future of Indigenous education at Macquarie,” says Associate Professor Shane Hearn, Director, Indigenous Strategy.

Over the coming months, Shane and his team will coordinate face-to-face opportunities for discussion about how this strategy can best be implemented.

“We invite everyone to read the Green Paper, and consider how we can work together to transform Indigenous education at Macquarie,” says Shane.

Access a copy of the Green Paper

Staff can provide feedback in a number of ways:

1. Submit a response using the online feedback form
2. Email alex.swain@mq.edu.au

All feedback is required by Friday 29 January 2016.

Watch an interview with Shane about the development of the Green Paper, below.

Introducing Walanga Muru
To coincide with the launch of the Green Paper, the Office of Indigenous Strategy (OIS) is pleased to announce a new Darug language name: Walanga Muru, meaning ‘follow your path’.

Shane explains the name was developed in consultation with the local Aboriginal community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to reflect a new stage in the journey being taken by Macquarie and the Darug community. The new name has been accepted by the local Aboriginal community, and as a result, the OIS will no longer be known as Warawara.

“Our change in name marks the beginning of a new era, not only with strengthened community relationships, but also a commitment to mutual respect, reciprocity and engagement,” says Shane. “It also reflects our ambition and vision to support Indigenous students to become leaders in their chosen fields and provide a culturally safe ‘home away from home’ while they pursue their tertiary aspirations.”

The new language name Walanga Muru reminds us of the pathways we each take in life and the role of the OIS to support our communities to follow their pathways and realise their potential. As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Walanga Muru links us back to the pathways of Land and our linkages to past, present and future.

The below story was supplied by key members of the local Darug Community, Aunty Edna Watson and Kerrie Kenton in conjunction with Sue Pinckham, Macquarie’s Cultural Adviser to provide the University with the narrative behind the Black Snapper Fish, the totem given to Walanga Muru.

“The black snapper fish is a shy but clever fish, who uses the shadows and patterns created by the mangroves to protect the younger fish. The mangroves are their nursery, their school and their home. The mangroves represent life – the obstacles and tangles that we need to navigate. At Walanga Muru, we seek to support students to choose the right path to take, assist them to navigate the obstacles and tangles of life, and to emerge as strong, resilient leaders for the future.”

Updated Welcome to Country and other Indigenous Ceremonies Policy and Procedure
The OIS has released an updated Welcome to Country and other Indigenous Ceremonies Policy and Procedure. The amended policy and procedure is available from Policy Central and provides staff with a comprehensive guide for all Indigenous Cultural Ceremonies and allows for bookings to be actioned through OneHelp.

A Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country ceremony is conducted during official proceedings and events and the new procedure provides a streamlined approach for staff to action bookings.

For more information about Welcome to Country proceedings or other Indigenous cultural matters contact Emily Sutton (emily.sutton@mq.edu.au) or call ext 4209.

Learning Skills will be available to help your students with these and other questions during Session 3 with the following support:

• ‘Ask a Learning Adviser’ drop-in at the Library Infodesk (Monday – Friday, 12pm – 2pm)
• eConsults via email (learningskills@mq.edu.au)
• Twitter feed on tips for taking compressed courses (#MQstudyWISE)
• StudyWISE online resources
• Academic Integrity Module for Students

The Learning Skills Group will provide unit convenors slides to include in their first Session 3 lecture. If you haven’t received an email from the team by Wednesday 2 December, contact learningskills@mq.edu.au.

Dr Bretag will be returning to campus on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 November to assist us in determining how we might embed a renewed culture of personal integrity and ethical good practice throughout all of our academic programs. Tracey will be joined by Dr Teddi Fishman, the Director of the International Centre for Academic Integrity, based at Clemson University in the United States.

Staff are invited to attend one, or more of the sessions hosted during her visit. The workshops aim to establish:

1. A plain English Academic Integrity statement / policy / honour code / pledge for consultation with Academic Senate and the broader university community.
2. A ‘Framework for Action’ for endorsement by Academic Senate and University Council.

This Framework might include recommendations to:

• review the University’s mission statements, marketing and admission processes
• develop an articulated and coherent Academic Integrity Policy
• review assessment practices and curriculum design,
• improve the information provided to students at orientation and provide frequent visual reminders on campus and online
• embed and target support in to programs at every level
• provide professional development for staff
• implement a system of academic integrity champions (students and staff)
•  ensure the use of new technology for detection and, more importantly, for education.

Register your interest to attend by contacting Ainslee Harvey (ainslee.harvey@mq.edu.au).