“As I begin my second term as Vice-Chancellor and President, I was pleased to start a series of events last week to refresh and update the University strategy, Our University: A Framing of Futures.

We have achieved so much over the last five years; some things that are remarkable for Australia and some things that are unique in Australia. In reflecting on these, I am deeply grateful to everyone in our community who has helped us come so far in so short a time.

On Tuesday night, I hosted a small event for University leaders and corporate partners in the newly refurbished MAZE space on Wally’s Walk, revisiting my previous conversation with Richard Morecroft about my personal experiences before and after joining the University in 2012.

On Wednesday afternoon, 500 staff attended a town hall gathering in the Graduations Hall where I explored the developments on our campus since the formulation of the strategic framework, and my vision for the next seven years.

Among the seven strategic priorities, two are fundamental to our purpose: learning and teaching, and research.

If we are truly to step out and be distinctive in Australian higher education, we must provide a student experience that lives up to the reputation we want for ourselves. Over the coming years, we will allocate resources to ensure that every student has a unique and outstanding experience at this University, that supports their learning and prepares them for life after graduation.

In research, we are an exceptional university with promising and accomplished staff and students, and much potential for the future. But, for our research renown, we should have two or three times the financial support we have now. We must become hungry for it, and go after it. I believe that we can discover great things and have a positive and profound impact on the world, as we have done before, and I will encourage the development of our capacity to fund and support that research through diversified income streams alongside improved government funding.

Over the coming weeks, I will visit each faculty to provide a deeper insight into my vision for our university and how it will come to life through the efforts of our staff and students.

I believe in the future of this University, and I look forward to continuing to work with you all over the next seven years. There is much work underway already, and much more still to be done. Let us continue.”

To view the presentation from the event click here.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor S Bruce Dowton, says the interim plan will be effective from 1 May 2017 until the end of the year and is a natural evolution and response to the upcoming departure of DVC (Students and Registrar) Dee Anderson.

“Dee’s departure at the end of this month created an opportunity to assess how to move forward whilst continuing her passion for the student experience,” said Professor Dowton.

“Our strategy, Our University: A Framing of Futures, embodies a deep and genuine commitment to the student experience. Every one of the seven priorities in our strategy touches on it and provides direction towards our long-term vision of achieving a first-class student experience that can eventually be benchmarked and recognised internationally.”

Professor Kevin Jameson, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and Registrar said that they key to this would be integrating the academic and non-academic experiences of our students. “For students, it’s one Macquarie, and we want to continue to enhance and strengthen that experience,” said Professor Jameson.

Two new PVC roles have been created within the DVC (Academic) portfolio to meet the needs of students. PVC (Students) is focused on providing world-class support and experience for our students, led during this interim period by Professor Leigh Wood. The PVC (Programs and Pathways) role is focused on our world-class programs, with the purpose of understanding the diverse needs and aspirations of our students, with Professor Sean Brawley at the helm during the interim period. These two roles join the existing PVC (Learning and Teaching) which, under the leadership of Professor Sherman Young, continues its important work of the world-class delivery of learning and teaching in an ever-increasing range of modes. All three positions will report to the newly renamed DVC (Academic) and Registrar.

Campus Life continues to be led by Director of Campus Life, Kim Guerin, who will now report to Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Tim Beresford.

A review, led by Professor Kevin Jameson, will also be conducted during this year to ensure the structure best reflects our long-term aim of providing a world-class experience for our students.

During this time, recruitment will also commence for the DVC (Academic) and Registrar role.

Learning and teaching support for academic staff is now available locally via faculty support teams that will work closely with the Learning Innovation Hub. The Learning Skills team will also remain available to staff and students from its new location within the Library.

A diagram of the new way of working can be viewed on the newly launched Learning Innovation Hub website.

“This new learning and teaching structure is designed both to place more resources at the direct service of faculties and also to enable the teams in the faculties and the team in the Learning Innovation Hub to work together with agility and common purpose to enhance our university’s learning and teaching enterprise,” said Professor John Simons, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

“The new model is particularly exciting for me as Associate Dean, as it provides support where it is most needed – in the faculties – without forgoing the essential role of central coordination,” added Dr Mitch Parsell, Associate Dean Learning and Teaching, Faculty of Human Sciences, and Chair of the Senate Learning and Teaching Committee.

“The new approach promises to be agile, flexible and responsive to faculty needs, while supporting whole of institution innovation and strategy.”

Assistance with iLearn and learning technologies will continue to be directed to the OneHelp system (ilearn.help@mq.edu.au). All website links and references to the disestablished Learning and Teaching Centre should be redirected to the Learning Innovation Hub. Additional resources for teaching staff are being updated, and further communication will follow.

Learn more about the Learning Innovation Hub online or email learninginnovation@mq.edu.au.