2007 Annual report (PDF 8.1 Mb) - University of Melbourne

SECTION HEADING
APPEARS HERE
Performance Against
2007 Targets
Implement a comprehensive Plan to achieve the best
possible outcomes from DEST’s Research Quality Framework
An RQF strategy committee, support team and senior academics for the roles of panel coordinators and group captains were
appointed. Pre-implementation trials and consultative discussions with DEST helped refine RQF guidelines and specifications.
Although the RQF was cancelled, the detailed preparation has helped the University to better understand its research
performance. In particular, an additional 6500 research publications were catalogued in Themis.
Enhance our performance and reputation in research training
RHD completion rates improved – the rolling average timely completion rates for PhD candidates increased by 10.2 per cent.
Timely completion rates for PhDs improved by 38 per cent in the last three years. The most recent figures show a timely
completion rate of 54 per cent (2006).
New programs to enhance the Melbourne PhD experience were established, including personal Advisory Committees for
every student to broaden their support base, and Postgraduate Essentials: Completion and Beyond – a resource-rich online
course designed to help PhD candidates in the final stages of their degrees.
Strengthen cross-disciplinary research and inter-institutional research
and international collaboration in research and research training
The Strategic Research Initiatives Fund provides central support for areas of strategic research importance, with a focus
on cross-disciplinary research. Standard research agreements have been promoted to facilitate the commencement of
collaborative projects.
A new Strategic Major Research Project Fund has provided $30 million for major initiatives. Partnerships with key affiliates
such as the CSIRO and Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation have been strengthened.
Seventeen new and ongoing major research initiatives were funded under the Strategic Research Investment Fund. Planning
was undertaken for proposed major cross-disciplinary institutes. Three Future Generation Professorships and six Future
Generation Fellowships were offered to help lead the University in emerging and cross-disciplinary research.
Continue as Australia’s number one University in terms of research income
publications, research higher degree load and completions
The University maintained its status as Australia’s No. 1 university in terms of national competitive grants, research higher
degree load and completions. The most recent data (2006) places the University second for total research income and
publications. Based on key research performance parameters, the University received its highest yet research block grant
of $124.9 million representing an increase of 4.1 per cent from 2006. Increases have occurred in 2005-2006 figures for total
international funding and 2007-2008 ARC International linkage.
Left: Dr Antanas Spokevicius and conifer cultivars at the School of Forestry in Creswick. The School’s research into isolating the gene for wood strength in
eucalyptus has major industry significance.
“THE UNIVERSITY MAINTAINED ITS POSITION
AS ONE OF THE LARGEST RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT PROVIDERS IN AUSTRALIA.”
Professor John McKenzie
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
The University of Melbourne Annual Report 2007 21