Untitled - Annual Report 2004 - The University of Western Australia

commercialisation of the University’s intellectual property. The office also reported another successful yearin negotiating new research contracts with industry partners and negotiating licensing agreements.During the year, we received the report of the Australian Universities Quality Agency whichcommended the University as a provider of high quality teaching and research with good outcomes and highstaff and student morale. The report was a welcome affirmation of the University’s standing within the highereducation sector and importantly within the broader community.The University continued to grow its budget throughout the year. In 2005, we expect income to increase byalmost $60 million or more than 14 per cent (the second year of growth above 14 per cent). Just over half of theincrease in income comes in specific purpose funding (where conditions apply on expenditure), including externalresearch grants, specific Commonwealth grants, donations and bequests; the remainder is general purpose funding(no conditions apply), comprising additional funding for general teaching and research programmes, a portion ofinvestment income and increased course fees and charges.Senate’s new direction for undergraduate programmes (providing for increased fee-paying opportunities fordomestic students in selected courses) has been underpinned by a commitment to provide an expanded suite ofscholarships and awards through which we can achieve the goals of promoting and rewarding excellence, while atthe same time adhering to the principles of equity, access and diversity. A new and expanded portfolio ofundergraduate scholarships and awards will be available in 2005 to support capable students, especially thoseexperiencing economic, educational or social disadvantage.The University owes particular thanks to retiring Deans of Faculty, Professor Louis Landau (Medicine andDentistry), Dr Paul McLeod (Business School) and Mr Patrick Beale (Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts). All havecontributed significantly to the development of their faculties and the University. Thanks also to Professor DennisHaskell, who is completing his second two-year term as Chair of the Academic Board, for the enormous amount ofwork he has undertaken in a rapidly changing higher education environment.Leading a large and complex organisation such as this University requires a sustained effort across a range ofportfolios. In that regard, the work of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Seares and the other members ofthe Executive—Professor Doug McEachern, Professor Belinda Probert, Ms Gaye McMath and Mr Peter Curtis—hasbeen outstanding. Their efforts are essential in ensuring the University continues to meet its short-term goals andlonger-term ambitions.I also wish to thank the Chancellor, Dr Ken Michael, and all Senate members for their support in my first yearas Vice-Chancellor. I look forward to the prospect of moving forward from what essentially has been a year ofpositioning the University to maximise benefit from a changing external operating environment.Professor Alan Robson AMVice-Chancellorpage 7