Year 2001 - University of Canberra

Council activities
The University Council, the governing body,
met on six occasions between February
and December.
At its August meeting, Professor Roger Dean
was appointed as Vice-Chancellor for a five
year period until 31 January 2007 to replace
Professor Don Aitkin on his retirement early
in 2002.
Former Prime Minister the Right Hon. Gough
Whitlam, former speaker of the House of
Representatives the Hon. Ian Sinclair, local ACT
politicians, Vice-Chancellors and Chancellors
of other Australian universities joined Council
members and over 300 people at a black tie
dinner on 12 October 2001 to pay tribute to
the work of Professor Aitkin in his leadership
of the University since 1991.
During the year, the Chancellor, Ms Wendy
McCarthy, was reappointed for a fourth term
until 31 December 2003. Council also appointed
Professor Marie Carroll as Pro Vice-Chancellor
(Academic) for a one year term to replace
Professor Kerry Kennedy, who resigned to
take up a senior post in Hong Kong.
In December Council noted the death of
Dr Jean Blackburn, the inaugural Chancellor
of the University. Dr Blackburn served as
Chancellor from February 1990 until
31 December 1991, having overseen the
University's transition from the Canberra
College of Advanced Education.
Council’s primary strategic focus for 2001
was identification of the new Vice-Chancellor.
Following its October meeting Council held
a preliminary strategic planning session to
commence reviewing its strategic plan.
Strategic initiatives approved by Council during
the course of the year included acceptance of
a proposal to establish a small campus of the
University in Brisbane, a significant change
of direction for the University which had,
until now, been a single campus institution.
Council also agreed to collaborate with
The Australian National University and the
Canberra Hospital in a new ACT Medical
School, expected to take its first intake of
students in 2004.
“Professor Roger Dean was appointed
as Vice-Chancellor for a five year
period until 31 January 2007”
Other matters considered or noted by Council during the year included:
> Two University of Canberra academics from the Cooperative
Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology were honoured at the
Banksia Environmental Foundation Awards, with Professor Peter
Cullen named as the Prime Minister’s Environmentalist of the Year,
and Research Officer Ian Lawrence receiving the Outstanding
Individual Achievement Award. In December, Council admitted
Professor Cullen to the honorary degree of Doctor of the University
in recognition of his distinguished creative achievement as a
scholar in a field of applied science through significant contribution
to water science, and distinguished creative contribution to the
service of applied science.
> The Finance and Audit Committees of Council provided monitoring
of the University’s financial and procedural matters respectively.
> The Cooperative Research Centre for Landscape, Environment
and Mineral Exploration, in which the University is a partner,
received Commonwealth funding for a further seven years to
solve environmental problems and explore for hidden ore deposits.
> The Inaugural Ngunnawal Series Lecture was delivered by
Dr Aileen Moreton-Robinson, a Geonpul woman from
Quandamooka (Moreton Bay) and lecturer in Indigenous
Studies at Griffith University.
> The Cooperative Research Centre for Tourism Research is
assessing the economic impact of tourism in the Australian Alps
in light of the area’s increasing popularity as a holiday destination.
> The University had successfully concluded an enterprise
agreement with its staff following a period of enterprise bargaining.
> The University established the Aitkin Cultural Fund with the
aim of providing financial assistance for the enhancement
and promotion of the cultural life of the University.
Roger Dean
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