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Staff Bulletin

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Staff Bulletin

Scroll down to find out the latest news and events from around Swinburne. Today's Staff Bulletin includes this week's HR newsletter, and the latest edition of the Swinburne Research Bulletin.

Making news this week:

Thursday 2 July 2009

Melbourne a safe place to live and study

Australia employs world’s best practice for looking after international students. From the time they enrol at Swinburne in their home country, Swinburne provides them with significant information, help and advice. This has been echoed by many of Swinburne's students, staff and alumni from overseas.

Media and Communications student Anuroop Sabharwal (pictured) has enjoyed her time at Swinburne, enrolling in her course to learn more about the film-making industry. “My dream is to make a Bollywood film,” Anuroop said.

She is also the secretary for the Swinburne Punjabi Club, something she feels is an important link with her home. The club “aims to assist new students and encourage cultural understanding among different communities” said one of its founders, Harpreet Singh Maan.

For more, read the full media release.

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AGSE signs Memorandum of Understanding with Universiti Tun Abdul Razak

The belief that world class education should be shared across the globe has resulted in the Australian Graduate School of Entrepreneurship (AGSE) at Swinburne signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universiti Tun Abdul Razak in Malaysia under its Bank Rakyat School of Entrepreneurship (BRSE).

AGSE will provide training and education programs to client companies of BRSE and both parties will collaborate on the teaching of entrepreneurship and innovation. The MoU aims to achieve top quality results from both universities.

Read the full article from UNITAR News to find out more.

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Former NASA astronaut talks about mission to Mars

Former NASA astronaut Dr James Reilly will present on the technological advancements of NASA’s space programs in the 20th century, and the challenges the 21st century will bring.

Dr Reilly has flown on three space shuttle missions, logging over 517 hours in space including three spacewalks.

‘Technology and Innovation in the Space Program: a rationale for why we are returning to the Moon and on to Mars’ will explore the continuing search for extraterrestrial life. By examining current space missions, the presentation will consider the future impacts and challenges to NASA's space program.

All staff are welcome to attend this seminar, held on Friday 10 July from 12.45pm in Swinburne’s Virtual Reality Theatre, located in room AR104 of the Hawthorn campus. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to Rebecca Dodds at rdodds@swin.edu.au by 8 July to attend.

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Super Salary Sacrifice 2009/10

On 1 July 2009, the concessional contributions cap for the 2009/10 financial year reduces to $25,000 for those members under the age of 50, and $50,000 for members aged 50 or above.

The cap limits the amount of employer and salary sacrifice contributions that can be made to a member's superannuation account each financial year before large taxes apply.

It is recommended that you review any salary sacrifice arrangement that you may currently have in place and ensure it will still be tax effective under the new legislation.

More information can be found at the Emergency Services and State Super website, or by downloading a fact sheet on Notional Taxed Contribution (NTC) rates for DBD members.

For more Human Resources news, read this week’s HR newsletter.

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Shared computer keyboards breeding grounds for bacteria

As the popularity of internet cafes and multi-user computer facilities increases, a new study has found that shared keyboards can be breeding grounds for bacteria.

Conducted by researchers from Swinburne’s Environment and Biotechnology Centre, the study investigated the number and type of microorganisms on the keyboards of computers located in three large, multiple-user facilities on the university campus.

These were compared with staff computers that were generally handled by only one person.

The study found almost five times the number of microorganisms on the keyboards of multiple user computers as on single-user computers. A follow up study to examine the effect of routine cleaning of keyboards in the university’s multi-user computer labs is planned.

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'Precise process definition’: seminar by visiting researcher

In software engineering, a clear process may be essential to achieving a good end result.

In ‘precise process definition’, visiting Professor Leon J. Osterweil will discuss the importance of developing effective processes in software engineering as well as other areas.

The talk will summarise research in the processes behind areas such as medical services, manufacturing, business, and even the conduct of scientific research itself.

The presentation will be held on Friday 17 July from 11.30am to 12.30pm in room EN515 at the Hawthorn campus. To attend, please RSVP to Antigone Vasilopoulos at lvasilopoulos@swin.edu.au or on extension 8069.

For more research news, read the Swinburne Research Bulletin.

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