I&D Update: Issue two
Date posted: Tuesday 31 Jan 2012
Message from the Vice President
Happy New Year and welcome to the first edition of the International & Development Divisional Update for 2012.
I would also like to wish everyone Happy Lunar New Year - Year of the Dragon!
Australia Post has issued a stamp featuring the revered Dragon from Chinese legend. This stamp was designed by an alumnus of Swinburne, Dani Poon.
The Year of the Dragon is considered the luckiest and those born in that year are likely to be brave, tempestuous, powerful, wise and perfectionists. I was born in the year of Monkey; unfortunately I share none of these desirable attributes.
Jeffrey Smart
Vice-President (International and Development)
In this issue:
- Important Notices
- Major Activities
- Update on Stats
- Compliance
- Human resources reminders
- Professional Development
- Join up and keep informed…
- Upcoming events, visiting delegations, overseas or Australian travel
- External Engagement
- Welcome to new staff
- Farewells
- Feedback
Important Notices
Swinburne Culture Survey
You will have recently received an email from Denison Consulting: Swinburne Culture Survey (the way we work at Swinburne). Please participate in the survey as it will help us to understand how we're doing, so that we can strengthen the culture and make improvements where necessary.
Please help us to achieve the fantastic participation rate for this survey that we've become known for!
Major Activities
- A Postgraduate Expo evening will be held on Tuesday 31 January at the RACV club in the city. There are already over 500 registrations for the event.
- International Student Life is gearing up for commencing 2012 international students with 3 orientations for Swinburne College & ELICOS students, an IAP program for the commencing AusAID students (managed by Swinburne College & ISL), and the Welcome & Orientation for TAFE & HEd students on Feb 20.
- International Students will receive a comprehensive Swinburne Resource Guide including information on health and safety, student clubs, SSAA and community groups.
Update on Stats
2011 recruitment result
We budgeted for a decline of up to 20% in international student commencements against 2010, but by the end of 2011, commencements had remained at the same level as the year prior (+0.5%) and revenue was $9 million above budget.
We have grown market share in Victoria:
- By 0.2% in higher education
- By 0.2% in higher education
- By 2.7% in Gov VET
- By 4.8% in non award
- By 0.4% in ELICOS
2012 YTD
- ELICOS January total weeks increased 19% and numbers are up by 44%, with the help of a study tour from South Korea.
- February ELICOS is down significantly due to decline in sponsored students from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
- For combined TAFE, College and HEd numbers, we have 56 fewer acceptances compared to the same time last year. Overall HEd is flat against a projected decline of 10% (UG -16%, PG CW +32%, research same).
- College acceptances are down 12% against a projected decline of 20%.
- TAFE new acceptances are down 21% against projected decline of 20%.
Growth in market share VTAC and Direct combined
- Growth in market share (total preferences) from timely to COP 0.7%
- An increase of 5,062 in total preferences Year 12 since 2010
- COP Year 12 applicants:
o 35.5% growth in first preferences Year 12 (from timely)
o 14% growth in total preferences Year 12 (from timely) - All applicants COP:
o 39.2% increase in total first preferences (from timely)
o 20.8 increase in total first preferences (from timely) - Direct applicants 11% increase
- Direct commencements UG HE 8.5% increase
- 10.5% increase in TAFE direct applications
- 1.2% increase in TAFE commencements
Compliance
There will be a KPMG audit of ESOS reporting in 2011 - there is to be a realignment of responsibilities to attempt to improve reporting times in 2012.
Human resources reminders
- The first report on completion of compulsory staff training modules for 2012 has been released. I&D’s performance has improved dramatically over the past months, for which I thank Vanessa, and the heads of management units. We still have a way to go, but here’s how we’re travelling at the divisional level:
| Training module | I&D participation at 18/1/12 | SUT participation at 18/1/12* |
|---|---|---|
| Whistleblowers Protection | 89.8% | 79% |
| Privacy Act | 94.9% | 81.2% |
| Online EEO training | 96.6% | 90.2% |
| EEO for managers | 90% | 84.3% |
| Online OHS | 95.8% | 86.9% |
| OHS for managers | 73.3% | 73.0% |
| ESOS | 89.9% | 57.2% |
| Competition & Consumer Act | 55.1% | 48.8% |
| Fraud & Corruption Awareness | 23.7% | 29.2% |
| * Excludes casual (sessional) staff | ||
- Your Director has a breakdown of training completed by staff in each of the business units: you will receive reminders if you need to complete a training module, and you should also be able to view outstanding training requirements in EWSS.
- PDR: We are now in the end-cycle review period for the PDR program for 2011. Managers need to be scheduling time with their staff to complete the PDR by the end of February at the latest. If you haven’t heard from your manager, be proactive and set up a time yourself. Remember to complete the online tool, with your assessment of your progress against each objective, and include any data that you feel is relevant.
Professional Development
- A sum of up to $1,000 is available to support the development activities of each staff member, who has an agreed development plan within the PDR. See guidelines for use of development funding
- Please consider your training and development options and discuss with your manager as part of your performance and development. Click here for more information on Professional Development.
Join up and keep informed…
- University World News compiles articles of interest from all around the world. This month’s issue has a couple of articles relating to student mobility and branch campuses. Remember you can subscribe directly to UWN for free.
- Australia-China Business Council (ACBC) - Swinburne is now a member of the ACBC.
Email Heidi Moschietto to request to be on the email distribution list for events through the ACBC. - Australia-Latin America Business Council (ALABC) - Swinburne is a member of ALABC. If you are interested in how Swinburne can engage more in this area of the world, please contact Heidi Moschietto.
Upcoming events, visiting delegations, overseas or Australian travel
- The VC and the VP (I&D) will join the Victorian State Government Super Trade Mission to India from 20-27 February.
- Diana Gonzalez will visit the US, Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela in February to commence planning for the Northeastern Freshman program 2012, promote dual degrees at Latin American partner universities and attend recruitment fairs and seminars.
- I&D will be hosting a number of Chinese delegations in February including: Department of Edu Shanxi, Haicheng, Central China normal University (CCNU)
- Swinburne will host the first part of the ECIU Leadership Development Program from Feb 15-17. Fifteen staff members from our European partners will participate in this program.
External Engagement
- Kath Watson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Swinburne on 21st December 2011 in recognition for her service to education, the community and disadvantaged women. Swinburne’s Honorary Doctorate Program will continue to be developed as a component of the ADO program of work in 2012.
- Josh Collins, recipient of Swinburne Abroad’s Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship, featured in an article in the Herald Sun on Tuesday 17 January. A high achieving student who pathwayed from Swinburne TAFE to HE, Josh will make an exceptional ambassador during his exchange semester in Ireland.
Welcome to new staff
- Ibrahim Maalouf will be commencing as a new International Student Advisor (replacing Andrea La Greca who is on maternity leave)
- Jo Doyle, who many know from her years at Swinburne in various roles, has joined the Swinburne Abroad team.
- Jordan Capp, has joined us as Digital Marketing Manager. Prior to joining us Jordan was E-Marketing Coordinator at Deakin University.
- Elle McClintock has joined us as Advertising Coordinator. Elle has had an extensive career in advertising having previously worked for such industry stalwarts as TMP Worldwide, Blaze Advertising, and Euor RSCG Beeley Callan. Elle will be with us for the next 12 months whilst Susannah Woodward is on secondment with FLSS.
- Rebecca Loke began on January 24 as our new front counter staff member. She will be working 5 days a week from 12pm to 5pm.
Farewells
- Janelle Hansen will be leaving Swinburne in February to explore new challenges in the corporate world. Janelle has worked at the university for approximately 10 years and held a variety of roles, the last 5 years with the National Recruitment team. Janelle has been General Staff Representative on Council since 2009. Janelle’s commitment to Swinburne has been exemplary, and we have all enjoyed her friendship, team spirit and regular style changes. We wish her well.
- Crystal Ladiges left Swinburne on January 20 to take up a new career opportunity with CSIRO. Crystal worked at Swinburne for 6 years, most recently as Media Relations Manager.
Feedback
The I&D Update is published by the Office of the Vice-President (International and Development). We welcome your editorial ideas and feedback.
Contact: Heidi Moschietto
T: 03 9214 8151
E: hmoschietto@swin.edu.au
