Dean's Report
Leadership retreat
Helen Cahill, Roland Wunder and I spent the end of last week at the University of Melbourne’s yearly leadership retreat at Torquay. It was a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues from across the University in an informal environment, which included running into our new Vice-Chancellor on the beach one afternoon – a perfect place for an unscheduled conversation. The formal sessions focused on the development of a new Strategic Plan for the University, as the Growing Esteem strategy enters its final year, and analysis, discussion and planning around improving the university experience for our students.
Dean, Faculty of Arts
With the start of the new year there have been quite a few new staff arriving at the University and at MGSE. I recently had lunch with the new Dean of the Arts Faculty, Professor Russell Goulbourne who comes to the University from Kings College, London where he was Dean of their Faculty of Arts and Humanities and a Professor of French Literature with a passion for 17th and 18th-century French literature and drama. It was good to be sufficiently enculturated into the University of Melbourne to be able to share some tips with a new Dean.New Director Centre for the Study of Higher Education
I was delighted to meet with Dr William Locke, who is the new Director of the Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE), on Monday on his first day in his new position and I am looking forward to working with him and his team. William comes to the University from University College London where he published extensively on higher education policy, management and governance of institutions and the changing academic profession.
Acting Manager of MERI
We recently welcomed back Dr Bella Blaher to MGSE, who worked at MERI from 2009 to 2013 while she completed her Masters in Youth Health and Education Management. Her new role is as the Acting Manager of MERI.
Orientation for professional degree students
We had a fantastic day on Saturday with the first orientation day in several years for students undertaking professional degrees at MGSE. Over 120 students enjoyed the opportunity to meet with their fellow students and to explore what is on offer at MGSE through various workshops on academic skills, library presentations and navigating cultural diversity.
Talking Teaching Season two
Lastly, I encourage you to listen to the first episode of season two of Talking Teaching which explores how educators can boost student interest in reading.
Jim