Dean's Report

Welcome back to you all after the summer break – I hope you had the opportunity to catch up and relax with family and friends and hopefully spend some time by the beach. Of course, the Omicron strain put paid to many of our plans and I know many staff have had to deal with COVID-19 affecting family members and also yourselves.

There are provisions for COVID-19 related leave so please do acquaint yourselves with this information on the University’s dedicated COVID-19 website. As you are aware COVID-19 vaccination (or a valid exemption) is a requirement for anyone attending our campuses and masks are required indoors. The University has been working hard to ensure the campus is ready for our return, and the information regarding the measures that have been undertaken regarding COVID safety are available here.

COVIDSafe Campus

We are all busy preparing for the return of students at the beginning of semester one, albeit with a mixture of in-person and online learning. The University has been working on a re-activation of campus program which will involve a range of student-focused activities beginning in Orientation week on 21st February and continuing throughout the semester. These events include a pop-up roller skating rink, food trucks, open-air live music and night light projections, as well as cultural celebrations. This program of work should certainly help to liven up the campus for us all.

Setting the Scene

I’m pleased to announce that we have decided on a new date for our annual Setting the Scene Day. It will be held on Friday 4 March in Q230 starting with coffee at 8.30 am – it is important that we know the numbers so please register here. This event will also include the launch of our new Strategic Plan which I’m looking forward to sharing with you all. A great deal of hard work and thought went into this plan and I thank you all for your contributions over the past year. It is exciting to be starting off the year with a new five-year strategy and to be moving into the implementation stage.

I have been enjoying settling back into my office at MGSE and I am greatly looking forward to seeing you back on campus with all the attendant creative interactions that occur when we are together in person.

Jim