Summary 5 June 2013

The Board of Trustees met on 5/6 June 2013 in the Parlor, the Langham Hotel, Sydney.  A summary of matters discussed in the open session of the Board meeting is provided below.

Confirmation of Minutes
The minutes of the 10 April 2013 meeting (PDF, 210.78 KB) of the Board of Trustees were confirmed and can be downloaded from this page.

Main items considered by the Board

 

Chancellor’s Report

The Chancellor reported that the Vice-Chancellor’s Selection Committee will be interviewing the shortlisted candidates shortly and is hoping that an offer will be made by the end of July. The Chancellor’s report to the Board outlined meetings and functions attended, including a meeting with the chair of the new UWS Foundation Council to discuss 5 year strategic plan. The UWS Foundation Council will be made up of key business and industry leaders and will play a critical role in helping to secure the financial viability of the University into the future.

Vice-Chancellor’s Report

The Vice-Chancellor provided the Board with a report outlining recent developments at UWS and in the higher education sector more broadly. In May 2013 the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Research, Craig Emerson visited the Parramatta campus to meet with senior staff and discuss the University’s strategies, accomplishments and plans. The Vice-Chancellor reported on the recent April graduations at which more than 4,000 students graduated from UWS in a wide
range of disciplines, and at which graduands and their guests heard from distinguished speakers from diverse occupations and backgrounds

UWS Summer

UWS has launched UWS Summer, which is one outcome of the Academic Year Review 2012 and is a response to student demand for more choice and a flexible learning experience. This new look summer experience will extend the academic year by providing three learning periods for students between December and February and will commence in summer 2013/2014.

Parramatta CBD

The Board was provided with an update on the securing of premises to provide a teaching presence for UWS within the Parramatta CBD. The location of the new premises provides a number of opportunities for the University and will help to build stronger links with both the commercial sector generally in Parramatta, as well as individual industries and employers.

Management and Funding of University’s Major Capital Projects over Recent Years

Senior staff from Capital Works and Facilities attended the meeting to provide the Board with a detailed account of the way in which the University manages and funds. Its extensive capital works program includes new buildings, refurbishment of existing buildings, maintenance of almost 2,000 hectares of landscape and the maintenance and cleaning of over 540 buildings across 6 campuses and external sites.

Outcome of Postgraduate Member Election

The Board welcomed Elie Hammam as the newly elected postgraduate member. Elie has been a student at UWS since 2006 and is currently a PhD candidate in the School of Medicine. Elie has served on a variety of University committees and replaces Linda Ayache. His term of office is 2 years and commences on 1 July 2013.

Board Strategy Day

The Board held its annual strategy day on 6 June. Presentations from senior staff of the University provided the backdrop for discussions and included the following topics:

  • Sector trends and challenges
  • UWS Academic Blueprint
  • Engagement of Students and Staff
  • Community and Regional Engagement
  • UWS Research
  • Campus Development
  • Financial and Commercial Planning

The Board agreed on a plan that sets the strategic direction of the University for the coming years and the Chancellor thanked the staff involved on behalf of the Board for the quality of the material provided.

Other reports and items considered by the Board

  • Our Future Action Program – Status Report
  • Reports from Committees and Advisory Council of the Board
  • Staffing Matters

The Board’s next meeting will be held on Wednesday 11 September 2013.