The University of New England is supporting a Conference being held in Sydney on 11 – 12 July that will explore how small to medium enterprises must adapt to stay competitive in a global economy.
 
This will be the 26^th Small Enterprise Association of Australia and New Zealand Conference, and this year’s theme is “Small Business Management in Globally Competitive Markets”.
 
Small businesses are essential to the national economy, but they must now operate in globally competitive markets, and an environment of continuous technological change and economic uncertainty. Survival depends on working smarter not harder.
 
UNE Business School’s Associate Professor Bernice Kotey, who is chair of the conference organising committee, said “The Conference is for researchers, educators, small business advisors, government agencies, students and small business managers, who wish to share knowledge, explore ideas and make a difference.”  
 
Joining an exceptional group of keynote speakers from all levels of government and industry, including state and federal commissioners and ministers of small business, Dr Kotey will chair a session at the Conference exploring the importance of understanding data in the small business sector. 
               
Without a single definition of a small business or reliable statistics, academics, government agencies and professional are presented with a challenge in understanding the sector’s needs.  The panel session draws together a cross section of experts from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Telstra Sensis, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, plus industry and academe to examine the problem of data collection and management as it relates to small business.
 
Dr. Kotey leads research in small business at UNE. Her current research projects and supervisions include external equity for small business, micro-finance, human resource management in small business, exit strategies of small firms, and the impact of the operating environment on small business performance. Her research aims at improving management practices and access to resources for small businesses.
 
For more information on the Conference visit www.seaanz.org and for more information on the small business research being undertaken by the UNE Business School visit http://www.une.edu.au/business-school/research.

The achievements of 20 international students from countries including Vietnam, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia,  Germany and Indonesia were celebrated during a farewell ceremony for them at the University of New England last Friday.

Ms Gabrielle Rolan, the Director UNE International, told the students that the ceremony was “to honour you and thank you for everything you’ve brought to our community . . . to mark the end of your studies, and to wish you well for the future”.

Speaking on behalf of her fellow students, Jambay, a student from Bhutan who has completed her Bachelor of Science thanked the University “for organising this wonderful event”.

“You represent success for us,” said the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jim Barber, addressing the students before presenting each of them with a Certificate of Completion. “You’re joining tens of thousands of UNE alumni all over the world.”

“We pride ourselves on getting to know our students,” Professor Barber said, “and hope you’ve felt welcome here.” 

In her speech, Jambay described how the natural beauty of Armidale, particularly in Autumn, combined with the friendliness and helpfulness of people within the University and Armidale communities had contributed to making their time at UNE both enjoyable and academically rewarding.

There are currently 820 international students– 738 in degree programs and 82 in English Language programs enrolled on campus at UNE. They come from 48 countries.

UNE Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Professor Jennie Shaw, has been appointed as the NSW Government’s representative on the Federal Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB).

Professor Shaw will take up the role of NSW Director for the AMEB immediately, following the resignation from the role of Dr Karl Kramer, Dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

 UNE Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Barber said the appointment was well-deserved recognition of the valuable contribution Professor Shaw continues to make to the arts.

“This is a ministerial appointment on merit and well-earned recognition of Jennie’s dedication to music and the arts within the local region as well as across NSW and internationally,” Professor Barber said.

“The AMEB is well known in NSW and nationally and it is pleasing to note that UNE’s strong connections with the Board continue. UNE’s Head of School of the Arts, Prof Darryl Poulsen, has also served on the federal board of the AMEB and another current NSW board member, Dr Rita Crew, is a distinguished UNE alumna.

Professor Barber said it was doubly pleasing that the new NSW Director was a true regional advocate.

“Jennie’s enthusiasm would be well known within the Armidale community. She is the founding Director of the Arts New England Centre for Research and Innovation in the Arts and currently serves as deputy chair of the Board of Directors of the New England Conservatorium of Music.

“I understand she is also a major individual sponsor of the Armidale Eisteddfod, which UNE also sponsors through UNE Music and the School of Arts,” Professor Barber said.

Professor Shaw said she was honoured by the appointment. “The AMEB has a long history of setting standards of excellence for music, speech and drama in Australia,” Professor Shaw said.

“Those standards are upheld across the nation, not just in the cities but in those rural and remote centres like Armidale and Tamworth, where AMEB-trained teachers and AMEB examiners are strongly supported by students, schools and families.”

“I look forward to contributing actively to the strategic direction and ongoing success of the AMEB.”

Have you ever watched the news and wondered what drives someone to be deviant? What makes them step outside the norms of society?

Well now is the time to take that curiosity and interest further with enrolments now open to study Deviance, through uneOpen – a new online courseware offering.

In an Australian first,  uneOpen allows you to study the course online for free and then if you wish to take your new found knowledge further you can pay to take an exam and if you pass gain credit into an accredited course at the University of New England, (UNE). 

Deviance is one of the first subjects to be offered and UNE Professor of Sociology John Scott says the topic of Deviance is always popular as it intrigues people.

“From sexual and gender deviations, to alcohol and drug consumption and even actions such as rudeness and lateness, the term deviance covers a veritable multitude of sins. This unit provides an entry level introduction to a range of sociology topics including abortion, mental illness, disabilities or body imagery to gang formation, gang warfare and other criminal behaviors,” Professor Scott said.

“With the prevalence of deviance in the news, in print and on television, and the popularity of criminal investigation television programs, these are questions that society is interested in. Deviance is a core concern of the social sciences and fundamental to studies in sociology and criminology, providing a pathway into law and order, psychology, social work, health and education. Plus, it’s something that touches most of our lives.

“So whether you are just curious about deviance or you think this is something you would like to study further, the unit offers an interesting insight into society and why people act the way they do,” Professor Scott said.

uneOpen heralds the future of higher education in Australia – offering a more flexible study option for people. uneOpen will offer a range of fee-for-service products, alongside the open courseware, letting students choose what academic services they need. 

Fee-for-service products will include tutorial support, examinations and ultimately students may choose to have their learning recognized for credit into a UNE degree.

To find out more information and to enrol go to https://www.uneopen.com/.

Professor Margaret Sims from the University of New England has become an Ambassador for National Families Week 2013, Australia’s main celebration of the importance of families.

Each year, National Families Week celebrates and highlights the critical role of families in Australian society and coincides with the UN International Day of Families on 15 May. Hundreds of community groups, businesses and government departments will be holding local events around the country.

During National Families Week, everyone is encouraged to think about the way families can work together to achieve a happy and healthy lifestyle. Let’s take the time to work together to get the best balance in all life’s activities.  When families work together, everyone benefits.

“Families are the foundation for shaping children’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.  A child’s earliest learning experience happens at home, with family,” said Families Australia CEO, Brian Babington. “Families give children a sense of belonging and of self-identity, and provide a network of support for children as they grow.” he said.

Professor Sims said; “National Families Week is a time to remember how important our families are in our lives. It’s a time to keep in mind that our families provide the contexts in which children are reared, and that the experiences we provide today set the foundation for the rest of their lives. What we do in our families today sets the foundations for our nation’s future. ”

National Families Week is a time to celebrate with your immediate family, make contact with your extended family and friends and share in the enjoyment of family activities within the wider community. It is a time to celebrate the meaning of family and to make the most of family time.

One of Australia’s largest horticultural companies Costa Group, is teaming up with Australia’s leading agricultural educator the University of New England, to develop a more efficient and productive horticulture industry.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the primary intention to “investigate opportunities for co-funded research and development”.

UNE Vice-Chancellor Professor Jim Barber said the MoU was an important first step in building a long term and mutually beneficial relationship.

“Costa is a highly reputable and progressive organisation and we look forward to working closely in a wide range of research with them. Our expertise in horticulture and development of sustainable agricultural processes fits very well with Costa ideals,” Professor Barber said.

“This relationship will put UNE’s world class researchers in the box seat, with one of the biggest players in the horticulture industry, to identify areas of greatest benefit for industry as a whole.”

The two parties will work closely to investigate sustainability opportunities, including recycling programs and by-product development from organic waste matter – around 150 tonnes per week at Guyra – and environmentally sustainable and efficient water usage including recycling technologies. Biological pest management, leaf and water testing protocols, and robotic applications will also be addressed.

General Manager of Costa Tomato Exchange Oliver Flint said the agreement was the first step in a logical partnership between two institutions in Australian agriculture.

“We are excited about the opportunities that this relationship presents, as we believe there are some important synergies between our business and UNE,” Mr Flint said.

“At Costa Group, we’re always looking for the latest research and new techniques to improve our productivity, quality and sustainability. UNE is Australia’s premier Agricultural Education provider with a global reputation for excellence in Agriculture research.”

“We’re interested in co-funding valuable research in horticulture and here at UNE, right on our doorstep, we have world-renowned scientists available.”

Australia and Argentina will explore opportunities for collaboration in research and innovation at the inaugural Australia – Argentina Binational Workshop, talks in the South American country this week.

Leading the Australian contingent is UNE Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Professions, Victor Minichiello who believes the Inaugural Australia- Argentina Binational Workshop in Bahia Blanca is a great opportunity for collaboration between the two countries.

“Australia and Argentina have a number of areas in common, they are both located in the southern hemisphere, they have strong and evolving agriculture and mining sectors, and they have growing industrial and technological sectors,” Professor Minichiello said.

“We also both face the challenges of delivering health and education services to rural and remote communities.

“The workshop will explore the first steps for the development of new relationships between Argentina and Australia in the fields of science, health and technology. We hope these will lead to academic exchanges, shared research, and technological programs,” Professor Minichiello said.

Argentine Convenor, Dr Guillermo Crapiste, Chancellor of the Universidad Nacional del Sur, said the workshop would include the drafting of a binational action plan to develop collaboration opportunities into reality.

“The binational action plan will support specific projects for the two governments to consider and to foster further scientific and technological collaboration between universities from these two southern hemisphere nations,’ Dr Crapiste said.

Professor Minichiello said presenters will include academics, scientific national organisations, government officials, inventors and ministerial advisors from both countries, all coming together to explore opportunities to collaborate on projects such as Massive Open Online Courseware, science innovations in farming, agriculture and robotics and tele-health.

“UNE has taken a leading role in these areas, developing SmartFarming technologies, agricultural innovation, health and tele-health innovations to promote services to regional communities, and there are countless opportunities to expand and extend these innovations into South America,” Professor Minichiello said.

The binational discussion builds on the work of an Argentina delegation visit to Australia last year, that included discussions with the Commonwealth Government, several Australian universities, CSIRO and a visit to Parliament House with meetings with the Australian Minister of Education and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

Australian Federal Member for New England, Tony Windsor, who facilitated discussions in Canberra during the Argentina-Australia mission visit last year, said the talks leverage the ability of high-speed broadband to overcome geographic distance.

“Students, academics and scientists in both Australia and Argentina will benefit from this collaboration, and the sharing of expertise will benefit both countries more broadly,” Mr Windsor said.

“The provision of a university education will become increasingly competitive in an online world, and this collaboration will help universities from both nations carve out space in the global marketplace.”

Work is set to begin on the University of New England’s new residential college in the coming months. Chief Operating Officer David Cushway said tenders to construct the 220 bed facility were currently being evaluated.

“The new residential college will offer students a fully self-contained residential college experience,” Mr Cushway said.

The colleges are an integral part to UNE, as they accommodate about half of its on-campus students.

 “To ensure we continue to attract students, we need to expand and modernise our college offerings and construction of new college is the first step in that process.”

 The construction of new college is part of the nearly $50 million capital infrastructure spend on the Armidale campus in 2013.   

Robb College has also been earmarked for redevelopment however uncertainty surrounding a heritage application on the building has halted any further work. We have been advised this week (1 May 2013)by the Heritage Council that they will take a further six months to consult with stakeholders, including UNE,  on the project.

“We continue to work with the Heritage Council to resolve this issue and next week at the invitation of the Robb College Alumni, I will meet with the original architect of the building, Michael Dysart, to discuss the proposed redevelopment.   

“Robb College is an important institution at UNE and we are committed to working with stakeholders to find a suitable way forward,” Mr Cushway said.

The new college is expected to open to students in the first half of 2014.

Senator Barnaby Joyce may feel a certain sense of déjà vu on May 9 when he visits University of New England (UNE) as guest speaker at the 22^nd DH Drummond Memorial Lecture.

It has been 23 years since Senator Joyce graduated from the University of New England with a commerce degree. Three of his brothers graduated from UNE as did his wife Natalie. UNE was the impetus for his accountancy career and later his foray into politics. Currently the Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Water, Senator Joyce is also the Nationals’ Candidate for New England.

The importance of Australian universities within a regional and national context will be discussed by Senator Joyce in his lecture: The Australian reality of the Australian University.

Senator Joyce said of his role as guest speaker, “I am truly honoured to have been given this opportunity. As a UNE graduate and having a strong background and affinity with Regional Australia, I look forward to speaking about the positive impact regional universities and education have on students and the future development of our nation.”

“Regional universities are an extremely important part of our nation. They provide research, economic, cultural and social opportunities which otherwise would not be available in towns such as Armidale.” Senator Joyce said.

“We are really delighted that Senator Joyce has agreed to be our Guest Speaker at this year’s Memorial Lecture,” said Edwina Ridgway, the Principal of Drummond and Smith College. “This is a very important annual event for the College and we will value the views that Senator Joyce will share with us”.

Anyone wishing to attend this event is welcome to do so but must have reserved a seat. Please call 6773 6700.  The Lecture will begin at 6pm and will be held in the Duval College Dining Hall. 

The University of New England today welcomed a delegation of 15 Australia Awards Fellows from the Royal University of Bhutan to Armidale, as part of a cultural exchange to help build education opportunities at Bhutan’s only university.

UNE Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Annabelle Duncan said the visit was a further opportunity to strengthen the long standing association between UNE and  Bhutan.

“The Royal University of Bhutan has now been operating for ten years – a significant achievement – and has more than 40 UNE graduates employed as academics and working in other areas of the Bhutanese economy,” Professor Duncan said.

“UNE currently has 27 Bhutanese students studying here in Armidale, many of whom will return home to use their newly acquired knowledge to improve the lives of their fellow countrymen.

“Together, UNE and the Royal University of Bhutan are greatly improving the education opportunities and quality of life of the Bhutanese people.

“In addition to these and past students, UNE has welcomed more than 150 Bhutanese educators over the past twenty years, conducting short courses and intensive schools in multi-grade education, helping develop small schools and education programs in remote areas of Bhutan,” Professor Duncan said.

Australia Awards are prestigious international scholarships and fellowships funded by the Australian Government, which offer the next generation of leaders from around the world the opportunity to study, research and undertake professional development in Australia, while high-achieving Australians can do the same overseas. 

Australia Awards Fellowships provide short term opportunities for senior officials and mid-career professionals to undertake study, research and professional development activities, hosted by Australian organisations. They aim to develop leadership, address regional development priorities and strengthen links between Australian organisations and partner organisations in developing countries.

Royal University of Bhutan Director of Research and External Relations, Dr Dorji Thinley, who received his Doctorate Cum Laude from UNE in 2011, leads the delegation of Bhutanese Australia Awards recipients.

“The central theme of the program is about building capacity in leadership to improve education and research at the Royal University of Bhutan,” Dr Thinley said.

“All of the participants are Deans and Heads of School and leaders in their fields in research, education and learning in Bhutan.

“Each of us will spend a large part of the next three weeks shadowing our UNE counterparts, learning all we can and generating ideas that we can adopt or adapt to our work at the Royal University of Bhutan.”