We achieved financial sustainability well within the two years. I think it could be argued that we are now one of Australia's strongest regional universities. We have many new programs and researchers meeting the need of our community. I am very confident that all stakeholders will recognize that we have met this target at the five year mark.
My mind is now turning to how we can move the university from strong to GREAT. For the rest of this year I want us to have a debate about how we go about meeting our ten year goal.
In the original renewal plan we defined a great university by two measures - we would be in the top 50% of universities for research output and that we would be Australia's most engaged university.
But I think we need to do a lot more in defining what we mean by a great university and we need to produce a road map of how we are going to get to our greatness. So I want the whole of the university - staff, students, alumni and friends to start giving this some serious thought.
As you might expect I have some strong opinions on all of this! However I think we will need a common vision if we are really going to be a great University by 2020. I am really looking forward to working with you all to get CQUniversity to the place we all know it deserves to be.
Now on a personal note I cannot resist sharing with you a picture of my Grandson Owen. I was with Owen in Adelaide over Easter. His favorite phrase as "Gran Gran (his name for me) that's just not funny". We brought him this dinosaur costume at an Easter market.
Scott
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Bundaberg
1 comment:
We won't get to great by being conventional. Not with the intensifying competition in the higher education space with some 140 providers, of which only 39 are universities.
I believe we must commit to becoming world-class in distance education. In recent years, we have invested heavily in ‘bricks & mortar’. It’s time for investment in ‘clicks that support her’.
And, in Queensland at least, should we position online teaching & learning as the core educational experience? Oncampus education will be for those with the time and desire for an oncampus experience or when it is essential, as in the case of residentials.
A division responsible for Distance Education might be worth considering. And we need to upskill our staff in online learning pedagogy and delivery. That will take time.
Overlaying this will be the strategic operationalisation of our power of place. We are, after all, located amidst an unprecedented resources boom in central Queensland.
Are we doing enough to fully leverage our proximity to the mining and gas industries? Operationalising our power of place will be crucial to generating our competitive advantage and ensuring our sustainable future.
Post a Comment