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UniSA promotes campus life
By ANTONIA MAIOLO
The University of South Australia’ s new boss, David Lloyd, said the student experience at university was important, particularly with the growing interest in massive open online courses( MOOCs).
“ The physical learning environment, coupled with the best technological innovations in course delivery, will define the 21st-century university experience,” Lloyd said.
But the recently appointed vicechancellor, who took over following Professor Peter Høj’ s move to the University of Queensland last year, said it was important for a university that life existed beyond the classroom and laboratory. Lloyd said the university had been very successful in focusing on learning outcomes and research, but now needed to expand student experiences.
“ Learning by doing, and engaging with peers and with society in challenging, rewarding and dynamic ways are an essential part of students’ development as people,” Lloyd said.“ I believe we can seed these experiences through targeted support and through the environment we provide for our students.”
The biochemist was previously bursar and director of innovation at the prestigious Trinity College Dublin, but said UniSA’ s achievements in a number of key global rankings drew him to South Australia.
Among his other priorities, Lloyd wants to expand even further UniSA’ s relationships with industry and employers, and said the university’ s world-class research links would lead that process. He aims to build industry networks both within Australia and internationally, and connect with the university’ s alumni network, which stretches across the world.
Lloyd said in his first few months he aimed to talk and listen to people within the institution to understand where to go next, and hoped then to look at the university with a fresh perspective. ■
David Lloyd
Policy changes impact Navitas
Education service provider Navitas has posted a slightly weaker profit in the first half of 2013, but the group said a review of its university programs and a merging of English businesses would support growth.
Navitas, which specialises in programs for overseas students, reported a net profit of $ 35.1 million – down one per cent on the previous corresponding period. In the six months to December 31, revenue was $ 355,404, up four per cent on the year before.
Chief executive Rod Jones said the company’ s half-yearly results had been impacted by the longer-term effects of regulatory and policy change in Australia.
“ Enrolments and earnings have returned to growth in the UK following a similar period of policy change,” Jones said.
“ Student enrolments continue to improve in our core university programs division as planned, but the benefits are yet to show in our financial results due to the lag associated with the effect of lower enrolments in previous periods.”
Navitas said it had completed a strategic and structural review and started to implement key recommendations which would prepare the company for future growth opportunities.
“ Although it will take some time to action all recommendations, major outcomes will include the merging of Navitas English and Navitas Professional( formerly known as the Workforce Division) and the integration of student recruitment into university programs,” Jones said. ■
www. campusreview. com. au Issue 2 2013 | 9