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STRICTLY SPEAKING | SOFTWARE CARPENTRY
The ancient craft of carpentry still implies hands-on working with wood, using tools such as saw, hammer and nails to join the pieces into weight-bearing structures. So the phrase software carpentry used for an advanced training course makes an odd combination – bringing a sledgehammer to crack a nut, relatively speaking. Compare the term software engineering, where the two words now seem entirely compatible although software itself originated in the physical context of early computer instruction systems( often punch-tapebased) in the 1960s. Software has steadily distanced itself from the hardware of computers, and the work of most engineers is now much less at the coalface than in the office or laboratory. The updated meanings of software and engineer makes them perfectly compatible in current English, in the hi-tech business of devising sophisticated programming to integrate computer applications with operating systems. Likewise the combination genome engineering seems to work, and its use of“ molecular scissors” puts it in the laboratory, rather than the tailor’ s shop. Software carpentry still takes us back to the workshop, where the carpenter’ s tools have visible and audible impacts on an inflexible medium – not quite the skill set for the software engineer. But perhaps it’ s a hands-on experience for the trainee.
Written by Emeritus Professor Pam Peters, researcher with Macquarie University’ s Centre for Languages Science.
STARTUP STALWART HEADS TO UTS
Murray Hurps has been appointed to the newly created role of Director of Entrepreneurship at UTS. The former Fishburners CEO and Startup Muster co-founder will be in charge of growing the number of student-founded startups coming out of UTS and helping to shape and drive a strategy for a vibrant startup environment around the Ultimo precinct.
“ Having Murray on board gives us a significant advantage, as he brings an exceptional level of expertise and national recognition for his leadership in helping forge Australia’ s startup ecosystem,” said Professor Margaret Maile Petty, UTS executive director for innovation and entrepreneurship.
UA NAMES NEW CHIEF EXEC
Catriona Jackson is the new chief executive of Universities Australia. The former CEO of Science and Technology Australia has been deputy chief executive for the past two years. She has also served as director of communication and external liaison in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor at ANU, and as a senior journalist and ministerial adviser.
Universities Australia chair, Professor Margaret Gardner, said Jackson“ is an outstanding communicator who is held in strong regard in higher education, politics and the media – and we know she will continue to take Universities Australia from strength to even greater strength”.
LCI MELBOURNE ANNOUNCES CHAIR
Professor Warren Bebbington has been appointed the new chair of the board at LCI Melbourne. The former vice-chancellor of the University of Adelaide( 2012 – 17) has also spent time as the director of the Victorian College of the Arts.
“ I am pleased to be joining LCI Melbourne,” Bebbington said.“ With its gifted staff and brand new facilities, LCI Melbourne offers a uniquely practical education, superbly suited to students aspiring to professional art, fashion and design careers.”
LCI Education network president Claude Marchand said the organisation was“ thrilled” to welcome Bebbington to the board, citing his extensive experience in education and association with the arts community.
GARDNER REAPPOINTED
Professor Margaret
Gardner has been reappointed president and vice-chancellor of Monash University until the end of August 2024, a position she has held since 2014.
“ This is a vice-chancellor with a genuine passion for education and research, who has created a community that is inspired to follow her lead,” Monash University chancellor Simon McKeon said.“ Her positive representation of the university with industry and government at all levels has enhanced the university’ s image and impact.”
McKeon added that Gardner’ s leadership had been“ transformative” and the university is looking forward to her continued leadership into the next decade.
VU WELCOMES DEPUTY VC
Victoria University has appointed Professor Marcia Devlin as its new deputy vicechancellor and senior vice-president. Devlin took up the position at the start of June.
Rhonda Hawkins, who filled the role temporarily, has returned to her position as a member of the University Council.
Vice-chancellor Professor Peter Dawkins said he was“ excited” to welcome Devlin to VU given her“ strong capabilities as a university leader, manager, administrator and leader of change”.
“ We will work together to oversee VU’ s transformation, with Professor Devlin leading our University Transformation Office,” he said.
UQ APPOINTS LAW SCHOOL HEAD
Professor Patrick
Parkinson is the new academic dean and head of school at the University of
Queensland’ s TC Beirne School of Law.
The family law and child protection specialist plans to position the university as a national leader in lawyer education.
“ UQ will remain focused on preparing students well for law-related jobs in a time of great change, as new technologies make different ways of practising law possible and raise new issues for regulation,” Parkinson said.
Professor Andrew Griffiths, executive dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, praised Parkinson’ s“ experience, knowledge... and academic leadership ".
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