ON THE MOVE
campusreview.com.au
RUDD SLINGS TO
SINGAPORE
Professor Chris Rudd
has gone west – from
China to Singapore.
The former provost
of the University of
Nottingham’s Ningbo campus in the coastal
province of Zhejiang, near Shanghai, has
made the island city-state his new home,
after accepting a position as the new
deputy vice-chancellor for James Cook
University’s Singapore campus.
Rudd, who served as pro-vice chancellor
for knowledge exchange and advancement,
faculty PVC for social sciences, and dean
of engineering, has worked in university
management for 17 years.
His predecessor, Dr Dale Anderson,
retired from the role last year.
CONSTANT CRAVEN
A lot has been written (often negatively)
about the effects of online technology
on communication, with emoticons,
emojis and abbreviations like LOL taking
the place of the non-verbal cues such as
facial expressions, gestures and laughter
that are available to people having a
face‑to-face conversation. What is
sometimes overlooked is the creation
of new words to fulfil these roles. Take
for example facepalm and headdesk,
two words with similar meanings that
have been recently added to the Oxford
English Dictionary online. They both
describe actions that are intended to
portray emotions – putting your face
in your hand, or banging your head on
a desk to convey frustration, dismay or
(with facepalm at least) embarrassment.
These words can be used as verbs,
nouns (as in “Western military analysts
responded with a series of face-palms
and head-desks, having no other answer”,
Sydney Morning Herald, 10-10-2015),
and even as interjections: “I forgot you’d
already been there. Facepalm!”
This grammatical adaptability perhaps
gives words an advantage over emojis,
but there is a facepalm emoji now
available for the iPhone. So you might
find yourself headdesking over which
to choose.
Written by Dr Adam Smith,
convenor of the Editing and
Electronic Publishing Program at
Macquarie University.
28
Contrary to this column’s
name, the Australian
Catholic University's VC,
Professor Greg Craven,
is staying put.
The university has
announced he will continue in his role, which
he's held since 2008, until at least 2022.
The public law expert is energised by his
reappointment.
“I believe the next four years will be
exciting ones for ACU,” he said.
University chancellor John Fahey lauded
Craven’s tenure thus far: “ACU has evolved
as a serious player in research in this country
and internationally, and has steadily moved
up in university rankings ... In enhancing
our Catholic identity, Professor Craven has
strengthened the focus on mission at ACU
with the opening of the Rome campus, the
introduction of the Core Curriculum and
the launch of ACU Engagement. These
initiatives, experiences and symbols proudly
define us a Catholic university."
FELIZ NAVITAS
Private education
heavyweight Navitas
is on the bureaucratic ascent. The global
educator joined the Council of Private
Higher Education as its 49th member in
December, where it will deliberate among
the likes of Macleay College and the
Australian Institute of Business.
“In May 2018, [former education minister
Simon] Birmingham recognised COPHE
membership as a badge of quality,” said the
peak body's CEO, Simon Finn, referring to
remarks the minister made in a speech at
the council’s AGM.
“Navitas shares this passion and is
welcomed to COPHE.”
BROWN A SURE
THING FOR AMSI
Statistician Tim Brown
is headed for more
data-crunching.
The professor of
data science at the
University of Melbourne will helm the
Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute
(AMSI) from next year.
The holder of a PhD in theoretical
probability from the University of
Cambridge, Brown is best known for his
contributions to the ATAR system.
As director of AMSI, one of his key goals
will be to strengthen maths in schools.
“To be prepared for the next 50 years of
work, today’s students need understanding
of fundamental concepts equally with
context and applications,” he said.
DEPARTING VC
KEEPS IT CASUAL
Artist Deidre But-
Husaim has painted a
portrait of an everyday
man: outbound
CQUniversity VC Scott
Bowman. Apparently, it’s tradition-breaking,
as he is pictured in ordinary garb (complete
with his favourite Indigenous-patterned tie)
instead of academic robes.
The artwork is rich with symbolism. For
example, his formal robes hang to the
right, “symbolising his retirement”, CQU art
collection manager Sue Smith said. And
the Santa hat on the basketball represents
the university’s sponsorship of the CQU
Cairns Taipans, as well as Bowman’s role as
Mr Claus at university Christmas parties.
As signalled by the globe, Bowman, who
served the university as its VC for a decade,
plans to travel in his retirement.
DALLYING NO MORE
Dr Liz Dallimore
has gone public.
The former national
director of research
engagement and
commercialisation at
KPMG Australia has accepted a position at
Curtin University as the inaugural director of
the WA Data Science Innovation Hub.
She is leading a team tasked with digital
and internet technology innovation.
Curtin deputy VC (research) Professor
Chris Moran is excited about Dallimore’s
commercial experience: “By connecting
industry to universities, the Curtin-led hub
will ensure the sectors affected by digital
disruption ... have access to the latest
opportunities presented by data science to
ensure they remain competitive.” ■