Last week we committed to updating you in this edition following the Education Minister’s announcement that the Government will seek to introduce caps on the numbers of international students. Universities and the Department of Education are continuing to calculate the precise cap for each institution. There remain some matters relating to data sets to be confirmed before a final cap number for ANU can be determined. 

The introduction of international student caps is also reliant on the legislation passing the Senate. The Senate Committee inquiring into the legislation may seek additional time to report. Amongst all this uncertainty, what is known at this stage is that the Government’s proposed caps would see a reduction in international students at ANU from 2025. 

We understand that certainty is vital for students deciding where to study, and we can assure you that ANU will not rescind any offers already made to international students for 2025. Any prospective student who has received an offer from ANU will be able to study here next year. We will share updates with our community when we can.

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) advises that cybercriminals are sending emails impersonating its Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and using its logo. There are different versions of the emails, but they all request the recipient download ‘antivirus’ software, on the pretext of an increase in cyber threats, or because there have supposedly been complaints regarding their email address or IP address.

If you click the link, malicious software could be downloaded and installed to your computer.  If you receive an email from the ACSC and you wish to verify it, contact the ASD on 1300 CYBER1 (1300 292 371).

Learn more: Australian Signals Directorate cybersecurity alert

Following the realignments of College Finance, HR and IT staff and the integration of Shared Services’ functions into these teams, People & Culture (P&C) have been developing their service catalogue. These alignments have been made to improve efficiencies and connection between central and the colleges.

Both P&C and Finance Business Services (FBS) have been working to develop equitable and sustainable service levels to continue to support academic and professional staff across campus.

Meanwhile, ITS is focused on streamlining College infrastructure and support and is undertaking a ‘Discovery Phase’. This will involve conversations with College IT staff and stakeholders to better understand the current state and develop options.

These teams remain committed to collaborating with local areas to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these services in the coming months. Please stay tuned for updates in On Campus as this work progresses.

Take four minutes to have your say. The 2024 ANYOU employee pulse survey is now open and will run to Monday 16 September. By consistently hearing from ANU employees, we can understand what’s working well and what needs improvement at ANU and take appropriate action.

The ANYOU survey was emailed to employees yesterday from notifications@cultureamp.com. This email includes your unique link to the survey which is being externally hosted through Culture Amp. Alternatively, you can access the survey via the ANYOU survey website. For any enquiries, contact HRD.Development@anu.edu.au.

Image: Emma McKeon lecture poster. Photo credit: ANU.

Thursday 19 September, 1-2.30pm

ANU, in partnership with the National Australia Day Committee presents an opportunity to meet and hear from the 2024 Young Australian of the Year and Olympian, Emma McKeon. Emma McKeon will be in conversation with ANU alumni, as the guest speaker of this inaugural event. ANU is the proud cultural sponsor of the Australian of the Year Awards. The physical trophy presented to the state, territory and national winners is designed and produced by the School of Art and Design.

Register now: 2024 Young Australian of the Year lecture

Wednesday 11 September, 10.30am-12.30pm 

Having a welcome video on your course site is a great way to build student engagement and connection, even before your course has started. However, recording yourself (and watching it back) can be daunting. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn basic presenting techniques such as scripting, gesturing, vocal techniques and using slides effectively. You’ll also learn how to film and produce your videos. 

Register now: Course welcome video workshop 

Monday 9 September, 12-1.30pm 

University is a place where students engage with new and challenging ideas, concepts and perspectives which can, at times, cause considerable discomfort. University is also a place where students are expected to abide by codes of conduct in their interactions with others and where staff have a duty of care for their students. This LunchVox brings together an expert panel to discuss management of challenging classroom discourse.

Register now: LunchVox

Monday 9 September, 6-8pm

At the 2024 Shirley Gregor public lecture, Suprateek Sarker from the University of Virgina will discuss the impacts of digitalisation in the context of digital classrooms. He’ll argue that information systems scholars may be in a unique position to offer a balanced perspective and positively influence digitalisation's role in organisations and society.

Register now: Digitalisation for a better tomorrow lecture

Tuesday 10 September, 10am-12pm

Please join us for this special Immersia edition of the Collaborative Practices Salon, for the 2024 Immersia Festival. The Salon is an experiment in building community, bringing people together for open conversation, tailored activities and shared reflections on the practices of collaboration. It is designed to be energising, nourishing and fun. All welcome to attend, from experienced collaborators to the collaboratively curious.

Register now: Collaborative Practices Salon

Monday 9 September, 6-7pm

Following a Welcome to Country by Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan, Darren Rix and Craig Cormick’s new book Warra Warra Wai: How Indigenous Australians discovered Captain Cook & what they tell about the coming of the Ghost People, will be launched by Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia.

Register now: MTA Darren Rix and Craig Cormick

Thursday 12 September, 6-7pm 

The Hon. Kevin Bell, following introductory remarks by Dr. Liz Allen, will be in conversation with Kim Rubenstein on his new book Housing: The Great Australian Right, which reimagines ‘the great Australian dream’ of housing as ‘the great Australian right’ to housing. 

Register now: MTA Kevin Bell 

Image: Aerial of ANU sport, oval and city. Photo credit: ANU.

Research exploring rainfall extremes in Australia, how galaxies form stars and the way music is perceived across different cultures are among the projects led by early career researchers at ANU to receive federal funding. Researchers from ANU received a total funding of $8 million across 17 projects in the latest round of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) scheme.

ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Lachlan Blackhall congratulated the recipients on their achievements. “This success shows the contributions our early career researchers are making in tackling complex challenges across various fields,” he said.

Read more: ANU early career researchers awarded $8 million in ARC funding

 

The October school holidays are almost upon us, and it’s a good opportunity to take an extended long weekend to support a break from work and re-charge.

Planned leave is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, offering rest and rejuvenation that can enhance productivity and creativity, helping to prevent burnout and exhaustion. Please take the time to discuss any leave plans with your supervisor. The University calendar sets out key semester dates that can assist you in planning your break.

The Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor’s Annual Awards are a celebration of the depth and diversity of talent of ANU staff. The awards are an opportunity to recognise staff achievements for their impact at ANU, as well as the local, national and international community. If you know an ANU staff member who has made an outstanding contribution to the University, nominate them for one of the nine categories available.

Send your nomination to awards@anu.edu.au. Nomination forms are on the individual award webpages.

Nominations close Friday 11 October, 5pm.

Learn more: Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor’s Annual Awards

The ANU Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Education celebrate the University's most outstanding teachers in their fields. Congratulations to all teachers who’ve been nominated by their School or College for one of these awards and thank you for your contributions to student learning and experience. Nominees will receive an email about award information sessions hosted by the Centre for Learning & Teaching.

Learn more: Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Education

Speaking from Experience is a project that hears from victim-survivors of workplace sexual harassment who are overrepresented in incidences, yet underrepresented in research, policy and practice. This insight will help the Australian Human Rights Commission shape resources to assist employers and employees and inform future law reform to understand the intersectional nature of workplace sexual harassment.

Want to get involved? Make a written submission, record an audio submission, or participate in a focus group at the Women’s Legal Centre ACT on Wednesday 11 September, or Thursday 12 September.

Learn more: Speaking from Experience project

Would you like help with large class delivery options, assessment and feedback strategies, active learning in lectures, or accessible learning content? The Centre for Learning and Teaching Education Design Team is offering 30-minute, one-on-one consultations with the goal of enhancing ANU teaching practices and student learning experiences.

Learn more: CLT education design consultation

Feedback helps others gain self-awareness about the impact of their actions. The focus of feedback should be to help others thrive. Good feedback speeds up learning and builds collaborative and engaged teams. Spend five minutes per day on this skills coach course to level up your feedback skills.

Feedback: All staff course

Feedback: People manager's course

As an ANU staff member, you have access to skills coach development courses using your U number email address and then clicking ‘Sign in with SSO.’

If you are dealing with a personal or work-related issue, including distress related to the conflict in the Middle East, the University encourages you to seek support through the Employee Assistance Program.

If you need to support a student in distress, please refer to this guide that was developed by the Student Safety and Wellbeing team.