Hello again friends and colleagues,
The year is flying by and we’re half way there again. It’s been exciting times at DVE as our work ramps up to meet the sector’s demands for improvements in all areas of work.
The Accord has a strong focus on Equity groups and how universities can better support, engage and value First Nations, low SES and rural and remote cohorts. We will be presenting a webinar on this in August and have an excellent panel lined up to discuss ways universities can improve the student experience for these groups.
We know that AI is having a significant impact on teaching and learning, but little has been said about transforming administrative processes. We will be presenting a webinar about AI later in the year so watch this space. The webinar will include a practical demonstration on using Microsoft Co-Pilot so you can improve some processes immediately. We will also share ideas on how to streamline various processes.
Some of the projects undertaken by DVE this past quarter include reviews and improvements to third party arrangements, academic risk, academic workload, HDR Admissions, education futures, clinical placement, Work Integrated Learning, curriculum management, timetable management, policy review and support, corporate governance, business mentoring, CRICOS and preparation for TEQSA renewals. There is never a dull moment at DVE!
Our team of experts at DVE Connect continues to grow. If you are leaving the sector but still wish to contribute in some way, contact me on 0412 417774 to discuss some options.
Conferences
ATEM held its inaugural Admissions, Credit and Scholarships Symposium in Brisbane on 23 and 24 May 2024. I was unable to attend but according to all reports it was a full house and outstanding success. Well done to the team for making this happen. ATEM is such an important organisation for the development of staff skills, knowledge sharing and networking across the sector. I encourage you to participate in the excellent ATEM programs run throughout the year, as well as consider membership as an organisation, for your team or yourself.
The Heads of Student Admin (HOSA) conference will be held in Melbourne in August and I look forward to reuniting with colleagues once again.
The ATEM conference will be held in Brisbane this year with the main theme of ‘Purpose’ to ‘Discover. Connect. Inspire’. This conference will be held from 22 – 25 September. Note this date in your diaries.
On Campus again
I’ve had the privilege to work on several campuses again this quarter. I always love to be in the spaces where your students are present. It’s a great buzz. I spent two days in Melbourne working at Swinburne University of Technology, where there are many great things happening. It was also lovely to catch up with our former DVE colleague, Ian Thomson too. 😊
I had the opportunity to visit the new Flinders City campus where the views to the surrounding parklands and Festival Centre, Adelaide Oval and the Torrens River are sensational. Although our project with Flinders is not based at this campus, it was great to see the new campus.
View from the 14th floor overlooking Government House, The University of Adelaide (Napier Building to the left) and towards the Adelaide Hills (top) and Adelaide Oval, the River Torrens, Festival Theatre and the Parklands.
Flinders is now the third university on North Terrace in the city. As of 1 January 2026 there will only be two universities as the merger between The University of Adelaide (Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year) and the University of South Australia is formalised. Last week TEQSA announced the registration of the new University. Another significant step forward. Merger work continues as the staff from both universities bring together their curriculum, systems and processes.
Tommy continues to develop and learn more each day. His vocabulary and understanding is amazing. I am constantly surprised by his pace of learning. We spend a lot of time together and I feel very lucky. He loves to clean up rubbish, watch garbage trucks, spot rubbish bins on our walks…all things rubbish and recycling are good to learn at a young age right? I’m encouraging it.😊