Community Engagement

The University communicates and engages with various communities at the local, regional and international levels, cultivates knowledge partnerships, participates in endeavours with organisations that share the University’s values and contributes to public debate and cultural enrichment.

Supporting the community

The University wishes to promote and cultivate educational aspiration, especially among under-represented groups in the university system. It does this through a range of initiatives.

Scholarships and prizes

The University supports students with scholarships to help them meet their financial responsibilities and prizes to recognise their academic achievements.

Along with strengthening the relationships with existing prize and scholarship donors, in 2012 the opportunities for student support increased with over $150,000 pledged for new prizes and scholarships.

The Banksia Association, consisting of emeritus professors, former senators, board and trust members, generously supported the Banksia Association Scholarship.

Sunset Events

The University has long been active in societal and community affairs. It has made significant contributions in the areas of environmental sustainability, animal welfare and social reform.

The partnership with Sunset Events continued to engage internal and external audiences and evidence the University’s values. Sunset Events runs the popular Southbound and West Coast Blues ’n’ Roots music festivals. Sustainability forms a key part of the Sunset Events business model, which is one of many areas where their and Murdoch’s values are closely aligned.

The University won three State Australian Marketing Institute awards for its work at Southbound in the categories of Experiential and Brand Experiences, Green Marketing and Sponsorship. In addition, 88 per cent of people recognised Murdoch as
a major event sponsor, making it the most recognised official sponsor at the festival.

Graduation ceremonies

The University held five local graduation ceremonies and three international graduation ceremonies in 2012. These are the premier events that recognise student achievements and excellence while showcasing Murdoch to the broader community.

The local ceremonies held in March and September comprised 1648 attending graduates, 74 PhD graduates and Honorary Degree recipients Mr David Murray AO, Mr Alan Dodge AM CitWA, Mr Sydney Corser AM OBE and Emeritus Professor Norman Hall. The international ceremonies in Singapore delivered a record 724 graduating students, two PhD graduates and one Honorary Degree recipient, Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram.

Marketing campaign

Murdoch University was founded as a research-led university. For more than 35 years it has contributed to the development of new knowledge.

To help create awareness of our reputation for world-class research, the new marketing campaign shone a spotlight on some of the University’s globally-connected researchers.  The campaign prompted people to reappraise their view of Murdoch by revealing the outstanding research taking place on and off campus.

Valuing sustainability

Increased funding and resourcing for sustainability initiatives was provided in 2012, and various strategic projects were implemented, including the employment of a full-time Sustainability Officer and the establishment of an Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Murdoch continued to protect the endangered Carnaby’s and Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo. A Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo chick hatched in one of the tubes located on the South Street campus. This female, along with a male chick hatched on campus in 2011, are the only two known cases of this species breeding in nest tubes in the Perth metropolitan area. Extra cockatoo tubes and nest boxes for bats were erected. Extensive conservation planting at the South Street campus replaced native vegetation, creating future roosting sites, food and a flight path between reserves.

Three walk trails through the Banksia Woodland Reserve were officially launched in the spring. New interpretive signage highlights the flora, fauna and Aboriginal use of the area throughout the six Nyungar seasons. The project was jointly run by the University and the Murdoch Environmental Restoration Group. This student club was a finalist in the Biodiversity category of the 2012 WA Environment Awards for their conservation efforts in conjunction with the University.

The TravelSmart Plan saw initiatives implemented to increase the quality and availability of secure end-of-trip facilities for cyclists. Extra bike lockers were installed and solar-powered lighting fitted in the secure bike compounds at the South Street campus, increasing safety and usability.

Other sustainability work focused on stakeholder engagement, sustainability policy development, feasibility studies and planning to ensure that a robust, cost-effective and coordinated strategy is developed.

A water efficiency and re-use feasibility study identified ways to save water on campus. The results will form the basis of a water management plan and staged implementation of water efficiency and reuse initiatives.

A feasibility study to introduce sustainable packaging at campus food outlets was conducted, along with waste audits. The resulting plan to reduce waste and increase recycling will roll out from 2013. The successful reusable takeaway coffee cup exchange and the introduction of duplex printing across the University reduced resource use and waste going to landfill.

Extending government and industry relationships

The University enhanced its reputation and contributed to public debate and cultural enrichment through partnerships with business organisations which operate two major series on the business calendar.

Murdoch was the major partner of The West Australian newspaper’s Leadership Matters series. During the events, thousands of representatives from Perth’s business community heard presentations from prominent business and government leaders.

The University partnered with the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) in the Inventing the Future initiative that included a series of forums for business leaders, government, academics and community organisations.

The University also hosted the annual Curriculum Council Exhibition and Awards Ceremony on campus in February. Close to 2800 people attended the event at which the Minister for Education, the Hon Dr Elizabeth Constable MLA, presented various awards to high school students who had graduated in 2011.

Enhancing alumni programs

In 2012, Alumni Relations stayed in contact with over 50,000 graduates. It hosted a wide range of functions, including new events in Dubai and Indonesia and a hugely successful Family Fun Day at Perth Zoo.

The second annual Murdoch University Distinguished Alumni Awards took place in July with four winners. Mr Timothy Marney, Professor Amitav Acharya, Dr Stephen Van Mil and Mr Brad Norman were acknowledged for skills, knowledge and innovation that are changing the world for the better.

During the year, the Murdoch University Alumni Annual Appeal Scholarship was established with the support of the alumni community. This ongoing $2000 scholarship will support a student who is in the final stages of their degree, is achieving good academic results and needs financial assistance. Alumni also donated their expertise to current students and contributed to fundraising.

Promoting public debate and culture

The rise of China as a global political powerhouse, and how this may affect the future of the Asia Pacific region, came under the microscope at the University’s annual Sir Walter Murdoch Lecture in October and at the inaugural lecture in Singapore in November. Distinguished Canadian political analyst Professor Kim Nossal from Ontario’s Queen’s University delivered the presentation.

As part of the Australian Conference of Economists Distinguished Visitor Series, the University hosted a public lecture in July. Columbia University Professor and Senior Fellow for International Economics at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) Jagdish Bhagwati discussed the future of global trade policy in the wake of the failed Doha round of negotiations.

Relationships

As part of Murdoch’s goal to contribute to public debate and cultural enrichment, many academic and professional staff provided informed comment in the media and offered their services to the community.

University staff developed strong and beneficial relationships with organisations and colleagues in Australia and across the world. The Development office assisted in tracking and coordinating these relationships to ensure a professional approach with positive outcomes.

During the year, the corporate communications, public relations and development functions were merged so as to better leverage opportunities for  institutional and reputational development.

Developing a strong institutional profile in applied public policy

In 2012, as part of its internationalisation strategy and commitment to make substantial contributions to the development of applied public policy, the University planned the inaugural Murdoch Commission. This international commission will inquire into the evolving region of South East Asia and Western Australia.

With WA closely entwined with the dynamic economies of the Asia Pacific, the Murdoch Commission will guide business, academia and government on WA’s future role in the region.

The 12 Commissioners are a distinguished group of leaders appointed from government, business and academia in their countries of origin. They will examine economic engagement and integration beyond local and national preconceptions, identify and analyse some of the major challenges facing the region over the coming decades and recommend how they may be addressed.

The first meeting of the Murdoch Commission took place in February 2013. The final report of its findings and recommendations is due to be released at the end of the year.

Diversifying income streams

Like all Australian universities, Murdoch must confront the challenge of constrained government funding. This requires a concerted effort to develop new and innovative ways to fund ongoing operations.

The Murdoch Activity Centre/Eastern Precinct

The area between the South Street campus and the Kwinana Freeway is intended to become the largest centre of activity outside the Perth CBD with the opening of the Fiona Stanley Hospital, expansion of the St John of God Hospital and development of the government-owned site between the hospitals and the Murdoch train station. The University will develop its Eastern Precinct to complement this new growth, providing new facilities for collaborative teaching and research and amenity for staff, students, visitors, residents and workers within the Murdoch Activity Centre.

The growth of the Eastern Precinct will create an exciting energy both within the University and the surrounding area. Over time, it is expected that a number of organisations and research facilities will link to the University’s research strengths in biomedical sciences, microbiology, immunology and related teaching areas. Strong integration between the University and its surrounds will provide students access to work integrated learning, research opportunities and new amenities.

In 2012, the University prepared an Urban Design Framework for the Eastern Precinct, following consultation with staff, students and the wider community. The Urban Design Framework was approved by Senate and will now form the basis of more detailed site investigation and planning.

The University also worked alongside the State and other strategic partners to develop a Draft Structure Plan for the Murdoch Activity Centre. All stakeholders were invited to comment before February 2013. These comments will be reviewed by the State and the plan updated before it is presented to the Western Australian Planning Commission for approval and release in mid 2013.

Murdoch University Foundation

The Murdoch University Foundation accepts and manages funds generously donated by many private and corporate supporters and partners through bequests, capital campaigns, gifts and general donations. These funds are distributed as scholarships and prizes or can be targeted to specific areas of teaching, learning or research or to fund specific capital developments.

In 2012, more than $2.6 million was received to support the work of the University, including a bequest of more than $800,000 from the estate of a generous donor. Since its establishment, the Foundation has received more than $22.5 million in donations and sponsorships.

Donors and partners

The University works closely with a range of private donors and corporate supporters to enhance teaching, learning and research activities. In 2012, strong relationships were maintained with key partners, including the McCusker Charitable Foundation, the City of Rockingham, Rio Tinto, Alcoa of Australia, Energy Resourcing and Fremantle Ports to help support the University. These donations are not only an expression of generosity, but also a clear and beneficial investment in students, research and the wider community.

Murdoch University Veterinary Trust

Since 1996, the Murdoch University Veterinary Trust has contributed $3.6 million to fund the significant and increasing work of the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. This funding has come from generous donations and corporate sponsorships.

In 2012, the Trust continued major sponsorship partnerships with Wellard Rural Exports, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Australia, Boehringer Ingelheim and Perth Zoo that provided funding for academic positions and student programs.