2020 Vice-Chancellor focus areas

A message from the Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Craven:

Thank you to everyone who attended the recent Vice-Chancellor Staff Talks across our campuses. It was a great opportunity to meet with staff from across the university and share some key updates with you.

Some of the key topics discussed at the Staff Talks included higher education policy and my role on the Education Minister’s Vice-Chancellor advisory group, our memorandum of understanding with the Ramsay Centre and my priorities for 2020 (see more information on this below).

Thank you all for your questions about these topics. I value these opportunities to hear from you directly.

My focus areas for 2020

During the recent Staff Talks I shared with you some of my focus areas for 2020.

As mentioned, one of the areas I’ll personally be focusing on this year is our innovation agenda, through which we will explore opportunities including new course disciplines, digital, micro-credentialing, improving student onboarding and methods of retention.

ACU’s academic culture and the opportunity for staff to engage in genuine academic enquiry and a ‘life of the mind’ is also one of my priorities.

You can read the full list of my 2020 focus areas on the staff website.

Coronavirus update

Another key topic discussed at the Staff Talks was coronavirus, which is a matter of significant concern across Australia and internationally.

ACU is committed to ensuring a safe workplace and learning environment. We have established an incident management group which is closely monitoring the situation.

In addition to following advice from DFAT and Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, we’re working closely with Universities Australia, and preparing a pandemic plan in the event of a major coronavirus outbreak in Australia.

Please visit the ACU website for the latest coronavirus update.

Our thoughts go out to everyone who has been impacted by coronavirus in Australia and internationally.

Community spirit

Finally, I wanted to offer my sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to the Bushfire Appeal Fundraiser across our campuses, held in conjunction with the Vice-Chancellor’s Staff Talks.

Together we raised $3,944 for the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal, which is a wonderful effort.

Thank you to the ACU Engagement team, and all other staff who volunteered their time, for their hard work coordinating the fundraising appeal across our campuses. Thank you to our HR team for hosting the North Sydney BBQ fundraiser, the Office of Campus Dean for hosting a BBQ breakfast in Strathfield and the associate vice-chancellors and campus deans across all our campuses for their support of these events.

As Vice-Chancellor, it was inspiring to see our staff come together for the Bushfire Appeal Fundraiser and it certainly brought a real sense of community spirit to this round of Staff Talks.

ACU’s commitment to bushfire-affected communities is an ongoing one. Recovering from disaster and rebuilding communities is a lengthy process.

In May, ACU will hold fundraiser screenings of The Castle to continue our support for the Vinnies Bushfire Appeal, which has already distributed more than $10 million to those in need. Further details about these fundraising events will be shared with you shortly.