Note to Staff 25 October 2004

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Strategic Alliance with DSTO

I am pleased to announce the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a Strategic Alliance between Curtin and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) to facilitate cooperation in research activities between the two organisations.

The University has already established links with DSTO, mainly through the Division of Engineering, Science and Computing. The Centre of Marine Science and Technology (CMST) in Applied Physics has been collaborating with DSTO in the area of marine science and technology for many years, with a primary focus on marine acoustics. It was recently contracted to provide postgraduate training in this area for DSTO staff. Other groups with existing links into DSTO include the Western Australian Centre of Excellence in Industrial Optimisation (WACEIO) in Mathematics & Statistics, the Vibrational Analysis group in Mechanical Engineering and the Remote Sensing Group, also in Applied Physics.

The MOU formalises the relationship between DSTO and Curtin which has previously been on short term contract or project by project basis, and will enable both parties to formulate a longer term strategic plan (3-5 years) of research.

Congratulations to all those involved!

Leadership Western Australia

Congratulations also go to Stephen Choo, Area Head Entrepreneurship, CBS School of Management who has been invited to apply for the 2005 Leadership Western Australia Program. This invitation follows Stephen's win of the 2004 WA Business News 40 under 40 Award.

The Leadership Western Australia program develops emerging leaders by increasing their social, economic and environmental awareness in their contribution to the community within Western Australia. The participants are expected to commit to a part-time year long series of seminars and activities.

Well done Stephen!

Australian Academy of Technological Science and Engineering

Congratulations too to Professor Dong-ke Zhang who was recently elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology Science and Engineering (ATSE). The formal announcement and induction as a 'FTSE' will take place at ATSE's 2004 Annual General Meeting to be held in Adelaide on 14 November.

Well done Dong-ke, a great achievement and a tribute to your work.

Peter Morrissey Regional Tour

Yesterday, Curtin hosted Australian fashion designer Peter Morrissey who addressed fashion and textile design students from both Curtin and TAFE as part of his national regional tour of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. His tour is part of the Qantas 'Sharing the Spirit' initiative which is a series of programs and events designed to put Australians in touch with their heroes. The tour provides an opportunity for fashion design students to meet Peter Morrissey and to discuss his design concepts and learn from his experiences within the fashion industry. Morrissey spoke about his fashion vision, needs, wants and desires and advised his audience to "just be happy with who you are" but when you wear his designs he wants you to "feel fantastic"!

L to R: Curtin third year fashion and textile design student Rosslyn Lockwood, course coordinator Anne Farren, fashion designer Peter Morrissey and second year student Elizabeth Delfs in front of some student designs at the Qantas Sharing the Spirit initiative at the BankWest Theatre.

Dreaming Landscapes

I would like to acknowledge the outstanding commitment of our Chaplain Erich von Dietze in organising the recent Dreaming Landscapes Conference, a global conference for University Chaplains. Over 300 participants from more than 25 countries gathered in Brisbane to listen to excellent key-note speakers, participate in more than 50 workshops, exchange ideas and enjoy a truly Australian Conference.

As President of the Tertiary Campus Ministry Association, Erich inspired the Australian chaplains to accept the challenge of hosting the second global conference and drew together a national team with considerable experience and expertise in conference organisation.

Well done Erich and to all those involved with making the conference such a success.

Lance Twomey
Vice-Chancellor