Region. Device to represent Australia

An innovative hand-washing device for the developing world, designed at the University of Western Sydney, is representing Australia in a prestigious international design award. Industrial Design honours student, Balin Lee, was nominated for his design 'Kopper', which cleanses contaminated water by processing it through a micro-filtration and electrolysis system. Mr Lee says Kopper is designed to be powered by kinetic energy and would be made of recyclable materials that cost less than $2.50, making it an affordable option for people and aid groups in the developing world. "Balin was able to synthesise technological, social, economic and environmental dimensions into a project of considerable intellectual property potential," said the associate head of the UWS School of Engineering and head of the Industrial Design program, Dr Sasha Alexander,

Mt Druitt. Universities in partnership

Housing NSW has joined forces with faculties of two Sydney universities for a community regeneration project to empower and strengthen the Mt Druitt community and reduce crime in the area. The Community and Environment Project (CEP) is a joint partnership between Housing NSW, the University of Technology (UTS) Built Environment – Designing Out Crime Research Centre and the University of Western Sydney (UWS) Social Work Unit. The multidisciplinary partnership links Housing NSW and the Mt Druitt community with academics in design, criminology, public housing, social work and urban planning. Housing NSW will contribute 50 per cent of the funding for the $500,000 project, matched by funding from the two universities, said Ken Bone, GM, of Greater Western Sydney Housing Services, Housing NSW.

Parramatta. Masterplan for technology precinct

Parramatta City Council will prepare a draft masterplan and appropriate planning studies for the so-called Rydalmere Technology Precinct focussed on Brodie Street and the Rydalmere station. Council will explore the opportunity to integrate the masterplan with the University of Western Sydney’s masterplan for an expanded Parramatta campus, on the other side of the station.

Region. Campuses as laboratories

Professor Scott, UWS pro-vice-chancellor (quality) said the university was interested in using its campuses as laboratories for environmental sustainability, "particularly with regard to climate change and various options for dealing with it".

Region. UWS signs agreement

The University of Western Sydney and Intellectual Ventures (IV) have signed a master license agreement to develop inventions and finance patenting costs for inventions. Professor John Ingleson, deputy vice-chancellor (international and development) said the agreement will see more opportunities for ideas and inventions at the UWS to be commercialised. "The agreement with Intellectual Ventures will open up more opportunities for UWS researchers to tap into a global source of funds and commercialise their ideas - particularly ideas which are in the early stages of development," he said. Intellectual Ventures is a $5 billion organisation that funds the creation, dissemination and use of technological inventions.

Region. MOU between UNE and UWS

The University of New England will sign memoranda of understanding, on October 5, with the universities of Sydney and Western Sydney, as well as TAFE NSW, as it looks to develop new student markets and collaborate with other institutions amid and increasingly competitive higher education scene, according to The Australian Financial Review. The agreement with UWS will see UNE act as the primary distance provider got UWS students.

Region. UWS hosts business chamber

The University of Western Sydney hosted local businesses in the Cumberland region at the UWS Blacktown/Mt Druitt Clinical School through an initiative of Cumberland Business Chamber to encourage local businesses to meet regularly and get comfortable amongst other local business people and support each other. Dr Ingrid Schraner, from the school of economics and finance, said UWS was heavily committed to supporting local businesses in the region. The Cumberland Business Chamber covers the Fairfield, Holroyd and Blacktown local government areas.

Region. UWS fined $10,000 for breach

The University of Western Sydney has been fined for failing to advertise a job vacancy on its website, as required under its enterprise agreement with staff. Following an application by the NSW branch of the Community and Public Sector Union, the federal magistrates court found the university had breached the Workplace Relations ACT 1995 and handed down a fine of $10,000, as reported in The Australian Financial Review.

Campbelltown. Science conference at UWS

Engaging students in science will be the topic of discussion, when over 100 of the state's science teachers gather, at the Campbelltown campus of the University of Western Sydney, for the Science Teachers' Association of NSW (STANSW) annual conference, today and tomorrow. Hosting the conference reflects the university’s commitment to working with the school sector on areas of mutual interest, particularly national and state priorities such as science education., a spokesperson said

Region. Professor wins major award

Associate Professor Ian Anderson, from the UWS School of Natural Sciences and Centre for Plants and the Environment, has won a major international award in Bangkok for his work into the sustainable use and management of Australia's natural ecosystems. The awards are designed to recognise excellence by younger researchers from the Asia Pacific in three categories; Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business, and Engineering and Technology He was the only Australian to win an award at the ProSPER.Net-Scopus Young Scientist awards ceremony. Dr Anderson, who lives in the Blue Mountains, has published more than 50 scientific journal articles which have been extensively cited by his peers. He has also received the NSW Office for Science and Medical Research Life Sciences Research Award, and a 2008 NSW/ACT Young Tall Poppy Science Award.

Parramatta. Business Masters at UWS

The University of Western Sydney will welcome prospective students interested in completing a Business Masters to the Parramatta campus, on Monday 24 August, 2009. Associate Professor Robyn McGuiggan, executive dean, of the College of Business, will speak about the wide range of study options available and the advantages of completing further study.

Penrith. UWS campus on the market

The University of Western Sydney has placed approximately 27.98 hectares of its Werrington campus on the market. The site, adjoining established residential areas, is zoned for general residential, medium density residential and light industrial. Expressions of interest close on June 18.

Region. UWS program for SMEs

The University of Western Sydney has developed a free online, interactive platform to help small businesses improve skills and performance. It also provides business students with a practical approach to learning. There are over 50 short courses and other relevant information on the website. Dr Geoff Lee, associate dean, engagement, from the UWS College of Business said the program, SMExecellence, stemmed from the fact that, although SMEs account for 30 per cent of Australia’s economic activity, they remain an area that was not comprehensively addressed by Australian universities. The program can be viewed at www.smexcellence.com.au

Region. UWS welcomes improvement measure

The University of Western Sydney will get $1.64 million as a result of the federal government including an “improvement” component in its Learning and Teaching Performance Fund, which has lifted funds for smaller and regional universities. UWS vice-chancellor, Janie Reid, said it was reward for a long process of rationalising and modernising courses following the merger of three institutions to form UWS in 2000. “Ï think it is important because it gives an incentive to universities to constantly renews, improve and critically examine their courses, “she said In The Australian Financial Review

Region. Trends in UWS enrolments

The University of Western Sydney says the popular picks among students in these uncertain economic times are for courses that are likely to have strong career prospects in a tighter job market. Trends include: policing and forensic science; construction management; business; teaching; psychology; medicine; nursing; health-related fields, combined law studies, communication and information technologies and visual communication. Some 83 per cent of the university's main round offers are to students from the region.

Region. UWS supports Bradley review

Fifty-two per cent of UWS students were first in their family to attend university, and two-thirds of the student population come from Greater Western Sydney, one of Australia's fastest growing and most socially, economically and culturally diverse regions, said UWS vice-chancellor, Professor Janice Reid, when commenting on the Federal Government's Bradley Review of the higher education system. "As a modern university, UWS has a leading role to play in this national imperative to open up higher education for more people - particularly those from lower socio-economic groups, Indigenous communities, and those from regional areas - and give them the skills and support they need to succeed at university and in life.

Parramatta. $15.9m upgrade for UWS campus

The University of Western Sydney will use a grant of $15.9 million from the federal government’s Better Universities Renewal Fund to upgrade its Parramatta campus. The money will go towards capital and infrastructure upgrades to develop a student precinct, to refurbish the school of computing and mathematics and provide new teaching and postgraduate research laboratory space.

Public forum on future of fossil fuels

The Whitlam Institute, within the University of Western Sydney, has convened a public forum to deliver the latest research and ideas to help Australians debate the future of fossil fuels. "Energy Security: The Real Story" will bring together leading scientists and thinkers for a forum on Thursday 19 June, from 4-6pm, at Parramatta Riverside Theatres. The speakers will be: Dr Beverley Ronalds, Group Executive, Energy, and Chief CSIRO Petroleum; Dr Allen Lowe, Chief Technologist, CRC for Coal in Sustainable Development; and Ian Dunlop, a petroleum engineer and expert on peak oil.

Funds for UWS capital works

The University of Western Sydney will receive $15.9 million from the federal Budget’s announcement to inject $500 million in infrastructure funding into the higher education sector. UWS will use the funds for capital works, such as new buildings, teaching and learning facilities, laboratories and equipment.

UWS holds public forum on US bosses' bonuses

The University of Western Sydney's College of Business will hold a public forum on Wednesday, May 28, to highlight the corporate scandal that has seen US executives fiddle their bonuses to get a better price at the expense of shareholders. Professor Cindy Schipani, from the University of Michigan, who has exposed the loophole, will attend. Professor Schipani has investigated the practice of paying executives of major US companies’ bonuses as options - options that only have real value if they are converted to shares. The forum will be held in Building EE, Room G.19, Parramatta Campus, from12.30 to 1.30pm.