Parramatta. Consul-General visit

His Excellency Duan Jielong, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Sydney recently visited the UWS Parramatta campus. He was greeted by acting UWS Vice-Chancellor, Ms Rhonda Hawkins, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement and International) Professor Gary Smith, and Director of the Whitlam Institute and Parramatta campus Provost, Eric Sidoti. “UWS is proud to have forged many strong partnerships with leading Chinese universities across all aspects of our teaching, research and international engagement, and we look forward to these important relationships continuing to grow well into the future. Our international student population includes over 1200 Chinese students studying across our campuses,” Ms Hawkins, said.

Region. Boosting business efficiencies

An innovative program to help practising accountants and managers wrestle energy costs and boost business efficiencies will be developed and piloted by the University of Western Sydney. The project is being funded by a grant of almost $350,000 from the NSW Government's Office of Environment and Heritage as part of their Energy Efficiency Training Program. Architect of the “Energy Efficiency Matters” training project, Dr Anne Abraham, says rapidly rising energy costs and moves towards a low carbon economy are concerning many businesses. Partners in the program are: accountancy firm, Moore Stephens Sydney West; energy consultants Energetics Pty Ltd; the Institute of Public Accountants; the Western Sydney Business Connection; the NSW Business Chamber; and eLearning specialists, Cadre Design.

Region. UWS in joint initiative

A joint initiative of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) and the University of Western Sydney (UWS has created for the first time a new national website which brings together information about sustainability courses and teaching resources offered by higher education institutions across Australia into one easily accessible place. Dr Carol Nicoll, CEO of the ALTC, said this is the first time that work has been undertaken in this area to give a complete picture of what is happening at universities around the country. The Australian Government, the Learning and Teaching Sustainability funded the initiative.

Oran Park. UWS Oran Park Town MOU

The University of Western Sydney and the Oran Park Town partners have signed a memorandum of understanding to address the community's social plan. Landcom MD Sean O'Toole said the partnership and bilateral agreement would help develop the medical precinct, communication infrastructure and further information technology in the growing area. "UWS brings significant academic and research resources. For Oran Park Town these projects have the potential to deliver innovative and world-class services to the new community which are not found in similar greenfield developments in Australia," Mr O'Toole said. The UWS tie was also a move towards transforming the town into an education hub in the future.

Region. UWS below world standards

The University of Western Sydney was among the two-thirds of 41 Australian institutions which performed below world standards, in an inaugural audit of the quality of research in business and management and applied economics. UWS with a rating of 2 was one 11 universities which performed below world standards. Fifteen universities with a rating of 1 performed “well below” world standards. Melbourne University, UNSW and UQ topped the list with a 5 rating. The ERA assessment was based on research over a six-year period. The results will inform the federal government’s new performance-based funding regime, including the allocation of $122 million this year, according to The Australian Financial Review.

Region. UWS appoints new finance professor

Professor Ronald Ratti has been appointed as new professor of finance, at the UWS School of Economics and Finance. He was formerly professor of economics at the University of Missouri-Columbia, for 20 years. Head of the UWS School of Economics and Finance, Professor John Lodewijks, said the appointment strengthened the university's already strong reputation in the finance and economics fields "He was widely regarded as the finest teacher in his Department at the University of Missouri (and) would be ranked in the top three or four Australian economics and finance professors in terms of the number of high quality publications he has produced."

Region is developing a 'distinctive' economy

Professor Phillip O’Neill, director of the UWS Urban Research Centre, in Parramatta, said Western Sydney was developing a distinctive economy built around business-employment growth hubs in places such as North Ryde, Homebush and Baulkham Hills. Approximately 40,000 people are employed at Macquarie Park, North Ryde – with more than half travelling less that 10 kilometres to work.