charles darwin university northern territory … · and service delivery – meeting the northern...

ANNUAL REPORT 2009

www.cdu.edu.au/government/

35012 uniprintNT 10.10 NJ

CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

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The Hon Sally Thomas AM The Hon Paul Henderson MLAChancellor Chief MinisterCharles Darwin University Parliament House DARWIN NT 0909 DARWIN NT 0800

Dear Chancellor and Chief Minister

We are pleased to present the Charles Darwin University Council and the Northern Territory Government with the 2009 Annual Report for the Charles Darwin University/Northern Territory Government Partnership Agreement.

The report details the performance and key achievements for the Partnership Agreement 2007-2012 for the year ending 31 December 2009, and is in accordance with clause 7.2.1 of the Agreement.

We commend the report to you and the efforts of the staff from the University and Government in achieving the objectives of the Partnership Agreement.

Yours sincerely

PROFESSOR BARNEY GLOVER MIKE BURGESSJoint Chair, Partnership Peak Group Joint Chair, Partnership Peak GroupVice-Chancellor Chief ExecutiveCharles Darwin University Department of the Chief Minister

Partnership Agreement

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CONTENTS

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4

2. INTRODUCTION 5

3. THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT 6

3.1. The Peak Group 6

3.2. Partnership Objectives 6

3.3. Partnership Outcomes 6

3.4. Partnership Structure 7

4. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS 8

5. FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT 11

6. LINKING OUTCOMES TO KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 12

7. OPERATION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT 21

7.1 Communications 21

7.2 Procurement 21

7.3 Staff Sharing Framework 21

7.4 Work Integrated Learning Scholarships (WILS) and other scholarships 22

7.5 International Students 22

7.6 Institute of Advanced Studies 22

APPENDIX 1: PROCUREMENT ACTIVITY 23

APPENDIX 2: STAFF SHARING ARRANGEMENTS 24

APPENDIX 3: ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 25

Charles Darwin University Northern Territory GovernmentPartnership Agreement

2009 ANNUAL REPORT

for the year ending 31 December 2009

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The second Charles Darwin University/Northern Territory Government Partnership Agreement (2007-2012) commenced on 1 January 2007.

The Partnership Agreement provides a framework for the Charles Darwin University (CDU) and the Northern Territory Government (NTG) to work together to meet core strategic outcomes of mutual priority.

In 2008, the NTG announced the development of Territory 2030, a 20 year strategic plan. The draft strategy was released in 2009 and provided direction to the development of the Partnership Agreement’s strategic priorities.

The 2009 Annual Report is based on a framework of Key Performance Indicators that are mapped to each of the seven core outcomes of the Agreement. Other significant outcomes in 2009 include:

New Partnership FrameworkTo support a focus on high priority activities a new operational framework was implemented in 2009. The new framework has five themes which reflect the priorities of CDU and the NTG and are aligned to the Territory 2030 Strategy. These themes are Education, Health, Economic Development, the Environment and Society and Community. The key objectives and core outcomes for the Partnership Agreement remain unchanged.

Charles Darwin Anniversary Celebrations2009 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. The University and the NTG partnered with the Darwin City Council and other community groups to provide a number of events to celebrate this and other Darwin anniversaries.

Charles Darwin SymposiumThe Charles Darwin Symposium Series followed a different format in 2009, with one major Symposium held to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of his work On the Origin of Species. The symposium Charles Darwin: Shaping our Science, Society and Future was held as part of the worldwide celebrations in honour of Charles Darwin and recorded the highest attendance of any previous Symposium.

Centre for Renewable EnergyIn December 2009 Northern Territory Government approved the establishment of the Centre for Renewable Energy at Charles Darwin University (CDU) as a component of the Northern Territory Climate Change Policy.

Machinery of Government The course structure and content of the Machinery of Government course was developed jointly. The one-day and four-day Machinery of Government courses were designed to promote and support the professional development of NTPS employees. The inaugural four-day workshop-oriented course was held in August 2009. The course has been well received and won the Cross-Government Collaboration category of the 2009 Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence in the Public Sector.

Transforming Indigenous Education (Menzies)The Transforming Indigenous Education project will design a research, implementation and evaluation methodology to enable school-community planning to establish systems for school and community monitoring of Indigenous children’s outcomes.

Child Protection Research Program (Menzies)The Child Protection Research Program will strengthen and increase the capacity of the Government, non-government and community sectors to implement evidence based interventions with at risk children and families.

Population Studies/Territory 2030 PlanCharles Darwin University provided specialist demographic expertise to the Territory Growth Planning Unit, Department of the Chief Minister, through a secondment of academic staff. This work was integral to the development of the Territory 2030 strategic plan.

Visit to Timor with the Chief MinisterThe Vice-Chancellor accompanied the Chief Minister’s delegation to Timor-Leste in May 2009. The visit provided an opportunity to strengthen existing links and establish new relationships with key Timor-Leste Ministers and senior bureaucrats. These discussions have helped to shape the long term strategic purpose of Charles Darwin University’s engagement in Timor.

International Student SupportTo assist CDU to recruit and retain international students into its PhD courses, the Department of Education and Training has agreed to waive the international student tuition fees at NT Government Schools for up to ten dependants of PhD students studying at CDU.

1. Executive Summary

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2. Introduction

The second Partnership Agreement (2007-2012) between the Charles Darwin University (CDU) and the Northern Territory Government (NTG) was officially launched by the then Chief Minister, the Hon Clare Martin MLA, and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Helen Garnett, at Parliament House on 21 November 2006.

The second Partnership Agreement was developed following a review of the first Partnership Agreement (2003-2006) and in line with the strategic priorities of both parties. The second Agreement commenced on 1 January 2007 for a five-year term.

This Partnership Agreement is strategically positioned to the core outcomes that both CDU and NTG seek to achieve by working together.

In 2008, the NTG announced the development of Territory 2030, a 20 year strategic plan, with the vision for the future of the Northern Territory. The draft strategy was released in 2009 and has provided direction to the Partnership Agreement’s strategic priorities into the future. The draft document was used as a basis to renew the operational framework for the Partnership ensuring a focus on high priority activities (see section 3.4 for further details).

Other key NTG initiatives that have and will continue to influence the work undertaken under the Partnership Agreement include:

A Working Future – this is a plan to develop 20 large service towns, set a new path for homelands and outstations, and focus and coordinate the delivery of infrastructure, services and development in the remote parts of the Territory.

NT Climate Change Policy - this is a comprehensive action plan to combat climate change and ensure the Territory economy is strategically placed as a green resource base into the future.

This Annual Report is based on a framework of appropriate performance measurement tools under the Partnership Agreement for the 2009 reporting period, through the development of Key Performance Indicators that are mapped to each of the seven core outcomes of the Agreement (see Section 5).

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3,1 The Peak GroupThe Charles Darwin University Council and NTG delegated responsibility for the operation of the Partnership Agreement to a Peak Group. Co-chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, CDU, and the Chief Executive, Department of the Chief Minister, NTG, the Peak Group provides leadership across the full range of Partnership activities.

In addition, the Peak Group develops strategies to maximise and build on existing capacity within CDU and NTG, and identifies future areas of development for cooperation and collaboration.

In 2009 the Peak Group comprised of:

• JointChair-ProfessorBarneyGlover, Vice-Chancellor, CDU (from 23 February 2009)

• ProfessorCharlesWebb,DeputyVice-ChancellorTeaching and Learning, CDU

• ProfessorBobWasson,DeputyVice-ChancellorResearch, CDU

• JointChair-MikeBurgess,ChiefExecutive,Department of the Chief Minister, NTG;

• KevinGillan,ActingChiefExecutive,Departmentof Education and Training, NTG (to June 2009)

• GaryBarnes,ChiefExecutive,DepartmentofEducation and Training, NTG (from July 2009)

• DennisBree,ChiefExecutive,DepartmentofBusiness and Economic Development, NTG (to November 2009)

• GrahamSymons,ChiefExecutive,DepartmentofBusiness and Economic Development, NTG (from December 2009)

The Peak Group receives secretariat support through the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Charles Darwin University and the Policy, Coordination and Implementation Unit, Department of the Chief Minister (DCM).

3.2 Partnership ObjectivesThe key objectives of the Partnership Agreement 2007-2012 are:

• EconomicDevelopment: To foster sustainable economic development and create better opportunities for all Territorians, especially in Indigenous, regional and remote communities – preparing the Northern Territory and Territorians to grasp and make the best use of their environment, location and available resources.

• SocialandCulturalDevelopment:To enhance the social and cultural development of the Territory and care for all Territory communities – strategies to ensure that Territorians enjoy a high quality of life in safe, healthy and secure surroundings.

• EnvironmentallySustainableDevelopment:To integrate environmentally responsible practices into policy development, program design and service delivery – meeting the Northern Territory’s current needs without compromising the availability of resources for future generations.

3.3 Partnership OutcomesThe core outcomes of the 2007-2012 Partnership Agreement are:

• AcriticalmassofCDUenrolments,residentteaching and research staff, and funding applications to build the capacity of CDU and enhance CDU’s role as a cultural and intellectual leader in the local and global community.

• CoursesrelevanttobothindustryandNTGneedsthat, among other things, seek to address the concerns of the Northern Territory’s (NT) broad small to medium enterprise sector, recognised skill shortages and the identified needs of Indigenous communities.

• Researchandevaluationthatcontributestopublic policy and service delivery methods relevant to the NT’s economic, social and environmental needs.

• Structuresandprocessesthatfacilitateshared communication of strategic priorities, infrastructure, staff and other resources to maximise the NT’s ability to leverage Australian Government funding and promote efficiency.

• Researchprogramsinnicheareasthatserveto maximise the NT’s natural comparative advantages, raise the University’s research profile in the national and international arena, and provide relevancy to both the NT’s industry and community needs.

• VocationalEducationandTraining(VET)andhigher education sectors that are relevant and appropriate to industry needs, seek to achieve real employment outcomes, offer a range of suitable courses, and provide seamless pathways for learning, including practical options to move between industry, secondary education, VET and higher education sectors.

• AthrivingandengagedIndigenouspopulationthat achieves success in relevant education, employment and training programs which are clearly linked to economic and social outcomes.

• ThesecondCDU/NTGPartnershipalsorecognised the need to a wider collaborative approach when addressing Territory issues and the second Partnership Agreement now welcomes third party involvement in the delivery of partnership outcomes.

3. The Partnership Agreement

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3.4 Partnership StructureFrom the start of the second Partnership Agreement until mid 2009 projects and initiatives of the Partnership were managed through Schedules to the Partnership Agreement. The Schedules provided a framework to guide the development of specific projects. The participants in each Schedule were drawn from the University and Government with at least one leader from each organisation.

A list of schedules for the Partnership Agreement 2007–2012 is provided in Diagram 1.

To support a focus on high priority activities a new framework was agreed at the Peak Group meeting in July 2009. However, the key objectives and core outcomes for the Partnership Agreement have not changed.

The new framework has five themes which reflect the priorities of CDU and the NTG and are aligned to the Territory 2030 Strategy. The themes are Society and Community, Education, Health, Economic Development and Environment.

To further develop the new framework and projects, a series of theme workshops were held in August and September involving staff from CDU and NTG. The outcomes from the workshops were presented to the Peak Group in December and a number of project proposals were supported.

Key Objectives Schedules

1 Economic Development

2 Indigenous Opportunities

ECONOMIC: Creating better

opportunities for all Territorians

Charles Darwin University

3 Learning Environment

Creative Industries4

5 Australian and Global Connections

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL: Caring for Territory

Communities

The Peak Group Strong Regions6

7 Healthy Communities

Safe Communities8

ENVIRONMENT: achieving ecological

sustainable development

Northern Territory Government Good Governance9

10 Sustainable Terrestrial and Aquatic Resources

11 Sustainable Marine Resources

Diagram 1: Partnership Agreement 2007–2012 Structure as at July 2009

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Key achievements under the Partnership in 2009 are provided in Section 5 with significant achievements highlighted below. The NTG and CDU continue to work together in a range of ways with the ultimate outcome of creating positive benefits for the Territory. In addition to the larger projects, there were also many smaller successes. While these may not always have an immediate and measurable impact, they demonstrate that together, CDU and the NTG are increasingly forging new avenues to produce positive outcomes for Territorians.

Charles Darwin SymposiumThe Charles Darwin Symposium for 2009 was held at the Darwin Convention Centre from Tuesday 22 September – Thursday 24 September 2009.

The Symposium topic was Charles Darwin: Shaping our Science, Society and Future and marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of his work On the Origin of Species. The Symposium formed part of the global celebrations held in honour of Charles Darwin and included many high profile national and international speakers including Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty (The University of Melbourne) and Emeritus Professor Tim Berra (The Ohio State University, USA).

Funding was obtained from the British Council to enable a delegation of six students and staff from Greenwich University to attend the Symposium and forge stronger links with Charles Darwin University and from the Fulbright Foundation to support Professor Tim Berra’s participation.

Attendance at the Symposium was nearly twice that of previous Charles Darwin Symposia, attracting over 450 people. It is estimated that a minimum contribution of $120,000 to the Northern Territory economy occurred as a result of the three days attendance at the Symposium and the shoulder events held as a result of the Symposium.

The Symposium program also included The Charles Darwin Dinner at SKYCITY which incorporated the Charles Darwin Research and Innovation Medals awarded by the Northern Territory Research and Innovation Board.

Other events associated with the Symposium included shoulder conferences organised by the Society of Australian Systematic Biologists, the Australian Entomological Society, the Coral Reef Society and the Anglican Cathedral in Darwin.

Charles Darwin Anniversary Celebrations2009 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. It also marked 170 years since the landing of HMS Beagle on Darwin’s coastline and 150 years since the first publication of the On the Origin of Species. The University and the NTG partnered with the Darwin City Council and other community groups to provide a number of events to celebrate these anniversaries.

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory commenced NT celebrations with the display Supercrocodilians:Darwin’sultimatesurvivalstory illustrating Darwin’s theory of evolution through the evolution of the crocodile. Other events included an exhibition of a first edition copy of On the Origin of the Species and a historical harbour cruise tracing the Beagle’s journey and other historical sites. Celebrations culminated with the Charles Darwin Symposium in September.

Population Studies/Territory 2030 PlanIn 2008, the Chief Minister announced a renewed government focus on planning for the Territory’s future with the establishment of the Territory Growth Planning Unit, Department of the Chief Minister (DCM).

The Unit specialises in economics and demography with a focus on specialist advice on planning for future growth and demand across the Territory.

There has been collaboration between the Unit and the School of Social Policy research since the establishment of the Unit. The partnership has seen the outplacement of a demographer researcher/analyst within the Unit, workshops and specialised demographic research, first for the Territory 2030 Strategic Plan and more recently as part of the Weddell development process.

The Unit has also developed growth models for Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs to identify the pressures generated by growth, in terms of land availability, housing and the provision of services.

The School for Social and Policy Research has worked closely with the Northern Territory Treasury on the projected population growth for the Northern Territory across its regions. The specialist demographic expertise was provided to the Unit by Charles Darwin University through a secondment of academic staff.

4. Key Achievements

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Collaboration with the Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies)

• ChildProtectionResearchProgram

The aim of the Child Protection Research Program is to strengthen and increase the capacity of the government, non government and community sector to implement evidence based interventions with at-risk children and families as part of the Northern Territory reform of the child protection system.

In January 2009 Professor Adam Tomison was appointed as Head of the Child Protection Research Program and began the development of a collaborative working plan with the Department for Health and Families (DHF). Professor Tomison left the position in May 2009 and Associate Professor Fiona Arney will commence in February 2010.

Work executed under the program to date has included supporting preliminary work to support an NHMRC Project Grant submission examining the potential for false positives in the detection of Chlamydiatrachomatis, one of the most commonly sexually transmitted infections and the cause of ocular infections common in many Indigenous communities.

Work has also commenced on the evaluation of the Northern Territory Mobile Child Protection Team Service, a team which supports regional Northern Territory child protection officers during peak times of service. Other possible evaluation projects include the evaluation of community education training campaigns (the Safe Kids, Strong Futures initiatives) and the Family Group Conferencing initiative in Alice Springs.

Other areas of the research program which are currently under development include the analysis of child protection case file data to better understand the characteristics of the client base and outcomes for children and families involved in the child protection system in the Northern Territory. Ongoing support for DHF staff to develop skills in research and evaluation design, analysis and dissemination is a key feature of the Program.

• TransformingIndigenousEducation

This project will design a research, implementation and evaluation methodology and address related current and emergent issues for the Department of Education and Training (DET). Menzies worked with the

Transforming Indigenous Education section of DET, the schools, communities, relevant service providers and stakeholders to facilitate the development and implementation of planning and accountability frameworks in each of the nominated NT ‘20 Growth Towns’.

These locally informed evaluation frameworks are intended to enable school-community planning, to support the on-going processes of whole school reform, and to establish transparent and accessible systems for school and community monitoring of Indigenous children’s educational and other related outcomes.

Governance – Machinery of GovernmentNorthern Territory Public Service (NTPS) employees are required to work within a framework of governance and regulatory processes, some of which can be highly complex while being closely interconnected.

The Machinery of Government module developed and delivered by Charles Darwin University as part of the Stepping-Up management course for Indigenous employees in the DHF in 2008 was the catalyst for DCM and the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment officers who had recognised the need for such training on a broader scale, but had struggled to package the various elements to address all the requirements.

A course was structured which was readily accessible to a wide range of public servants, incorporated academic concepts and day-to-day practical application of the material in the NTPS, and was relevant to a variety of government occupations. Staff worked together to develop the course structure and content, culminating in a proposal for NTPS Chief Executives in April 2009. The proposal was endorsed and the inaugural four-day workshop-oriented machinery of government course commenced in August 2009. A second four-day course was held in October 2009 and a one-day overview course in November 2009.

The response was overwhelming both in terms of the number of applications received and in participant feedback. The course also won the Cross-Government Collaboration category of the 2009 Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence in the Public Sector.

The Machinery of Government initiative was developed under the previous Good Governance Schedule of the Partnership Agreement.

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Timor-LesteThe Vice-Chancellor accompanied the Chief Minister’s delegation to Timor-Leste in May 2009. The Northern Territory Government delegation comprised the Chief Minister, the Hon Paul Henderson MLA; Minister for Trade Tourism, Asian Relations and Defence, Dr Chris Burns MLA; Minister of Local Government, Essential Services and Public Employment, the Hon Rob Knight MLA and more than 50 local Northern Territory business representatives. The delegation visited Timor-Leste to explore and assess opportunities for engagement with Timor and to identify the strategic basis for future Charles Darwin University activities.

The visit provided a good opportunity for Charles Darwin University to strengthen existing links with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and to establish new relationships with other key ministries, to discuss education and training needs. These discussions have helped to shape the long term strategic purpose of Charles Darwin University’s engagement in Timor, to identify where the University could usefully assist nation building and at the same time provide long term benefits for Charles Darwin University.

The University will play a significant part in the postgraduate training of high achievers within the Timor-Leste government, creating a strong alumni base among future senior Timor-Leste bureaucrats favourably disposed to CDU and the NT. The publicity generated in the recruitment and selection of suitable candidates for CDU’s prestigious postgraduate scholarship will enhance the University’s profile in Timor and among the many international agencies engaged on the ground in nation building.

Centre for Renewable EnergyIn December 2009 Northern Territory Government approved the establishment of the Centre for Renewable Energy at Charles Darwin University as a component of the Northern Territory Climate Change Policy. This will be a major project of the Partnership Agreement in 2010.

The objectives of the Centre are to:

• ensurelocalcapabilitytobuildtherenewableenergy sector and provide leadership on renewable energy deployment in the Northern Territory context.

• attractfundingandinvestmentstreamsinrenewable energy programs.

• provideindustrydevelopment,targetedresearch,promotion and education/training in both the vocational and higher education sectors.

• assisttheTerritorytomeetitsobligationsunderthe Renewable Energy Target scheme.

• explorenicheopportunitiesforthedemonstrationof new technologies.

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As the Territory 2030 Strategy and other Government initiatives are progressively implemented it is likely there will be further opportunities to work collaboratively to achieve outcomes for Government and the University. The Secretariat to the Partnership Agreement will be developing mechanisms to ensure this work is captured and new projects developed.

Further, the Partnership Agreement meeting agenda and the structure of the Partnership Agreement Annual Report for 2010 will be amended to reflect Territory 2030.

5. Future Directions for the Partnership Agreement

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In response to the recommendations of the Review of the first Partnership Agreement, reporting for the second Partnership Agreement is to be undertaken through a formal measurement framework that clearly maps the success of the Agreement in terms of progress towards the achievement of the Agreements’ seven core outcomes.

Progress against these core outcomes is monitored, in part, from the data provided in the Charles Darwin University Annual Report, which measures University enrolments (including Indigenous student numbers), resident academic staff numbers and research funding and output. A snapshot of this data for 2009 is provided in Table 1.

In addition to this base-line data, project Leaders are required to monitor and report on the success of their project using key performance indicators (KPIs) that are linked to the core outcomes of the Agreement. These KPIs are used to measure the success of partnership activity over the duration of the Agreement.

The following tables map partnership activity to the KPIs and corresponding core outcomes of the Partnership Agreement 2007-2012.

6. Linking Outcomes to Key Performance Indicators

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Table 1: Data Snapshot

Category 2009%

Change, 2008-2009

Student numbers

Total 21,236 13.3%

Higher Education 7,154 11.8%

Vocational Education and Training 14,082 14.0%

Higher Education, ATSI 4.5%

Vocational Education and Training, ATSI 29.9%

Higher Education student load, equivalent full-time student load (EFTSL)

Total 3,932.8 10.1%

Undergraduate, Commonwealth-funded 2955.2 6.2%

Postgraduate, Commonwealth-funded 405.8 40.8%

Fee paying (all) 571.8 14.4%

Vocational Education and Training delivery, Annual Hours Curriculum (AHC)

Total 2,814,907 11.1%

Urban 2,177,932 11.9%

Regional 124,096 -0.9%

Remote 511,039 10.4%

Interstate 1,840

Research

Research income ($’000), all categories $32,910 24.9%

Higher Degree by Research student load, EFTSL 164.8 9.2%

Higher Degree by Research completions (all) 21 -16.0%

Weighted publications 232.3 5.2%

Staff, EFT

Total 1368 5.5%

Higher Education academic 376 0.5%

Vocational Education and Training academic 256 4.1%

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Table 2: Outcome 1: A critical mass of University enrolments, resident teaching and research staff, and funding applications to build the capacity of CDU and enhance CDU’s role as a cultural and intellectual leader in the local and global community.

Evidence Key Performance Indicators Response

• Enrolments

• Graduates

• High quality teaching and research staff

• Grant and tender applications

• Grant and tender success

•An increase in high quality resident teaching and research staff in areas relevant to the economic and social priorities of the NT

•An increase in the number of grant and tender applications by the University to the NTG, Commonwealth Government and other funding bodies

•An increase in funding achieved through grant and tender applications by the University to the NTG, Commonwealth Government and other funding bodies

• Nine new Work Integrated Learning Scholarships were awarded.

• Five NTG departments accessed the Standing Certificate of Exemption for 14 activities.

• School fees were waived for dependents of international PhD students

• DBE supported CDU’s international student marketing campaigns in Indonesia, China, Philippines, India, Melbourne and Sydney by holding study to migrate seminars.

• CDU obtained funding for 23 research projects involving an NTG contribution.

• NTG provided funding for CDU students to take part in the Chinese In-Country program, held at Hainan University in southern China

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Table 3: Outcome 2: Courses relevant to both industry and NTG needs that, among other things, seek to address the concerns of the NT’s broad small to medium enterprise sector, recognised skill shortages and the identified needs of Indigenous communities (see also Outcome 6).


• Courses linked with NT occupation shortage list

• Transition courses between education levels

• Delivery location for courses

• Destination survey results

• Identified business and community needs

•An increase in the number of CDU courses that match identified industry, private sector, and NTG needs (particularly in skill shortage areas identified by DET in the NT occupation shortage list, and in areas of Indigenous need)

•An increase in the number of students progressing from secondary education into CDU courses, and an increase in CDU VET students progressing into higher education.

•An increase in students who have employment after completion of their course (measured by destination surveys) in work fields that are targeted as a recognised area of need

•Reduction in workforce turnover in a workforce sector that is specified under the Agreement

•Workforce development with increases in uptake of further education in workforce in a workforce sector that is specified under the Agreement

•Appropriate competency development programs for emerging talent to enter the NTPS and to provide professional development for Indigenous NTPS staff.

•Machinery of Government courses were designed and held for NT public servants

• The accelerated literacy five-day intensive course continues to be run for DET employees.

•CDU is providing cross cultural training for NTG staff

•NT Treasury contribution to the delivery of Economics as an undergraduate discipline at CDU.

•A new Master of Health Practice (Nurse Practitioner) degree was developed specifically to assist practising nurses to work in the NT environment

•Certificate IV in Civil Construction (Supervision) and Diploma of Civil Construction (Management) continue to be run to address skills shortages

•Other courses include:

º Police Coxwains

º Prisoners Cookery

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Table 4: Outcome 3: Research and evaluation that contributes to public policy and service delivery methods relevant to the NT’s economic, social and environmental needs


•Research activity

•Public policy is developed using a strong evidence base

• An increase in the number of research and evaluation papers developed that contribute to understanding NTG public policy and service delivery

• Clear linkages demonstrated between Partnership Agreement research programs and the NT Research Priorities to strategically position collaborative research efforts to achieve maximum benefit

•Development of population projections for the NT

•Social Partnerships in learning – Akeyulerre Evaluation

•Environmental research included:

º Management of Gamba Grass

º Carbon footprint analysis

º Impacts of deforestation and afforestation

º Asessment of spring systems

º Development of knowledge resource network document for the Environmental Protection Agency

º Review of the concept community based natural resource management

•Launch of the Creative Tropical City Report

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Table 5: Outcome 4: Structures and processes that facilitate shared communication of strategic priorities, infrastructure, staff and other resources to maximise the NT’s ability to leverage Australian Government funding and promote efficiency.


•Shared infrastructure framework

•Shared staffing arrangements

•NT Research Priorities

• An increase in the number of shared staff between the two organisations in positions that complement NTG, industry and private sector needs

• An increase in the number of infrastructure facilities that are shared by both parties to maximise efficiencies

• Mutually beneficial relationships are embedded in a range of processes between the NTG and the University

•Twelve staff participated in a staff sharing arrangement

•NTG and CDU share the salaries of three senior academic appointments at CDU: the Professor of Structural Engineering, the Chair of Governance and Chair of Human Resource Management

•Review of NT strategies:

º Business and Skilled Migration

º NT Employment

•The Vice-Chancellor accompanied the Chief Minister’s delegation to Timor-Leste in May 2009

•Joint workshops held between CDU and NTG staff to identify priority areas for collaboration

•Harnessing ICT for education and the knowledge economy: to promote ICT and Virtual Learning approaches to improve learning outcomes in schools

•A Creative Tropical City exhibition was held at the Northern Territory Library during February 2009

•2009 Charles Darwin Symposium

•Five academics from Greenwich University were supported to attend the Charles Darwin Symposium and shoulder events

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Table 6: Outcome 5: Research programs in niche areas that serve to maximise the NT’s natural comparative advantages, raise the University’s research profile in the national and international arena, and provide relevancy to both the NT’s industry and community needs.


•Research has clear linkages and positive effects on industry and community needs

•Research publications in academic journals and other accolades for research impacts, such as NTRIB awards

•Research is consistent with the NT Research Priorities developed by the NTRIB and DBE

• Increased number of published research papers in academic journals etc that emphasise the University’s niche research strengths

• Clear linkages demonstrated between Partnership Agreement research programs and the NT Research Priorities to strategically position collaborative research efforts to achieve maximum benefit

•Establishment of the Centre for Renewable Energy

•Research into gambling related harm in Northern Australia

•Research into the sexual health of Indigenous young people (Menzies)

•Research into local government and regional development in remote Australia

•A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between CDU, the Australian Institute of Marine Science, The Australian National University and the NTG for cooperative research, academic and training activities, and expanded research infrastructure to ensure sustainable and community-friendly development of tropical marine resources

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Table 7: Outcome 6: Vocational education and training (VET) and higher education sectors that are relevant and appropriate to industry needs, seek to achieve real employment outcomes, offer a range of suitable courses, and provide seamless pathways for learning, including practical options to move between industry, secondary education, VET and higher education sectors.


•Articulated courses with flexible entry and exit points

•Established relationships between DET, DBE, CDU and industry

•Promotion of CDU pathways to learning and employment in relevant fora, such as open days, enrolment drives, print and web media

• Development of more flexible methods of delivering courses that have been targeted as a relevant component in achieving the aims of the Agreement

• An increase in articulated programs that are mapped to industry needs and are identified as a priority program area

• An increase in the number of courses aimed at achieving workforce, ranging from short courses to post graduate programs in recognised areas that require skill development

•Training provision included

º Certificate IV in Government (investigations)

º Certificate IV in Training and Assessment

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Table 8: Outcome 7: A thriving and engaged Indigenous population that achieves success in relevant education, employment and training programs which are clearly linked to economic and social outcomes.


• Indigenous student retention rates

• Indigenous employment retention rates

• Indigenous representation in the NTPS

• Indigenous representation in education and training programs

• Successful Indigenous business enterprise

• Increased representation and retention of Indigenous graduates in the NT workforce, particularly in positions that have been identified through community skills audits as ‘matching’ community needs and are targeted as specific areas of need

• Increased representation of Indigenous employees in the NTPS as identified by relevant employment and training programs

• Improvements in retention of Indigenous graduates in the NT workforce

• Increased participation of Indigenous employees in the NTPS in workforce development (particularly Leadership) programs such as Kigaruk and Lookrukin

• Increased representation of Indigenous students in education and training programs across the VET and higher education sectors at CDU

•Research into improving foundational literacy through technology in regional and remote schools

•Transforming Indigenous Education: designing a research, implementation and evaluation methodology

•Delivery of Certificate II and III Community Services for Aboriginal Community Workers to promote health and wellbeing in NT communities

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7.1 CommunicationsThe Partnership Agreement website continues to be the first point of contact for many new and existing Partnership stakeholders.

The site contains Partnership news, contact details for the Partnership Secretariat, policies and Partnership developments.

7.2 ProcurementIn 2009, Partnership activities could access a Standing Certificate of Exemption under the NTG procurement policy. Until mid 2009, the services provided to the NTG by CDU had to fit under a Schedule of the Partnership Agreement to access the Certificate of Exemption. Following the introduction of the new framework and the abolition of schedules, services had to meet one of the Partnership’s outcomes (see Section 3.3) to access the Certificate of Exemption.

TheProcurementPolicyunderthePartnershipAgreement provides NTG project managers with specific guidelines for procuring services from CDU under the Partnership Agreement and a scope of works template to facilitate the development of new projects between the University and Government.

The procurement guidelines and templates are available on the Partnership Agreement website: www.cdu.edu.au/government/procurementpolicy.html

A full list of Partnership Agreement procurement accessing the Standing Certificate of Exemption is provided as Appendix 1 (Table 8). In total the Standing Certificate of Exemption was used 14 times by five different Government Departments for services procured under the Partnership Agreement valued at $537,319. This level of procurement has decreased from 2009, but is still more than the initial amount at the start of the second agreement. This decrease can be explained by the reduction in Partnership activity whilst the new framework was introduced.

In addition to procurement activities accessing the Certificate of Exemption, the University also were awarded a number of open tenders to provide training or research.

7.3 Staff Sharing FrameworkIn recognition of the value of combining the human resources of Charles Darwin University and the Northern Territory Government, a Staff Sharing Framework was finalised under the Partnership Agreement in 2006.

The Framework provides a formalised structure for the establishment of staff-sharing arrangements which ensures a streamlined and consistent approach to their administration. Staff who undertake such arrangements provide specialist skills and develop projects that are of mutual priority to the University and the NT Government.

7. Operation of the Partnership Agreement

22

They also provide an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and information and bring about a better understanding of their host organisations.

In 2009 a total of 12 staff, from health and education participated in a staff sharing arrangement between Charles Darwin University and the Northern Territory Government. The benefits of staff sharing can be realised in different ways, ranging from traditional secondment arrangements, to arrangements that divide the employee’s time between both organisations over a set period, to sourcing staff for Partnership projects from third party organisations.

Details of the staff sharing arrangements are provided at Appendix 2, Table 9.

7.4 Work Integrated Learning Scholarship (WILS and other ScholarshipsA scholarship program was established in 2006 to combat skills shortages in the Territory’s public sector and provide tertiary students with valuable on-the-job training in their chosen field of study. Work Integrated Learning Scholarships (WILS) combine full time study with work experience rotations during the vacation periods.

The scholarships, which are funded by NTG Agencies, seek to address identified skills shortages in the public sector which, as the largest employer in the Territory, is dedicated to building capacity and a stronger skills base for the benefit of all Territorians.

In 2009 a total of 9 new WILS were offered by the Northern Territory Government to Territory students at CDU. These were offered by DCI (5) and NT Treasury (4). However there were also 9 students continuing their studies with DCI (5) and NT Treasury (4).

7.5 International Students

School FeesTo assist CDU to recruit international students into PhD courses, the Department of Education and Training has agreed to waive the international student tuition fees at Government Schools for up to ten dependants of PhD students studying at CDU. Two dependants received fee waivers from the Department of Education and Training in 2009.

Study to Migrate SeminarsThe Director of Workforce Growth NT, Department of Business and Employment joined Charles Darwin University’s marketing and recruitment activities in Indonesia, China, Philippines, India, Melbourne and Sydney and provided Study to Migrate Seminars. Two migration seminars were also provided to enrolled Charles Darwin University international students.

Charles Darwin University participated in the Department of the Chief Minister’s education trade delegation to Ho Chi Minh City.

7.6 Institute of Advanced StudiesCharles Darwin University receives an annual grant of $1.5 million from the Northern Territory Government towards the operating costs of the Institute of Advanced Studies. This funding contributes to the establishment of intellectual resources and a knowledge base sufficient to meet the needs of the Territory, whether for policy advice, research or for education and training. This funding enables resident intellectual capability in areas of identified priorities for the Northern Territory to be sustained. In 2009, this core funding assisted the University with leveraging additional external research funding totalling $11.5 million, from funding bodies such as the Australian Research Council, NHMRC and other competitive grants, including international funding bodies; research funded by business and commercial interests and Northern Territory Government contracts arising from the Charles Darwin University/Northern Territory Government Partnership Agreement.

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Table 9: Partnership Agreement and use of the Standing Certificate of Exemption (January – December 2009)

NTG Partnerr

CDU School Project Description Date Awarded

Cost

DET School of Social & Policy Research

Provision of Accelerated Literacy Professional Development Intensive Workshop

Jan 09 49,500



March 09 49,000


Provision of Accelerated Literacy Professional Development Intensive Workshop (Alice Springs)

March 09 36,000

DBE Review the NT Business and Skilled Migration Strategy 2005-2010

April 09 20,000

DBE School of Law and Business

Report on the NT Employment Strategy

May 09 16,500

DET Business Advanced (VET Team)

Supply and Delivery of Enterprise Trainer and Assessor

June 09 68,420

DHF Community Services and Health (VET Team)

Provision of VET Cert II and III in Community Services Work

June 09 609,440

OCPE/DCM School of Australian Indigenous Knowledge

Development of Machinery of Government Course and course materials

July 09 8,320



July 09 48,600

DET Menzies Transforming Indigenous Education – evaluation and research

July 09


Machinery of Government 4 Day Course

Aug 09 8,000



Aug 09 48,600

NRETAS School of Environmental Research

Assessment of Major Spring Systems in the Oolloo Dolostone Daly River

Sept 09 173,389



Oct 09 8,000



Nov 09 2,990

DBE Various Provision of Accredited Learning and Development Services for a Period of 36 Months

Nov 09

Appendix 1: Procurement Activity - Tenders Accessing the Standing Certificate of Exemption or Under a Schedule of the Agreement

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Table 10: Staff Sharing Arrangements between CDU and the NTG during 2009

Name Position NTG Agency CDU School / Unit

Geoff Aitken Lecturer Department of Education and Training School of Education

Jenny Buckworth Lecturer Department of Education and Training School of Education

Donna Robins Lecturer Department of Education and Training School of Education

Jane Harris Lecturer Department of Health and Families Graduate School of Health Practice

Melanie Morrow Lecturer Department of Health and Families School of Heath Sciences

Pamela Smith Lecturer Department of Education and Training School of Heath Sciences

Karen Were Project Officer Department of Health and Families Graduate School of Health Practice

Tracey Egan Lecturer Department of Education and Training School of Education

Linda Hyland Lecturer Department of Education and Training School of Education

Alison Stangeways Lecturer Department of Education and Training School of Education

Appendix 2: Staff Sharing Arrangements

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CDU Charles Darwin University

DCM Department of the Chief Minister (NT)

DBE Department of Business and Employment (NT)

DET Department of Education and Training (NT)

DHF Department of Health and Families (NT)

ICT

Menzies Menzies School of Health Research

NRETAS Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport (NT)

NT Northern Territory

NTG Northern Territory Government

NTPS Northern Territory Public Service

NTRIB Northern Territory Research and Innovation Board

OCPE Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment

VET Vocational Education and Training

WILS Work Integrated Learning Scholarships

Appendix 3: Acronyms and Abbreviations

ANNUAL REPORT 2009

www.cdu.edu.au/government/

35012 uniprintNT 10.10 NJ

CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY NORTHERN TERRITORY GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

charles darwin university northern territory … · and service delivery – meeting the northern...

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