Southern Cross Matters

Our research efforts continue to blossom, and our level of success in seeking external funding to support this important work is growing. I am particularly excited about the work of our Impact Clusters, but more broadly, the way that I am seeing connections form across disciplinary groups which have not traditionally worked together at SCU – a really great contemporary example being Health and IT.

And around all of these things, there are many elements of the fabric of our institution that continue to evolve and improve for the benefit of our students and communities. The momentum that is gathering in enhancing student support and life is so critical, but so to is the time and energy that is being invested in quality systems and oversight, as well as our technology suite.

At this critical time of the year, a great many people are giving consideration to the choices that they might make with respect to University study in 2024. We have an extraordinary story to tell those who want to learn about us, and every one of us can play a part in helping those who have not yet finalised key life choices for their future to do so. One of the key things that we have changed at our University in recent years is nothing more complicated than the confidence and positivity with which we explain who we are, and why we do what we do. I hope we can all carry that ethos into the lighter, warmer months that lay ahead and begin building for an even better year next year.

Tyrone

Professor Ewing’s acclimatisation extends beyond the weather. Since starting in May, he has been familiarising himself with the people, programs and focus of the Faculty. He is excited by what he has seen and heard.

“I am so impressed with the quality of the personnel and the collegiality within the Faculty,” he said. 

“More broadly, this region of South-East Queensland and Northern NSW is growing at such a rapid rate that it will bring many challenges and opportunities, especially in business and law.

“The same applies to the Arts. Humanities are so important for society, and it is vital that they can progress and be protected. Universities have a stake in that process, which I find appealing and motivating.”

Professor Ewing brings vast experience to Southern Cross University. He began his academic career at Curtin University (WA) in 1996 before moving across the country to fulfil various leadership roles at Monash University. From 2014-23, he was Deakin University’s Executive Dean of Business and Law and the Alfred Deakin Distinguished Professor.

His professional credentials also include teaching in Europe, Asia and in his homeland of South Africa, along with commercial marketing and consultancy roles with some of the world’s most recognised brands – Ford, Coca-Cola, Argyle Diamonds, Levi Strauss & Co, Ansell and Glaxo Smith Klein among them.

Though new to Southern Cross University, Professor Ewing has strong ancestral links to our region. The clue is in the name – Ewing, as in Ewingsdale. The Northern Rivers township was named for Professor Ewing’s family.

He plans to delve more deeply into his heritage, but Professor Ewing’s immediate priority is to harness, guide and complement the expertise and energy he has already witnessed within the Faculty of Business, Law and Arts.

The QS rankings develop a picture of overall performance from several indicators: Academic Reputation and Employer Reputation, which measure through surveys how the University is externally perceived, while Citations per Faculty provides a pro rata measure of the academic impact of research. As there is no single global benchmark for teaching quality, QS estimates the student experience with indicators for Faculty Student Ratio, International Faculty and International Students.

“In recognition that both employability and sustainability are becoming a more intense focus of younger students, QS has shaken up its methodology for the first time in nearly a decade by adding indicators for Employment Outcomes, International Research Network and Sustainability. These new indicators reflect the post-graduation employment rate and prominent alumni, the geographic diversity of universities with whom we collaborate, and the environmental, social and governance pillars of sustainability,” said Wendy Scott, Acting Director, Research Data and Contracts.

“Southern Cross and Australian universities in general have excelled under this new methodology, showing that we are well positioned to nurture the next generation of leaders.”

DEP’s captain, Senior Manager Gill Matthews, said it was gratifying to see all the hard work come to fruition.

“When you work on projects of this length it’s almost hard to believe when it goes live,” she said.

“The transition was a lot smoother than I was anticipating and for the actual flip from the old to the new, we finished two hours ahead of schedule. It will take another month or so to iron out some small issues and get our search optimised but we have high hopes for the new and improved digital Southern Cross!”

The new website will improve the user experience, especially the prospective student journey to applying. With improved search functionality, better course presentation and a richer visual experience, it represents a formidable cross-institution project for the University. 

Check out the new suit at scu.edu.au

“I hope these stories speak to our young people about the power of education in all its many forms,” he said. “We are privileged to have Elders who have achieved amazing things in their careers, have profound cultural knowledge and who make important contributions to our communities and to our students.”

The Gnibi Elders Council has been a part of the University in different ways since Southern Cross was constituted, providing guidance and leadership to the University on Indigenous issues. It is the only governance body of its kind at an Australian university and several Elders also teach into the Caring for Country and the Working with Aboriginal Communities units, delivered through Gnibi.

This year the NAIDOC theme was ‘For our Elders.’

Watch the trailer here.