OPPORTUNITIES
What do you see are the opportunities for distinctiveness for RMIT across these Directions?
+ add commentI'm wondering if it might be worth some emphasis on the T in RMIT?
I think that as a dual sector university RMIT is well placed to move forward with this. The idea o… See more
I think that as a dual sector university RMIT is well placed to move forward with this. The idea of acknowledgement for prior learning, packages and pathways is very VET. See less
Multimodality is the key. Enabling our physical spaces with the ability to not just verbally talk at… See more
Multimodality is the key. Enabling our physical spaces with the ability to not just verbally talk at the front of the classroom but interact with those in the classroom and those dialling in from all over the world. This means microphones strategically located through the collaborative space, camera's able to capture more than one angle and speakers that students can use to create, design and practice with as part of their course work. See less
Ensuring our students have a truly accessible learning option for these increasingly important field… See more
Ensuring our students have a truly accessible learning option for these increasingly important field of study such as teaching, nurses and other essential workers highlighted both by the Federal and state government. Pidgeon holing courses to selected campus's limits that accessibility. Continuing with out-dated on-campus models of learning needs to be removed and replaced by a hybrid approach. See less
It opens an opportunity to work with and exchange knowledge with colleagues on different campuses, c… See more
It opens an opportunity to work with and exchange knowledge with colleagues on different campuses, create a global multicultural work environment for staff on every campus. See less
I think the mindful focus on low socio-economic students as a target group is a fantastic way for RM… See more
I think the mindful focus on low socio-economic students as a target group is a fantastic way for RMIT to differentiate itself and tap into underrepresented talent. However, I also think this needs to be backed up by tangible policies, rather than just articulated in the abstract See less
The global competitive environment is developing SDG leadership rapidly. It is important for RMIT to… See more
The global competitive environment is developing SDG leadership rapidly. It is important for RMIT to continue using the SDGs, as a sustainability framework for integration and action, to maximise our influence and impact. RMIT is well placed to be a leader in progressing the SDGs globally, which will have a direct impact in attracting students and developing new partnerships and collaboration opportunities. Embedding SDGs into our strategy is crucial to help RMIT to create a common narrative to combine efforts and maximise our positive impact through research, L&T, campus operations, sustainability governance and leadership. See less
Sustainability not only resonates with our students and staff, but it speaks to our capability in re… See more
Sustainability not only resonates with our students and staff, but it speaks to our capability in research and our curriculum across many (if not all) schools. Leading with sustainability in Asia can create a distinctive identity for RMIT in markets where foreign universities are typically trading on rank. It would provide clarity to the ways we can give back to the communities in which we operate, and create a clear higher purpose that people can rally behind. See less
A cross-disciplinary approach to research themes and capabilities (as supported by the Enabling Capa… See more
A cross-disciplinary approach to research themes and capabilities (as supported by the Enabling Capability Platforms) is a way of working (and removing siloes) that happens at RMIT and should be continued and enhanced. This approach is a point of difference for RMIT. See less
An emphasis on the Sustainability Development Goals (e.g. in relation to urban development) seems a point of competitive distinction.
KEEP IT IN MIND
What should we keep front of mind as we step towards developing RMIT's next strategy?
+ add commentSDGs represent an important mission. They are also sufficiently numerous and broad that they can be … See more
SDGs represent an important mission. They are also sufficiently numerous and broad that they can be interpreted to apply to almost everything we do. Ensure any reporting against these is meaningful and supports improved action, focus and outcomes, not just explaining our current actions differently. See less
To ensure our strategy is outward-looking, focusing on students and the impact of our research.
Ensuring the research we conduct has a direct link and correlation to the community. Trips and place… See more
Ensuring the research we conduct has a direct link and correlation to the community. Trips and placements overseas only add value when the end product supports and helps the local community where the funding and people lie. We must tackle issues on a world stage with an eye on the local impact. See less
Please keep in mind that plain language and meaningful statements — i.e. phrasing that is clear and… See more
Please keep in mind that plain language and meaningful statements — i.e. phrasing that is clear and readily understandable for the reader — is always better than clever consultant-style jargon and fancy wording attempts. Phrases such as "mission-led university" are likely to be meaningless for people outside RMIT (also, for people inside RMIT, until they spend time to read various draft strategy documents). Why not try to come up with goals and visions that are clear and have some immediate meaning for the reader? That's the real challenge, not coming up with clever-sounding but initially vacuous catch-phrases. See less
One thing that really struck me about this paper was the lack of mentions of climate change. As a yo… See more
One thing that really struck me about this paper was the lack of mentions of climate change. As a young person, climate change is at the forefront of my perceptions of the future and will greatly impact my career and choices, yet this paper did not incorporate it. I think this is a shame as RMIT is indeed undertaking tangible work to adapt to climate change. I would also like to add that I am confused about the lack of reference to the Sustainable Development Goals – something which is at the forefront of RMIT's policy decisions. See less
The current NEXT paper uses the world “sustainable” 19 times; whereas the words “climate”, … See more
The current NEXT paper uses the world “sustainable” 19 times; whereas the words “climate”, “carbon”, “emission” and “warming” are used zero times.
The global priority of carbon-neutral is reinforced by the recent IPCC AR6 report and highlighted by significant international shifts in policy settings around energy, transport and other high-emission sectors by governments, corporations and investors. Universities – including their researchers and educators – must play a visible, effective role: from University of Buffalo’s campus-wide response to SDG7 (resulting in its first place in the 2021 Times Higher Education Climate Action Ranking); to the current joint initiative by Berlin-based universities to serve 96% vegetarian + vegan meals in their canteens to reduce livestock emission.
The NEXT paper’s omission of a genuine carbon-neutral outcome erodes any claim to be a “global university of sustainable technology, design and enterprise” and this omission will be noticed by future students, industry partners and – eventually – legislators. Let’s instead populate NEXT with genuine carbon-neutral targets, not just the multiple ‘commitments’ listed on the RMIT ‘Carbon and climate’ public page. If RMIT is a “mission-led” university, then carbon-neutral must surely be the mission that we must lead. See less
How are international students engaged through pandemic recovery?
What does a hybrid learning / working situation look like? What is the priority / emphasis for face-to-face experiences?
Building on existing work that is happening and has pivoted as a result of the current situation we're in.