The LH Martin Institute is pleased to bring you this update on recent activities and advice on forthcoming programs and opportunities.

This past month the Institute has successfully delivered Senior Leadership Programs including Women in Leadership, held in Canberra and featuring a number of high profile leaders from the tertiary sector and beyond, and the Heads of Department program (second module), held in Sydney. In addition the Insitute in collaboration with The CSHE presented the first in a series of three Tertiary Education Policy Seminars.

Focusing on issues of leading in complex changing research environments, this higher experiential program will encourage personal refelction, feedback and exploration of leadership challenges. Participants will have access to an online support network with fellow participants to build an enduring learning community. This program will explore:

• Leading individuals and teams through ongoing change.
• Building strategic awareness by enabling a better understanding of the larger strategic environment in which Universities operate and the opportunities and challenges offered.
• Understanding the conditions for innovation and creativity at the individual, team and organisational levels.
• Managing conflict at the individual and group levels and managing difference as a source of creativity rather than destructive tension.
• Intrapersonal and interpersonal awareness, together with greater understanding of the dynamics of groups and teams.
• Developing strong cross organisational links within cohorts.

Module 1: 26-30 July 2009, Geelong
Module 2: 13-15 September 2009, Geelong
Module 3: 5 November 2009, Carlton

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In Victoria, the progressive introduction of training market reforms is of pressing interest to the TAFE sector. In this rapidly changing environment it is essential to have a strong understanding of the state and national policy environment, and how that environment influences both day-to-day practice and long term institutional viability.

Presented by leading VET managers and policy specialists this one day program will assist leaders, managers, teachers and administrative staff to enhance their understanding of the Victorian VET landscape. It introduces issues and debates which are directly impacting on TAFE operations and planning.

29 July 2009, Carlton

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The LH Martin Institute, in collaboration with the Centre for the Study of Higher Education is pleased to present a series of free, evening policy seminars.

The second of these events on 30 July will be chaired by Professor Elizabeth Harman, Vice Chancellor, Victoria University, Professor Richard Teese, Director Centre for Post-Compulsory Education and Lifelong Learning, The University of Melbourne and Professor Peter Dawkins, Secretary, Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development on the question of Participation and Equity: What are the cross-sectoral implications of the Bradley targets for expansion and equity?

The first seminar in this series, held on 9 June, was chaired by Professor Paul Johnson, Vice Chancellor, LaTrobe University with Professors Jeff Borland and Simon Marginson discussing implications of the recent Commonwealth budget. Click here to view the video of this seminar.

The theme of the 2009 Women in Leadership Program, taken from Canberra based Judy Horacek’s well known cartoon, reflected the aim of sharing the experience of some wonderful Canberra women who work successfully in male dominated environments. Guest presenters included the Hon Julie Bishop, Deborah Hart (curator at the National Gallery), anti-smoking lobbyist and CEO ASH Anne Jones, and Judy Horacek herself who gave a wonderful presentation based on her work. Professor Don Aitkin ex-Vice Chancellor, University of Canberra and now Chair of the National Capital Authority, also generously shared his knowledge of the Capital. Highly valued ‘blow-ins’ to Canberra included vice chancellors Professors Margaret Gardner and Alan Robson , both higher education equity agenda champions. Throughout the week Professor Margaret Seares, the program’s mentor-in-residence, worked with individual participants on problem solving and career plans.

In mid May twenty selected members of the industry from the university and VET sectors participated in the launch of the International Education Association of Australia (IEAA) - LH Martin Institute Executive Leadership and Management in International Education program delivered over 2 days at the Victoria University Conference Centre, Melbourne. This is the first of two modules of the program, the second of which will be held in Sydney on 29 and 30 September.

Participants were exposed to a wide range of topics and industry leaders during the 2 days and received a number of core resources and readings. Details of the program and the presenters are available at: http://www.ieaa.org.au/content/?ids=PDLeadershipWorkshops

The program has a strong practical focus but aims to provide participants with a conceptual framework in which they can place, analyse and synthesise a comprehensive range of international education issues. There is an emphasis on strategic leadership, entrepreneurship and good practice, workshopped through an interactive exchange of ideas, sharp debate and critical examination of new approaches to management and leadership.

The aim of the program overall is to provide an action-learning environment to challenge and extend up and coming leaders. Evaluations of the first module indicated the program was very well received by our participants. Experience gained from delivery of the first module will be built on to strengthen the September module.

In the meantime, the dynamic group of participants in this first program will complete tasks in the interval between their two sessions, including a competitive group challenge which will be judged in September.

Congratulations to Robin Shreeve who has been appointed the new CEO of Skills Australia and will begin this new role in October of this year.  Robin is presently the CEO of the City of Westminster College in London and prior to this was Chair of the boards of Directors of TAFE Global (Australia) as well as Deputy Director-General for TAFE NSW and before that, director of the North Coast Insitute of TAFE. Robin acts on The LH Martin Institute Advisory Board as an Interntional expert on VET management development.