The University of Canberra has accepted three of the four major recommendations of the Independent Review into the Contingent-Continuing Program, commonly known as the Assistant Professor Program.
The fourth recommendation, which called for the elimination of education-focused stream of Assistant Professors, was deemed inconsistent with the University’s workforce plan and dedication to high quality teaching.
Further, nine of the twelve secondary and tertiary recommendations were also accepted, accepted with further enhancement, or accepted with alignment to university policy. Two of the recommendations that were not accepted are already provided for in the current Enterprise Agreement.
Professor Deep Saini, Vice-Chancellor and President, today met with the Assistant Professor cohort to discuss the recommendations of the Independent review, and adopt a co-designed implementation to the response to the report in consultation with the cohort. UC today released the report in full to all staff, after meeting with those directly impacted in the program.
“We’ve listened to our staff, we have received an external independent report, we’ve analysed that, and we’ve acted in consultation with those impacted staff,” said Professor Deep Saini, Vice-Chancellor and President. “We have acted with the intent to create a sustainable, positive environment for our staff to continue to excel.”
The Independent Review was commissioned directly by the Vice-Chancellor in May to improve the implementation of the high-performance scheme—established in 2010.
The Review aimed to enable the Vice-Chancellor to make informed changes to the program and seek any recommendations that could result in an improved performance for program participants.
Staff were invited to participate in the extensive independent consultation process. A total of 44 current and past Assistant Professors, 16 management staff and three National Tertiary Education Union staff were formally interviewed. A staff forum was also held on 14 August 2019 to enable staff to provide further input and 18 written submissions were received. There are currently 95 Assistant Professors at UC.
The Independent Review Report highlighted many positive aspects of the program, and recommended to retain these. The intent of the program is recognised for its significant contribution to the University through the impact of high performance across all areas of academic performance—in both teaching and research, service, engagement and leadership.
“I am committed to ensuring that, before I leave UC on December 20, the process of implementing the accepted recommendations of the report is set in motion,” said Professor Deep Saini, Vice-President and Chancellor.
“I am confident in our focus on co-designing the activities related to the recommended improvements and thank all the Assistant Professors who have contributed to the review and their commitment to the program going forward.”
Contact the University of Canberra media team:
Megan Reeder Hope, Associate Director, Media and Communications
megan.reederhope@canberra.edu.au or 0435 103 735