frontlines … strikes me!
2009.6 Sandra Welsman presented to the 7th Triple Helix International Conference on University, Industry, Government Linkages, in Glasgow.
The paper, Regional to Global Enterprise - A Collaboration to Extend Academic Work: Helix Potential, Systemic Problems, is posted on the Social Sciences Research network, New York. >>
The Regional to Global Enterprise vision of harnessing talents across a regional university and partners is outlined. This paper also discusses traditional university ways as pressures intensifies to be part mainstream productivity and wealth generating effort. For proactive institutions and extrovert academics this can present real opportunities. >>
2008-9-10 Frontiers Insight is working on Tourism as Creative Business.
As a substantial regional income-earning industry, tourism offers potential. During 2008 we learnt a deal at the LGA NSW Tourism Conference in Lismore, and the Australian Regional Tourism Network (ARTN) convention in the Barossa Valley. >>
Tourism economics, strategy and planning is a developing Frontiers Insight line of business and study of the tourist experience was an associated purpose of Sandra Welsman’s travel to Singapore, KL, London, Scotland and New York in June 2009. See my World Tourist Experience photo essay and commentary analysis on Facebook.
With development of a significant, unique tourism venture in mind (more soon), and conscious of issues with skills and education in tourism sectors, over 2008-09 Sandra Welsman progressed and gained a full TAA40104 Cert IV — the key theme was development of Nature’s Spot as a simulated but very realistic workplace, with the teams and joys and troubles of an eco-tourism attraction. A great way to understand and think innovatively about nuances and issues of training (and training packages) for service delivery in this highly people dependent industry.
2009.5 A regulator is announced, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency.
In March, on recommendation of The Higher Education Review, the Australian Government heralded a new, empowered regulatory authority. The panel had remarked that Australia’s quality assurance system is ‘not sufficiently rigorous’ for the demanding, globally competitive future.
- Australia’s new Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency was confirmed in the May 2009 Federal Budget. The Government’s emphasis on bringing (pulling) together tertiary education sectors that are separated by the traditions of educators more than needs and intentions of individuals and industries, is a strategic and productivity breakthrough for Australians, and a gauntlet for educators. see Strikes Me! work complexity
- There will be plenty of debate as the regulatory Agency is formed. A new Welsman discussion paper on topic: Re-spect, Peer Review, and then there is Audit! was developed with a conference topic squarely in mind - Internal and External Quality Assurance - Tensions and Synergies - but it is admittedly rather more on policy, regulation and performance than process. >> | >>
2009.3 Innovation and ideas developed in Lateral thinking on skills for agri-food industries are being pursued into 2009.
Various workplace and education projects are being progressed in stages, such as unique Associate Degree development, interdisciplinary barriers within universities, and work-integrated learning conferences and exercises. >>
- On Work ... Who decides if You can have a high-paying career? comment on The Land Peppercorn observations on educating future workers 19.3.09. I can hardly believe he wrote that! … strikes me
- On Work - The complexity of modern workplaces is a great issue of our times. ‘Business wants graduates who can cope!’, employers want workers to integrate and multi -task. Individuals as students and workers want all this. Do educators? … strikes me
2009.2 Regulations are an ongoing challenge in shifting winds.
FI is working to contribute on multiple fronts to 
regulation reviews and strategies in line with COAG promises on regulation and red tape control. An open web-letter on Australian deregulation policy and issues with rules. >>
- Talk ‘regulation’ in 2009, and most think financial markets and agencies ‘not doing enough’. But productivity is a real issue in Australia. For decades ahead we’ll want more useful output from a shrinking workforce. Mountains of regulation affecting all aspects of business operations still need critical review. For a start, many thousands of clever people are tied up just ‘dealing with rules’. >> | >>
2008.10 Great to be invited as inaugural guest speaker celebrating the first LUCY graduates at University of New England Business School. Good to meet forward-thinking mentees; a chance to regale career war stories and laugh about power!
2008.8 The ACCC burst forth in Aug 2008 with a finding that land zoning laws could be anti-competitive. But 14 years earlier see - Australia’s local land-use planning laws and practices: Competition law’s next challenge? Welsman (1994).>> Says a deal about the ‘impact’ of publishing in scholarly journals!
2008-07 To communicate research and critical analysis behind The Frontiers Institute, items presented and published by Sandra over 2007-2008 include:
Double or Nothing! Boosting returns to science from double degrees. >
To Boldly go! Can Bright Students realise their Learning Potential at Universities? >
Engaging Industry - A Participative Forum to Explore not-so-Academic Questions. >