As we approach the University closedown period, many of you may have planned leave for 2024 and 2025. Please remember to set up appropriate delegation arrangements to ensure work continues smoothly in your absence. You can assign a short-term delegation arrangement via the Employee Self Service in HORUS.

This will ensure your delegations are properly transferred to another position, allowing work to continue smoothly in your absence.

If required, please refer to this user guide or contact your local HR team for guidance. 

The Recruitment Approval Committee (RAC) was implemented in April this year to oversee and ensure that all recruitment processes align with the University's strategic, financial, and organisational objectives.

Since its formation, the RAC has met 16 times between 2 May 2024 and 20 November 2024. One more meeting is scheduled for 11 December, which will be the final meeting for 2024. Currently, 101 requests have been submitted to be reviewed in this meeting.

Across 2024, a total of 1107 roles have been submitted, with 1007 approved (90.97% approval rating). On average, the Committee reviews 79 requests per meeting.

Image: 2024 Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor Awards. Photo: Dave Fanner/ANU

The University has celebrated the achievements of an outstanding cohort of professional and academic staff who embody the spirit of “excellence in everything” at the annual Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor awards ceremony.  

A highlight of the University’s calendar, the awards are an opportunity to acknowledge those who are doing remarkable things in their respective fields, helping advance research and teaching, as well as contributing to a more inclusive, open and respectful campus community – core values that embody the essence of ANU. 

Read more: Best of ANU community celebrated with Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor awards 

Mt Stromlo in the 1950s. Photo: ANU Archives

Nobel prize-winning astronomer Professor Brian Schmidt was an undergraduate at the University of Arizona when he first learned of the Mount Stromlo Observatory. 

During his degree, Schmidt encountered graduate students who had been supervised by renowned Australian astronomer Ken Freeman. The scholars’ tales of an observatory on the other side of the world left stars in his eyes. 

“I always thought ‘I wonder what that Mount Stromlo place is like. I’ve gotta get there.’ I felt like it was going to be green and look like Ireland,” Schmidt told ABC journalist Annabel Crabb at an event held at The Australian National University to celebrate the Observatory’s centenary. 

Read more: ‘It’s such an Aussie story’ celebrating 100 years of Mount Stromlo Observatory

Thursday 12 December, 5-6pm 

Japan finds itself at a critical crossroads. With recent leadership changes, rising defense expenditure and a challenging strategic environment, Japan is reshaping its strategic posture. Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency raises questions about the U.S.- Japan alliance. Against this backdrop, the Australia- Japan security partnership grows in importance. Four Japanese experts will discuss these developments and their implications for Indo-Pacific security and the evolving alliance. 

Register now: Japan's new foreign and security policy directions

Associate Professor Aparna Lal, recipient of the Tony Ayers Award 2024. Photo: Calo Huang

Translational medicine is usually thought of as taking medical discoveries from the lab and applying them to patient care: or ‘bench to bedside’ research. But it is a much broader concept than that. 

“Translational medicine also includes the application of science to policy, and for me, is driven by community need,” says Associate Professor Aparna Lal, the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Tony Ayers Award. The Award celebrates translational medicine, and for the first time, recognises research that aims to protect people and our planet. 

Read more: Translational medicine more than ‘bench to bedside’ research 

The University is thrilled to announce the Phase 2 recipients of the ANU Strategic Learning and Teaching Grants. The Grants, made available by the National Industry Linkage Fund (NPILF), are established to accelerate education renewal aligned to the strategic initiatives approved by the Academic Board, the ANU Learning and Teaching Strategy, the Curriculum Framework and ANU Graduate Attributes.  

A full list of the recipients can be found on the Strategic Learning and Teaching Grants website under the ‘2024 Phase 2 Grants Recipients’ tab. Congratulations to these deserving recipients. 

An extension has been granted which will enable the current travel approval e-Form to remain in use until the new technology is introduced in Q1 next year.

Alongside the rollout of the new technology, we will transition to a new Travel Management Services provider(s). We look forward to sharing more information with you once the contracts are finalised.

Any questions regarding travel at the ANU can be directed to travelservices@anu.edu.au

The new year is the perfect time to build fresh habits—or revisit ones you've let slip. Switching up your commute by cycling, walking or using public transport even one day a week can boost your wellbeing, save money and time and reduce your carbon footprint. 

Need inspiration? ANU Green has pulled together some tips to make sustainable travel part of your 2025 routine. 

Learn more: ANU Carbon smart commuting website

The Federal Government has launched a strategic review of Australia’s research and development (R&D) system to enhance outcomes, drive economic growth, and strengthen resilience. This initiative follows the University Accord's February recommendation to make research funding more stable and impactful. 

The review will be led by a panel of experts with expertise and experience in research and development, innovation, and industry:   

Their task is to propose options for improving Australia’s R&D system, addressing barriers to competitiveness, fostering collaboration, and increasing R&D investment as a percentage of GDP—a critical need given Australia’s lags behind other advanced economies. 

The review will assess best practice for measuring outcomes and distributing investments, drawing insights from OECD R&D systems. A discussion paper will be released in 2025, alongside public consultations with researchers, businesses, and governments. The panel’s final report is due by 31 December 2025. 

The University will engage strongly with this important review and we welcome your thoughts and ideas in order to inform and shape our engagement and submissions. Further details about how you can get involved will be shared by the Research and Innovation portfolio in the first quarter of 2025. 

Learn more: Strategic Examination of Research and Development 

Starting in January 2025, students making payments via credit or debit card for tuition, transcripts, and miscellaneous fees through the Interactive Student Information System (ISIS) will incur a surcharge fee. This fee reflects the merchant service costs incurred by ANU for processing card transactions.

This is planned to commence on Thursday 23 January 2025. To avoid the surcharge fee, students are encouraged to use the BPAY payment method in ISIS, which remains a fee-free option.

Learn more: Credit and Debit Card Surcharge for students in 2025

Help is available if you need it. Whether it's a work-related issue or a personal one, the University encourages you to seek support through the Employee Assistance Program.

If you need to support a student in distress, please refer to this guide that was developed by the Student Safety and Wellbeing team.