UTS:Alumni End of Year Celebration 2005

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Alumni End of Year Celebration caps off a year that has been great for UTS in many ways.

As you might be aware, The Times Higher Education Supplement recently published its annual list of the world's top 200 universities. You may remember that last year we were ranked for the first time on the list at number 113. I am very pleased to say that this year we continue our impressive climb and are now number 87 in the World's Top 100 Universities.

The Times ranking strives to identify excellence in both teaching and research. Other important considerations include an international outlook and a global reputation among students, academics and employers. All of this is great news for alumni as well, because our improvement in the ranking adds value to your UTS qualifications.

It?s also been another big year for improvements in the University?s physical environment. The new Science Building is nearing completion and when it opens in February will be one of the best science teaching and research facilities in the world.

Part of the project includes the first stage of landscaping what will eventually be called Alumni Green. This extended and revamped green space in the area behind the Tower will be vital in enhancing student facilities and the look of the University. The Science Building also includes a newly refurbished gym, which can be used by students, staff and of course, all of you, the alumni of UTS.

All this new work will allow UTS to better serve our students. In the near future, we will be inviting alumni to consider supporting the University?s program of capital improvements and I hope that you will be able to respond by becoming involved.

In seeking to develop better relationships with the community and UTS graduates in particular, the University recently appointed a Director of Development, Mr Chris Benaud, who is also a graduate of UTS. If you are able to support UTS or have ideas about ways of supporting development at UTS, I know he?d welcome your suggestions and support. He can be contacted at: Chris.Benaud@uts.edu.au

Now, to a most important part of the evening.

A highlight of this evening is the announcement of the inaugural UTS Alumni Leadership Award. This new award has been introduced as a way of honouring graduates of UTS who have made a special contribution to the University.

With much pleasure, I welcome the first recipient of the award, Mr Colin Grady. Colin is a Director of the mortgage investment company, Grenfell Securities Limited and he has had a long and illustrious association with UTS. He holds both a Graduate Diploma in Finance and a Masters of Business Administration from UTS. Colin is a member of the UTS Council and is currently President of the UTS Alumni Association.

Colin, thank you on behalf of UTS for the long and loyal support you have shown for the University. It is highly appropriate that you should be the inaugural recipient of this significant award.

As you know very well Colin, we face many challenges at UTS, not the least of which is to continue delivering quality education and research in an increasingly difficult funding environment. It is only through the special voluntary contribution of Council members and others and the financial and other support of graduates and the wider community that UTS will be able to continue fulfilling its mission. We look forward to strengthening these relationships by engaging more directly with the alumni who have shown long-term commitment to the university through the UTS Alumni Association, which you lead. I hope that we will be able to celebrate that direct engagement in the New Year.

On behalf of UTS, thank you Colin Grady.

Thank you as well to all our alumni for the continuing support of UTS over the past year. We look forward to welcoming you at alumni events in 2006.

In the meantime on behalf of UTS I?d like to wish you and your families all the very best for the festive season.

Professor Ross Milbourne
Vice-Chancellor