June marked the successful completion of the Partnering in Leadership pilot project, a joint initiative between Charles Darwin University (CDU) and Victoria University.
Participants from CDU and Victoria University recently took part in a three-day residential in Darwin and Jabiru, which ended with a celebration function hosted by Professor Helen Garnett, CDU Vice-Chancellor.
The residential involved many workshops, activities and guest presenters relative to the topic of 'Leadership' and the leadership competencies defined in the program.
CDU and Victoria University are two of the five dual sector universities in Australia, that is, tertiary education institutions which combine both Higher Education (HE) with Vocational Education and Training (VET) teaching and research services.
Both institutions have been formed from amalgamations of former universities and TAFE institutions and as a consequence are comprised of various geographically diverse campuses. The convergence of HE and VET in both cases and the challenges of strategically positioning these diverse institutions has resulted in similar issues arising in both universities.
The Vice-Chancellors highlighted the need to develop leadership capabilities within this complex environment, especially in the crucial middle management levels, so as to achieve the Universities’ strategic goals.
The project set up a pilot leadership development program with a view to establishing an on-going annual program. By recognising the similarities between the two universities an opportunity was provided for reflecting on similar leadership issues and also for providing networking and benchmarking opportunities.
For more information about the future CDU Leadership programs for CDU staff and Succession Management program please contact Aretha Amos on 8946 6417 in Staff Professional Development.