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Program Guide

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1. Program Details

Title / Graduate Certificate in Research Commercialisation
Abbreviation / GradCertResComm
RMIT Program Code / GC130
Credit Points / 48
Career / PostGraduate
Duration/length / 2 semesters
Campuses / NA
Location / NA
Owning School / Applied Sciences
Partnered offering / corporate client / ATN Universities
ASCED code: / 080399
CRICOS code: (If known) / {If delivered to onshore international students}
Contact RMIT International to apply for a CRICOS code
Proposed Introduction / 2008, semester 2
Contact Details / Prof Robin Usher, Graduate Research Office, ext 58303

2. Plan Details

For existing programs only.

(If the Program has multiple Plans on PeopleSoft, the table below should be repeated for each Plan.)

Plan 1

RMIT Plan Code / GC130
Title / Graduate Certificate in Research Commercialisation
Award Title / Graduate Certificate in Research Commercialisation
ASCED code: / 080399
CRICOS code: / NO

Plan 2

[Repeat above table as necessary]

3. Program MapTotal Credit Points = 48

Course #1 is compulsory. Choose and complete three (3) courses from #2 - 9
Subject Area / Catalogue Number / Course Title / Credit Points
1. Knowledge Transfer and Commercialisation / 12
2. Project Management for research / 12
3. Entrepreneurship / 12
4. Leadership and Workplace Communication / 12
5. Public Policy and Research / 12
New / 6. Contexts of Research Management / 12
New / 7. Strategic Issues in Research Management / 12
New / 8. Principles and Practice of Research Management / 12
New / 9. Managing Your Research Career / 12

Student Electives:

3 out of 8 courses listed:
Project management for research
Entrepreneurship
Leadership and Workplace Communication
Public Policy and Research
Contexts of Research Management
Strategic Issues in Research Management
Principles and Practice of Research Management
Managing Your Research Career

4. External Accreditation and Industry Links

5. Objectives of the Program

There has been significant growth in research in the public and private sector in Australia as indicated by the trend in national spending on R&D. The national innovation system is recognised as underpinning the future prosperity and social and cultural wellbeing of the nation. Increasingly, both researcher and professional managers of research are engaged in framing creative and innovative projects, in the everyday management of research projects, in funding decisions and in the broader policy debates, in order to deliver the maximum return on R&D investment at the enterprise, state or commonwealth level.

This requires heightened skills and understanding of aspects of research governance, project delivery, advocacy and knowledge transfer. There has also been an increase in accountability and reporting requirements for researchers, making research management a key skill for an academic career. Although no firm policies have yet been set in place in relation to research quality measures, there is no doubt that this will be an area where research managers will be required to set in place systems and policies at an institutional level in line with developments in federal government policy. A focus on quality will add to competitiveness in the R&D management scene in Australia, thus requiring enhanced professional skills in this domain.

This program has been initiated and developed through consultations between the Deans of Graduate Studies in all the Australian Technology (ATN) universities.

The Commonwealth Government’s Commercialisation Training Scheme (CTS) provides funded places for enrolled HDR candidates to study for a Graduate Certificate in the Research Commercialisation area.

The aim of this course is to equip those of you who lead the research process or those of you with a commercialisation dimension to your research work with the essential knowledge and skills that will help you to fulfil this role. The objective here then is to develop your skill set that will best enable you to function more effectively in the contemporary knowledge economy.

6. Statement of capabilities

As a student enrolled in this program, and in relation to the electives you choose, you will develop the following capabilities:

Specific Capabilities:

· You will be able to apply the process of research commercialisation and other forms of knowledge transfer to real life situations

· You will develop key leadership skills and be able to use these skills in providing leadership and guidance to a research team that is framing and managing a research project for commercialisation

· You will be able to manage the risks associated with research commercialisation, particularly to do with ethical and safety issues pertinent to the research project

· You will recognise and be able to work with the relationship between research and public policy and you will have particularly a clear understanding of the problematic and complex nature of that relationship

· You will be able to critically evaluate research proposals and provide advice and feedback on commercialisation potential

· You will engage with issues concerning the nature, purpose and impact of research at global, international and national levels and the role of policies at these levels in framing the research effort

· You will recognise entrepreneurial opportunities and be able to engage in entrepreneurial activities arising from yours and other’s research abilities

· You will be able to understand the key discourses and debates within the research management field and how they operate in relation to the way the value of research is determined in both the public and the private sector

· You will be able to make a critical appraisal of the research environments in which you operate and have the ability to form practical responses that maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of research management in these environments.

· You will develop and enhance your ability to exercise senior research management roles.

· You will gain knowledge of the range of frameworks, and issues involved in the field of research management.

· You will improve your understanding of the patterns of research career development, and of the principles and mechanisms of career self-management.

Generic Capabilities:

· You will have skills that will help you to develop the research capabilities of individuals, work groups and organizations

· You will be able to think critically, creatively and reflexively

· You will know how to access, evaluate and synthesise information;

· You will be able to communicate effectively with a variety of research communities;

· You will have skills to use appropriate technologies effectively.

· You will develop a clear understanding of the international and trans-national aspects of research management.

7. An approach to Teaching and Learning (including a statement on assessment)

The Graduate Certificate in Research Commercialisation is delivered online through a suite of nine study modules, of which you will take four. You can study independently and you will link up with others through the online discussion forum. You will find the study modules contain a combination of readings, exercises, test and most importantly opportunities for critical reflection – both individually and collaboratively through discussion with peers. You will be able, throughout all four courses, to integrate what you have learnt with real life situations, including your research project.

All courses will have a moderator who will lead the online discussion forum, respond to questions and issues raised by you and monitor the assessment tasks.

Assessment for all units will be as follows:

Summative Assessment

a) Type: Forum and personal journal contributions

Description: You are required to contribute weekly to the Online Forums (on response to weekly stimulus questions or responses to designated key reading) and also to a Personal Journal (online blog), as a record of personal reflections on your progress through the unit.

Due date: Ongoing

Weight: 30%

b) Type: Short answer tests

c) Description: You are required to complete three short-answer tests at regular intervals.

Due date: Week 2, Week 5, Week 7

Weight: 30%

c) Type: Assignment

Description: You are required to develop a workplace-relevant document (eg case study, report, plan, proposal, presentation) using a supplied template, in the final stage of the unit. This document will allow for in depth treatment of at least one key content domain in the context of a case study organisation. This may be completed as a group task.

You will have the opportunity to submit a concept draft of the assignment for formative feedback.

Due date: End of unit (final version)

Weight: 40%

Formative Assessment

Description: The unit moderator will be able to respond to email enquiries throughout the unit, s/he will provide written feedback on short answer tests within one week of completion and you will also have the opportunity to participate in online chat sessions. Together, these provide for ongoing evaluation of your progress through the unit, for example through moderator and peer feedback on forum and journal posting, and also an assignment draft.

Weight: 0%

All assessments relate to the learning objectives of the unit.

8. Articulation and Pathways

9. Entrance requirements

You must have an appropriate degree from a recognised university or equivalent and meet standard English language entry requirements. However, if you have other qualifications and experience these may be considered for special admission.

If you are Commercialisation Training Scheme (CTS) funded you must be enrolled in an HRD program for at least 12 months.

10. Library, IT and specialist resources
All readings for the course will be available either online or through your university library. This online module is design to support you whether you are on-campus or off-campus. You will need access to a PC with an internet connection

11. Student expenses and charges in addition to feesNA. All students will have their tuition fees paid for them. Some will be on a CTS scholarship, the rest will be supported by their CRCs.

12. Program Transition Plan

N/A

13. Course descriptions Part A of the Course Guide to contain a short description and a list of learning objectives, outcomes and assessment detail.

Attachments: Course Guides Part A
HE Course Form

Last updated 28/10/2008 Attachment 2a & 2b_Contents of Program Guide

Page 5 of 8

Dimension of capability being mapped
Knowledge Transfer and Commercialisation / You will be able to apply the process of research commercialisation and other forms of knowledge transfer to real life situations
You will be able to critically evaluate research proposals and provide advice and feedback on commercialisation potential / This course is designed to increase your understanding of key issues in the commercial development of research. It covers the various conceptions of research from intellectual curiosity to commercial development and the processes of how research can be commercialised. It discusses relevant local and global contexts for research commercialisation and the ethical and legal frameworks that are encountered in the process. It also outlines how to develop start up companies, marketing ideas and attracting funding.
Project Management for Research / You will be able to manage the risks associated with research commercialisation, particularly to do with ethical and safety issues pertinent to the research project / This course is about developing detailed project definitions; project planning (scoping, scheduling and budgeting for projects); issues in quality assurance, project communications, procurement planning; controlling, closing and evaluating projects
On successful completion of this course you will have gained a sound understanding of the tasks involved in managing projects; an understanding of how project definition and planning can support your research outcomes; practical project management experience and skills and an increased awareness of how project management techniques can be applied to enhance projects in workplace contexts
Entrepreneurial Foundations / You will recognise entrepreneurial opportunities and be able to engage in entrepreneurial activities arising from yours and other’s research abilities / This course addresses the critical and creative thinking strategies necessary for becoming an entrepreneur. You will investigate how to develop a business appraisal and consider its impact on diverse cultural and social groups and globally. You will develop the necessary skills for opportunity recognition, viability screening and identifying best business options.
Leadership and Workplace Communication / You will develop key leadership skills and be able to use these skills in providing leadership and guidance to a research team that is framing and managing a research project for commercialisation / This course is about the time management and teamwork skills that are required for effective research management. It includes: ways to increase motivation; the dynamics of teams and teamwork; developing mentor relationships; adapting to and dealing with change; evaluating projects; the communication process and developing more effective communication of research results; interpersonal skills and self awareness; managing people and teams and sponsoring change.
This course will help you to develop the research capabilities of peers, workgroups and organisations and to lead or provide guidance to a team for successful project management.
Public Policy and Research / You will recognise and be able to work with the relationship between research and public policy and you will have particularly a clear understanding of the problematic and complex nature of that relationship
You will engage with issues concerning the nature, purpose and impact of research at global, national and local levels and the role of public policy in framing the research effort / This course is designed to introduce you to the world of public policy and specifically to raise your awareness and understanding about the relationship between research and public policy. In this course you will be introduced to a number of themes and issues relating to this relationship. You will become more confident in dealing with that public policy world, whether that be working within it, seeking to influence it, or trying to gain something from it.
You will gain a better understanding of the public policy debates in Australian and have developed skills to better manage these relationships; and understanding of the dynamics and politics of the policy making processes and the extent to which research influences that process; the development and enhancement of skills in putting together research proposals; development of skills to help you to conduct research projects.
Contents of Research Management / You will be introduced to a number of concepts and analytical approaches necessary for the development of your understanding of the environments, global, international and national, within which research management takes place and by this means to maximise your ability to operate effectively within them. / On completion of this unit you will have enhanced knowledge and understanding of the key political, conceptual and ideological drivers in each of the contexts, including their nature and significance. You will be familiar with the factors that have shaped each of the contexts and the continuing debates that accompany each of them and the implications for research management practice. You will have been exposed to strategies, skills and techniques to apply in responding to each context within the contemporary institutional environment
Strategic Issues in Research Management / You will enhance your ability to exercise of senior research management roles, / On completion of this unit, you will have developed some skill in one or more of the key activities of the senior research manager, including budgeting, strategic planning and multi-partner research collaboration.
Principles and Practice of Research Management / You will have improved your understanding of the range of frameworks, and issues involved in the field of research management.
/ On completion of this unit you will have developed your understanding of research collaboration, managing research ethics, the research funding process, research training, research dissemination, funding assessment and PhD scholarship assessment
Managing Your Research Career / You will have improved your understanding of the patterns of research career development, and of the principles and mechanisms of career self-management. / On completion of the unit, you will have a functional understanding of career development models as applied to careers in research,
the ability to identify career strengths, skills and opportunities, career leadership within a research setting, including research team building and management of research trainees

Last updated 28/10/2008 Attachment 2a & 2b_Contents of Program Guide