COVID-19 update – A message for academics from the Provost

Professor Marc Parlange is very proud and grateful of the efforts so many of you are contributing,  understands many of you are working very hard to maintain research continuity alongside personal commitments, and that many of you are concerned about the impacts the current restrictions are having on your own work.

Research and innovation are essential to leading the recovery from the effects of COVID-19. Monash researchers are driving many of the most transformative responses to this virus:

• developing candidate vaccines and tests to detect infection risk; 
• steering policy discussion in numerous areas to inform government and the community; 
• building public awareness of how COVID-19 affects the most vulnerable, from victims of domestic violence to gambling addicts;
• and many other projects across the University, from using internet data to show changing patterns of behaviour, to sharing the impact of fake news on pandemic response.

The Provost is using this opportunity to reassure you that the University knows the restrictions introduced to reduce spread of COVID-19 are a marked interruption for many of you, and that includes how you conduct research. Monash has processes that are capable of taking into account interruptions caused by the virus when reviewing probation periods and applications for academic promotion.

Support for students
Many of our HDR students have also had work interrupted by the COVID-19 situation and will be looking for additional support.

The standard scholarship duration for Monash doctoral students in receipt of centrally funded Monash scholarships (RTP Stipend and MGS Stipend) is three years and three months (full-time), with the possibility of a further three-month extension, in accordance with the RTP Scholarships Policy and Procedure.

During these exceptional circumstances, the extension process will be simplified whereby these doctoral students will be automatically granted the three-month extension. This brings the standard scholarship duration for these Monash doctoral students (RTP Stipend and MGS Stipend holders) to three years and six months full-time.

In addition, while the current COVID-19 disruption exists, Monash doctoral students in their final year of candidature who can demonstrate that their work has been disrupted by the current situation may apply for a supplementary Doctoral Completion Award. This award will provide eligible students with a further three months of funding (bringing the total duration to three years and nine months).

This additional funding will require a case to be made by the student, their supervisor and their faculty. Further details on this award will be provided shortly.

Compassionate and Hardship package
The Vice-Chancellor has also announced a $15 million Student Compassionate and Hardship package for students in financial hardship. Affected students may apply for up to $7500. The package is available in two stages: a $500 emergency payment available this week, and second payment of up to $7000 after 14 April.

This Student Compassionate and Hardship package is available to any student adversely affected by COVID-19, including undergraduate and postgraduate, both coursework and higher degree research. To be eligible students must be enrolled. Further information on eligibility and access will be available this week and shared widely with students.

Monash Graduate Research Office
While the Monash Graduate Research Office has moved to virtual operations, the team are available during business hours Monday to Friday to answer queries about managing research student enrolment, and to assist with scholarship or thesis examination matters. Please do not hesitate to contact graduate-research@monash.edu.

Monash Library 
The Matheson (Clayton campus) and Peninsula Libraries remain open for use by Monash staff and students.

The Library is now part of the Monash Chat 365 service and features a chatbot on the website to answer common questions. Questions that cannot be answered by the chatbot are referred to a Library staff member, who will chat with you in real time.

The Monash Chat 365 roll out completes the Library’s transition to fully online information services, from simple queries about opening hours to research consultations with graduate research students, delivered by staff working from home.

Five-star Malaysia Research Assessment
Amid the uncertainty and anxiety that this strange event understandably causes, there is also good news that deserves to be celebrated.

On a delighted note, the Malaysia Minister of Higher Education, Dato’ Dr Noraini binti Ahmad, has announced Monash University Malaysia the recipient of a five-star rating by MyRA (Malaysia Research Assessment) for quality in research and innovation outcomes.

Congratulations to Professor Mahendhiran Nair, who was present to receive the award, and everybody at Monash Malaysia who has worked to achieve this excellent recognition of the unique research being developed at our Malaysian campus.

Extended grant submission deadlines
In further welcome news, the ARC and NHMRC have announced revised submission deadlines for certain grants to accommodate the disruption caused by COVID-19. New key dates include the following:

• ARC Special Research Initiative for Australian Society, History and Culture: 6 May 2020
• ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (LIEF): 29 April 2020
• NHMRC Ideas Grants: 10 June 2020

The closing date for the Young Tall Poppy nominations has also been extended 30 April 2020. Further information is available on the Monash Research Office’s Breaking News site and the new FAQs.

Monash staff have made a truly extraordinary effort to transition to online education and maintain research, and many have had to adapt their work to accommodate this transition. This has been challenging for all of us and it is understandable that many members of our community are exhausted. Marc would like to take this opportunity to thank you, once again, for your patience and resilience and the support you provide one another during this time.

If you, or someone in your team, needs support, please contact the Employee Assistance Program on 1300 360 364. Please also visit the Monash COVID-19 online fact sheet regularly – the site is updated constantly as circumstances change.

While it is too early for celebration, there are encouraging signs that the measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 are having some effect. Marc hope that that the holiday period provides all of you opportunities for rest, for exercise to maintain good health, and for being with your loved ones – even if at a distance.