astra domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home/studyfoxx/public_html/proactivetraining.com.au/news/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131It is with deep regret that we acknowledge the passing of Emeritus Professor Rod McDonald<\/a>: A doyen of the VET sector. Rod had a long and distinguished career and made many major contributions to VET over many years.<\/p>\n Here are some of the highlights.<\/p>\n Rod established the Ithaca Group<\/a> in 2001. This centre, based at his home in Brisbane, conducted reviews and evaluations, developed strategies and products and conducted research and analysis projects.\u00a0 Before that he was a Special Advisor to the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA), with a specific responsibility for initiating \u2018blue sky\u2019 thinking about vocational education and training.<\/p>\n Earlier, he became Australia\u2019s first Professor of Adult Education, and occupied positions of Foundation Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Technology, Sydney. He was also Deputy Principal of Sydney College of Advanced Education; and then the Director of one of a small number of national Key Research Centres in vocational education funded through ANTA and later NCVER. He was a highly skilled facilitator and consultant.<\/p>\n Our personal history goes back earlier, though. He, like me, was part of university-based units concerned with the quality of institutional teaching and learning and both of us served on the national executive of HERDSA: The Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia.<\/p>\n His legacy is more important, however, given the number of pivotal reports and initiatives that have helped shape our sector today. They are also a testament to the wide range of his research interests and contributions. A quick look at his profile in VOCEDPlus<\/a> tells the story eloquently, but even these do not tell the full story in that much of what he did is not in the public domain, but has been extremely influential nevertheless.<\/p>\n Notable in his corpus of work was:<\/p>\n This only just touches the surface of all he did in his long career, for example, other work the Ithaca Group has undertaken through Rod\u2019s leadership has been associated with aspects of changes to the AQF, the strengths and failings of credit and pathway policies and advice about the direction of the National Career Education Strategy.<\/p>\n As his personal page on the Ithaca website notes:<\/p>\n Rod is renowned for his capacity to clearly analyse complex issues and to think strategically. In the words of one client, he has a unique capacity to \u2018make complex things simple.\u2019<\/p>\n So true, his insights will be deeply missed!<\/p>\nHis career<\/h2>\n
His legacy<\/h2>\n
\n