Albert Schram
Education Leader, Advisor and Manager
Driving License
Verona Italy
Freelancer
Open to opportunities
Vice Chancellor (University President or CEO)
Papua New Guinea University of Technology
February 2012
to April 2018
Full-time
Lae
Papua New Guinea
- Highlights:
- on 1 June 2015 becoming first university in the world to have broadband internet provided by satellite O3B system, in absence of a fibre network.
- in November 2017, obtaining first unqualified, clean audit for university accounts in over 20 years, and making annual savings in operational expenses of about 25% annually through implementing financial controls.
- implementing numerours academic quality improvements, including mandatory aptitude test for candidate students with ACER in Melbourne.
- on 1 June 2015 becoming first university in the world to have broadband internet provided by satellite O3B system, in absence of a fibre network.
- Scope of Responsibilities:
- First term 2012-2015, term renewed from 2016-2019 (max. two 4 year terms)
- Average annual budget over US$40 million and 1,000+ staff of 100+ different cultures and language groups, 6,000+ distance learning matriculation students, plus 3,000+ indigenous PNG students and 60+ Pacific students on campus.
- 3 amalgamated TVET colleges (Nursing, Timber, and University College)- 1 research farm 40 Ha. with life stock, horticulture, cacao and coffee sections
- 1 university clinic with 1 doctor, 1 health worker and 12 nurses.
- 1 zoo with 20+ Papua New Guinean iconic species (cassowary, bird of paradise, salt water crocodile)
- As effort indicator, I chaired over 60 effective meetings annually while traveling 30% of the time (70 of 254 work days), and sent over 1,000 emails on average per month as per Gmail meter (2014-2017).
- First term 2012-2015, term renewed from 2016-2019 (max. two 4 year terms)
- Financial Results (as Member of Finance Comm. and External Audit Board):
- Obtained for 1st time unqualified, clean audit report from Auditor General for 2015 accounts
- Value added: combined reduction and expenses and revenue increase exceed 10 times my employment costs.
- Reduced operational expenses with 25%, over $1 million annually
- Balanced budget in 2017, created conditions for long-term financial sustainability
- Increased corporate support from less than US$100,000 per year to over US$3,000,000 per year in kind and in cash (2014-2017)
- Reduced non-salary expenses by 10-15% yearly through better financial controls and lowering of financial mandates (2015-2017)
- Obtained for 1st time unqualified, clean audit report from Auditor General for 2015 accounts
- Academic Quality (as Chairman of Academic Board):
- Led professional accreditation process for engineering programs as per the Washington Accords, set up academic quality assessment team (AQAT), online students' evaluation of teaching, Industrial Advisory Board, and assured regular audits of subject files
- Assured distribution of Dell Laptop computers to first year students in 2015-2018, and achieved over 60% adoption of Google Classroom as Learning Management System (2017)
- Streamlined selection process and submitted each candidate to independent aptitude test administered by Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) in Melbourne
- Assured the appointment of a dean of postgraduate studies and the establishment of a graduate school
- Started Executive MBA, and PG certificate on student centred learning programs
- Led professional accreditation process for engineering programs as per the Washington Accords, set up academic quality assessment team (AQAT), online students' evaluation of teaching, Industrial Advisory Board, and assured regular audits of subject files
- Internationalization:
- Sent 77 of 150 Faculty members abroad for training, 27 of which for doctoral program (2014-2017)
- Participated in 4 European Commission's Erasmus Mundus, and 2 Erasmus Plus projects
- Sent 77 of 150 Faculty members abroad for training, 27 of which for doctoral program (2014-2017)
- Infrastructure:
- Developed Master Plan for campus http://www.unitechpng.com, approved by Council Nov. 2015- Oversaw completion of 13 infrastructure projects from 2014-7, incl. sealing all campus road, 23 new staff houses, O3B satellite broadband internet earth station
- Opened first satellite campus in Kundiawa (May 2017)
- Developed Master Plan for campus http://www.unitechpng.com, approved by Council Nov. 2015- Oversaw completion of 13 infrastructure projects from 2014-7, incl. sealing all campus road, 23 new staff houses, O3B satellite broadband internet earth station
- Service:
- Member of Conseil Scientifique of Université de la Nouvelle Caledonie, 2014-16- Co-Chair of Pacific Islands University Research Network 2016-18
- Member of the Program Executive Board for REDD+ with UNDP and FAO.
- In 2012, organized the first Career Fair and Open Day in 4 years, and the first Cultural Show in 6 years.
- Organized the "I Make UNITECH Fly!" values in action campaign.- Brokered peace between Enga and Chimu students in 2012.
- Contained tribal fighting on campus on 25-26 June 2016 between Southern Highlands (government) and Enga (opposition) students
- Supported Busamang Village clinic during 2017, and was appointed as honorary Elder/Chief for International Affairs. Succeeded by Chief Dr. Lindsay Cameron.
- Member of Conseil Scientifique of Université de la Nouvelle Caledonie, 2014-16- Co-Chair of Pacific Islands University Research Network 2016-18
- Other Affiliations:
- Commissioner of Oaths (volunteer Notary)
- Adjunct Professor at James Cook University (Queensland, Australia) since September 2012 until present
- Commissioner of Oaths (volunteer Notary)
