Lumen Wirltuti:Warltati 2025 - Flipbook - Page 29
An indelible impact
John Lowke was my secondary school
teacher at Unley High for one year. That
was long enough for him to have an
indelible impact on my university and
industrial career. It was Dr Lowke who
said, “You’re too good at maths Harris, you
should be an engineer”, so a few years later
I enrolled in chemical engineering, working
in the long vacations (as one did then) for
GMH at Woodville, Cresco at Pt Lincoln,
and Shell at Geelong.
While I have lots of fond memories, like
Margaret Day OAM (p26 of the recent
Lumen) I confirm that “mortarboards went
out of fashion for some decades” and I
didn’t wear one at my own graduation. My
late wife, Merran Sidney Harris, graduated
from the University of Adelaide with a Dip
Ed after completing a BA at the University
of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva, Fiji –
no mortar boards, there either.
Adjunct Associate Professor Howard Harris,
BE (Chem) (Hons) 1965
Us vs them
Contest entries
We invited readers of our recent Time
issue to enter our contest with the
chance to win one of five autographed
copies of Chinese Postman, the latest
novel by University literary luminary
Brian Castro, or one of five packs
of the Waite winery’s Fortified Trio.
Readers were asked to discuss their
fears and hopes for the future. Here
we present some of those entries and
name the winners.
We have a new contest this issue.
Details on page 31.
Teaching rethink
As an Australian-based founding member
of the Human Intelligence Movement, I am
concerned about the ethical implications
of AI in education. With technology
advancing rapidly, we must rethink our
teaching methods. Moving away from
traditional case studies to handson assessments and student-centred
experiential learning is essential. This shift
addresses the psychosocial aspects and
cross-cultural perspectives needed for
today’s diverse student body. Starting next
year, our new Adelaide University platform
will facilitate these changes. I am excited
about the potential to create a meaningful
learning environment that prepares students
for the growing complexities of today’s and
future world.
Dr Ankit Agarwal, Program Director
Bachelor of Business (Management),
University of Adelaide
Winner
Small acts
Futures launched
Your advert “Launch Your Future” is superb
– I relate to it easily. Graduating from the
University of Adelaide with a humble BA,
I went on over the years to three other
universities, ending up the first
Australian-born headmaster of St Peter’s
College (1978–1992), Commissioner of
Education for the U.S., among other
positions. Adelaide surely launched me.
I have a cherished photo of the executive
of the SRC in 1953: Bronwyn Greet, Bob
Moore (of early TV fame), Ann Levy (later
President of the SA Upper House), and
me (as Secretary of the SRC), as we
posed before the student ball (which
we organised). May Adelaide Uni flourish.
Dr Anthony Shinkfield AO, BA 1955
There are many reasons for concern about
the direction in which our planet is heading
– ecosystems collapsing, wars raging,
political turmoil. One shouldn’t be blamed
for feeling overwhelmed. However, after
two years of retirement, I decided to focus
on what change I can still bring to this
mercurial world, working two days a week
in an academic laboratory, sharing my
knowledge with the new generation of
students. It’s a small act, but a contribution
to a future and a world still worth shaping.
I worry about
Boy vs girl
Man vs woman
I hope for
Boy supporting girl
Girl supporting boy
Girl doing "boy things"
should be girl doing things
Boy doing "girl things"
should be boy doing things
Girl doing "girl things"
should be girl doing things
Boy doing "boy things"
should be boy doing things
I worry about
Imaginary limitations imposed
The targeting of those who dare
The spiralling into hate of those who don't
It shouldn't be
Us vs them
It should be us with them
But the world is raw
People are hurting
And hurt people hurt back
Margaret Gayen, BE (Mech & Sports)
(Hons) 2015
Winner
Societal progress
Whilst the future always seems daunting
and never turns out as expected, humankind
has proven that it’s up for the challenge.
With education and institutions such as
the university sector being instrumental to
societal progress now more than ever, we
need these institutions to assist with the pace
of change and transferring benefits across
our community. Otherwise, the risk of AI
and other technological advances may not
be enjoyed by all.
Amy Brown, B Soc Sc (Psych) 2006
Nice try
I am concerned about not having a
delectable trio of aged, fortified wines
(10yo Tawny and Muscat and a 20yo
liqueur sweet white), created at the
University of Adelaide’s Waite winery to
get me through the winter of 2025. I hope
I win this competition, so that my fears and
concerns for the future are reduced.
Emily Wilson, B Int St 2004, Dip Lang 2005
Professor Kym Faull, PhD (Ag Sciences) 1974
Poetic endings
The future destroyed?
Human. Machine. Asteroid.
Or thriving with change.
Faith Blake, BA 2017
LUMEN
