DEAN’S AWARDS CEREMONY 2006
Murdoch University School of Law
Wednesday 15 March 2006
2005 Prize Winners

Good evening. My name is Gabriël Moens. I am the Dean of Law. I am delighted to welcome you to the Dean’s Awards Ceremony. This Ceremony is undoubtedly one of the most pleasant events I could possibly be involved in because we are celebrating the considerable achievements of our students and graduates.

In addition to our award-winning graduates, I would like to extend a warm welcome to their parents and friends. I take the opportunity to also welcome one of our Adjunct Professors, Barrister Eric Sim, who has come all the way from Singapore to be with us on this special night.

When I was preparing my welcoming address, I was tempted to look up model speeches available on the Internet. On one site alone, there are more than 2000 speeches available for almost any event and the site also tells its visitors that satisfaction is guaranteed. The temptation was soon abandoned when I discovered you actually have to pay for these speeches. But in any event, these ready-to-use Internet speeches do not have a soul or a heart and are inherently incapable of conveying to you the message that I would like to communicate tonight. Indeed, no speech-for-sale is able to convey the pride that we take, in this Law School , in the achievements of our students.

Our students are our most important constituency. They are the leaders of tomorrow. It is satisfying to know that the Law School has a major role in the education and training of those who in the future will assume leading roles in government, law firms, business and the community. It is not a surprise then that the Law School is proud when its students become high achievers because high achievement is an indication of the quality of the work that is performed by staff in the School.

A few days ago, I met a highly successful barrister, now in his fifties, who in a rather excited way spoke very highly of one of his teachers when he was at Law School . The teacher taught the now successful barrister that in order to be successful it is necessary to work hard and conscientiously, and to behave in an ethical manner. His teacher imparted knowledge in an imaginative way – never was there a riot in his class. I am telling you this story because, although it appears to be a simple recount of a barrister’s time in law school, it is becoming increasingly rare in Australia that graduates give a positive and glowing report card of their law school. Yet, I am able to confirm proudly and unequivocally, that many of our graduates, especially those who are here tonight, recall their time at Murdoch Law School as educationally stimulating and socially rewarding because they were taught by excellent lecturers who provide a legal education which ranks among the very best in Australia . Many of our academic staff members have received excellence in teaching awards and commendations. The School’s Teaching and Learning Committee constantly reviews the quality of our teaching. In any event, the graduates who are about to receive their awards are proof that students at Murdoch are encouraged to achieve excellence!

I would like to emphasise, though, that being the best also imposes obligations on our graduates and creates high expectations. Indeed, there is an expectation that you, our graduates, will become effective promoters of this Law School . We want our graduates to be ambassadors. We want our graduates to remember the names of their teachers who have contributed substantially to their education and had a beneficial impact on their lives. The Law School would like you, outstanding graduates, to cherish the values, which our academic and general staff have inculcated in you during your time at the Law School . The School’s mission is all about going the extra mile to ensure that our students graduate with the skills, aptitudes and characteristics that will make them what we want them to become.

I am very pleased that many parents and friends are attending this Ceremony. It is good to be able to share in the successes of our award-winning graduates. Although I earlier described our student body as our most important constituency, the families and friends of our students are not far behind. This is because the achievement of excellence must necessarily be a joint effort of us all.

You will be pleased to know that this law school is developing an exiting relationship and partnership with industry. For example, just a few days ago, one of our visitors, Professor Sally Sheldon, gave a Seminar in Jackson McDonald. The Law School is educationally innovative and socially responsible.

On Wednesday, 8 March I signed in Sydney a contract on behalf of the University to offer a Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice, which will enable our students to become registered Migration Agents. There are only four law schools in Australia that have been selected for this task. I would like to thank our Law Clinic SCALES for facilitating this process and for helping us to put the necessary documentation together. In November this year, the School is offering for the first time a not-for-credit course that will enable participants to become eligible for registration as an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. The School has recently established the Western Australian Institute of Dispute Management. It will provide a focus for our teaching and research in dispute resolution and it hopes to offer mediation and arbitration facilities to the legal and business communities.

Our Koora Kudidj pre-law programme was a great success this year and provided indigenous students with an alternate path for admission to the Law School . We will be relaunching the Asia Pacific Intellectual Property Law Institute at the end of the month. In June, this law school will host a major international moot competition on maritime law, with teams from 8 different countries competing, including teams from the United States , United Kingdom , Malaysia , Hong Kong , India , and Indonesia . We are introducing new programs and units, which aim to respond to the needs of industry and provide skills training to our students. And the process of internationalisation will see to it that our students will be trained not only for the domestic, but also the international practice of law. There are more interesting and innovative programs on the way because my colleagues and I are determined to make this one of the best law schools in Australia . It is also your law school.

What makes your law school a leading law school can be encapsulated in one word: enthusiasm; enthusiasm to excell. Certainly, enthusiasm is a rare commodity, but it is vital to enable us to turn out graduates like you. This is because enthusiasm is infectious; it fosters an atmosphere of collaboration, respect and trust. With enthusiasm, the pursuit of excellence becomes possible and almost anything can be done.