Information Services Executive

The Information Services Executive consists of:

• Philip Kent: University Librarian
• Sendur Kathir: Director Information Technology & CIO
• Jenny Ellis: University Librarian (Acting) & Director, Scholarly Information
• Michael Carolan: Director, Application Services
• Peter Sack: Director, Infrastructure Services
• Jock Murphy: Director, Collections
• Donna McRostie: Director, Information Management

Philip Kent: University Librarian
Email: pgkent@unimelb.edu.au

Where Based: Level 4, Baillieu Library

Role: Philip is responsible for leading and managing the University Library. Philip began his employment with the University in March 2009. He comes to Melbourne at an important time in our history. Following the Information Futures Commission and the development of a 10 year information strategy for the university, the Library will take on a reinvigorated role moving forwards.  The Library will play a reinvigorated role in the teaching and research programs of the University. Its long history as a repository of vital cultural collections remains central to that role.

Background:Philip joined The University of Melbourne in March 2009.  He commenced his career 30 years ago in academic libraries in Brisbane. He subsequently spent 20 years in CSIRO where his diverse roles included libraries, IT, knowledge and information management, risk and audit.
From 2006 – 2009 he held the position of University Librarian at Victoria University.  His achievements included 3 new Learning Commons facilities as well as planning for the new $62.5M project under construction at Footscray Park. He also collaborated with The University of Melbourne and Western Health on the planning for a library facility at the new Tertiary Training and Research Facility at Sunshine Hospital. A range of new services were introduced and library hours were extended during Philip’s time at VU. He also led the Library into broader areas including responsibility for the art collection and strengthened support for research.

Sendur Kathir: Director Information Technology & CIO
Email: skathir@unimelb.edu.au

Where Based: Level 2, 258 Queensberry St

Role: Sendur is responsible for the management of Information Technology for the University and is Chief Information Officer. Sendur began his employment with the University in March 2005.

Background: Sendur previously worked for KAZ Technology Services, a wholly owned company of Telstra. Before joining the University of Melbourne, Sendur worked in the consulting industry for five years in both the public sector and private enterprise. Previously, Sendur spent eight years in the Telecommunications industry working for Fujitsu Australia. His most significant work achievement was the deployment of the Optus optical fibre routes in Australia, including management of the implementation of the first optical fibre route between Melbourne and Sydney. Sendur has Bachelor's Degrees in Science and Engineering, and an MBA.

Peter Sack : Director, Infrastructure Services
Email: psack@unimelb.edu.au

Where Based: 258 Queensberry St

Role: Peter is responsible for leading and managing the Infrastructure Services Program of the University’s Information Services   Division.  Peter began his employment with the University in September 2008.

Background: Peter has had a substantive involvement and influence as a key manager responsible for infrastructure and operational services with the Victorian Government Infrastructure Services from 2004 to the present.  He  was integral in producing the Shared Services Centre strategy, providing the roadmap and guiding direction for all future Facilities and Data Centre infrastructure decisions and initiatives.  Peter is highly experienced in shared ICT services provision, team building and the creation of an environment of trust, enabling achievement of organisational and personal goals.  Peter has a Bachelor of Business (Computing) from Deakin University.

Michael Carolan : Director, Application Services
Email: mcarolan@unimelb.edu.au

Where Based: Level 2, 258 Queensberry St

Role: Michael is responsible for the full lifecycle management of all the University’s enterprise wide business and academic systems, providing functional leadership, development and support services. Michael began his employment with the University in September 2008.

Background: Michael has several years experience of owning application strategy and leading large scale application development and support functions in both commercial IT services and end user organizations. He has application management expertise across a diverse range of technologies in enterprise class IT environments,   including in-house developed solutions and ERP vendor package solutions. He has a passion for process driven improvements through the adoption of industry best-practice frameworks (e.g. ITIL, PRINCE2, RUP). Michael has a Bachelor’s degree in Science, an MBA and is a Chartered Fellow of the British Computer Society.

Jenny Ellis : Deputy University Librarian & Director, Scholarly Information
Email: j.ellis@unimelb.edu.au

Where Based: Level 4, Baillieu Library
Jenny Ellis
Director, Scholarly Information

Role: Jenny is responsible for leading and managing the Scholarly Information program of the University Library. As Director, she provides leadership in the formation of strategy, policy and frameworks for the delivery of scholarly information services. Scholarly Information encompasses Library and Student IT support, resource discovery, information literacy, research support services and the effective use of ICT to enhance teaching and learning, management of teaching spaces and online learning environments.

Background: Jenny has had a long association with the University of Melbourne in several different roles. After graduating BA (Hons), Jenny taught in the History department at the University for some years, acting as a Tutor, Lecturer and postgraduate research student.  Some years later, Jenny qualified as a professional librarian and has since gained broad experience across the University Library. Jenny has also developed expertise in the administration of copyright compliance in the University environment. In 2004, Jenny accepted an appointment as Copyright Officer in the Faculty of Arts and subsequently returned to Information Services to assume responsibility for the management of the University Copyright Office. Jenny has postgraduate qualifications in Intellectual Property Law.

Donna McRostie : Director, Information Management
Email:mcrostie@unimelb.edu.au

Where Based: Level 4, Baillieu Library

Role: Donna’s role is to provide University-wide direction and leadership in the University’s enterprise information, both scholarly and corporate, to support the University’s staff and students, and where appropriate, the broader community.

Background: Donna commenced her career her as a Library Assistant at the University of South Australia. In 1989 after moving to Melbourne she started in a casual role in the University of Melbourne which led to a continuing position in the Records section in 1990. Donna has since worked in a number of roles in the records and archival profession within the University and its affiliates including becoming the Manager Records Services in 2000. Donna is a professionally qualified Records Manager and Archivist and has a Graduate Diploma in Information Management and Graduate Certificate of University Management.

Jock Murphy : Director, Collections
Email: murphym@unimelb.edu.au

Where Based: Level 4, Baillieu Library

Role: Jock is responsible for leading and managing the Collections Program of the
University Library and the Information Services Division and supporting the work of the Deputy Principal Information Services and University Librarian. The Collections Program comprises Cultural Collections, Collection Development and Collection Access and therefore focuses on the acquisition of material and the stewardship of the University's Library, Archival and Cultural Collections.

Background: From 1980 to 1991 Jock held the positions of Curator of Maps and then Curator of Australiana at the University Library. He then moved to the State Library of Victoria where he was appointed to the position of Manuscripts Librarian. During  his time in that position he played a significant role in managing the acquisition of a wide variety of heritage material for the State Collection, much of it of national importance. He was also responsible for managing relationships with many external stakeholders and donors. In 2006 he was appointed to the position of Collection Services Manager with responsibility for the management of the State Library’s heritage collections. He holds a Bachelor of Economics and Graduate Diplomas in Librarianship and in Management and was appointed to his current position in 2008.