“Students experience Black Death,” UWA announces a workshop for trainee teachers at the university’s Centre for the History of Emotions. Apparently, WA schools run a Year Eight depth study of the great plague of the 14^th century. Sounds like fun.

In Features this morning David Myton looks at how new players are busy disrupting the higher education landscape.

The University of Sydney claims its blockchain technology is faster than Visa’s transaction processing system. The university says its Red Belly Blockchain can process 660 000 transactions per second on 300 machines in one data centre, compared to Visa’s 56 000 transactions per second and Bitcoin’s seven (that’s seven with no noughts).

Project chief Vincent Gramoli says the RBBC works when using machines on different continents, which makes it unique. The next step is to make it available “to all Internet users.”  CMM asked what this meant and was told by a university spokesperson that “the researchers are exploring different options at the moment.” Good-oh, but the big question remains will the measure of blockchain processing speeds now be the snake?

Just as the community of wonks was reading the Productivity Commission’s not-especially impressed commentary on universities teaching performance on Tuesday morning PC chair Peter Harris was recording an interview with University of Melbourne VC Glyn Davis for his uni’s Policy Shop podcast.

And a very informed discussion it is too, although a frank exchange on university performance between the pair is sadly absent. Maybe they agreed to differ, or maybe Professor Davis had not got to the bit where the PC buckets universities for ordinary teaching performance when they spoke.

Curtin University academic Jemma Green is acting lord mayor of Perth. When not overseeing the city Dr Green researches the blockchain and disruptive technology.

ANU finance students are running a for-credit (as in course and presumably cash) investment fund. They have $590 000 in capital, thanks to contributions from graduates, academics and the university. Great inclusion on a CV.

Macquarie University staff who love their campus home among the gum trees will be disappointed, with lemon scented gums on the central courtyard for the chop. Some 120 trees were planted there in July 1968 and learned readers tell CMM that they are much-loved.

But not for long. The university tells CMM the central courtyard was closed when storms were predicted (but did not arrive) the other weekend. However “the threat of falling branches remains and the area will be closed until further notice. The university’s top priority is always the duty of care we have to our staff, students and visitors on campus.”

So “later this year” work on the central courtyard will begin. “ We are still finalising plans and will share details about the project including removal of trees when the plans are finalised. Green spaces will continue to be a strong feature of our campus,” a university representative says. Just not lemon scented spaces in the founding courtyard.

The University of Sydney has a new dean of veterinary science. Frazer Allan will take over in February. He is now DVC Engagement at Victoria University of Wellington.

Griffith University wants to restructure its examination and timetabling functions, which will require fewer but higher skilled and more flexible staff. The university says senior staff positions will stay with seven new HEW Six positions created. However, 16 HEW Four and HEW Five jobs are “surplus to requirements.” But not to worry, “all efforts will be made to ensure that staff concerns are given reasonable and fair consideration during the consultation and implementation process.”

The Nurse and Midwife Accreditation Council is reviewing its standards and Universities Australia has weighed in on whether a specific level of English is necessary to start a registered nursing course.  The council’s discussion paper points to research suggesting that students whose English is not good enough to practise at the start of a course do not necessarily get up to language speed over the length of their study. However, UnisAus says findings from small studies with varying methodologies “need to be treated with caution” and “the current registered nurse accreditation standards also make adequate provision for English language proficiency.”

“Universities Australia acknowledges the apparent logic behind aligning English language requirements for commencing study with those for registration however believes there is currently inconclusive evidence to support this as an accreditation requirement.”

Monash U has named its 2017 alumni distinguished fellows:

Greg Baxter, Chief Digital Officer, MetLife

Richard Bolt, Victorian public servant

Anna Burke, former MP and speaker of the House of Representatives

Graham Cunningham, Victorian government financial adviser

Dale Fisher, chief executive, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Dimitra Manis, HR chief, Revlon

Elaine Rodrigo, chief strategist, Danone

Tang Kim Chuen, president satellite systems, Singapore Technologies Electronics Limited

Greg Vines deputy DG  International Labour Organisation

Former federal minister Bruce Billson and Monash U economist John Nieuwenhuysen were made honorary fellows