Under a peculiar superannuation technicality, which is specific to the educational sector, Black resigned this week when he reached 54 years and 11 months old in order to receive significant benefits, fully expecting to be offered a new three year contract, as is the normal course of events, and indeed as happened to Black’s immediate superior.
However the RMIT declined to offer a new contract, leaving Black out of a job, the ICGT and its 650 students rudderless, and the Victorian print industry which has been more than generous in its support of the school, aghast at the development.
No reason has been given by RMIT for the development, and Black received no parting presentation. Black has been at the institution for almost 29 years, and was the driving force behind the creation of the ICGT in 2000, which runs the country’s only degree level print course. There are around 650 students at the school, with around 15 per cent on the degree course.
Black says, “I was saddened with the process, and the RMIT’s decision to decline the renewal of contract, and with no indication of why.”
The Victorian and Tasmanian print industry is now seeking answers from the RMIT, and has arranged a special meeting with the Pro Vice Chancellor for next Friday. Ron Patterson, Victorian state manager at PIAA will lead an industry delegation which will include representatives from some of the major suppliers, who have thanks to Black’s vision provided RMIT with significant levels of equipment in recent years. The ICGT is easily the best equipped print school in the country, and must be one of the best in the world with myriad latest technology now at the students’ disposal.
Ron Patterson says, “Clearly the industry wants to know what is going on. We have a joint advisory board overseeing the RMIT, with the pro vice chancellor and industry representatives, but there was no warning this was about to happen. Industry has been very supportive of the ICGT, Robert has done a great job and so this development is surprising to say the least.”
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