As Good As It Gets!
It's Australia's highest-ranked university. It's alwtays featured amongst the leading universities in the world. And it's inching up the Jiao Tong rankings as well. But there's lots more about Australia's second oldest University than just impressive numbers, discovers Ivor Vaz
They say that a casual stroll through The University of Melbourne has a stimulating effect on the senses. Its very Victorian building structure, the cobbled stone walkways, lush lawns, multicultural ambience (with students from all four corners of the earth), and the University building itself - they all seem to tell of a rich tradition and a strong ethos. Established in 1853, the University boasts a grand 150 year history of innovation, with an international reputation underpinned by excellence in research, teaching and knowledge transfer.
VINOD MIRCHANDANICountry Manager (India)
The University of Melbourne
Consider this: Melbourne's teaching pre-eminence has been rewarded two years in a row by grants from the Commonwealth Government's Learning and Teaching Performance Fund for Australian universities that demonstrate excellence in undergraduate teaching and learning. Melbourne was also one of only three Australian universities to win 10 citations - the maximum number of awards possible - under the Carrick Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. The citations recognise commitment by university staff who have shown outstanding leadership and innovation in teaching, and dedication and enthusiasm for student learning.
The numbers have an interesting story to tell. Melbourne is Australia's highest-ranked research University, and has been consistently ranked among the leading universities in the world (with international peers placing it in the Top 20 worldwide), and employers placing it amongst the Top 10. According to the World University Rankings 2007, published by the Times Higher Education Supplement, UK, Nov 2007, the University was ranked No.27 in the world and No. 10 in the world for employability of graduates. Melbourne also features among one of three Australian universities in the Top 100 as measured by Shanghai Jiao Tong University's most recent rankings (Melbourne continued its relentless climb, jumping six places to 73 in the otherwise fairly stable top 100).
Says Vinod Mirchandani, Country Manager (India): "International engagement is integral to Melbourne retaining its position as one of the finest universities in the world, and we're totally committed to internationalisation." It is believed that the University's key competitors aren't in Australia but across the world. That Melbourne is in Australia is only incidental.
The University had 34,720 student enrolments in 2007, out of which 27 per cent comprised international students. "India is an important source market for us for students and there's been a very steady growth out of it over the years," informs Mirchandani. "Presently we have over 300 Indian students studying in our campus across various UG, PG and research programs. So we view India very seriously. That's why we set up an office in Bangalore office to service existing students and prospective students."
"Specialty studies," Mirchandani adds, "is the University's USP." If you're interested in specialised advanced business education, Melbourne offers a comprehensive suite of programs through the Melbourne Graduate School of Management. It offers world-class graduate qualifications in Economics, Accounting, Business and IT, Finance, HR, International Business, Management, Marketing and other areas. The Melbourne School of Engineering is Australia's leading provider of engineering education and offers advanced Masters programs for scientists and engineers looking to develop skills in Engineering Management, Telecommunications & Information Technologies, Biomedical Engineering and Structural & Environmental Engineering. The Melbourne Graduate School of Science offers Master of Science programs, which give students the option to pursue a career in scientific research or enter the workforce armed with both scientific knowledge and industry relevant business skills.
The Group of Eight
The Group of Eight (Go8) is a coalition of leading Australian universities, intensive in research and comprehensive in general and professional education. Recognised internationally as leaders in higher education, research and community service, these eight Australian colleges are considered the most prestigious by students.
MEMBERS OF THE GO8
- The University of Adelaide
- Australian National University
- The University of Melbourne
- Monash University
- The University of New South Wales
- The University of Queensland
- The University of Sydney
- The University of Western Australia
- VISION
- To enhance the contribution of its member universities to the nation's social, economic, cultural and environmental well-being and prosperity;
- To extend the contribution of its member universities to the generation and preservation of the world's stock of knowledge;
- To strengthen Australia's capacity to engage in and benefit from global developments, respond to global and local challenges;
- To expand opportunities for Australian students, regardless of background, to participate in higher education of world class.
- VALUE ADDED BY THE GO8
- Influencing national policies for higher education and university research
- Providing high quality policy analysis and advice services to its members & their staff
- Facilitating collaboration
- Developing international strategic alliances & networks
- Sustaining quality brand recognition
- Benchmarking for performance improvement
- Offering a trusted network through which ideas & expertise are shared among the leaders of Go8 universities
- Building community support for research universities
log on to www.go8.edu.au
The Melbourne Model introduces undergraduate programs characterised by breadth and depth, followed by a graduate professional entry program, research higher degree or entry directly into employment. These reforms are designed to create an outstanding and distinctive 'Melbourne Experience' for all students. It is a distinctively Australian response to a well-established international trend in higher education. In moving to the new model, the University is responding to the challenges of today's changing environment as well as aligning itself with the best of European and Asian practice and North American traditions.