annual report/2006 - University of Melbourne

Of particular significance, in 2006
Melbourne entered into a partnership
with Nanjing University to establish The
Confucius Institute at the University
of Melbourne. This is one of a global
network of 100 such institutes to
be established world wide by the
Government of the People’s Republic
of China to spearhead the teaching
of the Chinese language and culture
worldwide, and to act as a vehicle
through which to strengthen economic
and business ties. The Chinese
Government will provide substantial
funding for three years for language and
cultural exchange and training programs,
with the Victorian State Government
also providing substantial funding for
three years for advanced programs
to enhance business and trade
relations between the State and China.
Academic programs will be overseen
by co-directors from the University of
Melbourne and Nanjing University. A
Co-Director of Corporate Engagement
has been appointed to supervise
business and trade programs.
The University also seeks to establish
strategic relationships with international
business and industry. In 2006 the
University signed an agreement with
Satyam Computer Services Ltd, a major
Indian IT company and leading global
consulting and information technology
services company. The agreement
provides for Melbourne Information
and Communication Technology
students to undertake a software
development internship with Satyam
each year, offering students global
opportunities for real-world experience.
The new agreement also provides
opportunities for collaborative research
on cutting-edge IT solutions such as grid
computing.
International Visits
and Visitors
Increasing international activity was
reflected in the 596 international
visitors hosted by the University during
the course of the year and the many
international academics researching
at the University. Over 100 visiting
academics representing 28 different
countries attended a reception for
international visitors hosted by the
Vice-Chancellor during the year.
Distinguished international visitors
during 2006 included the Minister
of Science and Technology from
the People’s Republic of China, the
President of the Chinese Academy of
Science, Ministers from Malaysia, Sri
Lanka and Turkey, the Secretary General
of the Association of Pacific Rim
Universities, representatives from many
of Melbourne’s partner universities and
Ambassadors, High Commissioners and
Consul-Generals representing diplomatic
missions from many countries around
the world.
The international visits of the Vice-
Chancellor and the Deputy Vice-
Chancellor (International) during the
year reflect the University’s shift to a
more systematic and regional focus to
international engagement.
In March the Vice-Chancellor
accompanied the Prime Minister on
a visit to India with the Australian
Business Delegation. This was followed
by a visit in June to the People’s
Republic of China. The Vice-Chancellor
spoke at the opening of the Free Trade
Agreement Conference in Shenzhen, a
collaboration between the University’s
Asian Economics Centre and the China
Development Institute. In October, the
Vice-Chancellor made a special visit
to the Sultanate of Oman to formally
thank the Sultanate, on behalf of the
University, for endowing the Sultan of
Oman Chair in Arab and Islamic Studies.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(International) visited Singapore,
Malaysia, Thailand, South America and
the Middle East to gauge developments
in the international student market
and to assess new opportunities
for postgraduate and research
collaborations with local universities,
research bodies and government
departments.
The visit to South America represented
the first major visit by a delegation
from the University of Melbourne to
that region. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor
was accompanied by a number of
Faculty representatives. On the basis
of this visit, the University will develop
a strategy for enhanced engagement
between the University of Melbourne
and South America.
Association of
Pacific Rim Universities
The University was admitted as the
37th member of the Association
of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU)
during 2006. Membership is based on
academic excellence, research intensity,
global outlook and innovation and will
create considerable opportunities
through a variety of programs available
to students, researchers and academic
fellows, as well as entrepreneurial
programs focusing on knowledge and
technology transfer. The Vice-Chancellor
has been appointed to the APRU World
Institute Governing Board.
International Accreditation
The University of Melbourne has
joined an elite international group of
37 universities teaching Veterinary
Science after being granted prestigious
accreditation by the American Veterinary
Medicine Association (AVMA). The
University is one of only seven AVMA
accredited veterinary schools outside
North America.
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The University of Melbourne Annual Report 2006