News

University pledges support for tsunami-affected communities

Media Release, Tuesday 11 January 2005

The University of Melbourne has announced a package of assistance for communities affected in the tsunami which struck east and south-east Asia on 26 December 2004.

Professor Glyn Davis who took up the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne this week says that the University community reflects the entire Australian community in being profoundly moved by the unprecedented damage caused to many communities in the Asian region.

"The University has a strong commitment to regional engagement, and deeply feels its responsibility to respond to the plight of these communities," he said.

Key elements of the University's assistance package are:

* An immediate cash donation of $250,000 to the major aid agencies to assist with the humanitarian relief effort in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and the Maldives.

* The University is making arrangements for staff to make donations through salary deductions to Tsunami relief appeals. All such funds will be donated to aid agencies working in tsunami–affected countries.

* Currently-enrolled students living in areas affected by the tsunami are being contacted to find out whether any assistance is necessary either immediately or to enable them to complete their studies. This assistance will vary depending on individual student circumstances but may include: counselling, more flexible course enrolment and leave of absence arrangements; extended loan facilities; accommodation support; direct financial support and fee bursaries.

* Collaboration with the Melbourne University Overseas Student Service and undergraduate and postgraduate student representatives and academic staff from tsunami-affected countries on possible activities that the University may wish to undertake early in the academic year to remember those who have lost their lives or had their lives overturned by the tsunami. Any funds received from such activities would be added to the Tsunami Appeal Fund.

* Flexible employment and course enrolment procedures will be implemented so that staff or students wishing to assist with the relief effort or the subsequent rebuilding phase may do so without disadvantage to their employment or enrolment arrangements.

* In the longer-term, the University will collaborate with universities and other institutions in tsunami-affected countries with which Melbourne has established links in providing assistance in rebuilding universities, schools, hospitals and other education providers devastated by the tsunami.

Professor Davis says that the University has a close relationship with Asia through institutional partnerships, students and staff exchanges, development programs and a strong international student program. "We welcome the opportunity to offer our help both at this time and in the longer term," he said.

"Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic Professor Peter McPhee is setting up a task force of staff and students to advise on ways in which the University might assist with the longer term rebuilding phase. This longer-term engagement could involve a substantial commitment of university resources - both staff and equipment – over a number of years."