University of Melbourne considers bold new strategic direction
Media Release, Tuesday 15 November 2005
The University of Melbourne Council is considering a bold new strategic response to the challenges facing the University as it aspires to become ‘one of the finest’ universities in the world.
The strategy proposes the fundamental character of the University be defined as a ‘triple helix’, a tight combination of world-significant research, a move toward graduate schools for professional training, and knowledge transfer.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, presented a draft of this strategic vision, Growing Esteem, to the University Council last night. The draft will remain before the University community until the December meeting of Council.
Growing Esteem sets out an inspiring new 10-year plan for the University, and builds on the successes of the Melbourne Agenda strategy, introduced in 1996.
The title refers to ‘Postera Crescam Laude’, the University’s Latin motto meaning ‘I will grow in the esteem of future generations’.
“The recent consultation process has re-affirmed our aspiration to be one of the finest universities in the world. Growing Esteem suggests how that might be achieved in the current environment.”
It is an aspiration supported by the recent global rankings by the Times Higher Education Supplement, which identify the University of Melbourne as first in Australia and one of the 20 best universities in the world.
Key priorities areas of outlined in Growing Esteem are research, learning and teaching, and knowledge transfer. From 2006, it is proposed that:
- a transparent and systematic process of research evaluation will test whether each disciplinary area is in the top three in Australia. Faculties not measuring up will work to an improvement plan. In the long run, investment will focus on academic areas showing national leadership and international relevance.
- a Future Generation Fund will support priority cross-disciplinary research projects. At least 10 Future Generation Professors will be recruited during 2006-2008 to lead these projects
- Melbourne will shift toward a model of broad undergraduate programs followed by intense professional training at postgraduate level, by introducing more graduate programs with a goal of one-third of all enrolments at postgraduate level and some faculties standing alone as graduate schools. During 2006, a University task force will work with faculties to plan this approach
- a small number of prestigious new professional programs will offer guaranteed entry to high-achieving school leavers, subject to meeting progression standards in a generalist undergraduate degree. An example could be a politics, philosophy and economics undergraduate program leading to graduate law school.
- a strong focus on scholarships for graduate school to ensure diversity, access and equity.
- the University’s many and disparate knowledge transfer activities embracing cultural, academic, government and industry initiatives be brought together under single leadership, with a portfolio of knowledge transfer activities linking students, staff, alumni and community developed.
Professor Davis concedes policy changes will be necessary to achieve the strategic choices set out in Growing Esteem. “The University will need to persuade government to lift the constraints that prevent the University from assuming more responsibility for its own income and expenditure.
“If the University of Melbourne is to compete and contribute in a global setting, it must be able to set it own fees so as to pay for the staff, facilities and services essential in a leading university.
Professor Davis says the University must be freed from current restrictions so it can decide the right distribution of students between disciplines, between fee-paying and subsidised, between postgraduate and undergraduate.
“Students in turn should be supported for the real and total cost of study. This means an end to arbitrary caps and conditions on FEE-HELP borrowing for self-funded students.”
The University hopes the federal government will consider allowing the transfer of some HECS places from undergraduate to graduate programs to maintain a strong diversity of students entering graduate school.
Professor Davis acknowledges the idea of a university that stresses the ‘triple helix’ of research, graduate schools and knowledge transfer runs against conventional wisdom.
The University must create the taste in Australia for a new type of institution, offering an experience comparable with the best in the world.
“The University must argue for diversity in the system so students can choose the type of institution that works best for them, present the case for graduate schools as a viable and valuable way to train professionals, and demonstrate that such an approach to student selection can maintain equality of opportunity for the broadest range of students.
ENDS
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