International Focus
As an internationally-engaged and public-spirited institution, the University of Melbourne undertakes to draw on its research and teaching and learning capacity to work both within Australia and overseas with colleagues, students and partners from all sectors to meet global challenges with intelligence, ingenuity and respect.
Mutuality is an important element of engagement that the University undertakes. Internationally the University will create opportunities for its staff and students and its wider community to contribute to the development of capacity, particularly within Australia’s own Asia-Pacific region. This includes responding to natural disasters and global health challenges facing less fortunate nations within our region.
In addition, while remaining a University with a strong sense of place, centred on the historic Parkville campus of inner Melbourne and committed to a public-spirited role as a Victorian and Australian institution, the University of Melbourne will continue to extend and develop its international outlook, committed to global excellence, relevance and impact.
Engagement Targets
The University of Melbourne has made the commitment that by 2015 it will be able to say that:
• Staff feel able to contribute broadly to the University of Melbourne’s vision of interaction between academia and the wider society including through knowledge partnership, public programs, advancement and international activities;
• Alumni and its external community advise that they understand and feel engaged with the University’s broad direction and are active participants in its fulfilment through engagement with faculties and graduate schools and the University's staff and students;
• The University will enhance its standing and profile with strategic academic alliances with leading international universities and will attract high-calibre students and staff from a diverse range of source countries; and
• The University will continue to enjoy high ratings in reputable international rankings.
The Global Engagement Division continues to work closely with the University's faculties and administrative divisions as well as its international partners and the community to ensure the effective coordination of international programs and activities across the University to achieve these targets.
International Research Collaboration
Participation in collaborative research projects of global significance is an important part of the University of Melbourne's research and international agendas. Selected examples of the University's international engagement can be found on the International Relations Office website.
For information on the University’s research including international collaborations, visit the Research at Melbourne website. For information on a range of initiatives and activities to foster and support international collaboration and selected examples of the University's international engagement, visit the International Relations Office website.
For information on the University's partnership with Vanderbilt University (Nashville, US), visit the joint Melbourne-Vanderbilt website.
Examples of Major International Initiatives
Asialink
Asialink is Australia's leading centre for the promotion of public understanding of the countries of Asia and of Australia's role in the region. As a non-academic centre of the University of Melbourne and an initiative of the Myer Foundation, Asialink is a key provider of information, training and professional networks.
Confucius Institute
Operated in partnership with Nanjing University (China), The Confucius Institute at the University of Melbourne is a centre of education excellence for Australian companies wishing to do business in China, Chinese companies wanting to do business in Australia and the general public who have an interest in Chinese language and culture.
Australia India Institute
Launched in 2009, the University of Melbourne is home to a national Australia India Institute. The Institute will have a key role to play in improving understanding and strengthening relationships between Australia and India. It will provide consultancies on issues of national priority, and host international conferences, community engagement and cultural dialogues to support Australia's need to strengthen its engagement with India through research, professional links and cooperation.