ANU AND UniSA COLLABORATION TO BUILD NATIONAL CAPACITY

THURSDAY 15 MAY 2008

The Australian National University and the University of South Australia today signed a Memorandum of Understanding that builds on the Federal Government’s collaborative approach for strengthening Australia’s higher education sector.

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb and UniSA Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj said the agreement provides expanded opportunities for students to study and move between the universities and builds a framework for working together in research and research training.

The first collaborative programs are expected to commence in the 2009 academic year.

ANU is the highest ranked and most research-intensive Australian university and UniSA is one of the nation’s largest universities with a rapidly growing research capacity.

“The MOU underpins a new approach to higher education in Australia, with universities working together to play to their strengths for the benefit of students,” Professor Chubb said. “Each university will contribute according to its existing and emerging specialisations. We could call it a practical two-way hubs and spokes approach.”

Professor Høj said the agreement was designed to build strength and capacity in the sector.

“To lift the quality of our higher education system so that we can prepare graduates to meet future challenges, we need to harness and develop excellence across the system,” he said. “This type of arrangement makes tangible the concept of a national university and UniSA is pleased that it can collaborate in this way while accelerating its own already impressive growth.”

The initial focus on Population Health includes plans for ANU and UniSA to establish programs in Epidemiology and Public Health on a common education platform.

“This will give ANU students access to UniSA allied health and specialised engineering areas, UniSA students access to ANU programs, and students from both institutions access to a jointly developed degree,” Professor Chubb said.

“This kind of intelligent cooperation recognises each university’s unique mission and ensures that students with particular career goals get the best the Australian education system can offer,” Professor Hoj said.

ANU media contact: Jane O’Dwyer office (02) 6125 5001 or mobile 0416 249 231

UniSA media contact: Michèle Nardelli office (08) 8302 0966 mobile 0418 823 673