Canberra, Thursday 23 August, 2001

30 Years of Economics at the ANU

Some of Australia's leading economists - the people who have shaped Australia's economic policy over the past 30 years, are coming back to where it all started - the ANU.

Since 1971 the Australian National University has offered students across Australia the opportunity to take part in a Masters of economics and now 30 years later, the University has arranged a reunion, bringing together the 300 graduates who have successfully completed the Master's degree.

"Since the first students commenced here have been over 300 graduates of the course. Many have moved on to significant career achievements in the banking, finance, public service and academic fields," Tony Wynack, Secretary of the Faculty of Economics and Commerce, said.

The University was one of the first in Australia to develop the postgraduate coursework degree in economics to celebrate their achievement a commemorative dinner will be held on the 21st of September at the Australian Academy of Science. The unique gathering will feature a range of guest speakers including a panel of notable Masters Of Economics discussing their views on topical issues.

"The dinner will be complemented by a series of lectures held throughout the day, and will open with a keynote presentation from the ANU's Professor Bob Gregory AO, one of Australia's most noted economists," Tony Wynack said. "The one-day symposium and dinner will reflect on the issues of economic policy in Australia today and on the contributions made by the University and its graduates."

Masters graduate Chris Murphy says the skills he learnt as part of the degree are still relevant in his own work as an economic consultant today. "One of the main features of the masters degree at the ANU was to teach graduates the practical and theoretical aspects of economic analysis, which equips you to do the work yourself rather than simply gaining an understanding of the processes involved," Chris Murphy said.

Now running his own economic consulting business, Ecomtech, in Canberra, he specialises economic modelling, recently tackling issues involving the GST and its effects on businesses in Australia. "The Masters degree is pitched at a high level, and focuses on economic techniques and theory as well as putting them into practice."

"I believe the 30-year economics reunion will enhance the university's image as the leading provider of economics courses in the country. When I started in 1980 it was the only one of its kind, and since then its become more widely recognised," he said.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the 30-year reunion or the Masters degree should contact the School of Economics at the Australian National University.

For further information contact:

Tony Wynack, Faculty of Economics and Commerce, on W: (02) 6125 3393 Clarissa Thorpe, ANU Public Relations Division, on W: (02) 6125 5575, M 0416 249 245

No: 68/2001

© 2000 Marketing & Communications Division,
The Australian National University.
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Last Modified Tue, July 16, 2002