University Secretary's Department Statutes and Regulation

Statute 9.21 - The Victorian College of Optometry

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Recitals-

  1. The University is declared by section 4(1) of the Melbourne University Act 1958 ("the University Act") to have been established on 11 April 1853 at Melbourne. By sub-section 18(3) of the University Act power is conferred on the University to make and alter statutes for the affiliation with the University of any commercial, cultural, educational, sporting or other institution organisation or body if-
    1. the affiliation would assist in attaining any of the objects of the University; and
    2. the governing body of the institution, organisation or body has consented to the affiliation.
  2. The Victorian College of Optometry ("the College") was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee pursuant to the Companies (Victoria) Code on 5 February 1940 and has since 1961 been affiliated with the University. The University and the College have agreed to bring the conditions of that affiliation up to date. The objects of the College comprise, among others-
    1. to be and provide, a school of education in the science and art of optometry under such regulations as shall from time to time be determined by Council.
    2. to constitute a centre of learning and excellence for the purpose of advancing and encouraging the study of, and interest in, optometry and the visual sciences generally.
    3. to formulate, adopt, encourage and promote high standards of optometric practice, and high standards of ethical and professional conduct for fellows and members of the College, and to take all such action as Council deems appropriate to ensure compliance with such standards.
    4. to act as a centre of information and learning for optometrists, and the community generally, and to disseminate that information through such courses, programs and other means whatsoever as Council deems appropriate.
    5. to provide and promote optometric services, and establish and operate clinics that principally provide optometric services free of charge or at nominal cost for persons of limited means, and provide specialist ophthalmic services for persons referred to the College’s clinics.
    6. to encourage and foster research into optometry and the visual sciences generally, and establish, promote, support (financially or otherwise), or co-operate with research groups, institutions or other bodies.
    7. to provide grants to enable research work in, or in association with, the College, to be reported at international conferences, or to otherwise enable the College to be represented at such conferences.
    8. to own and manage clinics suitable for undergraduate training of optometry students, and postgraduate training of optometrists, or any other undergraduate or postgraduate students who may benefit from such training.
    9. to enter into such agreements and affiliation with the University of Melbourne or other universities and institutions of higher learning as will advance the study of optometry and the visual sciences generally, and assist the education of optometrists and students pursuing courses of study in optometry, or otherwise advance the interests and activities of the College.
    10. to enter into and carry out such agreements or arrangements with Commonwealth, State and municipal governments, or any company association or other group concerned with or interested in the provision of health services as will advance, assist or otherwise facilitate the training of optometrists or the provision of optometric services or research by the College or its members, or that otherwise may seem conducive to any of the objectives of the College, and to obtain any rights, privileges and concessions which the Council may think it desirable to obtain, and to carry out, exercise and comply with any such rights privileges and concessions.
  3. The College and the University have agreed that the 1961 Agreement between them be replaced by a new Agreement on terms and conditions of affiliation approved by the Council at its meeting on 4 October 1999.
  4. The College has consented to the provisions of this statute.
  5. The Council of the College as its governing body has agreed that the Council of the University may appoint annually one representative to the Council of the College.

Affiliation of the College-

9.21.1 (1) The College and the University continue to be affiliated in accordance with the Agreement approved by the Council at its meeting on 4 October 1999 for the purposes of -

    1. promoting and assisting the teaching and supervision of students of the University and providing facilities therefor;
    2. promoting and encouraging appropriate research among such students and providing facilities therefor;
    3. promoting a co-operative effort between members of staff of the College and members of staff of the University towards teaching by the University and research in areas of common interest; and
    4. promoting and encouraging appropriate research between members of staff of the College and members of staff of the University and providing facilities therefor.

(2) Nothing in this statute requires the University to bear any part of the cost of the provision of facilities for teaching or research work at any of the College's premises.

(3) This affiliation ceases on the termination of the Agreement referred to in recital 3.

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