Alumni Profile: Louise Dunn
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Degree: Bachelor of Arts (Honours) 1991 Current Position: Business Development Manager, School of Enterprise, University of Melbourne As a student, Louise Dunn pursued her interest in China and world affairs. Her knowledge of Chinese language and culture has been a key element of her career in higher education and business consulting. Now, Louise is involved in developing innovative programs that make the University's academic expertise available to government and private industry both in Australia and overseas. |
Upon graduating from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) majoring in Chinese, I worked as an international student adviser for Phillip Institute of Technology (now part of RMIT), before moving into international student recruitment for Swinburne University.
Familiar with export and Asia and having recently completed a Graduate Certificate in International Trade, I approached KPMG Consulting and was invited to join their cross border trade and investment team. My six years with the firm included an 18 month secondment to KPMG's regional office in Kuala Lumpur, with a focus on supply chain management.
My next stop was Asialink, a non academic department of the University of Melbourne dedicated to raising awareness of Asia in Australia, where I worked for four years as Business Development Manager.
My latest appointment in the School of Enterprise allows me to draw on my experience in Asia and the university sector, and my understanding of the complex issues facing the corporate and government sectors. The School of Enterprise is a non-discipline-focused academic school of the University.
My role is to assist the University of Melbourne in its commercialisation agenda by working with corporate and government clients to determine their professional development and consultancy needs. I work with academics from across the University to develop customised in-house programs (both award and non-award), develop proposals, negotiate contracts and manage courses. Recent examples are an in-house executive management program for an oil and gas company in Malaysia and a customised training program in contract management for local public servants.
I enjoy the applied nature of my work, the interface with corporate and government clients, the high standard of our delivery team and content, and the knowledge that these programs are 100 per cent relevant to our clients.
My career highlights include my successful transition from the university sector to a tier one professional services firm and the many and varied work relationships I have maintained over the years.
I enrolled at the University of Melbourne with a strong interest in Asia and world affairs, and greatly value the further knowledge and understanding I acquired there. My Bachelor of Arts helped me to develop strong research, analytical and writing skills which have served me well in the workplace. The friendships and contacts I have made, in particular those made during the four years I spent as a resident at Trinity College, have also been invaluable.
Outside work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, yoga, cooking, reading and swimming.
