University of Melbourne reveals global vision to become leading institution in Asia and the Pacific
Existing and future students and researchers are set to benefit from the University of Melbourne’s vision to enhance its global position and connections through the Advancing Melbourne Globally strategy, launched at the Melbourne Connect global precinct on the cusp of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne.
Advancing Melbourne Globally reinforces the University’s commitments to serving as a knowledge hub for Asia and the Pacific, and to address global challenges through education and research.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global, Culture and Engagement) Professor Michael Wesley expressed his long-standing ambition to expand the University's offering to students and researchers: “By affirming our position to become a hub of knowledge for Asia and the Pacific, we aim to influence and address some of the most pressing challenges of our time, driven by meaningful connections and a deep sense of commitment.
“We have a strong history of forming deep and meaningful partnerships with academic institutions. We are proud of the agreements we have with the majority of the world’s 50 top-ranked universities, in addition to the 250 agreements we have for academic cooperation and exchange with universities around the world.
“This is just the start. This plan gives us a framework to bring to life the University’s global ambitions over the coming years, enabling current and future students and researchers to benefit from our world leading education, teaching and research excellence,” Professor Wesley said.
As part of the University's vision for the future, Advancing Melbourne Globally focuses on four commitments: enhancing the University’s geographical presence to become a global place of choice, expanding influence and engagement for greater global reach, guiding academic pursuits with a global perspective, and nurturing a global community that extends beyond academia into actionable societal impact.
Reflecting on the enriching student experience offered through the University’s international engagement efforts, Master of Public Policy and Management graduate Arshia Jain said: “I had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala with an interdisciplinary team of student researchers and worked with an NGO supporting rural and Indigenous communities.”
“Through its global network, the University offered a unique extra-curricular opportunity to work on pressing problems the world is currently facing and connect with like-minded researchers from across the globe,” Jain said.
Advancing Melbourne Globally is an extension of the University’s Advancing Melbourne strategy launched in 2020. It aims to cultivate strategic partnerships and instil the curriculum with a mix of global and Indigenous perspectives, with the ultimate objective to position the University as an academic frontrunner, particularly in Asia and the Pacific.
Since its launch in 2020, key achievements have seen the launch of Bachelor of Science blended and dual degree programs in India, and a PhD scholarship renewal with the China Scholarship Council, which is a $75 million program for up to 180 students over four years. In addition, the Melbourne India Postgraduate Program (MIPA) and annual conference has been reinvigorated, and the Schools Engagement Program, based in India, will be expanded to reach 50,000 students.
Reflecting on the importance of education for Australia's global standing, Professor Wesley said: “Education sits at the cornerstone of many of Australia’s international relations, in particular, in our dynamic region of Asia and the Pacific. The University and our globally focused institutes, such as Asialink and the Australia India Institute, work closely with governments across the region, promoting and supporting Australia’s engagement with the region”.
The Advancing Melbourne Globally report is available here.