University of Melbourne Aims to Become Leading Institution in Asia & Pacific, Unveils New Strategy

The University of Melbourne has unveiled a new strategy titled “Advancing Melbourne Globally,” under which it aims to become a leading institution in Asia and the Pacific.

Launched at the Melbourne Connect just before the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Melbourne, the strategy reinforces the university’s efforts to serve as a knowledge center across the two continents, the school has announced.

Additionally, it mentions the commitment to address global challenges through research and education, Erudera.com reports.

While commenting on the initiative, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Michael Wesley, said the intention is to expand instruction to more students and researchers.

“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,” Wesley explained.

The strategy focuses on four objectives:

• strengthening the university’s geographical presence to become a top-choice
• Increasing impact and engagement to enhance its presence worldwide
• guiding academic pursuits with a global perspective
• Supporting a global community that goes beyond academia to make a societal impact.

Master of Public Policy and Management graduate Arshia Jain said that under the university’s international initiatives, she had the chance to work on global challenges and collaborate with researchers from different regions around the world.

This new strategy follows a plan the university started in 2020. The school says in a statement that some of its achievements since 2020 include launching a Bachelor of Science dual degree program in India and renewing a scholarship deal with China, a program worth $75 million, expected to benefit 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,” the statement reads.

The University of Melbourne was established in 1853. It is the oldest university in the state of Victoria and the second-oldest in Australia, behind the University of Sydney.

There are more than 52,000 students enrolled at the university, of which 52 percent are undergraduates and 48 percent are graduates. International students from over 150 countries account for 41 percent of the total student body.

The school’s data indicates that 24 percent of undergraduate students participated in an international experience in December 2019.