Community at VU.
Victoria University's objective is to embrace the diversity and dynamism of the University's local communities and assist these communities to build their capacity to meet local, national and international challenges.
VU Community links:
- Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Unit
- Yannoneit Employment Strategy
- Alumni
- Connections magazine
- Institutes
- Western Bulldogs
Partnerships
Victoria University (VU) extended its engagement with the community in 2005, fostering partnerships with groups and organisations having both local and international influence. Some of these projects include:
- The development of an Engagement Functional Plan recognised the University's special mission to improve the lives of the many communities in the western region of Melbourne, particularly through enhancing student access
- The establishment in 2005 of the Office for Community and Industry Partnerships encouraged community access to VU resources and facilities. One initiative resulted in the accommodation of an Islamic Girls' and Women's Group at St Albans Campus
- Community engagement days were held at Melton, Sunbury, St Albans and Werribee campuses to identify VU as an active site of transformation for the communities in the region
- An iconic agreement was reached with the Western Bulldogs. Based on a shared commitment to sport, human movement and recreation, the two organisations will take advantage of the $42 million investment in infrastructure at the Whitten Oval and Footscray Park Campus to promote the economic and social wellbeing of Melbourne's west.
- The University convened an international conference together with the Australia-East Timor Association and Development Studies Network. Addressed by The Hon. Mari Alkatiri, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, the conference explored strategies for supporting the people of Timor-Leste in their independence as a nation
- The University introduced a writer-in-residence scheme to foster emerging talent in the western suburbs. Inaugural writer-in-residence, Arnold Zable, commenced work with community groups and VU students enrolled in professional writing courses
Award-winning author Arnold Zable (above)
- VU trained Acehnese land mappers in the wake of the Boxing Day tsunami that permanently altered the landscape of northern Sumatra, rendering existing maps irrelevant.
- A delegation from India, led by the Minister for Law, IT and Electricity, the Hon. D Jayakumar, visited Victoria University to discuss opportunities for collaboration in education and research between the University and the State of Tamil Nadu.
Working with schools
Throughout 2005, the University continued its strong working relationships with numerous Victorian primary and secondary schools based on regular school visits and an active VET in schools program.
Re-Engineering Australia
VU's Re-Engineering Australia project attracted 18 Victorian secondary schools as diverse as Melton Secondary College and Geelong Grammar. The project aims to attract students to an engineering career by introducing them to the latest computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CADCAM) technologies. Students designed mini Formula 1 cars using CATIA software prior to their manufacture at the University. Students could visit Sunshine Campus or watch the process of manufacture on television. The successful program is now ready to be rolled out into Victorian primary schools.
Good foundations
The University's innovative undergraduate Foundation Studies program continued to be very successful. Low-achieving students with aspirations in science, engineering and technology spend a year learning science and teaching it to primary school students. The program is identified nationally as being at the forefront of innovative curriculum and modes of delivery.
Engaged Institutes
VU's institutes often use interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches to provide solutions for external agencies through a mix of research, education, training and consultancy. There are particular synergies between the work of the Institute for Community Engagement and Policy Alternatives (ICEPA) and the Institute for Logistics and Supply Chain Management (ILSCM) and the Office for Industry and Community Engagement.
ICEPA
ICEPA has worked closely with the Horn of Africa community on a number of resettlement projects funded through Vic Health, and ILSCM is actively engaged with various community groups and government departments investigating transport patterns across the western region.
ICEPA also conducted a forum, 'A Fairer West', with the objective of developing a greater understanding of the current social policy environment among key agencies in the western metropolitan region.
Centre for Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering (CESARE)
Victoria University's Centre for Environmental Safety and Risk Engineering (CESARE), which
opened in July 1991 and is part of the Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science, has earned an international reputation for its research into fire safety engineering. The centre has 14 full-time and part-time staff. There is also a large-scale test facility at rural Fiskville, about 70 kilometres west of Melbourne.
