University of Canberra blends innovation and internationalisation to shape leaders
Shaping the future leaders of the digital age, the University of Canberra (UC) is increasingly anchoring its curriculum and strategies on digital learning and strong international collaborations. As one of Australia's top-performing emerging universities, UC continues to strengthen its academic impact in providing practical solutions and improving societies. It is constantly forging breakthroughs in the global higher education system through innovation, internationalisation and the belief in a constantly changing world.
Shaping the future leaders of the digital age, the University of Canberra (UC) is increasingly anchoring its curriculum and strategies on digital learning and strong international collaborations. As one of Australia's top-performing emerging universities, UC continues to strengthen its academic impact in providing practical solutions and improving societies. It is constantly forging breakthroughs in the global higher education system through innovation, internationalisation and the belief in a constantly changing world.
"There is no status quo," says Professor Stephen Parker,
vice-chancellor and president of UC. "The future is all about innovation, reinvention, focus and strategy. Universities can lead in driving innovations that can influence business leaders worldwide."
Offering programmes that span professional disciplines such as governance, environment, communication, education and health, UC attracts students from all over the world, particularly in Asia, as it weaves work-integrated learning into the university's fabric. Graduates of UC possess professional skills and intercultural competence as they go through immersive international experiences and pioneering forms of coursework. With UC's student-centred access, enrolees enjoy the flexibility of attending lectures in their preferred campus locations and modes of delivery.
As one of the first internationalised universities in Australia, UC nurtures strong partnerships with leading educational institutions on the mainland, and in Hong Kong and Vietnam. From collaborative programmes to teacher education, UC's international connections provide domestic and foreign students an intrinsic global outlook.
"We look at partnerships, syndicates, consortiums, sharing and learning platforms that are cutting-edge," Parker says. "The next frontier for us is to build a strong research collaboration, co-publishing with authors from universities in other countries."
Aside from research and creative practices, UC also implements groundbreaking policies that heighten employees' sense of ownership and loyalty. Its latest enterprise agreement links staff remuneration to the success of the institution. Applying unconventional methods and technologies, UC is the first Australian university to share its profits with employees. In return, academic and administrative staff members participate in cost-cutting measures.
Focused on growing its scale by 46 per cent, UC is expanding its domestic and international reach. It entered the QS World University Rankings, regarded as one of the most influential international university rankings, for the first time last year. It is also working towards breaking into another widely observed international rankings body, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, by 2018.
"Our international exposure is more than just teaching," Parker says. "International education can be considered soft diplomacy. It connects countries together in the long run."
www.canberra.edu.au
