campusreview . com . au
VC ’ s corner
Not only do we have integrated research and innovation , but students gain work experience in international companies like IBM , which has an established professional practice program in IT and business . In turn , more than 60 per cent of IBM employees in Ballarat are graduates from Federation .
Our world leading capability in digital technologies and learning , developed to serve learners across the state , is in demand globally . Response to local need delivers export capability , such as our partnership with the World Academy of Sport in association with the International Baccalaureate . Students across the world can access Australia ’ s internationally recognised qualifications in sports management .
Technology and local understanding advance the agenda of all levels of government to improve access and participation . For example , Federation ’ s Connecting Health Careers website and Jobs and Skills Centres are helping address both skills shortages and widespread unemployment in our regions .
The challenges of recent months have reinforced the supportive relationship between regional universities and their communities . In response to the loss of casual employment many students experienced due to government lockdowns , local retailers , city councils and community groups rallied together to support domestic and international students through the Community Pantry initiative .
In Ballarat and Gippsland , community pantries supplied grocery items to students in need , offering additional support to that provided by Federation , and reassuring students of their importance to their communities .
During the bushfires that affected the Gippsland community in summer , the Federation University Disaster Assistance Scheme was born to provide support for any impacted students . Federation students and staff initiated a project to replace trees burnt in the fires .
This has strengthened our determination to work even more closely with Local Government Areas to leverage our joint capabilities when funding and resources are scarce . For example , Federation ’ s relationship with Latrobe City Council will position the municipality as a ‘ hub of excellence ’ in the areas of health , aged care , carbon innovation , renewable technologies , food and fibre , the visitor economy and advanced manufacturing / engineering . Together we can make this a reality because of our deep local networks and capabilities , driven by world leading research .
Through their research capabilities , regional universities create centres of excellence within communities that , like moths to a flame , attract talent and expertise to these areas .
Whether it be studying the conversion of brown coal into hydrogen for Japan , helping to conserve koala populations in Queensland or assessing soil quality for the agriculture industry , regional research of this nature can be a game-changer for essential industries . Some of the best minds in their fields are bringing palpable solutions to real-world problems in regional Australia , with far-reaching benefits for those areas . The presence of subject-area experts and local research in the regions does not just offer advantages for industry , but also provides real-time , real-life insights that help communities understand and interpret the world around them .
During the COVID-19 pandemic , Federation ’ s epidemiology experts have helped explain the science behind the virus , while our psychology academics are exploring the pandemic ’ s impact on emotional wellbeing . Their knowledge and research , published in the local media and on the university website and social media channels , gave the community a deeper insight into , and understanding of , the implications of the changes they saw in themselves and their communities .
In coming months and years , regional universities will continue to support their communities ’ recovery through their contribution to the social and cultural lives of the regions .
Our students actively participate in the visual and performing arts , and Federation supports and engages with many cultural organisations , from galleries to theatres . The celebration of Ballarat becoming a Compassionate City by signing up to the global Charter for Compassion , included a wonderful concert featuring the university ’ s performing arts students juxtaposed with professional opera singers and musicians .
In Gippsland , university staff invited the wider community to join an online choir to lift spirits and take the arts into people ’ s homes at a time when a distraction from climbing coronavirus numbers and a sense of community were badly needed .
The diverse student population of regional universities also makes a significant contribution to the cultural fabric of the communities in which they live and learn . We are incredibly proud of the role our international students play in our communities , bringing a cultural richness and diversity to regional and rural areas . Federation hosts around 2,000 international students across its campuses from more than 100 countries . They make a valuable cultural contribution to our student population , and that of our regions .
The staff at regional universities genuinely transform lives , providing access to learning for everyone at every stage of their lives and regional students are therefore deeply connected to their universities .
It is no accident that Federation received more 5-star ratings in The Good Universities Guide 2021 than any university in Australia . We were extremely proud to see Federation rated number one in Australia for teaching quality ( postgraduate ) and number one in Victoria for graduate full-time employment , starting salary , social equity , student teacher ratio , student support , skills development , teaching quality ( undergraduate ), learner engagement ( postgraduate ) and overall experience ( postgraduate ).
We also rated first in Australia for first generation student enrolments . These are students whose parents or grandparents did not attend university , and are setting their lives on an exciting , new course by engaging in further education .
By welcoming these students , we are making a significant impact on their lives , offering new pathways towards greater financial security , professional opportunity and an ability to contribute to their local community in meaningful and rewarding ways .
At Federation , the desire to transform lives and enhance communities informs everything we do , and this commitment will see our students and communities thrive . Regional universities have some of the cleverest minds figuring out how to drive regional economic growth and how to build that growth around long term sustainable communities , while bringing with them innovative digital capabilities and collaborations to help plot a new course for the post-COVID future . ■
Duncan Bentley is Vice Chancellor of Federation University .
23