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Introduction
RMIT is renowned for quality education and training
programs, innovative consultancy and research and close links with
industry and employers.
RMIT is a leading exporter of Australian education,
offering hundreds of courses in Melbourne and overseas.
RMIT's status as a leading international educator has been
recognised through numerous awards including the Governor of
Victoria Export Award for Education in 1998,1999 and 2000.
The seven faculties encompass a wide range of academic
departments and more than 20 research centres and institutes.
RMIT's 55,000 students are studying programs from
pre-apprenticeship to doctorate level.
RMIT's Bundoora Campus is a centre of excellence for life
sciences, mechanical and manufacturing engineering, youth affairs,
teacher education, psychology and occupational health and
safety.
RMIT is a leader in promoting cultural diversity through
research and learning. RMIT's activities are guided by the
'triple bottom line' of environmental, social and financial
sustainability.
RMIT's Brunswick campus houses state-of-the-art
specialist printing technology and textile facilities and is the
major provider of training services to the printing and textile
industries.
RMIT University is a member of the Australian Technology
Network and the Global University Alliance.
Education and Training
Consisting of some 55,000 students and 3,300 staff, RMIT
University offers vocational and professional education to
support the career goals of individuals and the needs of
organisations.
With a background of 95 years as Victoria's top provider of
technological education and more than 30 years offering degree
courses, RMIT University was granted formal university
status in 1992. It is only in the past decade however, that
RMIT has been specifically funded to undertake research.
This puts it in the unique position of being a relevant, cutting
edge University for tomorrow, backed by the knowledge and
credibility that comes from growing and developing in partnership
with the community.
International
RMIT is one of Australia's most successful international
educators and a leading exporter of Australian education. This is
recognised by RMIT having won:
- the first Australian Export Award for Education in 1998;
- the Governor of Victoria Export Award for Education in
1998,1999 and 2000;
- the 1999 Business Asia News Magazine Award for best Australian
service activity in Asia.
Research
A strong tradition with a corresponding strong reputation is
emerging in fields of research such as engineering, business,
physical and life sciences, social sciences and the creative arts.
To ensure focus and to maximise its resources, areas of strength
and expertise, RMIT University has identified seven target
areas around which to cluster its research concentrations:
- Information Technology
- Biotechnology and Drug Technology
- Globalisation and Cultural Diversity
- Social Policy and Urban and Regional Development
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Environmental Sustainability
- Advanced Manufacturing
RMIT's goal is to undertake world-class, outcome related
research and development, and to support innovation to underpin
future economic and social development in the communities in which
the university operates.
The seven faculties encompass a wide range of academic
departments and more than 20 research centres and institutes
including nine Cooperative Research Centres:
- Advanced Composite Structures
- Australian Photonics
- Australian Telecommunications
- Intelligent Manufacturing Systems and Technologies
- Microtechnology
- Polymers
- Water Quality and Treatment
- SMART Internet
- Construction Innovation
(Details available from: http://www.isr.gov.au/crc/centres/index.html)
RMIT is building a Spatial and Sonological Laboratory, a
unique world-class facility that will enable business to be
co-located and connected directly to the latest research in visual,
aural, digital and physical aspects of design, to optimise research
and commercial outcomes.
Engagement with Community and
Industry
RMIT's Bundoora campus is fast developing as a technology
precinct with particular capacity in Engineering, Life Sciences and
IT. Set on forty-two hectares of extensive parkland, the Bundoora
Campus features the new purpose-built Life Sciences building,
opened in 2001, and costing $32 million.
Given its technological past, RMIT's research is bound to
have a strong industry and outcome focus. To further ensure its
relevance, RMIT University audited its research
concentrations in an international peer review process in 2000. Of
the 30 areas reported, 25 were deemed to be of national or
international significance. The process will be repeated every
three years, leaving students, staff, industry, government and
community groups in no doubt that RMIT University is
committed to growing its research base in a sustainable and
significant manner - one that contributes strongly to the scholarly
development of its staff and students while providing practical
solutions to real-world problems.
The Northern Partnerships program focuses on developing links
with industry, partnerships with schools, research in the region
and alliances with local government. One of the most significant
projects is the cooperative activities with schools in inner
Melbourne through the Northern Interactive Education Coordinated
Area Program (NIECAP).
In 2000 NIECAP obtained State Government Science Partnerships
funding to work with a group of six primary schools that have
responded enthusiastically. Involvement increased with the
stainless steel industry through a skill shortages project and with
the community service and cabinet-making industries through the
Linking Young People and Industry Project. Involvement with schools
in the City of Darebin was extended through the Darebin
Youth Consortium and expansion of support was offered to secondary
colleges via the Northern School Industry Network.
The Whittlesea Youth Commitment continued to develop strongly as a
partnership with the City of Whittlesea, schools and community
agencies. This project is gaining state and national attention as
an example of a whole-of-community approach to supporting local
young people. NIECAP was invited to be part of the planning process
for forming local learning and employment networks in Banyule,
Darebin, Moreland, Nillumbik and Yarra as well as providing
leadership in Hume and Whittlesea.
This major new development houses teaching and research facilities
over two levels and includes a hi-tech laboratory complex. It
represents a significant investment in Biomedical Sciences and
Biotechnology that will benefit students in all RMIT Life
Sciences programs.
 Laboratories
have been designed to allow for the most current research and
teaching practices. The building has world class equipment, and
collaborative, multi-disciplinary research areas and flexible
learning spaces, providing an ideal teaching and learning
environment.
The university tailors programs for industry and community clients.
These can be delivered in the workplace and in some cases
on-line.
Contact:
Catherine
Burnheim
RMIT
Research & Development
Phone:
+61
3 9925 7498
Fax:
+61
3 9466 9980
Street Address:
Plenty Road,
Bundoora West Campus
Postal Address:
PO Box 71, Bundoora
VIC 3083
Web:
www.rmit.edu.au
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