Victoria University, Australia
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The Echuca campus *does* exist, while the South Melbourne one doesn't. See the Talk page.
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Victoria University (formerly known as the Victoria University of Technology), located in Melbourne, Australia, is recognised as one of Australia's most innovative universities. It offers Higher Education, Technical and Further Education, short course and Victorian Certificate of Education courses. Chosen by more than 50,000 students each year, Victoria University has become one of Australia's largest universities, and is one of the five dual-sector universities offering both Higher Education and Technical and Further Education (TAFE). Image:Vic Uni Logo.gif
Victoria University of Technology was founded in 1991 by a merger of the Footscray Institute of Technology (1968-1991) and the Western Institute (1987-1991). It became known as Victoria University in 1998 when it merged with the Western Melbourne Institute of TAFE. Since then it has had reponsibility for all government delivered tertiary education in Melbourne's Western Suburbs (except for the University of Melbourne agricultural facilities in Werribee).
The University currently offers a broad range of teaching and research programs across its three Higher Education Faculties (Arts, Education & Human Development; Business & Law; and Health, Engineering & Science) and four TAFE Schools (Business, Hospitality & Personal Services; Engineering, Construction & Industrial Skills; Further Education, Arts & Employment Services; and Human Services, Science & Technology). These range all the way from apprenticeship level training to postdoctoral research.
Students at VU are represented by the Victoria University Student Union and the Victoria University Postgraduate Association, a member of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations. The University has relatively favourable entry requirements for Mature Age students. This makes it relatively popular with them.
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History
The original concept of the Victoria University of Technology was of a CBD-Western Suburbs based University offering top level technical education to the entire state. It was to be a merger of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), Footscray Institute of Technology (FIT) and the Western Institute. However, at the last moment (in late 1990), RMIT pulled out. Image:Vicuni.gif
On July 1 1998 VUT merged with the Western Melbourne Institute of TAFE, giving it control of nearly all government tertiary institutions between Melbourne's CBD and the Werribee River. It now began to call itself "Victoria University".
It's broader post-merger range of courses allowed it to launch a "guaranteed place" program in 1999. The marketing for this did not prominently mention that this place was likely to be a TAFE one. After a few years, this program was dropped. A lack of popularity was mentioned as it's downfall.
In both 2003 and 2004 Victoria University had the top TAFE student in the country (Australian Vocational Student of the Year).
In 2004, a four year Strategic Plan was released.
Also in 2004 it was revealed that staff had defrauded the University of $10 million, up until 2001, mainly by awarding tenders at elevated rates, and them receiving back a portion from the money from contractors. The Age
In April 2005, the University applied to the Victorian government to have the name "Victoria University" formally recognised in legislation (although the name had already been widely used for seven years). The Australian
At this time, Vice Chancellor Elizabeth Harman said of the word "technology", "The word reflects the past, not the future and it suggests we are a narrow specialist when in fact we are a broad educational provider".
A change of name was said to help the Uni "position itself for the future in ways that are not about an old technology specialist label or traditional approach - we are not trying to be Cambridge on the Maribyrnong River, either." The Australian
Campuses
It has 12 campuses. These are City Flinders, City King, City South Melbourne, City Queen, Footscray Nicholson, Footscray Park, Melton, Newport, St Albans, Sunbury, Sunshine and Werribee.
The Melba Conservatorium of Music is an independent body affiliated with the University that delivers courses at its main Richmond campus and also at the Sunbury VU campus.
Additionally, its courses are delivered by a number of affiliates in Asia.
In the past, the university also taught courses at Yarraville and Williamstown. Its antecedants had campuses in a wide variety of other places.
Footscray Park
Footscray Park is the primary campus, delivering the most contact hours and student services. It also has the greatest number of commercial outlets. The campus delivers almost exclusively higher education courses.
It is located next door to Footscray Park, a large botanical and recreational garden on the banks of the Maribyrnong River. It overlooks Flemington Racecourse.
It was main campus of the Footscray Institute of Technology (FIT) when VUT was created.
St Albans
St Albans is the next largest campus by EFT students taught, and delivers both higher education and TAFE courses. It is located on Jones Creek on the site of an ex-army base. It was the original (and main campus) of the Western Institute.
The main subjects taught there are psychology, nursing, arts and environmental science.
Footscray Nicholson
Footscray Nicholson is slightly smaller than St Albans. It delivers only TAFE and short courses. It is located in central Footscray. It was the main campus of the Western Metropolitan Institute of TAFE when that became part of VU, and was earlier the original campus of FIT.
City
This collection of campuses each have a specialised focus. City Flinders is for postgraduate students working in the CBD. City King primarily teaches hair and beauty courses.
City Queen
Located at the heart of Melbourne's legal precinct, the Queen Street campus teaches law.
It is also home to the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for postgraduate legal education.
Echuca
VU's smallest campus is located in an Echuca shopping strip. It offers Aboriginal studies courses at a TAFE level.