The Chancellor's column

March 2009

International engagement

Last month I was in South Africa and China for Monash University graduations and, accompanying the Vice-Chancellor and other senior staff, to meet various government officials, senior bureaucrats, university leaders and research chiefs. From these wonderful engagements, a number of impressions are worth mentioning here.

First, in South Africa, at an alumni breakfast I sat next to recent graduates from Zambia, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, with degrees in information technology and marketing. All had jobs with national or international firms. All were optimistic about their futures. All were enthusiastic about their experience at Monash South Africa (MSA) because of its quality and its friendliness. They were articulate and confident, a new generation born of parents who themselves did not have the benefit of a university education but through hard work and determination ensured that their children would receive a life-changing educational opportunity. For some of our Monash South Africa alumni, they are not only the first in their family to obtain a degree – they are the first to hold a formal job. The thrill for the parents of our Monash South Africa students was obvious at the graduation ceremony later that day, with entire families ululating and clapping with pride and excitement. Yes, Monash South Africa is growing, yes, it is delivering excellent education, yes, it provides students with an internationally recognised degree that helps them find jobs. But most important, MSA delivers an experience that inspires young men and women from throughout southern Africa to have the confidence and education that will help them be future business, political and institutional leaders, with the requisite knowledge and skills that will underpin their success.

Second, in China, at an alumni dinner I sat next to and mingled with dozens of recent Chinese graduates from our Victorian campuses. All were bubbling with excitement at being re-acquainted with some of their extended circle of friends and meeting Monash University staff again. These alumni treasured their bonds with Australia and with Monash. This was our first alumni activity in mainland China and the attendees were clearly thirsty for further engagement.

Separately, as a participant in a series of relationship building meetings with senior government personnel at various Chinese ministries and agencies, I was struck by the wonderful reputation that Monash University already has in China. This is not only because of the University’s existing practice of delivering quality education to its international students and encouraging student exchanges. It is also very much because of the research collaborations that we have established with leading Chinese universities in areas as diverse as water quality, accident prevention, materials engineering, green chemistry, stem cells and immunology. These relationships exist between us and prestigious research institutes such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and they exist between us and leading universities such as Nankai, Peking, Renmin, Shanghai Jiao Tong, Sichuan, Tsinghua and others.

In summary, one of the very special characteristics of Monash University, more special at Monash than virtually any other university in the world, is our international flavour. As a university, we are stronger because of the international collaborations that are underpinned by our campuses, centres and collaborations in South Africa, Malaysia, China, India and Italy. We are also strengthened by the cultural contribution made at all of our campuses by our international students. Our international students and our international research and educational collaborations are the bridges across which cultural, political and industrial exchanges will be carried for the intellectual, cultural and economic betterment of Australia and other participating countries.

Dr Alan Finkel AM (BE 1976, PhD 1981)
Chancellor
Monash University