The Chancellor's column

May 2008

On 30 May 2008, Monash University will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the proclamation of the Monash University Act. It is therefore appropriate that I dedicate my first column to this significant achievement.

I was recently installed as Chancellor of Monash University. I am honoured to be the first Monash graduate to hold the position of Chancellor, particularly so in Monash’s 50th year.

I have also recently agreed to be the patron of the University’s international alumni body – the Monash Alumni Advisory Group (MAAG) – that represents our alumni internationally and in Australia. I look forward to working with representatives of MAAG to serve the interests of our global alumni community.

As a graduate with long-lasting connections to Monash, I have seen how much the University has changed in a short period of time.

When I started at Monash in 1971, university fees had recently been abolished. The only international students were the children of diplomats or business people on international transfer. The Clayton campus was small and looked like it was populated with Lego blocks, and was a common site for political protests by the student representative council.

Today, the University has an international presence and leads the way in teaching and research. The alumni network to which you belong now includes over 215,000 graduates. We will celebrate the University’s successes and those of our graduates at some important forthcoming events.

On 29 May, the University will host its official 50th Anniversary celebration - the 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner. The Gala is a celebration of Monash’s past, present and future and of our alumni, donors, students and staff. The event will incorporate the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards that recognise the achievements of the University’s most outstanding graduates.

Another interesting event this month is a public lecture at which Sir John Monash Distinguished Professor Graeme Davison will speak about Monash’s founding years. This event will be of interest to alumni across all faculties and graduation years. It is part of a series of free 50th Anniversary public lectures that are being held each month at Federation Square in Melbourne.

As Monash’s new Chancellor, I hope to contribute to the University’s successes well beyond its 50th year. In doing so, I will combine my experience in research, business and education to help guide Monash steadily along the path of innovation and excellence that it has already chosen. If you have any ideas you wish to share with me that might help me guide Monash in its endeavours please write to me at monashalumni@adm.monash.edu.au.

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