Alumni matters October 2009 www.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/
Dean’s update The University of Melbourne is dedicated to maintaining the highest levels of research, teaching and learning, and knowledge transfer standards for which it has always been renowned. In all large organisations, and particularly within the context of tertiary education, a constant process of review and redevelopment is required to ensure excellence. The Faculty has been involved in detailed merger discussions with the Melbourne Business School over the past 15 months. As you may already know, it was recently decided by the MBS Board not to put the merger recommendations to their Donor members, despite unanimous support for the merger by both the University Council and the MBS Board in July of this year. As a result, the merger will not proceed. We at the Faculty, however, remain committed to ensuring that the Melbourne Graduate School of Management continues to develop to become the pre-eminent business and economics faculty in the region and have the full support of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, in this regard. Established in 1924 the Faculty of Economics and Commerce has developed an outstanding reputation, locally and internationally, for the quality of teaching and research, launching the Melbourne Graduate School of Management in 2007.
The introduction of the New Generation undergraduate degree and the Melbourne Graduate School of Management has resulted in broader study options for undergraduate students, a wealth of professional graduate programs and more engagement with our business and alumni communities. Nearly 2,000 new students enrolled in the Faculty this year and there is a higher demand for BCom places than ever before, as evidenced by the 95.2 enter score required. Growing from this background, the Faculty will continue its strong links to business, government and community, considerable teaching and research strengths, and its unique teaching model combining undergraduate and postgraduate education. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support throughout this process, in particular Peter Yates and Chris Leptos, and all those who wrote to me personally. It has once again reminded
The Dean, Professor Margaret Abernethy, addressing guests at the 2009 UMCAS Reunion Dinner
me of the strength of our Faculty’s alumni community, represented in so many different areas. While I am aware that some of you may be disappointed by this outcome, I would like to assure you that significant focus will continue to be directed towards actively building on our excellent reputation moving forward. We continue, as always, to seek your input and involvement as valued members of our alumni community. continued on page 2
in this issue UMCAS President’s report Careers mentoring Future Leaders Forum Recent events Athol Kelly New courses Discount on CAP subjects Melbourne GSM alumni Living poster Honours and awards Edmond Lee Melbourne Institute Economics Forum Donor Roll of Honour Calendar of events
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Alumni hosts in discussion with students over lunch at the Future Leaders Forum, see page 5
The colourful treats on offer at the BCom graduation party, see page 6 Alumni Matters 1