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Looking to the future

Universities and businesses need to work together to better meet the needs of both industry and students, Monash vice-chancellor Professor Richard Larkins told community leaders at a function at the Monash University City Centre last week.

From left: vice-chancellor Professor Richard Larkins with Monash alumnus and director of Slade and Partners Mr Len Coysh and Monash chancellor Mr Jeremy Ellis.

Professor Larkins, who hosted the function to outline the future direction of the university, told guests that Monash was best placed of all Australian universities to be a truly global university, but that it needed the support of business to ensure it continued to meet community needs.

"Education has undergone great changes over the years," he said. "Previously, the intention was to get as much factual information into the heads of students as possible so they would be able to function in their chosen careers. But the changes that have occurred have been centred around the needs of students so that they learn to ask questions and uncover things for themselves.

"One of the real challenges of universities is to interact with business and industry to make sure that what we are delivering is appropriate to the community while meeting student needs."

Professor Larkins said the university had come a long way since 1961 with the development of two overseas campuses, two international centres and various science and business-specific developments.

"The location of the synchrotron at Monash should make us the centre of everything that is happening in science and technology, and at Caulfield the new business school will better position us in the business sector," he said.

"Monash is superbly placed to play a major role in Victoria, Australia and internationally."

The event attracted Monash alumni and business leaders from a broad range of backgrounds including Mr John Bertrand AM, chairman of World Wide Entertainment; Mr Peter Harmsworth, Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development secretary; Mr Sean O'Connor, editorial development manager at The Age; and Ms Kaylene O'Shea, Scientific Affairs director, Amgen Australia.