Stronger research focus for Notre Dame

Document Type

Media Release

Publication Date

Winter 4-6-2009

Publisher Name

The University of Notre Dame, Fremantle Campus

Publication Place

Fremantle

Abstract

The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Celia Hammond, has released the University’s vision for building its ‘research culture’ in the future.

Guided by its Objects (Mission) the University seeks to be an outstanding Australian undergraduate university, and one of the best Catholic universities in the world. Historically it has successfully focused its energies on achieving excellence in teaching and scholarship; training for the professions and pastoral care for its students. Research has been undertaken but has not been the primary goal of this relatively young tertiary institution.

Internal assessment and external benchmarking have confirmed the wisdom of these decisions with public acknowledgment such as in the Good Universities Guide to Australian Universities and Private Colleges. Notre Dame was highlighted as a top university performer for ‘overall educational experience’, scoring five stars for areas including: Teaching Quality, Graduate Satisfaction, Employment Prospects, Entry Flexibility, Positive Graduate Outcomes and Generic Skills.

Now, after 17 years of experience and growth, the time is right to increase research activity in parallel with teaching and scholarship.

Professor Hammond said, “Achieving excellence in research does not mean the University will neglect our other Objects, it does not in any way diminish their importance. Indeed, the increasing focus on research can and will be undertaken to complement and enhance our other goals.”

Notre Dame has established three dedicated centres for research, the Nulungu Centre of Indigenous Studies on its Broome Campus, Centre for Faith, Ethics and Society on the Sydney Campus and the Institute for Health and Rehabilitation Research on the Fremantle Campus.

“Building our Research Centres into centres of excellence, wherein cross-discipline and multi-professional research is encouraged and developed is our goal,” said Professor Hammond.

“We are re-examining a number of key areas such as our employment practices, research income and building our number of postgraduate research students to ensure that the University can achieve its desired excellence in research.”

Media contact: Michelle Ebbs 08 9433 0610, 0408 959 138

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