Index
Highlight of visitors to RMIT University in 2007
In 2007, more than 90 high-level international delegations visited RMIT. The delegates came to exchange knowledge and build partnerships that consolidated RMIT’s position in global education.
View a complete list of visitors to RMIT University in 2007
Strong relationship built on exchange program
RMIT University staff headed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Jim Barber, and Professor Joseph Siracusa met a delegation from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) to discuss building on the strong relationship between the two universities.
Staff enjoyed five presentations from UNIMAS students on exchange at RMIT.
UNIMAS is the first public university in the state of Sarawak. It is in Kota Samarahan, about 25 kilometres from Kuching, the state capital.
To date, 24 students from a range of disciplines have taken part in exchanges between the two universities. The exchanges have been primarily funded through the Endeavour program, which is an Australian Government scholarship scheme. Malaysia is one of the target countries under this program.
MOU signed with top Vietnamese academy
The Ho Chi Minh Political and Administrative Academy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with RMIT University to formally recognise mutual strengths and to state support for the creation of long-term, two-way flows of teaching and research between the institutions.
The Academy is one of the most important intellectual/political institutions in Vietnam. It is where all Communist Party cadres are trained, including all Vice-Ministerial appointments upwards.
The Academy group focused its recent visit to RMIT on post-graduate training in public policy, public administration and leadership. The group took part in discussions with departments that teach politics and other social sciences, and business-related courses such as MBAs.
It examined curriculum development and teaching methodology for fields related to public policy, public administration, leadership and contemporary political theories. Members also looked at the role of research in informing policy.
Taiwanese delegation discusses closer relations with RMIT
Representatives from Chang Gung University in Taiwan recently visited RMIT University to discuss potential joint research and student and staff exchange programs.
The delegation also exchanged information about developments in teaching and research at each university.
CGU offers 18 undergraduate and 24 graduate programs in three faculties: the College of Medicine, College of Engineering and College of Management.
Indian MP visits RMIT
Indian MP Rahul Gandhi visited RMIT University as part of a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)-sponsored visit to Australia.
Mr Gandhi also visited a CSIRO facility, the Australian National University, the University of NSW and the University of Melbourne in relation to medical research.
Mr Gandhi is a qualified pilot and took special interest in the presentations on flight training facilities as well as the programs and research at the Sir Lawrence Wackett Centre for Aerospace Design Technology. He also visited the new aviation simulator facility in Building 57.
He expressed interest in the possibilities of establishing dual-sector institutions in India along the lines of RMIT.
Mr Gandhi is a member of the Nehru-Gandhi political family. He became a member of India’s Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament, in May 2004 when he won the seat of Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
His great-grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru, is considered a founding-father of modern India, and served as Prime Minister until 1964. His grandmother, Indira Gandhi, who was not related to Mahatma Gandhi, was twice Prime Minister and his father, Rajiv Gandhi, succeeded Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister and held office until 1989.
African Media visits RMIT
A group of African journalists paid a visit to RMIT to gain a better understanding of the university’s facilities and resources. The group came as part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) International Media Visits Program (IMV) and represented media outlets in South Africa, Ghana and Mauritius.
The DFAT visit aimed to raise Australia’s profile in Africa particularly in terms of the high quality resources sector, world class mining technology and equipment services. The visit also served to promote Australia’s achievement as a technologically advanced economy while reinforcing the expanding bilateral relationship with Africa.
While at RMIT the journalists discussed the African Virtual University, international scholarships and media links.
Governor of Victoria visits RMIT Vietnam
His Excellency the Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser AC, and his wife Mrs Jan de Kretser, have visited the Saigon South campus of RMIT International University Vietnam.
The Governor, who was paying an official visit to Vietnam, was shown the South Saigon campus by the RMIT Chancellor, Professor Dennis Gibson AO, and the RMIT Vietnam President, Michael Mann.
The Governor met staff and students, including those from Victoria, in the Lygon Café after receiving a briefing in the Melbourne Theatre.
African Virtual University Project in the Spotlight
Dr Charles Murigande, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Republic of Rwanda met with Professor Margaret Gardner, Vice-Chancellor, to discuss RMIT’s experience with the African Virtual University project, and the possibilities for further forms of collaboration between RMIT University and the Rwandan government and universities. This assistance would come in the form of staff from Rwandan universities coming to Australia to take further post graduate study as well as university staff going to Rwanda to assist in capability building. RMIT is looking into the possibility of providing scholarships, particularly in the area of C & IT.
Work-Ready Graduates a Common Goal
Representatives from RMIT University and the recently established Universiti Teknical Malaysia Melaka (UTEM) came together to discuss future cooperation in the fields of engineering, including computer engineering, electrical & mechanical engineering, computer science and information technology. Previously known as Kolej Universiti Teknical Kebangsaan Malaysia, UTEM has a strong vocational focus and, like RMIT, aims to produce work-ready graduates. UTEM hopes to send staff from the above areas to complete post graduate research training at RMIT.
Youth Union visit to RMIT
A delegation of high-level youth representatives from Vietnam came to RMIT University’s city campus to get a closer look at what Vietnamese students experience while undertaking their studies in the heart of Melbourne.
Building the French connection
RMIT University’s ties with France were strengthened during a visit from the new Counsellor for Science and Technology with the French Embassy in Canberra, Professor Michel Thibier, who is pictured signing the RMIT guest book along with the PVC International and Development Dr Madeline Reeve, right and left, Dr. Dominique de Gasquet Cultural and Scientific Attache` in Melbourne. On May 17 this year, RMIT will hold a French Connections Day to highlight and strengthen existing relationships in the area of mobility of students, teachers and researchers between Australia and France.
Visit from Shandong University of Art and Design
A delegation from the Shandong University of Art and Design (SUAD) was hosted at RMIT city campus on Wednesday March 7. SUAD was established in 1973 and is located Jinan the capital city of Shandong province.
The delegation was lead by SUAD President, Professor Pan Lusheng and focused on establishing better understanding for possible cooperation including joint exhibitions of graduate work.
Discipline areas of interest between the two institutions include: digital art, graphic design, design theory, industrial design and modern handicrafts. RMIT University was represented by the Head of School of Creative Media, Professor Peter Smith and the Head of School of Applied Communication, Lauren Murray.
RMIT forges friendship with TUE
A delegation from the Technical University Eindhoven (TUE), in the Netherlands, came to RMIT to build upon a relationship established in 2005.
An official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed to offer RMIT and TUE students the opportunity to participate in the project-based learning model of education. This model allows students to gain competency in the design of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects. A core part of this education is the Industry linkage projects with some of the leaders in the ICT sector such as Philips Design.
The delegation was lead by Professor Dr. Ir. Jeu Schouten Dean of the Department of Industrial Design.