Victoria University has released its new Strategic Plan, setting itself the goal of becoming one of the top 20 universities in Australia for research, with an emphasis on applied and translational research.

 

It aims to become well known for its interdisciplinary research in key thematic areas including:

  • Education, Lifelong Learning & Workforce Development;
  • Health, Active Living & Sport; Environmental Sustainability;
  • Cultural Diversity; and
  • the performance and well-being of particular places and industries.

 

It also aspires to be rated as at or above world standard for research in at least fifteen four digit disciplines, relevant to the chosen interdisciplinary themes.  For example, in Environmental Sustainability this could include: Civil, Chemical, Electrical and Environmental Engineering, Applied Economics and Psychology.

 

Victoria University targets national and in some cases world recognition for its knowledge and expertise in particular focused areas and topics, through:

  • its Institutes, Centres, Faculty and cross-Faculty groups and external collaborations in teaching, research and knowledge exchange;
  • becoming world renowned in Sport, Exercise and Active Living by 2016; and
  • world renowned in at least three other areas by 2020 with the following areas being highly prospective: Water & Renewable Energy; Food & Nutrition; Logistics & Supply Chain Management & Systems; Education, Lifelong Learning & Workforce Development; Local & Regional, Economic, Social & Community Development; Disease Prevention & Management; Major Events; and Creative Arts & Creative Writing.

 

Finally, it aims to be a national leader in education, workforce development, research and knowledge exchange in at least five of the following industry clusters:

  • Built Environment;
  • Community & Mental Health Services;
  • Cultural & Creative Industries;
  • Education & Early Childhood Development;
  • Financial Services;
  • Food Manufacturing;
  • Health; Law & Legal Services;
  • Sport & Recreation;
  • Tourism & Hospitality;
  • Transport & Logistics.

 

Strategies will be developed for each of these clusters.

 

The University will develop five elements of a Research and Knowledge Exchange Strategy:

  • Research: Develop a Research Strategy to grow Victoria University’s research capability, especially in applied and translational research in the context of a number of distinctive specialisations associated with interdisciplinary themes and associated disciplinary areas.
  • Knowledge Exchange in Industry Clusters: Develop a knowledge exchange strategy relating to the eleven industry clusters.
  • West of Melbourne and Timor-Leste: Develop and implement a plan which addresses the educational, economic, social and sustainable development of the West of Melbourne and contribute to the development of Timor-Leste.
  • State of Victoria: Develop and implement a strategy to provide leadership on issues of importance to the State of Victoria after which the University is named.
  • Knowledge Exchange with International Partners: Develop a strategy to exchange knowledge with educational and industry partners in other countries, especially China, Malaysia and India (e.g. regarding logistics in China and tourism in Malaysia).