Linda Rosenman, Victoria University

 

Victoria University is a multi-sectoral university combining adult, vocational and higher education serving outer urban Melbourne Australia. Victoria has a specific commitment to the economic and social development of its region through education and research. Regional characteristics include low levels of educational attainment, high percentage of non English speaking immigrants, high unemployment and significant population growth. Victoria University works through building partnerships and pathways through education and research that contribute to regional human capital and economic development.  It widens access to and success in tertiary education for educationally, socially and economically  disadvantaged populations. This is a challenge in  tertiary education policy and funding environment that uses traditional research rankings as the indicator of excellence. Furthermore, metrics for funding teaching are not sensitive to the extra costs of educating economically and linguistically diverse student groups.