Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Deakin University

Report 2021

John BERGER (Southern Metropolitan) (17:32): Tonight I rise to speak about the 2021 annual report of Deakin University. Situated in Burwood in Melbourne’s east, Deakin University is an example of what makes Victoria the Education State. Since opening in 1974 Deakin has been making an impact on university students across its Melbourne and Geelong campuses. It represents opportunity and upward mobility. In fact 34.7 per cent of Deakin students in the 2021–22 period were the first in their family to attend university. Beyond enrolment, Deakin is also outstanding in the research department. Deakin offers its students a world-class education right in the heart of Melbourne’s east and out in Geelong. For many in the community of Southern Metro it is their first choice of uni to attend, and for a good reason, but Deakin Uni also has a massive and diverse population. Their student body has students hailing from 134 different countries across the world, and they have also increased their intake of international students, with over 11,000 students from overseas. We know that education is one of Victoria’s great export industries, and it is institutions like Deakin that make it so.

I am also proud of the work Deakin does for its students in regional and remote communities. Where you are from or how much money your parents make should not be a barrier to higher education – Labor gets that. We know that it can also be vital in getting that dream job, which is why it is fantastic that nine out of 10 Deakin alumni find full-time employment within three years of graduating. Deakin offers courses and experiences for students who are motivated to get out into the workforce, and it is paying off. For the past 12 years Deakin has had the recognition of having the most satisfied undergrads and the most satisfied postgrads in the past two years.

Aside from offering strong education opportunities and a positive student life, Deakin University is a strong research uni. It has increased its research income consistently since 2015, with an increase in research contracts, tenders and grants further boosting the calibre of research across its campuses. This includes a 5 per cent boost in research income in 2021. That means more opportunities for research and scholarships, like an extra 400 scholarships for prospective PhD students. Their researchers are in hot demand, working on government, industry and community research projects like Deakin’s safe future mobility research lab, which is partnering with New South Wales on roadworks safety and transport, or Deakin’s blue carbon lab, which is pioneering work on saving our Great Barrier Reef. Its industry partnerships are going from strength to strength. Thanks to the Allan Labor government, we have invested $10 million into an advanced manufacturing hub in Geelong. Deakin is also doing its part to battle carbon emissions. Their carbon neutral 2025 strategy plan includes real action like an integrated water management plan and reimagined green spaces on campus.

In the year of the Voice they are making a concerted effort to improve equality, opportunities and the treatment of Indigenous Australians. This is managed by the Deakin Indigenous Strategy 2023–2028, presided over by the new position of pro-vice-chancellor in Indigenous strategy and innovation. I congratulate Professor Rose on his appointment to this space.

Although it is a young uni, it is already punching above its weight, offering the number-one-ranked sport science course in the world, and it is ranked in the top 50 young universities in the world.

As a husband, father, brother and son of a nurse, I know how important nurses are for our community now and into the future as our population ages. In fact my wife Vanessa was a nurse-educator at the Geelong university campus for some years. Her commitment is a testament to the university. It has been the highlight of her 27 years as a nurse to teach nursing students. It is people like my wife Vanessa who have benefited from the government’s $2 million investment in 2021 to the nursing and midwifery simulation centre at the Burwood campus. With the 20th-ranked nursing course in the world, Deakin is an asset to our state as we invest in the workforce of the future.

There were over 450,000 enrolments in higher education institutes in Victoria in 2021, and our government’s support for universities was vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Andrews government established the Victoria Higher Education State Investment Fund of $350 million to support Victorian unis, and it was vital in keeping the lights on. It helped fund over 50 capital works projects, applied research and research infrastructure projects and Victoria’s uni research via $265 million in payroll tax support through deferrals. These investments are crucial in ensuring unis like Deakin remain global leaders and remain viable to educating our next generation. I am excited to visit with the local member the member for Ashwood in the other place Matt Fregon, which will be a fantastic opportunity to thank staff and to hear from students about what support they need. I commend this report to the floor.