Bulletin

Issue: March 2006

News

European Union comes to La Trobe

La Trobe University has taken the leadership in a new initiative – the Innovative Universities European Union (IUEU) Centre – that will give Australian students greater opportunity to learn about the European Union.

La Trobe, together with Macquarie University, is the ‘lead’ university in a group of six that will enhance their teaching of European Union politics and commerce. In addition, the initiative will increase the knowledge of Australian business people, politicians, bureaucrats and other decision makers about the EU, Australia’s largest trading partner.

La Trobe and Macquarie University are joined by the University of Newcastle and Flinders, Griffith and Murdoch universities in the project, initially over three and a half years.

About two million dollars will be spent on the project with about one million (600,000 Euros) provided by the EU and the balance from the six Australian universities which comprise the network of Innovative Research Universities of Australia.

The IUEU Centre will be one of three such centres in Australia. Its two major nodes will be located at La Trobe and Macquarie universities. Senior lecturer in History, Dr Philip Bull, is Director of the Centre at La Trobe.

Dr Bull said the program had three dimensions: curriculum, research and linkages, and outreach to the Australian population.

A major part of the program will see the European Union subject, developed in La Trobe’s History and Politics Programs, taught at all six participant universities. The subject has been taught at La Trobe for several years as part of its Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary European Studies degree. It is also available to students in the general Arts degree and the International Relations degree.

The development of such new initiatives in European studies at La Trobe over six years has enabled the University to take the lead in applying for the establishment of the IUEU Centre.

Dr Bull said all six universities had researchers working on European projects. The EU will now provide financial backing for new projects. Part of these will be three PhD scholarships at La Trobe and three at Macquarie, phased in over three years, plus expanded MA course work programs.

‘An important part of the program is to help the Australian population appreciate how important the EU is to Australia economically, politically and culturally,’ Dr Bull said.

One activity will be a database of expertise and contacts to assist business, government and the general community to access EU information and advice.

The Centre will sponsor public lectures and seminars by experts on areas of the EU’s activities and host symposia and conferences targeting key interest groups and issues.

It will also bring to Australia distinguished lecturers with expertise in EU key focus areas to tour the network of universities and give public lectures, as well as provide opportunities for other visitors from Europe.

The other European Union centres are being established at Monash University and the ANU.