Bulletin

Issue: November/December 2006

News

INU meets for better global understanding

Twenty-five delegates - including five Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors and Vice- Presidents - from Europe, the USA, Asia and Australia met on the La Trobe University’s main Melbourne campus at Bundoora in November for the Annual Council meeting of the International Network of Universities.

The eight-nation 13-member International Network of Universities (INU) is led by La Trobe and includes Flinders University in Australia. It has boosted student, staff and research interaction across the countries represented on the INU.

The meeting discussed new strategies for expanding collaboration between member universities. INU President, La Trobe’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian Stoddart, said these included plans for an international multi-university two-year masters degree in peace studies, strengthening networks for research, administration, and benchmarking of universities.

“An innovative shadowing program for senior and middle level administrative staff is being piloted this year, to strengthen links between universities.”

With little rigorous research to date assessing in detail the benefits of learning abroad, another agenda item was a joint project with James Madison University, US, titled: 'Lessons Learned in Assessing International Learning', funded by the American Council on Education.

Henry Fong Awards for Global Citizenship

Student Global
Citizenship award winner,
Ms Shigematsu.

The meeting also launched the INU ‘Henry Fong Awards for Global Citizenship’, with a ceremony for the inaugural winners. Winner of the Student Award, announced at the meeting, was Eri Shigematsu from Hiroshima University. The Staff Award went to La Trobe’s Professor Hans Westerbeek, Head of the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management. The awards are sponsored by prominent Hong Kong business leader and philanthropist, Dr Henry Fong Yun-Wah, widely known for his support of education and culture.

Professor Stoddart said: “Through Dr Fong’s generous donation, the INU can take another important step towards fulfilling its mission of fostering global understanding and cooperation between developed and less developed nations.”