La Trobe University
La Trobe University is a multi-campus university in Victoria, Australia. It was established in 1964 by an Act of Parliament to become the third oldest university in the state of Victoria. The main campus of La Trobe is located in the Melbourne suburb of Bundoora; two other major campuses are located in the Victorian city of Bendigo and the NSW-Victorian border centre of Albury-Wodonga. The university has a number of smaller campuses at Mildura, Shepparton, and Beechworth as well as a campus in Melbourne's CBD.
La Trobe offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses across five major faculties, covering all the main learning areas: Education; Health Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; Business, Economics and Law; and Science, Technology and Engineering. La Trobe is considered to be particularly strong in the area of arts and humanities; this was reflected in the 2005 Times Higher Education Supplement, where it was ranked amongst the top 25 institutions in the world in this category and third best in Australia. It also has a strong international reputation in biomedicine, as demonstrated when the Times ranked it in the top 100 biomedicine universities in the world in this same year (13th in Australia). In terms of research quality, the university also exhibits strength in the areas of arts and humanities, and biological and biotechnical sciences where, in 2011, it was ranked 8th and 5th in the nation.
History
Establishment
The passing of the Act of Victorian Parliament to establish La Trobe University followed earlier University Acts to establish the University of Melbourne (1853) and Monash University (1958). The Minister of Education at the time and the appointed planning council were 'unanimous in their enthusiasm that the new institution should be innovative in its approach', and the University adopted an academic structure based on schools of studies (rather than on faculties) and a collegiate format, where a large number of students lived on campus. At this time, Flinders University and Macquarie University were also in the processes of establishing a schools-based system.
Many prominent Victorians were involved in La Trobe's establishment process, and there was a strong belief that it was important to increase research and learning in Victoria. One of the major individuals involved was Davis McCaughey, who later became Governor of Victoria. The University was named after Charles Joseph La Trobe, the first Governor of Victoria, and the University motto, 'whoever seeks shall find', is adapted from Charles La Trobe's family motto. The La Trobe University Coat of Arms incorporates the scallop shells from the La Trobe family bearings, as well as the Australian Wedge-Tailed Eagle to represent Australia and sprigs of heath to represent Victoria.
Early years
La Trobe University was officially opened by Victorian premier Sir Henry Bolte on 8 March 1967 in a ceremony that was attended by a number of dignitaries including the Prime Minister of Australia Robert Menzies. Teaching commenced at the Bundoora campus in the first semester of that year, with some 500 students. La Trobe was seen to be unique amongst Australian universities due to its schools-based, collegiate structure. At the time, "this novel approach became commonly known in the university as 'The La Trobe Concept'". Within 4 years, however, this format had all but broken down, with the collegiate ideal reduced to halls of residence and the schools becoming departmentalized.
Up until the late 1980s, La Trobe focused almost exclusively on the liberal arts and science. This was complimented with a strong professional school when it merged with the Lincoln Institute of Health Sciences in 1988, which is now the University's Faculty of Health Sciences offering several professional health science programs including physiotherapy, podiaty and occupational therapy. Since then, the University has established other professional schools, including its Law School in 1992, which was previously a Legal Studies Department that was established in 1972. In 2008, Victoria's second dentistry school was established at La Trobe. However, despite being a leading Australian university in professional health and biomedical sciences, La Trobe does not have a medical school. When planned and developed in the 1960s, there was strong expectation that La Trobe would eventually establish a medical school and a teaching hospital.
The Bendigo campus of La Trobe dates back to 1873: the Bendigo College of Advanced Education officially amalgamated with La Trobe University in 1991, completing a process that began in the late 1980s as part of the Dawkins reforms to higher education. During the merger process, a controversial issue erupted when the university's head office in Bundoora raised concerns about the academic standards at Bendigo CAE. This led to a public outcry in which Bendigo CAE students threatened the Bendigo Advertiser over publishing the matter in its newspapers. Several newspapers were burned in the protest.
The inclusion of the Wodonga Institute of Tertiary Education took place in the same year. The university has continued to expand, with the opening of the Research and Development Park at Bundoora, and the upcoming opening of a second Melbourne CBD site.
Funding and cutbacks
In recent times, the University has suffered cutbacks in government funding, a problem experienced across most of the Australian higher education sector. In some areas though La Trobe has lost a greater proportion than others. For instance, the History Department at the university was once by far the largest of any institution in Australia, however funding restrictions have led to a significant reduction in its size. In 1999, the Music Department was closed due to funding cuts.
Recent higher education reforms by the Howard government have allowed Australian universities to increase fees and take in a greater number of full-fee paying students, and despite a large student backlash, La Trobe has taken advantage of the reforms, increasing fees by 25% in 2005.
The university's African Research Institute, the only major African studies centre in Australasia, was closed at the end of 2006. In 2008, the university cut of the Philosophy and Religious Studies Program at the Bendigo campus, the change resulted in the stream only being taught as a minor.
In 2008, La Trobe was operating with a $1.46 million dollar surplus but has highlighted that by 2010 it will "review, and where appropriate, restructure all academic, administrative and committee structures" to deal with diminished student intakes, falling entrance marks, below-par scores on student satisfaction surveys and a decreasing proportion of national research funding. In an attempt to address these issues, the university is making cut backs and restructuring several courses under the direction of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar. As of 2010, the university is operating on a 28 million dollar surplus.
Governance
The principal governing body of the University is the Council. The Council is composed of the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Chair of the Academic Board, 3 persons elected by and from the staff of the University, 2 persons elected by and from the enrolled students of the University, 6 persons appointed by the Governor in Council, 1 person appointed by the Minister administering the Act and 6 other persons appointed by the Council. Under section 8 of the Act that established the university, the Council has the entire direction and superintendence of the University. Some of the Council’s more important responsibilities and functions under the Act include:
- making Statutes and regulations for or with respect to all matters concerning the University (section 28);
- appointing and monitoring the performance of the Vice-Chancellor (section 8);
- approving the mission and strategic direction of the University (section 8);
- approving the annual budget and business plan of the University (section 8);
- overseeing and reviewing the management of the University and its performance (section 8);
- establishing the policy and procedural principles for the operation of the University (section 8);
- overseeing and monitoring the assessment and management risk across the University (section 8);
- overseeing and monitoring the academic activities of the University (section 8);
- approving and monitoring systems of control and accountability of the University, including those required to maintain a general overview of any entity over which the University has control within the meaning of section 3 of the Audit Act 1994 (section 8);
- approving any significant university commercial activities (section 8);
- conferring and granting degrees, diplomas and other academic awards to students (section 10).
The Council is also empowered under section 18 of the Act to delegate powers, authority, duties and functions to any member of the Council, or to any officer or committee of the University.
Vice Chancellor
The Vice-Chancellor is the Chief Executive Officer of the University (section 26 of the Act), and is responsible to Council for the discharge of his or her powers, functions and duties. Professor John Dewar, former Provost of the University of Melbourne assumed the role Vice-Chancellor of La Trobe in January 2012. Professor Dewar is an internationally-known family law specialist and researcher. He is a graduate of the University of Oxford, where he was also a Fellow of Hertford College. Professor Dewar was preceded by economic historian Paul Johnson, formerly a deputy director of the [[London School of Economics. Previous to Profesor Johnson, Roger Parish, served as interim Vice-Chancellor for a few months, and Brian Stoddart, who took up the position in December 2005 (ratified 6 February 2006) after previous incumbent, Michael Osborne, resigned following allegations about extensive overseas travel. Osborne had been in the position since 1990 and in one of the most controversial events in the university's administrative history, his tenure was extended for seven years in 1994 by then Chancellor Nancy Millis without consultation of the board.
The current Chancellor is Adrienne Clarke, AC, appointed by the University Council on 26 February 2011.
Former Governor of Victoria, Richard McGarvie, was Chancellor from 1981-1992.
Finances
As of 2010, La Trobe was running a budget surplus of $28.5 million. In this year the University took in $618.1 million in income which came from a variety of sources, broken down by order of size, the universities income came from the following:
- 40% from the Australian government
- 22% from fees and charges
- 17% from HECS
- 11% from other revenue
- 7% from consultancy and contract research
The university had expenditures of $516.9 million which can be broken down to the following:
- 66% to employee benefits
- 10% to other
- 8% to professional fees
- 6% to repairs, refurbishment and maintenance
- 5% to depreciation
- 2% to publications
- 2% to travel
Notable graduates
List of La Trobe University people
- Jacinta Allan, Victorian MP
- Linda Beilharz, adventurer and community services leader
- Helen Buckingham, former Victorian MP
- Phil Cleary, former Federal Independent MP,author, social activist, political and sports commentator, former VFL Footballer
- Jacinta Collins, Federal Senator
- Patrick Cross, ghost hunter.
- Burkhard Dallwitz, film composer
- Mary Delahunty, former Victorian MP and ABC TV presenter
- Andrew Demetriou, CEO of the AFL
- Martin Dixon, Victorian MP, opposition frontbencher
- Mahinda Samarasinghe MP, Minister of Plantations, Sri Lanka
- HRH Crown Prince & Princess of Perlis, Malaysia
- Dr Patricia Edgar AM, pioneer in children's television and media
- Tony Ellwood, Director of the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art
- Ahmed Fahour, CEO of Australia Post
- James Fazzino, Managing Director and CEO of Incitec Pivot Limited
- Christopher Field, Western Australian Ombudsman
- Professor Tim Flannery, internationally-acclaimed scientist and global warming activist
- Peter Frost, COO and Deputy Auditor General at the Victoria Auditor General's Office
- Jane Gazzo, television and radio presenter
- Paul Glasson, Chairman of Satori Investments and Chief Representative for the Australia China Business Council
- Jamila Gordon, CIO, Leighton Holdings Ltd
- Corinne Grant, comedian, writer and actor
- Lorenz Grollo, Managing Director of Grollo Australia
- Diana Grollo, author and board member of Grollo Pty Ltd
- Matthew Guy, Victorian Shadow Minister for Planning
- Bronwyn Halfpenny, Victorian MP
- Konstandinos Karapanagiotidis OAM, human rights activist and CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
- Bill Kelty AC, former ACTU Secretary
- Tamsyn Lewis, athlete
- Sussan Ley, Federal Member for Farrer
- Brian Loughnane, Federal Director of the Liberal Party
- Jim Mane, sports writer and Walkley Award winner
- Timothy Matthews OAM, Development Officer, Australian Paralympic Committee
- Terence Moran AC, Former Secretary, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
- David Morgan AO, Managing Director of JC Flowers (Europe and Asia)
- (Datuk Seri) Maximus Ongkili, Deputy President of Sabah United Party, Malaysia
- Scott Pape, investment advisor and author of The Barefoot Investor
- Elizabeth Proust, Director, Perpetual Limited and former Head of Cabinet and Premier's Department, Victoria
- Dr Geoff Raby, former Australian Ambassador to China
- Dr Anthony Radford, renowned research scientist and Managing Director and CEO of Cellestis Ltd
- Andrew Robb AO, Federal Shadow Minister for Finance and Debt Reduction
- Naomi Robson, journalist and presenter
- Tim Ross, comedian and radio presenter
- Tony Sheehan, former Treasurer and Victorian MP
- Anna Schwartz, contemporary art dealer
- John Silvester, crime writer, prominent Age journalist
- Virginia Trioli, journalist and ABC presenter
- His Excellency and Honorable Huot Ung, former Prime Minister of Cambodia
- Geoffrey Walsh AO, special advisor, BHP Billiton Limited
- Don Watson, author, historian, speech writer to PM Paul Keating
- Ian Watt AO, Secretary, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Garry Weaven, Chair, Industry Funds Management
- Maureen Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet
- Jennifer Williams, CEO, Australian Blood Bank
- Datin Pakuka Khatijah Yusoff, Deputy Secretary, General Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in Malaysia
Academia
- Faculty of Business, Economics and Law
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Health Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering
Faculties
La Trobe has five faculties offering a wide range of courses, research programs and study options.
All faculties support and promote excellence through focusing on the student experience, quality teaching, and the right balance of theoretical and practical knowledge.
Business, Economics and Law
The Faculty of Business, Economics and Law is the Faculty of business and the professions. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in key areas of business, law and management, as well as undertaking leading-edge research. Research strengths include sustainability, economics and business policy.Education
The Faculty of Education has a contemporary and innovative approach to education. It caters for a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research interests in areas related to education (including applied linguistics and teacher training) and outdoor and environmental education.Health Sciences
The Faculty of Health Sciences is one of Australia’s leading health education providers. Our faculty is made up of four divisions with a commitment to high quality education and research.Humanities and Social Sciences
The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences offers a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. It is home to some of Australia's leading scholars and students enjoy a progressive environment in which they are supported to excel in their areas of interest and to develop their creativity, scholarship and ability to learn.Science, Technology and Engineering
The Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering includes physical and biological sciences, agricultural and environmental sciences, computer science and engineering, electronic and civil engineering, nanotechnology, pharmacy and psychology. We combine quality, international research with a very practical approach to student learning.
Courses and degrees
Accounting and Business* Accounting
* Business
* MBA
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
* Agricultural science
* Botany
* Environmental Management and Ecology
* Environmental science
* Science
* Wildlife and conservation biology
* Zoology
Allied health and rehabilitation
* Ageing and aged care
* Deaf studies and Auslan
* Dietetics
* Health promoting palliative care
* Occupational therapy
* Orthoptics
* Physiotherapy
* Podiatry
* Prosthetics and orthotics
* Rehabilitation counselling
* Speech pathology
Arts, communication and critical enquiry
* Arts
* Cinema studies
* English
* Global communications
* Journalism
* Linguistics
* Media studies
* Philosophy
* Photojournalism
* Strategic communication
Asian studies
* Asian studies
* Chinese
* Hindi
* Indonesian
* Japanese
Biological Sciences
* Animal veterinary biosciences
* Biochemistry and molecular biology
* Biology
* Biotechnology
* Genetics
* Microbiology
* Science
Counselling and social work
* Art therapy
* Counselling
* Counselling psychology
* Family therapy
* Social work
Dentistry and oral health
* Dentistry
* Oral health
Economics and Finance
* Economics
* Finance
* Islamic finance
* Politics, Philosophy and Economics
Engineering
* Biomedical engineering
* Civil engineering
* Computer systems
* Electronic engineering
* Science
* Sustainable engineering
* Telecommunications engineering
European studies
* European studies
* French studies
* Greek studies
* Italian studies
* Spanish studies
Health management
* Ergonomics, safety and health
* Health administration
* Health information management
Health sciences
* Health sciences
Historical and cultural studies
* Archaeology
* Art history
* Australian studies
* Gender, sexuality and diversity studies
* History
* Latin American studies
* Religion and spirituality
Human biosciences
* Anatomy and physiology
* Exercise physiology
* Human nutrition
Information Technology
* Computer science
* Games technology
* Information systems
* Information technology
* Science
Law
* Fraud Investigation
* Global Business Law
* Law
* Public Interest Law
Marketing and Management
* Event Management
* Human Resource Management
* Management
* Management Information Systems
* Marketing
* Sport Management
* Tourism and Hospitality Management
Medical and Psychological Sciences
* Biomedical science
* Medicinal chemistry
* Pharmacy
* Physiology
* Psychology
* Science
Nursing, midwifery and paramedicine
* Midwifery
* Nursing
* Paramedicine
Outdoor and environmental education
* Outdoor education
Physical, Chemical and Mathematical Sciences
* Chemistry
* Mathematics and statistics
* Nanotechnology
* Physics
* Science
* Space science
Professional development for educators
* Educational leadership and management
* Educational studies
Public health
* Environmental health
* Health administration
* Health policy
* Health promoting palliative care
* Health promotion
* Public health
Social sciences
* Aboriginal studies
* Anthropology
* International development
* International relations
* Legal studies
* Planning
* Politics
* Sociology
Specialised education
* Adult education
* Applied linguistics
Teaching
* Early childhood education
* Middle years teaching
* Outreach and community education
* Physical education
* Primary and secondary teaching
* Primary teaching
* Secondary teaching
* Special education
Visual and creative arts
* Middle years teaching
* Outreach and community education
* Physical education
* Primary and secondary teaching
* Primary teaching
* Secondary teaching
* Special education
Visual and creative arts
Admissions and Retention
The university received 12% of VTAC first preferences in 2010 and had a retention rate of 82%. 81.4% of La Trobe graduates find employment, the national average being 79.2%. The University, as of 2010, has an EFTSL (equivalent Full-Time Student Unit) of 25,127 and an international student population of 6,609 from over 90 countries worldwide.
Research
La Trobe University is a member of the Innovative Research Network of universities in Australia, a group that collectively receives over $340 million in research grants. In Biochemistry and Cell Biology, La Trobe was the only university whose research output was rated well above world standard (scoring the maximum 5). Additionally, Biological Sciences was also rated 5 overall. Fifty-nine percent of La Trobe results (at the four digit level) were at or above world standard (ratings 3, 4 or 5), with 27 per cent above world standard (ratings 4 or 5). La Trobe had the 13th highest proportion of four digit ratings that were above world standard. Condensed Matter Physics and Human Movement & Sports Science were also rated as well above world standard (rating 5). History & Archaeology and Language, Communication & Culture were rated above world standard at the two digit level. The results are in line with the research investment strategy in research physical infrastructure such as the LIMS and AgriBio projects, and will inform further development of research concentration. This will be important to ensure further improvement in research quality and output in the University in line with the Strategic Plan.
La Trobe is one of Australia’s leading research universities, with a world-wide reputation for academic excellence and innovation.
All faculties have extensive research programs and we are a member of Innovative Research Universities, Australia, a group which collectively attracts more than $340 million in funding per annum.
The latest edition of the Research Newsletter is now available.
Future research students
Find out why you should choose La Trobe for your research degree. Obtain information on how to apply, academic supervision and scholarship opportunities.Current research
Find out about our research focus and strengths.Research centres and institutes
Find out more about our research centres and institutes and also about La Trobe’s participation in several Cooperative Research Centres.Research and development parks
Discover the R&D Park (Bundoora), CVIP (Bendigo), the Technology Enterprise Centre, and how to become a tenant.e-Research
We help researchers in utilising and managing data for technology transfer and collaboration, by providing an enhanced computing and communications technology infrastructure, and by promoting e-Research funding opportunities.Research Education and Development (RED)
Education and support for HDR scholars, supervisors, early career researchers and future research leaders.News
Research news and stories, La Trobe UniversityVisualisation Laboratory
The eResearch Office, in conjunction with Associate Professor Paul Pigram, Head of Physics, and VeRSI (Victorian eResearch Strategic Initiative) announced the completion of a project to establish a dedicated home for the Virtual Beam Line to the Synchrotron and La Trobe’s first Visualisation Laboratory. This new space allows for the remote use of scientific instruments and imaging of scientific data. La Trobe now has the capability for interactive and immersive research collaboration, visualization of simulations and deep imaging. The visualisation lab will also act as a remote training laboratory and classroom for teaching instrument-centric science and exposing students to the laboratory experience. The combination of developing a visualisation lab which can also handle the Remote VBL facility is perfect for integration of various visualisation capabilities in the Physics arena
AgriBiosciences
The La Trobe AgriBio building, on the south eastern side of the university, has grown into an impressive structure over four levels with a number of external buildings under construction such as a large glasshouse and poly-house complex. Whilst the internal fit-out continues across all quadrants, it is clear that the majority of the structural work is now complete. The finished product will be a world-class research environment including highly functional and flexible spaces, collaborative breakout areas, open plan office space with abundant natural light, and a huge open foyer featuring large glass atrium and café. The centre will open its doors to researchers by the end of 2011, creating a cutting-edge hub for attracting the world’s leading scientists and collaborators. The first inhabitants will include 100 researchers and students from La Trobe’s Agriculture and Botany departments and another 300 from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI). A key objective of AgriBio is to facilitate science collaboration between La Trobe and DPI, leading to better science outcomes for the benefit of Victoria and Australia
Student Life
Student Union
During the 1960s and 1970s, La Trobe, along with Monash, was considered to have the most politically active student body of any university in Australia. The Communist Party of Australia (Marxist-Leninist) was a prominent organisation on campus, often with the cover of a front organisation sometimes encouraging the name 'La Trot'. The following La Trobe alumni were all good friends at the time and took part in student politics: Bill Kelty from the ACTU and AFL Commissioner, former Treasurer Tony Sheehan, Don Watson, Geoff Walsh (Bob Hawke's press secretary, High profile union officials Brian Boyd, John Cummins and Garry Weaven, former federal treasury official and former Westpac CEO, David Morgan. Some other Labor figures and people from the left side of politics include Mary Delahunty, Phil Cleary and Michael Danby. Despite the general socialist/leftist atmosphere several conservative corporate/business figures and Liberal party members have come from La Trobe.
Though the student body at La Trobe is no longer as politically active as it once was, the trend is similar at all Australian universities. Nonetheless, Socialist Alternative, and National Labor Students (NLS) are still very active, with both the SRC and Union President typically coming from NLS. La Trobe student organisations (both SRC and Union) were largely run by NLS over previous years, in coalition with various independent groupings.
The La Trobe University Students' Union is responsible for the Eagle Bar, Contact Student Services but its role has been considerably diminished as a consequence of Voluntary Student Unionism. There were previously three main student representative bodies on campus known as the La Trobe University Student Guild, The Student's Representative Council and the La Trobe Postgraduate Student's Association. The La Trobe University Student Representative Council, became the principal representative body on campus and a student advocacy group as well as student representatives for welfare, disability, women, queer, indigenous, environment, education and welfare and the Guild managed student services. In 2011 however, the Student's Representative Council, The La Trobe Postgraduate Students Association, The Students Guild and the University merged the three separate organisations into one body: The La Trobe Student Union. The largest faculty-based student representative organisation on campus is the Law Students Association (LSA). Postgraduate students are represented in the new Union. The students at the Bendigo campus are represented by the Bendigo Student Association (BSA), a much less activist and political organisation than the student union. The BSA publishes the 3rd Degree magazine.
Rabelais
The Union also publishes a student magazine, the notorious Rabelais, which was the subject of a Federal Court case in 1995 after the Office of Film and Literature Classification ruled that it "...promotes, incites and instructs in matters of crime" because of an article on shoplifting (reprinted from elsewhere).
Colleges and Halls of residence
- Chisholm College (undergraduate)
- Glenn College (undergraduate)
- Menzies College (undergraduate)
- The University lodge (postgraduate and mature-age)
- Graduate house (graduate and mature-age)
Athletics
La Trobe University is one the nations strongest competitors in the field of athletics. La Trobe University is one of 36 Universities across Australia that is part of the Elite Athlete Friendly University Network. The network was established by the Australian Sports Commission in 2004 to identify, promote and support the specific needs of university students who participate in sport at an elite level. As a result an Elite Athlete Friendly University (EAFU) program was developed and formulated. As of 2011 La Trobe University is the reigning champion at the Southern University Games, having previously won the competition in 2010.
The Sports Centre at the Melbourne campus has a fully equipped gym, squash/racquetball and tennis courts, volleyball, badminton, indoor soccer, netball and basketball courts, a 25-metre pool with a deep water pit, and dance and yoga studios. The centre also offers group exercise classes, dance classes, pilates and yoga. Tuition in most sports can be arranged and courts can be hired to students at discounted rates. The Centre also offers deep tissue and trigger point sports massage. La Trobe University participates in the annual Australian University Games The Australian A-League soccer team Melbourne Heart FC base their training and administrative facilities at La Trobe University.
Arts and Culture
La Trobe began collecting in the early 1960s before construction even started on the main campus at Bundoora. The collection now consists of more has more than 3000 post-war contemporary Australian art works valued at $17 million This is the second largest university art collection in Victoria in terms of collection value
Art galleries are located on site at two of the university campuses: the University Art Museum at Melbourne campus and the Phyllis Palmer Gallery at Bendigo; The University also operates The Visual Arts Centre in Bendigo. The Melbourne campus has a Sculpture Park which includes the controversial upside-down statue of Victorian colonial Governor Charles Joseph La Trobe, by sculptor Charles Robb.
The La Trobe University Art Collection began in 1966, before construction of the first buildings commenced at the site of the University’s major campus at Bundoora. Recognising the importance of an art collection within an educational environment, the University’s Master Architect, Dr Roy Simpson, AO, incorporated the installation and display of art works into his overall vision for La Trobe. Together with Mr Frank Barnes, the University’s first Business Manager, and the generosity of individual benefactors, Dr Simpson initiated the commissioning of paintings by Gareth Jones-Roberts, Leonard Lloyd Annois and Charles William Bush to establish the Art Collection. Major sculptural works, such as Allen David’s monumental glass screen that graces the main entrance to the University Library, were also included in the original design. The further installation of sculpture in the grounds and paintings throughout the buildings were proposed in the original Master Plan, and were made possible with funds raised through the 1976 Retirement Appeal for the inaugural Vice-Chancellor, Dr David Myers. Today the La Trobe University Art Collection is considered a major public art collection, comprising over 2,000 post war and contemporary Australian art works. The collection covers most media and periods of Australian art. It includes the largest holding of works by the Australian Surrealist Bernard Boles, expatriate artist Allen David and the Etta Hirsh Ceramics Collection which consists of over 300 pieces. In addition to an active acquisition program, art works have been acquired through an artist in residence program and sponsorship of public art prizes, reinforcing the University’s commitment to the study, patronage and advancement of the visual arts. Public accessibility to the Collections remains a priority, with many of the works displayed across the University’s metropolitan and regional campuses, included in touring exhibitions and exhibitions held at the La Trobe University Museum of Art and other venues.
The other campuses have easy access to local exhibition spaces. The Shepparton Gallery is located in the Shepparton town centre and was home to our 40th anniversary travelling art exhibition. Albury-Wodonga students can access Albury Regional Art Gallery. In Mildura, Visual Arts students present a final year art exhibition and there is also the Mildura Wentworth Arts Festival.
Campuses
Melbourne (Bundoora)
Moat and George Singer Building, La Trobe University Bundoora Campus
The Bundoora campus is the foundation campus of La Trobe and was officially opened in 1967 when La Trobe first began operations. The campus is set on 1.8 square kilometres and is the home of most of the University's centres and institutions. The campus is the main base of all La Trobe's main courses except education, pharmacy, and dentistry, all of which are based at Bendigo. The main campus buildings were designed by Melbourne architecture firm, Yuncken Freeman in a utilitarian, Post-War International style. Main campus buildings are connected by a series of raised walkways.
Bundoora has around 22,000 students on campus and subsequently has many facilities such as restaurants, bars, shops, banks and an art gallery. The main library on the campus, the Borchardt , has well over one million volumes.
La Trobe University has three on-campus residential colleges: Menzies, Glenn and Chisholm.
Bundoora also has substantial sporting and recreation facilities such as an indoor pool, gyms, playing fields, and indoor stadiums. The facilities are regularly used as a training base for the Essendon Football Club, and houses the administration & training venue of the new A-League franchise Melbourne Heart.
The Bundoora campus is home to the La Trobe University Medical Centre and Hospital. The Melbourne Wildlife Sanctuary, part of the university, is adjacent to the campus.
The University is also home to the Centre for Dialogue, an interdisciplinary research institution which delves into certain intercultural and inter-religious conflicts, both in the domestic setting and in international relations. In March 2009, the Centre attracted controversy in hosting a lecture given by former Iranian President, H. E. Sayed Mohammed Khatami (1997–2005). Khatami emphasised the importance of dialogue between civilizations, especially in relation to quelling misunderstandings between the Islamic world and the West.
The Centre for Dialogue has also won acclaim for its leadership programme for young Muslims, implemented predominantly in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
La Trobe University Research and Development Park
The R&D Park opened in 1993, adjacent to the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus. Current tenants include a branch of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, the Victorian State Forensic Centre, a Rio Tinto Group research centre, Victorian Environment Protection Authority (EPA), the Co-operative Research Centre for Vaccine Technology and CAVAL.
In 2005, the Victorian Government announced that $20 million would be spent developing the Victorian Bioscience Centre and the park.
Latrobe University (Bundoora) is the largest university campus in the Southern Hemisphere.
Also on the R&D park is the Technical Enterprise Centre - a business incubator for new ventures in Information Technology, biotechnology and the life sciences.
Student radio
The La Trobe FM broadcasts from a studio on campus on the FM frequency. La Trobe FM broadcasts on relay with North West FM 98.9, 96.5 Inner FM, 3SER, Stereo 974, Yarra Valley FM, 3WBC, 979fm, 3NRG, FM 876 Network, Golden Days Radio, 88.3 Southern FM, & Eastern FM 98.1.
Bendigo
The Bendigo campus of La Trobe University was established in 1973, as the Bendigo College of Advanced Education. This was officially amalgamated with La Trobe University in 1991. The Bendigo campus operates on three sites.
The largest is Edwards Rd Campus. This is located three kilometres from the centre of Bendigo and is set on 33 hectares of land. It is the home of the university's Faculty of Education and most of the other faculties have operations there. The Heyward Library is also located here.
The Osbourne St Campus is a smaller Bendigo campus that is mainly used for examination facilities and is home to the La Trobe University Bendigo Athletics Track.
The smallest of the three is the La Trobe Visual Arts Centre. This is a gallery located in Bendigo's View Street arts precinct, opening in 2005. Its architectural design was controversial.
The associated Central Victorian Innovation Park opened in December 2003.
The major facilities used in the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games were located at La Trobe Bendigo.
Between 1994 and 2005, La Trobe Bendigo's curriculum was separate from that based at Bundoora, operated by a multidisciplinary Faculty of Regional Development. All campuses could choose to offer individual courses from both Bundoora and Bendigo. This situation ceased in 2005.
Melbourne (City)
This Melbourne (City) campus is located in Franklin Street in Melbourne's central business district, opposite the Queen Victoria Market. The campus delivers courses in health sciences, law and management; and houses some of the university's research centres.
Albury-Wodonga
The Albury Wodonga Campus is located three kilometres from the centre of Wodonga on a 26 hectare site. Originally the sole campus of the Wodonga Institute of TAFE, the La Trobe campus was established in 1991. The campus continues to share various resources with the TAFE. The A-W campus houses the faculties of education, health sciences, biology, business and others.
Mildura
The Mildura Campus was established in 1996, co-located with the main campus of the Sunraysia Institute of TAFE. These institutions and other tertiary education and research institutions on the site share various resources.
A second Mildura City campus opened in 2006 in the old Mildura Cultivator offices, next to "Gallery 25", an art gallery La Trobe became involved with a few years earlier.
Shepparton
The Shepparton campus was established in 1994. The new $10m campus building at 210 Fryers St. was recently opened.
Beechworth
The Hotel and Conference Centre at Beechworth closed on 23 May 2011 and the site is being prepared for sale. This decision follows stakeholder consultation and feedback about the proposed closure from local businesses and the community. La Trobe University will continue to maintain the grounds and facilities until the property is sold.
The Beechworth site was once home to the Beechworth Lunatic Asylum, founded in 1867 and later renamed "Mayday Hills Hospital". The Hospital ceased operation in 1995.
Planned campuses
In 2007, the University announced plans to open "learning nodes" co-located with the Wangaratta and Seymour campuses of Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, and at the Swan Hill campus of Sunraysia Institute of TAFE.
International affiliates
La Trobe offers a number of courses at several offshore sites. The courses are mainly in the areas of finance, economics, management, biomedicine, health and linguistics. These courses are mainly offered throughout Asia in countries such as China, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. Courses are also offered at a site in France.
La Trobe has affiliations with many other institutions across the world, where La Trobe courses are offered or exchange programs are offered. The majority of these partners are located in Europe and Asia. For example, a program with the Royal Institute of Health Sciences (Bhutan) gives Bhutanese qualified nurses the opportunity to obtain a bachelor degree.
Rankings
La Trobe's world rankings have fluctuated over the years, and appears to be strongest in the arts and humanities, as is demonstrated by The Times Higher Education World University Rankings. In 2004, La Trobe was ranked overall 142nd of the world’s top 200 universities, and 13th in Australia. La Trobe failed to make the top 100 in the world for any area-specific rankings in 2004, but managed to pull in 33rd place in the top 40 universities in the world outside Europe and North America.
2005 was a well-ranking year for La Trobe University, where its world ranking rose to 98th place, placing it as one of the top 100 universities in the world, and it moved up to 11th place in Australia. It made a momentous leap to 23rd place in the world’s top arts and humanities universities, bringing it to rank 3rd best in Australia. It also reached ranking status in the world's top social science universities, coming in 68th in the world and 9th in Australia. It came in as the 86th best biomedical university in the world (10th in Australia), and moved up to 29th place in the top 50 universities in the world outside Europe and North America. In 2011 the university was assessed in terms of its research quality where the university exhibited great strength in the areas of arts and humanities, and biological and biotechnical sciences where it was ranked 8th and 5th in the nation. Currently number 1 in Australia for biochemistry.
Research produced by the Melbourne Institute in 2006 ranked Australian universities across seven main discipline areas: Arts & Humanities, Business & Economics, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, and Science. For each discipline, La Trobe University was ranked:
| Discipline | R 1 | No. | R 2 | No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arts & Humanities | 6 | 38 | 7 | 38 |
| Business & Economics | 12 | 39 | 15 | 38 |
| Education | 17 | 35 | 7 | 34 |
| Engineering | 20 | 28 | 21 | 28 |
| Law | 14 | 29 | 14 | 28 |
| Medicine | - | 14 | - | 13 |
| Science | 11 | 38 | 16 | 35 |
- R1 refers to Australian and overseas Academics' rankings in tables 3.1 - 3.7 of the report.
- R2 refers to the Articles and Research rankings in tables 5.1 - 5.7 of the report.
- No. refers to the total number of institutions in the table against which La trobe University is compared.
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