La Trobe University

Mission statement/objectives

Mission statement

The mission of La Trobe University is to be an internationally recognised leader in tertiary education on a metropolitan, a regional and an international basis and in pursuance of this to promote the scholarly acquisition, transmission, application and preservation of knowledge through teaching and research of the highest international standards, and to provide a learning environment in which intellectual freedom is protected and intellectual rigour fostered.

Goals

1. To be an internationally acknowledged centre for scholarship, training and research.

2. To provide highly qualified graduates capable of meeting the diverse needs of the communities served by the University.

3. To promote teaching and training of the highest quality relevant to rapidly changing needs and expectations of participants.

4. To promote research of the highest quality in keeping with the obligations of a major international University.

5. To be an innovative provider of higher education programs in regional Victoria.

6. To be a fully internationalised University

These goals imply a number of more specific objectives which are essential to the fulfilment of the University mission.

Specific objectives

A. The University aims through its metropolitan and regional campuses in Australia:

1. to provide courses and programs of high academic standard that are attractive to students, well taught, and relevant to the needs of the community;

2. to encourage interdisciplinary research and teaching programs and to stimulate interaction between academic units;

3. to increase postgraduate enrolments and higher degree programs, especially in disciplines in which the University has or is developing strengths;

4. to provide an intellectual environment which is conducive to staff research and affords genuine opportunities for staff development;

5. to encourage the recruitment of staff of demonstrable excellence and to provide appropriate incentives for the attraction of high quality staff;

6. to increase research and educational programs that satisfy the needs of the community, industry and the professions;

7. to participate in schemes that provide educational pathways for increased opportunities and access to university education of genuine quality;

8. to enhance access to University education and provide genuine opportunities for lifelong learning, career enhancement, and upgrading of qualifications by the provision of short courses, summer schools and continuing education programs;

9. to ensure that the management of the University is appropriate to support the mission, goals and objectives; and

10. to project a corporate identity within the community of academic excellence appropriate to a university of international standing.

B. On the international front the University aims:

1. to extend the numerous international linkages already available to create opportunities for study and research;

2. to play a leading role in the delivery of appropriate teaching and training programs at selected sites in Asia and elsewhere, working with local partners whenever relevant;

3. to form a consortium of prestigious international universities to facilitate international study and research for students and staff, and to attract students and staff from elsewhere in the world to study at its campuses in Victoria;

4. to contribute service to the international communities where the University is active.

Participation, equity and access

In furtherance of its mission, the University is committed to genuinely improved access (and opposition to the barriers to this), credit for earlier study, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Strategies and performance indicators

Key Indicators	Current Outcomes	Intended Improvements
Teaching, learning and student services
Objective: Provide excellent courses which are attractive to students
Retention rates of students Responses to in-house and external questionnaires	Retention rates from 60-75 per cent The great majority of internal and external reviews are very positive	Improved retention rates Improve ratings, particularly for courses with low scores
Objective: Facilitate the articulation of students from TAFE and entry of 'mature age' students into higher education programs
Numbers of entrants into degree programs given ‘credit for prior learning’	Strategic alliances with TAFE facilitates articulation Some 20 per cent of entrants to courses are 'mature age'	Strengthen alliances to increase flexible entry into programs. Provide flexible 'exit points' from programs for students
Objective: Provide opportunities for overseas study during undergraduate and postgraduate programs
Numbers of La Trobe students studying overseas, and overseas students coming to La Trobe, for parts of their courses	Relatively few students from La Trobe currently study overseas Increasing numbers of overseas students studying at La Trobe	Strategic links with Australian partner and prestigious overseas universities More students studying at 'consortium' universities
Objective: Maintain rates of employment of graduates at State and national levels
Numbers/proportions of graduates gaining employment	More than 75 per cent of graduates seeking employment are successful	Seek to have greater than or equal to 80% of graduates seeking employment successful in attaining full-time employment
Objective: Encourage attainment of high academic achievements by graduates.
Proportions of graduates undertaking honours and postgraduate programs at La Trobe and elsewhere	Many graduates in 'established' disciplines undertake further study, few from 'newer' and 'professional' areas Proportions of all graduates undertaking further studies generally exceeds State and national levels	Increase numbers and proportions of graduates in 'newer' and 'professional' areas pursuing research degrees

Key Indicators

Current Outcomes

Intended Improvements

Objective: Provide appropriate advice for intending students and simplify enrolment and related procedures for students

Number of students seeking advice and entering programs

Feedback on enrolment process from enrolling students and staff

Improving the quality and availability of information

Simplify enrolment and related procedures

Revamp University Handbook

Increase access to course information via the Web and utilise modem technology

Objective: Provide support for students enrolled at the University

Numbers using support services

Feedback on adequacy of services provided

Scholarships for students

Support for students with learning difficulties, Koori students and disabled students

Good careers advice, financial aid and grievance processes

Increase numbers of scholarships for students

Enhance access to and quality of all student support services

Research

Objective: Encourage development, prosecution and promotion of research contributing to the advancement of knowledge relevant to Australia and the international community

Number and value of research grants and contracts

Numbers and proportions of staff applying for and winning support

Numbers of publications of all types produced by staff

Number and value of research and similar grants are increasing

More staff are applying for and receiving support for research

More collaborations with business and community organisations

Further increase in support for research and related activities

Continued increase in publication rates and rates of application for support for research and related activities

Objective: Enhance research capacity at regional campuses of the University

Numbers of staff at regional campuses active in and receiving support to conduct research

Interactions between researchers at all campuses

More staff at regional campuses participating in and being supported for research

Increasing links between staff and external colleagues

More staff at regional campuses participating in research

More collaborations between staff at all campuses and colleagues in regional communities

Key Indicators

Current Outcomes

Intended Improvements

Objective: Maintain an environment attractive to staff of high calibre and capacity to pursue research and to nurture future researchers

Numbers and quality of applicants for positions

Numbers of postgraduate students, early career researchers and visiting scholars seeking to participate in research and related activities of the University

Good numbers of high calibre staff apply for positions as teachers and researchers

Many postgraduate and postdoctoral scholars of high quality seek to study/undertake research at the University

Increased interest in positions at the University from personnel from within and beyond Australia

High demand for fellowships/scholarships, etc. from gifted scholars from within and beyond Australia

Objective: Create an environment where the intellectual property arising from research of staff of the University is recognised and utilised for the benefit of both the researcher(s) and the University

Number of collaborative projects with commercial partners

Number of patent applications filed and "spin off" companies formed

Increasing number of collaborative projects undertaken between the University and commercial partners

"Spin off" companies now operate at the Research and Development Park of the University

Further increase the number of links between staff and external collaborations

Increase the number of patents and negotiated licences

Increased numbers of "spin off" companies/organisations.

Management

Objective: Provide a management structure that supports an intellectual environment conducive to research and teaching of the highest quality, and facilitates strong commitment to the community

Development of clear structure within administration and within the academic areas (faculties) of the University

Structures lead to improved performances in teaching, research and community service

Major reorganisation effected in 1994, further changes in 1996-97 and ongoing planning to meet changing financial environment

Major IT upgrade, including extensive video-conferencing network, nearing completion

Finalise restructuring/ reorganisation to give stable and sustainable structure

Improve research status of University further, with emphasis on attracting increased commercial support for research

Key Indicators	Current Outcomes	Intended Improvements
Objective: Recruit staff of the highest calibre to management positions
Staff recruited should be recognised as having experience and standing commensurate with their positions	Several senior administrative staff provide advice to other organisations including participation in activities of the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (AVCC)	More requests for contributions by management personnel to other universities and to sector-wide activities
Objective: Provide staff development and training programs for personnel in all management positions
Personnel Division provides necessary programs for development of managerial staff	Senior staff trained in-house; several attend external courses Academic manager must apply Staff Appraisal Scheme	Regular updates on management for relevant staff Enhanced management leading to improved performances of staff
Objective: Develop and implement plans to adapt to change (funding and other) facing the University
Management negotiates with governments, unions and others to effect change smoothly Adherence to plans to ensure continued viability	University recently finalised an enterprise bargain without disruption Strategic plans under review Insistence that all budgetary units meet planning and budget targets	Enhance conditions for all staff Adoption of plans enhances the delivery of quality programs Improve financial position permitting further initiatives
Objective: Undertake entrepreneurial activities to the advantage of the University
University involved in entrepreneurial activities	Several initiatives recently completed with others well developed	Continued development of the network of campuses Participate in beneficial commercial developments

Key Indicators	Current Outcomes	Intended Improvements
Community service
Objective: Provide programs of teaching and learning and research which meet identified needs of the communities: metropolitan, regional, national and international
Opportunities for members of the communities served to access programs of teaching and learning at all levels Requests for contributions to community events - teaching/ learning and research Attraction of support, financial or "in-kind", from the community to foster interaction with the University Participation by University personnel in programs staged to support the community	Scholarships permit students to undertake study programs Funding to support research and development projects of relevance to the community Contributions to the several communities served to provide education programs and support cultural and other events Invitations to staff to advise, undertake consultancies, provide services and contribute to community activities	Increase the number of scholarships/awards from the community Increase funds for research and development and consultancies Sponsor cultural and like activities in the community Develop off-shore programs to meet the needs of students unable to come to Australia Contribute to health care, legal and like services to meet community needs and give experience for students
Objective: Create opportunities for "start up" and "spin off" technology-based enterprises through the Research and Development (R&D) Park of the University
Numbers of tenants locating on the Research Park, interacting with University research groups Numbers of 'start up' enterprises in the Technology Enterprise Centre developing into viable commercial entities	Research Park nearly full with negotiations for final available sites well advanced Technology Enterprise Centre nearly fully occupied with substantial interest from others	Extend R&D Park and Centre at Bundoora and explore opportunities elsewhere Maintain steady flow of 'start-up' businesses through the Technology Enterprise Centre, graduating to R&D Centre/Park
Objective: Contribute to the local economy of the centres at which the University conducts programs
Maintenance of viable programs wherever offered Continued demand for presence and programs of the University	Strong local support at all Centres of operation Considerable University/ community interaction	Increased support from local communities through funds for scholarships, access to facilities, strong local advocates

Summary of data of Graduate Careers Council of Australia (GCCA)

(i) Course experience survey

		Percentage of Students Broadly Satisfied with:
Year ^†	Response Rate ^�	Teaching Quality	Acquisition of Generic Skills	Overall Quality
1994	77.1	76	85	89
1995	77.3	75	86	90
1996	67.1	79	87	92

† Data for relevant year published in the following year

� Percent of returns of survey from graduates of La Trobe University

(ii) Graduate destinations survey

		Percentage of Graduates:
Year ^†	Response Rate ^�	Employed Full-Time ^‡			In Full-Time Further Study
		Vic	Aust	LTU*	Vic	Aust	LTU*
1994	77.1	76.6	79.1	79.5	23.0	22.0	23.4
1995	97.3	78.8	80.6	79.2	19.3	20.0	19.9
1996	67.1	77.7	79.2	77.0	21.9	21.5	26.5

† Data for the relevant year published in the following year

� Percent of returns of survey from graduates of La Trobe University

‡ Percentage of graduates available for full-time work

* La Trobe University

Contact

Professor G H McDowell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Tel: (03) 4979 1011 Fax: (03) 9479 1449
Email: DVC@latrobe.edu.au

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