From the Vice-Chancellor (Alumni Newsletter - November 2018)
Alumni news
Welcome to this November edition of the dKin Times, the last for 2018.
In a challenging year, Deakin has had much to celebrate in 2018. Our student numbers have continued to increase (now 61,000), for the eighth successive year, we’ve been ranked first in Victoria for graduate satisfaction, and our careers service has been named the best in Australia by the graduate recruitment industry for the second year running. And in a world-first, we’ve co-created a graduate certificate in entrepreneurship with Coventry University in the UK, adding to the six postgraduate degrees already going well on FutureLearn. Our success is recognised on the global rankings with Deakin now ranked 211 in the world and at number 10 in Australia in the prestigious Academic Ranking of World Universities. You can also learn more about the impact Deakin's research is having in the 2019 dKin Magazine which is now available online.
As our Deakin Alumni 40th Anniversary year concludes, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many of you and reflect on the Deakin journey over the last 40 years since the first Deakin graduate received their testamur. As alumni, you form an integral part of the Deakin community; we want to continue our journey with you and help support you through your future career. Your feedback on our alumni services is important to us and I hope you will share your ideas in the survey that will be emailed to you shortly.
For many of us the holidays and the festive season is a time for giving back, and so I ask you to consider contributing to Deakin's Sanctuary Scholarship fund. The Sanctuary Scholarship program is part of the University's work with community partners including the Refugee Council of Australia, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and Diversitat. The Sanctuary scholarships support asylum seekers and students from refugee backgrounds who would otherwise not be able to afford the cost of university to study at Deakin.
I wish all our Deakin Alumni Community an enjoyable festive season and a safe and relaxing summer. Thank you for choosing Deakin. We look forward to keeping in touch with you in 2019.
Jane den Hollander AO
President and Vice-Chancellor