Deakin named top Victorian education and training provider

Deakin University's strong commitment to innovation through international partnerships was recognised at the Governor of Victoria Export Awards ceremony this week.

Deakin Deputy Vice-Chancellor Global Engagement Professor Gary Smith welcomed the announcement of the Education and Training award win, which comes after the university last month took out three honours at the 2014 Victorian International Education Awards, including the Premier's Award for International Education Provider of the Year.

"We are extremely delighted to have such strong recognition for our commitment to our global community, both through education and industry partnerships," Professor Smith said.

"In just 40 years since we began with our original campus at Waurn Ponds in Geelong, Deakin has gone from the first regional Victorian university to one of Australia's most dynamic international educators, and a strong international business partner and innovator.

"Our staff have worked hard to develop these strong international partnerships and we now have offices in India, China and Indonesia, along with more than 7000 international students from 127 countries.

"At Deakin, being globally connected isn't just something we do, it is at the core of what and who we are."

Other awards received at last month's Victorian International Education Awards included the Excellence in Education (University) and Excellence in International Education (Student Employability and Careers) honours.

"The recognition we have received through these awards this year is welcome acknowledgement of the value we place on nurturing the lives of our students, from teaching and learning, to engagement with our local and international communities in developing the innovations of the future," Professor Smith said.

"Our commitment to engaging in a global community that celebrates the knowledge, innovations and successes of partners across the world is evident from our campuses in Australia to our offices overseas.

"The global diversity across all our campuses enriches all aspects of academic and social life and helps our international students, our regional students and our metro students learn from each other.

"It also encourages approaches to teaching, learning, research and community engagement that are both innovative and relevant to our increasingly globally connected world."

The awards were presented this week by the Patron of the Governor of Victoria Export Awards, His Excellency the Hon. Alex Chernov AC QC, Governor of Victoria and the Minister for Employment and Trade, Louise Asher.

Deakin will now be a contender for the Australian Export Awards which will be held this year in Sydney in November.