Deakin University and TAFEs form new alliance

A new DEAKIN-TAFE Alliance was formalised today in Geelong when a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Deakin University and three TAFEs - the Box Hill Institute, Gordon Institute and South West Institute of TAFE. The MOU is unique because it draws together not just one TAFE and one university, but three TAFEs and a university. The MOU records the intentions of each of the four parties to work to further develop and strengthen the growing co-operative links between them.

Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sally Walker said "We have come together based on the firm belief that we can achieve more by working together than by working separately, or even by working in accordance with a series of separate MOUs between the University and each TAFE. This Alliance MOU is a demonstration of the commitment of all four parties to increase the post-secondary options for students. It is also an important milestone in the further development of coordination between the institutions, which are already working together in such areas as nursing, advanced standing and pathways, benchmarking and, from 2009, in market research."   

One of the benefits of the cooperation between the institutions is that, with the Alliance TAFEs working together to develop courses with a similar format, it becomes easier for Deakin University to assess and manage advanced standing arrangements therefore simplifying the process to allow TAFE graduates to enter Deakin University with advanced standing.

Signing the MOU on behalf of the parties was Professor Sally Walker, Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University; John Maddock, CEO of Box Hill Institute of TAFE; Grant Sutherland, Director/CEO of Gordon Institute; and Joe Piper, CEO of South West Institute of TAFE.