Deakin wins Victorian Export Awards for Education

Deakin University has been awarded a Governor of Victoria Export Award for Education for outstanding innovation and export achievement in the field of education and training services, expertise and curriculum. The Award was announced at the showcase ceremony at Government House last night. Deakin's achievement centred on its success in recruitment of overseas students supported by its success in developing research and other collaborative education partnerships with overseas entities and organizations.

In 2007-2008 Deakin's international student recruitment increased by 9.4% compared to a Victorian average of 5.8% and a national average of 2.7%. Deakin's engagement in the Indian market for over 10 years through the establishment of an office there, annual study tours, growing research links and relationships with Indian companies such as BioCon and Satyam were recognized by the award.

Both Indian student recruitment and China student recruitment in 2008 was up by 29% and 22% respectively over 2007.

Professor Philip Clarke, Deakin University's Pro-Vice Chancellor International said "Deakin's success in recruitment is a direct result of its commitment to providing a flexible and relevant education, including 'off-shore' study options, in preparing industry-ready graduates, thereby helping to fill skills shortages in Australia as well as in their countries of origin."

"The Award recognizes Deakin's growing reputation for collaborative partnerships with overseas corporations and other organizations in education, training and research. Deakin has achieved this success without the natural advantages of having the name of a city or State in its title."

Two examples of Deakin's success in engaging with partners include:

• Deakin's commercial arm DeakinPrime has been asked by Australia's largest construction and contracting company, Leightons, to develop an education and training program to provide hundreds of industry-ready graduates in India.

• One of the world's largest software companies, Satyam, has agreed to set up a research and development facility in Deakin's Geelong Campus at Waurn Ponds. This will see 2,000 researchers at work in India and Australia.

The Governor of Victoria Export Awards has been running for 29 years. Winners from each State and Territory Export Awards automatically progress as national finalists to the 2008 Australian Export Awards, to be announced in December 2008.