Deakin University has the Edge at Federation Square

Deakin University and Fed Square Pty Ltd are delighted to announce a three year partnership that marks their shared global outlook and commitment to community access, creativity, innovative use of technology and public dialogue.

Under the agreement, Federation Square's iconic indoor venue will become The Deakin Edge.

Home to over 300 events and activities annually, including the Melbourne Writers Festival, Melbourne Conversations and Melbourne Architecture Week, this venue has welcomed a wide range of organisations and some of Australia's most prominent orators, finest thinkers and eminent performers.

Fed Square Chief Executive Officer Kate Brennan said today that it was fitting for this inspirational auditorium to carry the name of Alfred Deakin - the father of Federation, and to partner with Deakin University as it plans for a bold and exciting future around learning, ideas, value and experiences.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander explained The Deakin Edge will provide new opportunities for the University to extend its presence in the community through activities such as this week's inaugural David Parkin Oration on Sport and Social Change to be delivered by Mr Andrew Demetriou, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Football League.

"Deakin is delighted to partner with a true Melbourne icon through the naming rights of the new Deakin Edge. This sponsorship will enable Deakin to strengthen its engagement with the broad Melbourne and Victorian communities and delight its audiences in a modern, savvy and stylish meeting space," she said.

Established in Geelong in 1974, Deakin University was the first University in regional Victoria.

Today, Deakin University has four campuses, more than 43,000 students and attracts students from around the world, but remains committed to its focus on regional Victoria and to widening access to university study.

Looking beyond the campus gates, Deakin delivers its programs at the digital frontier, preparing its students for a world that is now globally connected.

It's fitting then that Deakin should find a home in Melbourne's heart at Federation Square where the University can further extend its links between rural, city and global regions and utilise Federation Square's screens and multimedia assets to connect across the world.

Building community and contributing to social cohesion is at the heart of Federation Square's purpose. Each year Fed Square Pty Ltd works to build the site as a platform for community expression, working with community groups and artists to support and nurture their events onsite.

More than 2,000 events a year are held at Federation Square, with more than 80 percent free to the public. The site has also led the way in the use of multimedia in public places to connect visitors with one another, including live broadcasts, sporting live sites and screen interaction nationally and internationally.

Deakin Edge will become a home in the heart of Melbourne for Deakin's program of orations and events, improving community access and demonstrating Deakin's commitment to making a difference to the communities it serves.

By delivering a program of debate, discussion and discourse through its partnership with Federation Square, Deakin will illustrate its commitment to deliver brilliant education where people are.