From the Vice-Chancellor - November 2020

Dear Deakin community,

I would like to extend my best wishes for the festive season – to our alumni, donors and supporters. Over the coming weeks, I hope you are able to spend time with your families and friends, perhaps indulge in some local travel, and recharge for the new year.

Deakin is looking intently to 2021 and beyond, with our new ten year strategic plan being launched in December. It outlines an optimistic future for our University, partners and communities; and while the landscape is still changing, we know that the higher education sector will be a powerful force in driving the education and research outcomes that will lead the recovery of Australia and the region.

Victoria is now transitioning to a COVID-Normal approach, which will see our campuses return to life albeit with the necessary safeguards and restrictions on activities and numbers of people. Throughout 2021, there will be a continued blended approach across all areas of the University. We are working through the details of the teaching and learning environment to ensure the Deakin education experience is as engaging as ever; and we are accelerating our efforts at the local level to bring all research that requires access back on campus in a controlled and COVID-Safe way.

As I write, the Australian Federal Government has not released exact timelines for the opening of international borders. In the meantime, Deakin’s award-winning online education platforms continue to provide our students with a premium experience that will enable a smooth transition to on-campus study when that becomes possible.

Deakin’s Trimester 2 student results have been released and I am thrilled that success rates have improved for all cohorts compared to last trimester and Trimester 2, 2019. The eVALUate student survey results are also in and are again positive overall, up 1.6 per cent for T2 compared to last year. These outcomes are thanks to the persistence and professionalism of all our educators and support teams who have continued to provide our students with excellent learning experiences during the difficult recent months.

In the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey results, run by the Federal Department of Education, Deakin was one of Victoria’s best performing universities, leading the State for overall employment. We are as committed as ever to our students’ life and career outcomes, and our networks and relationships with partners, employers and alumni will ensure that a Deakin education continues to be innovative and contemporary.

I would like to thank you once more for your contributions to the Student Emergency Assistance Fund. I hope better times lie ahead for students who are in serious financial difficulty and we will continue to work hard to help our students reach their potential.

Deakin University Community Bank has partnered with Deakin to match donations of $100 or more made before the end of the year. Thanks to the Deakin University Community Bank, your donation will have double the impact on a student’s life. If you are in a position to do so, this is a good opportunity to support our students.

My best wishes to all for a happy and safe festive season,

Iain.

Vice-Chancellor
Deakin University