Victoria University was formed by a series of amalgamations with institutions across the west of Melbourne. It was established by the Victoria University of Technology Act 1990 ("the Act") on 1 July 1990, and named Victoria University following amendments to the Act in 2005.
The Act establishes the University Council as the governing body accountable to government for the strategic direction and superintendence of the University. It is responsible for ensuring the systems and processes to direct and control the university's operations are established and working effectively. In addition, Council fosters a culture which allows the university to deliver to all of its stakeholders outcomes in line with its mission and strategic goals.
The Chancellor at Victoria University is the Chairperson of the University Council and plays a key leadership role in the governance of the institution, its direction and superintendence. Council has members from within and external to the University, enabling a range of perspectives to be considered and encompassing a range of knowledge, skills and expertise. External members are nominated on the basis of their expertise and experience in senior management in areas such as finance, commerce, law, information technology, education and corporate governance. Internal members include the Vice-Chancellor ex officio, the Chair of the Education and Research Board ex officio and others elected by the University's internal stakeholders, namely students and staff. All Council members must act in the interest of the whole University rather than that of their constituencies. Minutes of Council meetings are publicly available.
The National Governance Protocols established by the Commonwealth Government outline a number of requirements in University governance, including the size of the governing body and the expertise of its members. The Council submits an annual return detailing how the University, and the members of Council, meet these Protocols.
Council oversees and monitors the University's academic activities through its Education and Research Board. The Education and Research Board is responsible to Council for academic oversight of the University's teaching and learning and research activities across further education, vocational education and higher education. This includes provision of advice to Council on the conduct and content of such research, academic programs and courses, the awarding of degrees, diplomas, certificates and other awards, and the delivery of educational and research support services.
Election processes for identifying staff and student representatives to the various governance committees are managed by the Governance and Policy Branch. Various additional university-wide elections are also managed by the Branch.
The Quality, Information and Planning(QIP) Branch provides expertise and initiatives to enhance University decision making. Some of the areas we work in are strategic and resource planning, survey management, data analysis, statistical reporting and quality assurance and improvement.
Page last updated: Tuesday 23 February 2010
