VC awarded in Queen's Birthday Honours

Victoria University is proud to announce that Vice-Chancellor Peter Dawkins received an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2017.

Awarded for his service to tertiary education as an administrator and academic, particularly in the field of applied economic and social research, the honour recognises his ongoing, distinguished career of nearly three decades working in the university sector and high-level leadership roles in the Victorian Government.

“I am honoured by this recognition and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work across all levels of education to ensure that participation and success in education is for the many rather than the few”, said Vice-Chancellor Dawkins.

Professor Peter Dawkins became the third Vice-Chancellor and President of Victoria University in 2011. In addition to his current role, Vice-Chancellor Dawkins established the West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance to benefit both the university and the community, and he has a central role in leading the Melbourne Economic Forum.

Over the last six years, the Vice-Chancellor has shaped education policy and continues to advocate for Victoria University as the University of Opportunity and Success for any student, regardless of their background.

By 2020, Victoria University has pledged to have the highest levels of student satisfaction among first-year students of any university in Victoria.

Education initiatives

Recently Vice-Chancellor Dawkins announced a number of ground-breaking education initiatives intended to reinvigorate Australia’s tertiary landscape and create an outstanding student experience for the west of Melbourne and beyond.

These transformative initiatives include:

• First Year Model, a tertiary experience that provides first year students unprecedented support as they immerse themselves in a single area, learn through deep discussion and close peer interaction, get to know and be known by their teachers, receive support from a multidimensional team, obtain regular, more immediate feedback, and develop a sense of early achievement.
• The Victoria University Research School, which will oversee all of the university’s research and research training activities, including institutes and centres, along with a number of institutes that have built outstanding reputations for impact on policy and industry in Australia.
• Victoria University Academy will provide tailored programs for high-achieving and high-potential undergraduate students who show strong leadership skills.

Vice-Chancellor Dawkins is committed to ensuring Victoria University offers education and training opportunities for students in the west of Melbourne and beyond.

“Our aim is to be a great university of the 21st century by providing exceptional value to our students, guiding them to succeed through personalised, flexible and industry relevant learning opportunities", said Vice-Chancellor Dawkins.