Media Releases
Monash Professional is launched
Monash Professional celebrated its evolution as a pre-eminent provider of quality training and development and internship programs at Comme on Monday 19 November. The keynote address on the evening was delivered by the Vice-chancellor and President of Monash University, Professor Richard Larkins.
In a speech to more than 50 industry and corporate leaders, Professor Larkins addressed the growing developments in the area of education, graduate outcomes and the connection with workplace preparation. "When people gather together as we have this evening – those from industry and the professions on the one part and educators on the other, the effectiveness of the engagement between industry and educational institutions is a frequent topic of conversation", said Professor Larkins.
As one of the worlds leading universities, Monash has a wonderful reputation for addressing the needs of its students and connecting with industry groups. Recent reports including Graduate Employability Skills1 which incorporated earlier research from the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) have identified that personal attributes are required for today's employees as well as eight employability skills.
"As a University in the real world, Monash has an active interest in these questions and is responding in a number of ways”, stated Professor Larkins. “Firstly, the University is itself reviewing its set of graduate attributes which will further inform teaching right across the University. Faculties are developing plans to ensure that the Monash Graduate Attributes can be demonstrably taught and assessed within each of their award courses."
"Monash is also responding by launching Monash Professional. As a wholly owned entity of Monash University, Monash Professional will provide a range of accessible, employment focused programs specifically designed to equip participants with the employability skills,” said Professor Larkins. "In so doing Monash is in a position to address the imperatives for graduate student."
To date, Monash Professional has developed a range of short-course, graduate and internship programs which provide a range of learning experiences which complement the programs of the University. It will continue to work with industry to further enhance its product range and respond to the demands of industry and the corporate sector.
Significant to many in the audience was the announcement that "Monash Professional and the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce, VECCI, have agreed to enter into a joint venture for the establishment of the Monash/VECCI Business Academy. This collaborative venture will support business excellence and innovation, and build sustainability and growth for small, medium and large enterprises in Victoria, and subsequently in wider regions", stated Professor Larkins.
The launch was a fitting tribute to Monash Professional and highlighted its future as a leading provider of training and development and internship programs.
1 Graduate Employability Skills, Precision Consultancy, for the Department of education, Science and Training http://www.dest.gov.au/highered/bihecc, August 2007