Deakin University goes the distance

Deakin University has a long history of delivering high-quality distance education courses through innovation and flexibility.

It employs quality teaching and technologies to give its students, wherever they may be, real choices about when and how they study.

The school now has over 33,000 students studying on its campuses in Victoria, Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool. An emphasis on internationalization, as well as cultural diversity and exchange, has resulted in a student body representing more than 70 countries.

"Internationalization is a very important component of our strategic plan but it is much more than bringing international students to Australia," said Deputy Vice-Chancellor John Rosenberg.

China is one of Deakin's key sources of students with Chinese students making up around 15 percent of the total student population on campus.

The high profile of Chinese students has prompted the university to consider opening an office in China to link with universities to establish exchange programs and research partnerships.

Deakin's flexible approach means that teachers use the latest technology to deliver courses, including video streaming of lectures, podcasts and downloadable MP3s. New students are also given a copy of the Deakin "learning toolkit" that provides a range of resources including software to support and enhance learning at Deakin.

It also has a number of programs with strategic partners including the Melbourne Institute of Business and Technology and key Victoria institutes to support international students who want to transfer to Deakin after their first year of study in Australia. These arrangements often include full credit transfer.

The Deakin University English Language Institute also provides a pathway to Deakin for Chinese students who need English language support, offering direct-entry programs to undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Deakin.

www.deakin.edu.au

(China Daily 08/07/2008 page40)