Curtin University

Curtin University

Former names	Western Australian Institute of Technology (1966–1986) Curtin University of Technology (1986–2010)
Motto	Make Tomorrow Better
Type	Public
Established	1966
Chancellor	Colin Beckett
Vice-Chancellor	Deborah Terry
Administrative staff	3,689
Undergraduates	37,005
Postgraduates	10,955
Location	Bentley, Western Australia, Australia 30°00′22″S 115°53′36″E / 30.00611°S 115.89333°E / -30.00611; 115.89333
Campus	Urban; 116 hectares[1]
Affiliations	ATN, ASAIHL, OUA
Website	Curtin.edu.au

Curtin University (a trademark of Curtin University of Technology) is an Australian public research university based in Bentley, Perth, Western Australia. The university is named after the 14th Prime Minister of Australia, John Curtin, and is the largest university in Western Australia, with over 50,000 students^[2] (as of 2014) at locations including Perth, Margaret River, Kalgoorlie, Malaysia and Singapore.

View of Curtin University Chancellery Building

Curtin Stadium

Curtin was conferred university status after legislation was passed by the Parliament of Western Australia in 1986. Since then, the university has been expanding its presence and has campuses in Singapore and Sarawak. It has ties with 90 exchange universities in 20 countries.^[3] The University comprises five main faculties with over 95 specialists centres. The University formerly had a Sydney campus between 2005 & 2016. On 17 September 2015, Curtin University Council made a decision to close its Sydney campus by early 2017.^[4]

Curtin University is a member of Australian Technology Network (ATN), and is active in research in a range of academic and practical fields,^[5] including Resources and Energy (e.g., petroleum gas), Information and Communication, Health, Ageing and Well-being (Public Health), Communities and Changing Environments, Growth and Prosperity and Creative Writing.

It is the only Western Australian university to produce a PhD recipient of the AINSE gold medal, which is the highest recognition for PhD-level research excellence in Australia and New Zealand.^[6]

Curtin has become active in research and partnerships overseas, particularly in mainland China. It is involved in a number of business, management, and research projects, particularly in supercomputing, where the university participates in a tri-continental array with nodes in Perth, Beijing, and Edinburgh.^[7] Western Australia has become an important exporter of minerals, petroleum and natural gas.^[8] The Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited the Woodside-funded hydrocarbon research facility during his visit to Australia in 2005.^[9]

History

Curtin University was founded in 1966 as the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT). Its nucleus comprised the tertiary programs of the Perth Technical College, which opened in 1900.

Curtin University's current site in Bentley was selected in 1962, and officially opened in 1966. The first students enrolled the following year.

In 1969, three more institutions were merged with WAIT: the Western Australian School of Mines (opened in 1902), the Muresk Agricultural College (opened in 1926), and the Schools of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (in operation since the 1950s at Shenton Park).^[10] Between 1966 and 1976 WAIT experienced an expansion from 2,000 to 10,000 students.^[11]

In December 1986 the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT) was made a university, under provisions of the WA Institute of Technology Amendment Act 1986.^[12] Curtin University took its name from the former Prime Minister of Australia, John Curtin. Curtin accepted its first students as a university 1987.

In 2005, Curtin and Murdoch University were engaged in a feasibility study into the possibility of a merger.^[13] However, on 7 November 2005, both institutions issued a press release that such a merger would not be undertaken.^[14]

In 2009, Curtin became the first university in the Australian Technology Network to be listed on the Academic Ranking of World Universities of research universities.^[15]

In 2010, Curtin dropped the "of Technology" suffix, from then operating as "Curtin University". The legal name remains Curtin University of Technology until the Act under which it operates is amended by the Western Australian government.^[16]

Campuses

Curtin has three smaller off-site campuses within the Perth metropolitan area. The Graduate School of Business is located in the Perth Central Business District in the renovated former Government Printing Office and the law school is located across the road (opened in 2016), a listed building on the State Register of Heritage Places. The university's Health Research Campus is located in Shenton Park and accommodates the National Drug Research Institute.

The University Departments of Exploration Geophysics and Petroleum Engineering are located at the co-location research facilities of the Australian Resources Research Centre (ARRC^[17]) which also houses offices of CSIRO Earth Science and Resource Engineering^[18] and National Measurement Institute.^[19] The ARRC is located in the Technology Park Belmont, adjacent to the main Bentley campus. Some University staff, researchers and students on practicum work in other locations such as the Oral Health Centre of WA (OHCWA) in Nedlands^[20] and at Royal Perth Hospital, amongst other organisations.

Curtin has campuses outside Perth, the largest being the Western Australian School of Mines at Kalgoorlie, and a number of micro-campuses in locations such as Esperance, Margaret River and Geraldton. Nursing is the only course offered in Geraldton. The Muresk Institute at Northam left Curtin in 2012.

Sarawak campus

The campus in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, is a significant development for the university and is Curtin's largest international campus. Curtin's operations in Miri began in February 1999. In 2002, a purpose-built campus was opened as Curtin's first offshore campus and the first foreign university campus in East Malaysia. It has over 3,000 students from over 40 countries, and academics from more than 15 countries.^[21] Curtin Sarawak is the only approved CISCO Networking University in Miri and Brunei.^[22]

Singapore campus

Curtin University opened a Singapore-based campus on 23 November 2008.^[23][24] Curtin University Singapore courses use the same structure and unit curriculum as those offered at the Bentley campus.

Mauritius

The Charles Telfair Institute, a private education institution, is affiliated with Curtin University and offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Mauritius.^[25]

Former Sydney campus (2005 - 2016)

Curtin University Sydney (Curtin Sydney) was established on 20 June 2005. The first campus was located in The Rocks area. It was later relocated to the suburb of Chippendale where it occupies the historical Berlei Building. Curtin Sydney offers diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate courses to students from all over the world.

In 2015 the Curtin University Council concluded that Curtin's presence in Sydney was not in line with the university's research and marketing objectives, and scheduled its closure for early 2017.^[26]

Transport

Curtin has its own bus station, which is connected to the Transperth public transport network. The station is also linked to the Mandurah railway line's Canning Bridge Station by a shuttle bus service.

Organisation

Faculties

Grounds of Curtin University

From 2007, the university's teaching and research is divided into five faculties (previously known as divisions).^[27] These are:

• Centre for Aboriginal Studies
• Curtin Business School
  • School of Accounting
  • School of Business Law and Taxation
  • School of Economics and Finance
  • School of Information Systems
  • School of Management
  • School of Marketing
  • Curtin Law School
  • Graduate School of Business
• Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Curtin Medical School
  • School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
  • School of Biomedical Science
  • School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work
  • School of Pharmacy
  • School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science
  • School of Psychology and Speech Pathology
  • School of Public Health
• Faculty of Humanities
  • School of Built Environment
  • School of Design and Art
  • School of Media, Culture and Creative Arts
  • School of Education
• Faculty of Science and Engineering
  • School of Science
  • School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
  • School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering
  • School of Electrical Engineering and Computing
  • Western Australian School of Mines

Academic profile

Rankings and reputation

Curtin University is ranked in the top two per cent of universities worldwide in the Academic Ranking of World Universities. In 2015, its position increased by more than 100 places to equal 303rd in the world, which was the biggest increase of any Australian university.

Curtin was awarded five-stars overall in the annual QS Stars university ratings for 2014.^[36] Curtin is ranked 306 by QS World University Rankings 2016.^[37] As of 2013, the University is also ranked in The Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) as one of the top 500 world universities.^[38]

The following subject areas at Curtin University are strongly ranked and have received a five-star rating in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015:

• Accounting and Finance (top 200)
• Architecture (top 100)
• Art and Design (top 100)
• Business and Management Studies (top 200)
• Chemical Engineering (top 100)
• Civil and Structural Engineering (top 200)
• Communication and Media Studies (top 150)
• Computer Science and Information Systems (top 200)
• Earth and Marine Sciences (top 100)
• Economics and Econometrics (top 200)
• Education and Training (top 100)
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering (top 150)
• Environmental Studies (top 200)
• Geography (top 200)
• Linguistics (top 200)
• Materials Sciences (top 200)
• Psychology (top 200)
• Sociology (top 200)
• Statistics and Operational Research (top 150).

Curtin Creative Writing staff and alumni have won the Miles Franklin Award seven times.^[39]

Student life

Student Guild

The Curtin Student Guild is the guild representing students at Curtin University. The guild was founded as the WAIT Student Guild in November 1968.

In addition to student representation the guild manages most of the food outlets on campus. The Guild Second Hand Bookshop, Curtin Concept Store (Curtin University Apparel), IT Works - IT Convenience Store, The Spot - Stationary & News outlet, Guild Copy and Design Centre & The Tav. The guild funds many of the student clubs and societies on campus. The guild also runs a number of events throughout the year, most notably the Beach Bash held in semester one and Oktoberfest held in semester two. The guild publishes Grok, the campus magazine which has the largest distribution in the country. The Student Guild is governed by students through the Guild Council, the official spokesperson of which is the Guild President. Student representatives are elected to their positions by students in annual elections held in September and run by the Western Australian Electoral Commission. As of 1 November 2016 the Guild President is Jason Wittey.^[40] Postgraduate students are represented by Curtin Student Guild Postgraduate Student Association, a department of the Guild.

Notable people

Faculty and staff

Curtin's current faculty includes prominent scholars such as environmental scientist Peter Newman and writer Kim Scott.

Past prominent faculty members include the post-modernist Niall Lucy, writer Elizabeth Jolley and journalist Robert Duffield.

Alumni

Among notable people to attend Curtin University are:

• James Angus, sculptor;
• Natalie Barr, news presenter on Seven Network's Sunrise;^[41]
• Carrie Bickmore, co-host of The Project (TV program);
• John Butler, musician;
• Michaelia Cash, member of Australian Senate;
• Natalia Cooper, journalist for Nine News at the Nine Network Sydney;^[42]
• Priya Cooper, Gold medal swimmer at the Sydney Paralympic Games;^[43]
• Joel Creasey, actor and comedian;
• Judy Davis, Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning actress;
• Jessica De Gouw, actress;
• Martin Dougiamas, creator of Moodle;
• Jon Doust, comedian, writer, novelist and professional speaker;
• Elissa Down, film director;^[44]
• Brad Hogg, cricketer;
• Amberley Lobo, TV presenter;
• Claire Hooper, comedian;
• Natasha Lester, writer;^[45]
• Judith Lucy, comedian;^[46]
• Frances O'Connor, actress;^[47]
• David McComb, lead singer The Triffids, songwriter and poet;
• Sheila McHale, former Cabinet minister in the Government of Western Australia;^[48]
• Ljiljanna Ravlich, former Cabinet minister in the Government of Western Australia;^[49]
• Kate Raynes-Goldie, game designer and social media scholar;
• Deborah Robertson, novelist;
• Tony Ronaldson, basketball player for the Perth Wildcats;
• Tracy Ryan, poet;
• Philip Salom, poet;
• Tim Winton, author;^[47]
• Ben Templesmith, illustrator & author of 30 Days of Night;
• Joan Winch, nurse and educator;
• John Worsfold, ex-coach of the West Coast Eagles;^[50]

See also

• List of universities in Australia

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Curtin University.

• Curtin University official website
  • Curtin University Sydney
  • Curtin University, Sarawak Campus
  • Curtin Singapore
  • Curtin Alumni

Universities in Australia
Tertiary education in Australia
Australian Capital Territory	Australian Defence Force Academy (UNSW accredited degrees) Australian National University University of Canberra
New South Wales	Charles Sturt University Macquarie University Southern Cross University University of Newcastle University of New England University of New South Wales University of Sydney University of Technology Sydney University of Wollongong Western Sydney University
Northern Territory	Charles Darwin University
Queensland	Bond University Central Queensland University Griffith University James Cook University University of Queensland Queensland University of Technology University of Southern Queensland University of the Sunshine Coast
South Australia	University of Adelaide Carnegie Mellon University, Australia Flinders University University of South Australia Torrens University Australia UCL Australia
Tasmania	Australian Maritime College (UTAS accredited degrees) University of Tasmania
Victoria	Deakin University University of Divinity Federation University Australia La Trobe University University of Melbourne Monash University RMIT University Swinburne University of Technology Victoria University
Western Australia	Curtin University Edith Cowan University Murdoch University University of Notre Dame Australia University of Western Australia
National	Australian Catholic University
Education in Australia

Open Universities Australia
Partner Universities	Curtin University Griffith University Macquarie University Monash University RMIT University Swinburne University of Technology University of South Australia
Secondary Providers	University of Adelaide Australian Catholic University Charles Darwin University La Trobe University Learning Network of Queensland Murdoch University TAFESA University of New England TAFEWA

University groupings in Australia
Australian Technology Network Curtin University Queensland University of Technology RMIT University University of South Australia University of Technology Sydney Group of Eight University of Adelaide Australian National University University of Melbourne Monash University University of New South Wales University of Queensland University of Sydney University of Western Australia Innovative Research Universities Flinders University Griffith University James Cook University La Trobe University Murdoch University Charles Darwin University Regional Universities Network Central Queensland University Federation University Australia Southern Cross University University of New England University of Southern Queensland University of the Sunshine Coast Sandstone Universities University of Adelaide University of Melbourne University of Queensland University of Sydney University of Tasmania University of Western Australia

Coordinates: 32°00′17″S 115°53′39″E / 32.00469°S 115.89405°E / -32.00469; 115.89405