Message from the Provost Professor Pauline Nugent

1000 ACU students abroad in 2016

The University is on track to having 1000 students undertaking international study activities this year. This represents enormous growth in outbound students over the past 5 years. In 2010, only 30 ACU students studied abroad.

Much of the recent growth in numbers has come from rapid increase in students participating in short-term international programs with strong growth this year being supported by new offerings in Rome. Up until a few years ago, most ACU students who studied abroad did so by taking part in a formal student exchange program, which meant they were based at one of our partner universities for 6-12 months during their ACU degree. This is still a popular option for students with around 120 students joining our exchange program this year. However, for most of our students, spending a full semester overseas is not really possible, so each year, more and more of our students are getting involved in more intensive, short-term international programs such as the International Core, ACU-led study tours, community engagement activities, short-term study abroad programs, internships and professional placements.

Core Curriculum

The renewed Core Curriculum UNCC100: Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society was approved by the Academic Board for roll-out in all campuses beginning Semester 2, 2016. In preparation for the roll-out, Train-the-Trainer sessions have been held in Brisbane, North Sydney and Melbourne. Faculties have completed the recruitment of teaching staff and have conducted training sessions to familiarise them with the renewed Core unit contents, pedagogy and assessment regime.

This year more than 120 students have enrolled in the International Core Curriculum programs in Rome, Beijing, London and Paris. The International Core Curriculum (UNCC300: Understanding Self and Society) is being held for the first time in Beijing as a three-week intensive from 26 June to 13 July at The Beijing Centre. A total of 31 students are participating. The program includes classroom learning activities, Chinese language classes and cultural tours around Beijing, Shanghai and Xi’an.

The same unit is also being offered in Paris from 26 June to 13 July in partnership with the Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP) and St. John's University (USA, Paris Campus). Nineteen students are participating.

The second offering of the International Core Curriculum in Rome commenced on 9 July and has attracted 29 students. A key feature of the Rome program will be community engagement activities, which bring to life in practical and tangible ways the students’ classroom learning.

ACU International Core Curriculum students in Rome

ACU International July School

Approximately 120 students were admitted to the 2016 ACU International July School conducted in North Sydney. Including international students from seven different countries, the International July School is also offered to domestic ACU students. As well as attracting domestic students from Sydney, the program also attracted students from Brisbane, Canberra, Ballarat and Melbourne.

Some of the students from interstate and overseas stayed at ACU’s Miguel Cordero Residence in central Sydney and social activities were arranged to support them during their stay.

Four units including both Core Curriculum units have been offered this year:

• UNCC100 – Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society
• UNCC300 – Understanding Self and Society: Contemporary Perspectives
• BUSN306 – Entrepreneurial Business Field Experience
• HUMA112 – Bodies, Thinking and Feeling

Units are taught intensively over the two week period (4-15 July 2016) and students attend classes on campus in addition to a range of off-site activities such as visits to major businesses, government offices and community engagement programs.

The 2016 ACU July School students visited the North Sydney Council as part of their fieldwork experience in their business unit

Enrolment Plan

The enrolment planning process has begun to develop the 2017-2022 Enrolment Plan. This process involves a wide consultative process across the University. It encompasses faculty staff; Executive Deans, Heads of Schools, Faculty Managers, Marketing Managers and Faculty Coordinators; in consultation with the International Directorate, Student Administration and Admissions, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Students Learning and Teaching, as well as Associate Vice-Chancellors, Campus Deans, OPSM and Finance. The first meeting was held on 1 July to brief the Faculties and the process is due for finalisation by September this year to facilitate the development of the 2017 University budget. This important and detailed process is fundamental for the future planning and growth of the University and I appreciate the hard work of all involved in this planning over the coming months.