15 January 2016
The University of South Australia has earned 57th spot in the Times Higher Education Rankings for the top 200 of the world’s most international universities, making it one of Australia’s leading universities in terms of international outlook.
Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Allan Evans says the ranking reflects the University’s ongoing commitment to global engagement, particularly through its teaching research and the international background of its academic staff.
“Internationalisation has been a hallmark of UniSA since its inception in 1991,” Prof Evans says.
“Having a global perspective is essential for modern universities because it is vital that we graduate students who are able to take their place in the working world, whether that be in Lenswood or London.”
Professor Evans says he is delighted with the results because they reflect the University’s conscious efforts to stay globally-connected and networked.
“This is about much more than attracting international students to the State, it is about building our credibility worldwide, so that we can attract the best staff, nurture strong and relevant international partnerships in research and education and maintain fruitful connections with our many thousands of international alumni.”
Today UniSA is Australia’s leading university for the international diversity of its academic staff and in 2016, it has about 6000 international students studying in South Australian and offshore.
UniSA has more than 500 international research partnerships and collaborations across 45 countries including high profile collaborations such as the Hawke EU Centre for Mobilities, Migrations and Cultural Transformations.
Prof Evans says the University also provides invaluable ongoing student exchange opportunities that encourage local students to spend time studying internationally and welcomes students to South Australia for short term and full degree study opportunities.
“UniSA has been especially successful in accessing international study opportunities through the New Colombo Plan with more than 200 students accessing support to study in the Asia Pacific region since the scheme was launched,” he says.
“We are also very proud of our status globally with organisations such as EQUIS, the world’s leading international accreditation body for business schools, awarded by the quality assurance arm of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).
“It is the comprehensive nature of our global engagement – our partnerships, our people, our teaching emphasis, our research and our students that make UniSA a truly international university.”
Editor of the Time Higher Education Rankings Phil Baty says making the list of the top 200 most international universities in the world is a sign of great potential, competitiveness and dynamism.
“An institution’s global outlook is one of the key markers of a prestigious university,” Baty says.
“The top institutions hire faculty from all over the world, attract students from a global market of top talent and collaborate with leading departments wherever they happen to be based.”
Media contact: Michèle Nardelli office +61 883020966 mob 0418823673 email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
