Katarina Slavich
1 September 2021: The University of Canberra has officially joined the Innovative Research Universities (IRU), a network of universities committed to inclusive excellence in teaching, learning and research in Australia.
With the IRU representing a group of world-ranked, research intensive universities with considerable global standing, the University’s inclusion affirms its position as a leader both nationally and globally.
The IRU aims to be at the constructive centre of Australian university policy making, influencing political development beyond an individual university’s capacity to do so. The impact of the network is both local and global with a focus on advancing communities through education, resources, opportunities, translational research and enterprise.
Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of Canberra, Professor Paddy Nixon said he is delighted for the University to be included as an IRU member.
“IRU is at the forefront of higher education and research policy, and is a strong voice on the future direction of the sector,” he said.
“UC is keen to join with like-minded academic and professional staff in progressing the work of member universities and the sector more broadly.
“The collective effort across teaching, research and community impact is impressive and we look forward to what the University of Canberra brings to the network as the only member from the nation’s capital.”
Professor Nixon said the characteristics of the University strongly align with those of the IRU universities.
“Our purpose is very much linked to the community in which we are located and serve,” he said.
“We are relatively young, just 31 years old as a university, we are inclusive and have a strong commitment to equity and raising participation, and we have ambitious plans for the future including industry partnerships and campus development.”
The University of Canberra’s inclusion of the IRU brings the network’s membership to eight and achieves its goal of having a footprint in all of mainland Australia.
“The University of Canberra is a wonderful fit with the IRU as our newest member,” said IRU Chair Professor Carolyn Evans.
“The University of Canberra shares the goals of all our members to provide excellent educational opportunities for underserved populations, to undertake research which makes a difference domestically and globally, and to be engaged members of our diverse local communities.
“With the membership of UC, the IRU now has a member in all mainland states and territories and the existing members welcome this chance to work more closely with our colleagues in Canberra.”