From its very establishment in 1911, our university has built strong ties with the Western Australian community. They have been based on our reputation for quality and excellence, reflected in the tens of thousands of graduates vitally involved in the community, in politics, in industry and in the professions. These community links continue to grow.
The range of activities which encourage community involvement is extensive -- UWA Extension's life-long learning programs, performances of fine music and theatre throughout the year, UWA Press, the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery and the Berndt Museum, to name but a few.
Beyond these, the Perth International Arts Festival -- operating as a centre of excellence on campus -- represents one of our most important links with the community. The Festival continues to attract more than 400,000 people annually to a season of performing and visual arts. We have increased our support for the Festival, initially to support a series of festivals for the new millennium.
We recognise that to continue to build on our community relationships, we must continue to demonstrate the value that an institution such as ours can bring to its society. To do this we have moved to ensure we have effective relationships with the community, and encourage staff at all levels to be involved in community activities.
Recent priorities have included strengthening the relationship with our graduates, implementing a number of strategies to enhance our relationships with this important part of the university community. These have included refocussing our Uniview magazine (sent to 40,000 graduates) on more graduate news; organising new alumni events on campus and internationally (in Hong Kong and London); developing a new package of alumni benefits; and appointing a fundraising consultant to plan annual giving campaigns, and establish the first faculty-specific campaign (for the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry).
We have also broadened and intensified our work in the continuing education area with the development of a Higher Education Certificate for those who undertake continuing education through UWA Extension's Access program. UWA Extension enrolment is now available 'on-line' and new innovative opportunities for wider on-line learning have been opened up through a partnership with a major international learning provider.
A University Open Day in 1999 -- the first for 11 years -- was a great success, not least because of the teamwork shown by staff. An estimated 25,000 people were on campus to find out more about their University. The success of the Open Day was rivalled, in spirit if not in number, by the first ever ParentsŐ Orientation. Some 600 parents of newly enrolled students came to the campus (many of them for the first time) to find out more about where their children were studying. Both the Open Day and the Parents Orientation will become regular events.
In order to enhance our communications with government and the business community, we now provide a quarterly news update detailing some of the latest developments on campus. We have also maintained a series of public seminars, breakfasts and dinners at which we have sought community views on the work of our University, and at which we have be able to discuss new university developments.
We have much to be proud of in our community outreach activities; and we are equally proud of the continuing support we receive from the community. It is our aim to build these relationships so that we may truly remain (as our vision states) 'a leading intellectual and creative resource' to the communities we serve. | 