Curtin University

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Curtin University
Curtin University Logo.svg
Former names
Western Australian Institute of Technology (1966–1986)
Curtin University of Technology (1986–2010)
MottoMake Tomorrow Better
TypePublic
Established1966; 55 years ago (1966)
ChancellorAndrew Crane
Vice-ChancellorHarlene Hayne
Academic staff
1,710 (2019 FTE)[1]
Undergraduates50,223 (2019)[1]
Postgraduates9,460 (2019)[1]
Location
Bentley, Perth
,
Western Australia
,
Australia

32°00′22″S 115°53′36″E / 32.00611°S 115.89333°E / -32.00611; 115.89333
CampusUrban; 116 hectares[2]
AffiliationsATN, ASAIHL, OUA
Websitecurtin.edu.au

Curtin University (formerly known as Curtin University of Technology and Western Australian Institute of Technology) is an Australian public research university based in Bentley, Perth, Western Australia. It is named after John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia from 1941 to 1945, and is the largest university in Western Australia, with 57,784 students in 2019.[1]

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 expanded its presence and has campuses in Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai and Mauritius, and has ties with 90 exchange universities in 20 countries.[3] The university comprises five main faculties with over 95 specialists centres. It had a campus in Sydney from 2005 to 2016.[4]

Curtin University is a member of the Australian Technology Network. Curtin University is active in research in a range of academic and practical fields.[5] Curtin is the only Western Australian university whose students have won the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering's Postgraduate Student Gold Medal as at 2020.[6]

History[]

Curtin University was founded in 1966 as the Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT).[7] Its nucleus comprised the tertiary programs of the Perth Technical College, which opened in 1900.[8] The university's Bentley campus 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 Kalgoorlie 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).[9] Between 1966 and 1976 WAIT experienced an expansion from 2,000 to 10,000 students.[10]

In December 1986 WAIT was made a university, under provisions of the WA Institute of Technology Amendment Act 1986.[11] Curtin University took its name from the former Prime Minister of Australia, John Curtin. In 1987, Curtin University of Technology became Western Australia's third university and Australia's first university of technology.

In 1993, Curtin founded a graduate business school in St Georges Terrace. It was moved to Murray Street in 2002, where it remains today. The school was developed on the foundation of Curtin's existing Master of Business Administration program.[12]

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 announced that a merger would not be undertaken.[14] In 2008, Curtin opened a campus in Singapore, its second offshore presence.[12] 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".

Campuses[]

The main Curtin University campus is located in Bentley, Western Australia, about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) south-east of the Perth central business district.[16] Curtin has three smaller off-site campuses within the Perth metropolitan area. The Graduate School of Business building is located in the Perth central business district in the renovated former Government Printing Office and the law school is located on Murray Street in the old Public Health Department and Chief Secretary's building, a listed building on the State Register of Heritage Places.

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 Bentley, 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.

Dubai campus[]

In April 2017 Curtin University established its newest campus in Dubai at Dubai International Academic City.[21] Australian Ambassador to the UAE HE Arthur Spyrou officially opened the campus on 10 September 2017. Curtin University Dubai courses use the same structure and unit curriculum as those offered at the Bentley campus. Curtin University Dubai is accredited by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority-KHDA. The Academic qualifications granted by Curtin University is certified by KHDA and is recognised in the Emirate of Dubai by all public and private entities.

Malaysia campus[]

Main article: Curtin University, Malaysia

The campus in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia 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 around 4,000 students from over 45 countries, and academics from more than 15 countries.[22] Curtin Malaysia is the only approved CISCO Networking University in Miri and Brunei.[23]

Singapore campus[]

Main article: Curtin Education Centre

Curtin University opened a Singapore-based campus on 23 November 2008.[24][25] Curtin Singapore courses use the same structure and unit curriculum as those offered at the Bentley campus.

Mauritius campus[]

Curtin University opened its fourth international campus in Mauritius on 3 May 2018.

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 occupied the historical Berlei Building. The operation of Curtin Sydney was contracted out to private tertiary education provider Navitas Group. It offered diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate courses to international students. In 2014 Curtin Sydney was involved in a cash-for-results scandal where students since 2012 had paid MyMaster, a Sydney company, up to $1,000 each to write essays and assignments for them, as well as sit online tests.[26] In 2015, Curtin announced the closure of Curtin Sydney from early 2017.[4]

Organisation[]

Faculties[]

Grounds of Curtin University

From 2007, the university's teaching and research is divided into five faculties (previously known as divisions), which each include a number of schools.[27] These schools were consolidated in 2020 during a period of staff cuts.[28] These are:

  • Centre for Aboriginal Studies
  • Faculty of Business and Law
    • School of Accounting, Economics and Finance
    • School of Management and Marketing
    • Curtin Law School
  • Faculty of Health Sciences
    • Curtin Medical School
    • Curtin School of Allied Health
    • Curtin School of Nursing
    • Curtin School of Population Health
  • Faculty of Humanities
    • School of Design and the Built Environment
    • School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry
    • School of Education
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering
    • School of Civil and Mechanical Engineering
    • School of Earth and Planetary Sciences
    • School of Electrical Engineering, Computing and Mathematical Sciences
    • School of Molecular and Life Sciences
    • Western Australian School of Mines: Minerals and Energy Engineering

Libraries[]

The main library is TL Robertson Library, located on the Bentley campus.[29] The university library includes the John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library collection.[30]

John Curtin Gallery[]

The John Curtin Callery (JCG) is located on the Bentley campus, in building 200A.[31] It has a focus on contemporary art, learning and research.[32]

Transport[]

Curtin has two of its own bus stations, 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. The university also has its own internal bus network trialling autonomous buses on campus.

Academic profile[]

The university is one of the partners in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study, one of the largest cohorts of pregnancy, childhood, adolescence and early adulthood to be carried out anywhere in the world.[33]

Rankings and reputation[]

University rankings
Curtin University
QS World[34]194
THE World[35]201-250
ARWU World[36]201-300
US News World[37]174=
CWTS Leiden World[38]239
Australian rankings
QS National[34]11
THE National[39]13
ARWU National[40]9-15
US News National[41]10
CWTS Leiden National[38]12
ERA National[43]25[42]

Curtin was ranked 174th globally and 10th nationwide by U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings in 2020.[44] The university was ranked in the 2020 Academic Ranking of World Universities in the top 201-300 world universities.[45]

Curtin was ranked 194th in the 2022 annual QS World University Rankings.[46] It was ranked 2nd in the world for Engineering - Mineral & Mining, and ranked 5th in Australia for Architecture in the 2021 QS World University Rankings by Subject.[47][48]

Curtin's Creative Writing staff and alumni have won the Miles Franklin Award seven times.[49]

Student life[]

Accommodation[]

Curtin University offers on campus accommodation at four separate precincts which is managed by UniLodge.[50] These accommodation options include Kurrajong Village,[51] Erica Underwood House,[52] Guild House[53] and Vickery House.[54]

Student Guild[]

The Curtin Student Guild is the student union at Curtin University. The Guild was founded as the WAIT Student Guild in January 1969.

The Guild fundamentally provides student representation services through the provision of Faculty, International, Postgraduate and Equity representatives and the professional support service Student Assist.[55]

The guild operates most of the food and beverage outlets on campus, including Guild Cafés (Central, Engineering, Library), Angazi, Concept Coffee Co, Mallokup and Beakers food outlets. Other commercial services include G-Mart, Curtin Universities general store, printing, stationery and news outlet and The Tav.[56]

The Guild operates and funds all Curtin student clubs and societies. The Guild also runs a number of events throughout the year, most notably the Toga Party held in semester one and the previous notable event Grasslands Music Festival held in semester two. The Guild publishes Grok Magazine.

The Student Guild is governed by students through the Guild Council which consists of Executive members: President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Chair of The Representation Board and Councillors. All other representatives sit on the Representation Board. Student representatives are elected to their positions by students in annual elections held in September.[57] Major Groups that contest elections include Illuminate, Progress, Left Action and the Joke Ticket.[58] The Guild is currently operated by an Illuminate majority.

Sport[]

Men's soccer[]

The men's team of the Curtin University Football Club is based on the main campus. The club currently (2021) competes in the Football West State League Division 2.

Women's soccer[]

The Curtin University FC Women's team are one of the inaugural teams in the new National Premier Leagues WA Women competition (which commenced in 2020), and is a part of the National Premier Leagues Women’s structure.[59] Previously they had been a part of the Women State League Division 1 from (at least) 2012 to 2019.

Notable people[]

Faculty and staff[]

Curtin's faculty includes prominent scholars such as environmental scientist Peter Newman, writer Kim Scott and isotope geochemist Kliti Grice.

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:


Controversies[]

Curtin has become active in research and partnerships overseas, particularly in mainland China, and has received funding from major Chinese companies such as Tencent.[70] 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.[71] The Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited the Woodside-funded hydrocarbon research facility during his visit to Australia in 2005.[72] Funding from major Chinese companies connected to the state have led to concerns that Curtin University has limited academic freedom on certain topics.[70]

In 2020, a roof at Curtin University collapsed, killing one 23-year-old construction worker after he fell more than 20 metres, and leaving 2 injured.[73][74]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Curtin University Overview Statistics 2015-2019" (PDF). Office of Strategy and Planning. Bentley, WA: Curtin University. 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Bentley (main campus)". Curtin University. Archived from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  3. ^ "Explore global opportunities". studyabroad.curtin.edu.au. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Cowling, Carole (17 September 2015). "Curtin to wind-up its Sydney operation - News and Events - Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia". Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  5. ^ "Projects and expertise - Research | Curtin University, Perth, Australia". Research at Curtin. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  6. ^ "AINSE Gold Medals". AINSE. Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  7. ^ White, Michael (1996), WAIT to Curtin : a history of the Western Australian Institute of Technology, Paradigm Books (Curtin University), ISBN 978-1-86342-490-5
  8. ^ Perth Technical College (1979), The history of the Perth Technical College from, The College, retrieved 15 September 2020
  9. ^ "History: WAIT to Curtin". Archived from the original on 21 April 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2017.
  10. ^ Gable, Guy (September 2008). "Overview of WA universities". The information systems academic discipline in Australia. ANU E-Press. ISBN 978-1-921313-94-3. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
  11. ^ "Western Australian Institute of Technology Amendment Act 1986: Proclamation". Western Australia Government Gazette. 19 December 1986. p. 1986:4861.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b "Curtin University History". Curtin University. 2020.
  13. ^ "Curtin agrees to discuss merger". Curtin University Media Releases. 23 June 2007. Archived from the original on 19 August 2006. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
  14. ^ "Curtin Murdoch merger proposal not to proceed". Curtin University Media Releases. 2 November 2007. Archived from the original on 19 August 2006. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
  15. ^ Lane, Bernard (4 November 2009). "Dawkins reforms bear fruit at Curtin University". The Australian. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
  16. ^ "Curtin Perth, how big is the campus?, address - About | Curtin University". about.curtin.edu.au. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Perth: Australian Resources Research Centre (WA) - Participating Institutions". Csiro.au. 18 December 2009. Archived from the original on 6 July 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
  18. ^ "CSIRO Earth Science and Resource Engineering". Em.csiro.au. Archived from the original on 17 June 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
  19. ^ "Home - National Measurement Institute". Measurement.gov.au. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
  20. ^ "Oral Health Centre of Western Australia (OHCWA)". Health.wa.gov.au. 18 September 2007. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
  21. ^ http://about.curtin.edu.au/campus-locations/dubai/
  22. ^ "Curtin Sarawak Malaysia". Curtin.edu.my. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2012.
  23. ^ Academy Connection - search for either Miri or Brunei
  24. ^ Nicol, Julia (26 March 2008). "Curtin announces new Singapore Campus". Curtin News. Curtin University of Technology. Retrieved 30 March 2008.
  25. ^ Yeen Nie, Hoe (27 March 2008). "Australia's Curtin University of Technology to open Singapore campus". Singapore News. Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
  26. ^ McNeilage, Amy; Visentin, Lisa (12 November 2014). "WA's Curtin University caught in NSW 'essay writing' scandal". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  27. ^ Curtin University (13 September 2010). "Our study areas". Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
  28. ^ "What is a Faculty?". students.connect.curtin.edu.au. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  29. ^ "Robertson Library". Curtin University. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  30. ^ "Our Collections". Curtin University. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  31. ^ "About JCG - John Curtin Gallery". John Curtin Gallery. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  32. ^ "Mission - John Curtin Gallery". John Curtin Gallery. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  33. ^ "Long may kids' health study Raine | Health+Medicine". health.thewest.com.au.
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  35. ^ "World University Rankings 2021". Times Higher Education.
  36. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2021". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
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  38. ^ Jump up to: a b "CWTS Leiden Ranking 2020". Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University.
  39. ^ "THE 2021 - Australia". Times Higher Education.
  40. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2021". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
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  42. ^ "All unis winners in research audit". The Australian. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  43. ^ "Australian University Rankings". Australian Education Network.
  44. ^ Morse, Robert; Vega-Rodriguez, Juan (19 October 2020). "Curtin University". Best Global Universities in Australia. Washington, D.C.: U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  45. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2020". Shanghai: ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. 15 August 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
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  47. ^ "QS World University Rankings by Subject: Engineering - Mineral & Mining". QS Top Universities. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  48. ^ "QS World University Rankings by Subject: Architecture". QS Top Universities. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  49. ^ "Curtin alumna in running for Miles Franklin Literary Award | News and Events". news.curtin.edu.au. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
  50. ^ "Student Accommodation Australia - Housing & Apartments". Unilodge.
  51. ^ "Perth Student Accommodation | Curtin University". Unilodge.
  52. ^ "Curtin Uni Accommodation | UniLodge Erica Underwood House". Unilodge.
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  54. ^ "Curtin University Housing Perth | UniLodge Vickery House". Unilodge.
  55. ^ "Representatives". www.guild.curtin.edu.au. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  56. ^ https://www.guild.curtin.edu.au/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  57. ^ "Student reps". Guild.curtin.edu.au. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  58. ^ "Illuminate holds a firm grasp on the Guild: results of the 2019 CSG Election | Grok". grokonline.com.au. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  59. ^ "Female football in WA moves into new era". Football West. 4 December 2019. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
  60. ^ "Faces behind stellar show of Oman's National Museum". Times of Oman. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  61. ^ "Celebrity Speakers Biography: Natalie Barr". Retrieved 15 February 2008.
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  63. ^ "Curtin Alumni: Priya Cooper". Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  64. ^ Rachel, Donkin (15 January 2008). "WA's catwalk star Gemma shines in her feature film debut". The West Australian. Archived from the original on 12 April 2009. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  65. ^ "Funny girl". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 July 2003. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  66. ^ Jump up to: a b "Communication & Cultural Studies - Graduate Achievements". Archived from the original on 3 September 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  67. ^ "Curtin Alumni: Sheila McHale". Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  68. ^ "Ljiljanna Ravlich MLC Biography". Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  69. ^ "Curtin Alumni: John Worsfold". Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2008.
  70. ^ Jump up to: a b Borrello, Eliza (11 November 2019). "James Jing says his research career is dead and he blames the 'tentacles' of influence from China". ABC News. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  71. ^ "China signs WA gas deal". The Sydney Morning Herald. 20 May 2005. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
  72. ^ "Chinese Premier visits Curtin to view innovative technology". Curtin University Media Releases. 3 April 2006. Archived from the original on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
  73. ^ "Curtin University roof collapse leaves worker dead and two others injured in Perth hospital". ABC News. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  74. ^ "Curtin University: One dead after roof collapses in Australia". BBC News. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 18 August 2021.

External links[]

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

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