Flinders University

Flinders University is a public university founded in 1966, which is based in Adelaide, South Australia. Its main campus is located at Bedford Park in Adelaide's inner south, with sites at Victoria Square in the centre of the city,[1] Tonsley,[2] regional South Australia, south-west Victoria and throughout the Northern Territory.

Flinders University
Motto"Inspiring Achievement"
TypePublic
Established1966
ChancellorStephen Gerlach AM
Vice-ChancellorProfessor Colin Stirling
Administrative staff
2,656 (2019)
Students25,757 (2019)
Location
Bedford Park
,
South Australia
,
Australia

35.020819°S 138.57275°E / -35.020819; 138.57275
CampusSuburban
OrganisationsIRU Australia
Websiteflinders.edu.au

The university is focused on global research and contemporary education through its six colleges of Business, Government and Law[3], Education, Psychology and Social Work[4], Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences[5], Medicine and Public Health[6], Nursing and Health Sciences[7] and Science and Engineering[8].

Research interests include biomedical and clinical sciences, culture and the arts, policy and society, health and human behaviour, molecular science and technology, defence, engineering, water and environment. The university's footprint through central Australia frames its multidisciplinary focus on health education and research in rural and remote areas.

Flinders University is a verdant university and a member of the Innovative Research Universities (IRU) Group.[9] Academically, the university pioneered a cross-disciplinary approach to education,[10] and its faculties of medicine and the humanities are ranked among the nation's top 10.[11]Innovation is embedded in all university programs, supported by the Flinders New Venture Institute, a global entrepreneurship leader[1] located at the University’s high-tech Tonsley campus.

In January 2019, Times Higher Education rankings of the world’s top universities ranks Flinders in the 251 – 300th bracket.[12]

Flinders University was named in honour of British navigator Matthew Flinders, who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in the early 19th century.

History

Origins and construction

By the late 1950s, the University of Adelaide's North Terrace campus was approaching capacity. In 1960, Premier Thomas Playford announced that 150 hectares (370 acres) of state government-owned land in Burbank (now Bedford Park) would be allocated to the University of Adelaide for the establishment of a second campus.[13]

Planning began in 1961. The principal-designate of the new campus, economist and professor Peter Karmel, was adamant that the new campus should operate independently from the North Terrace campus. He hoped that the Bedford Park campus would be free to innovate and not be bound by tradition.[13]

Capital works began in 1962 with a grant of £3.8 million from the Australian Universities Commission. Architect Geoff Harrison, in conjunction with architectural firm Hassell, McConnell and Partners, designed a new university that, with future expansions, could eventually accommodate up to 6000 students.[13]

Flinders University became a forerunner in a new wave of universities committed to crossing disciplinary boundaries.[14]As foundation vice-chancellor Peter Karmel said 'we want to experiment and experiment bravely’. Traditional academic structures of faculties and departments were replaced by large schools students were drawn together from diverse fields of study. The School of Language and Literature introduced the concept of continuous assessment. Interdisciplinarity became an aspiration, and what was a bold experiment went on to become the norm in Australia.

Independence and opening

In 1965, the Australian Labor Party won the state election and Frank Walsh became premier. The ALP wished to break up the University of Adelaide's hegemony over tertiary education in the state, and announced that they intended the Bedford Park campus to be an independent institution.[13]

On 17 March 1966, a bill was passed by state parliament officially creating the Flinders University of South Australia.[15] Although the Labor Party had favoured the name "University of South Australia", academic staff wished that the university be named after a "distinguished but uncontroversial" person. They settled upon British navigator Matthew Flinders, who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in 1802. Its coat of arms, designed by a professor in the Fine Arts faculty, includes a reproduction of Flinders' ship Investigator and his journal A Voyage to Terra Australis, open to the page in which Flinders described the coast adjacent the campus site.[13]

Flinders University was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, on 25 March 1966.[15] Peter Karmel was the first Vice-Chancellor and Sir Mark Mitchell the first Chancellor. The university began classes on 7 March 1966 with a student enrollment of 400.

A significant early initiative was the decision to build the Flinders Medical Centre on land adjacent to the campus and to base the university's Medical School within this new public hospital – the first such integration in Australia. Flinders first accepted undergraduate medical students in 1974, with FMC being opened the following year.[15]

Expansion and restructuring
View of Flinders University main campus, with central plaza and lakeside area visible.

In 1990, the biggest building project on campus since the mid-1970s saw work commence on three new buildings – Law and Commerce; Engineering; and Information Science and Technology. Approval for the establishment of a School of Engineering was given in 1991 and degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering[16] and Biomedical Engineering[17] were established shortly afterwards.

In 1991, as part of a restructuring of higher education in South Australia, Flinders merged with the adjacent Sturt Campus of the former South Australian College of Advanced Education.

In 1992 a four-faculty structure was adopted.

In 1998, the Centre for Remote Health, a rural teaching hospital based in Alice Springs, was established jointly with the Northern Territory University (now Charles Darwin University). This was expanded further in 2011 with the establishment of the Northern Territory Medical Program.[18]

Since 2000 the University has established new disciplines in areas including Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and more disciplines of Engineering.[19][20]

In 2011, the bacteria genus Flindersiella was named after the university after the strain was found on a tree on campus grounds.[21]

In 2015, the University opened a new campus at Tonsley,[22] the former site of the Mitsubishi Motors Australia plant in Southern Adelaide. This campus houses the University's School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics,[23] along with the Medical Device Research Institute,[24] the Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology (now known as the Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology)[25] and Flinders technology start-up company Re-Timer.[26]

In 2016, the University celebrated its 50th anniversary with a calendar of public events,[27] and a publication[28] summarising the highlights of the University's history, research, and alumni achievements over the last 50 years.[29] During the year it unveiled the redevelopment of its main campus heart that commenced in 2014. This award-winning Plaza and Hub created a revitalised retail and entertainment precinct including food outlets, various services, a tiered recreational plaza and outside super screen.

On 1 July 2017, the University restructured from a two-tier academic system of four faculties and 14 schools, to a single-tier structure consisting of six colleges.[30]

Campuses

The University's main campus is in the Adelaide inner southern suburb of Bedford Park, about 12 km south of the Adelaide city centre.[31] The University also has a presence in Victoria Square in the centre of the city,[1] and Tonsley.[2] It also maintains a number of external teaching facilities in regional South Australia, south-west Victoria and the Northern Territory. Its international student numbers are growing with around 5,400 in 2019, and a number of offshore programmes are offered by the university, primarily in the Asia-Pacific region.

Organisation
View of the courtyard of the Humanities building of the Flinders University.

Flinders University offers more than 160 undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as higher degree research supervision across all disciplines. Topics and programs rely on extensive industry engagement and new technologies to deliver flexible learning and an education aligned with workplace needs.

Colleges
  • College of Business, Government and Law[3]
  • College of Education, Psychology and Social Work[4]
  • College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences[5]
  • College of Medicine and Public Health[6]
  • College of Nursing and Health Sciences[7]
  • College of Science and Engineering[32]

Chancellory
Sir Eric Neal, Chancellor of Flinders University (2002–2010)
Prof. Colin Stirling, Vice Chancellor (2015–present)

Flinders University has been served by six Chancellors and eight Vice Chancellors since its establishment in 1966. They are:[33]

Name Years Position
Peter Karmel 1966–1971 Vice Chancellor
Mark Mitchell 1966–1971 Chancellor
Charles Hart Bright 1971–1983 Chancellor
Roger Russell 1972–1979 Vice Chancellor
Keith Hancock 1980–1987 Vice Chancellor
Francis Robert Fisher 1983–1988 Chancellor
John Francis Lovering 1987–1994 Vice Chancellor
Deirdre Frances Jordan 1988–2002 Chancellor
Ian Chubb 1995–2000 Vice Chancellor
Anne Edwards AO 2001–2007 Vice Chancellor
Sir Eric Neal 2002–2010 Chancellor
Michael Barber 2008–2014 Vice Chancellor
Stephen Gerlach 2010–present Chancellor
Colin Stirling 2015–present Vice Chancellor

Affiliates

Academic profile

Rankings
University rankings
Flinders University
QS World[35]424
THE-WUR World[36]251–300
ARWU World[37]401–500
USNWR World[38]427
Australian rankings
QS National[35]23
THE-WUR National[39]17
ARWU National[40]22-23
USNWR National[41]24
ERA National[42]28

Flinders University University has placed in various post-secondary school rankings. The 2020 Times Higher Education World University Rankings placed Flinders 251–300 in the world, and 17 in Australia.[43] In the 2019 Academic Ranking of World Universities rankings, the university ranked 401–500 in the world and 22–23 in Australia.[44] The 2020 QS World University Rankings ranked the university 424th in the world and twenty third in Australia.[45] In U.S. News & World Report 2020 global university rankings, the university placed 427th and 24th in Australia.[46]

Student life

Housing

Flinders University is the only South Australian university with on-campus accommodation in the Adelaide metropolitan area. There are two options:

  • University Hall (catered)
  • Deirdre Jordan Village (self-catered).

For off-campus accommodation, Flinders Housing runs a free, up-to-date accommodation service which lists private accommodation available on the rental market.

Media

Empire Times was published by the Students' Association of Flinders University (SAFU) from 1969 to 2006. The founder and first editor of the newspaper was Martin Fabinyi, and the newspaper was originally printed in the back of his house by fellow student Rod Boswell. Empire Times had a history of controversial humour and anti-establishment discussion. Notable former editors and contributors included Martin Armiger and Greig (HG Nelson) Pickhaver, Steph Key and Kate Ellis. Empire Times ceased publication in 2006 as a result of voluntary student unionism, but resumed in 2013.[47]

Sports

Flinders University has many sports teams that compete in social and competitive competitions.

Flinders University currently have 22 affiliated sporting clubs, these clubs range from social-based to highly competitive sporting clubs, including: Aikido, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Cricket, CrossFit, Football, Hockey, Kendo, Korfball, Lacrosse, Men's Soccer, Muay Thai, Netball, Squash, Ultimate Frisbee, Underwater, Volleyball, Wing Chun and Women's Soccer.

Additionally, Flinders University students have the capacity to go away to annual university games events and compete in a range of sports while representing the University.

Distinguished alumni and persons

Entertainment and the arts

Humanities

Politics

Science and mathematics

Sport

Writers

To date, Flinders has produced five Rhodes scholars.[49]

See also

References
  1. Flinders in the City Archived 11 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Flinders at Tonsley – Flinders University". Flinders University.
  3. "College of Business, Government and Law – Flinders University". Flinders University.
  4. "College of Education, Psychology and Social Work – Flinders University". Flinders University.
  5. "College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences – Flinders University". Flinders University.
  6. "College of Medicine and Public Health – Flinders University". Flinders University.
  7. "College of Nursing and Health Sciences – Flinders University". Flinders University.
  8. "College of Science and Engineering". Flinders University. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  9. Innovative Research Universities Archived 8 June 2005 at the Wayback Machine
  10. "The Australian Idea of a University". Meanjin. 30 December 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  11. Ross Williams; Nina Van Dyke (November 2006). "Rating Major Disciplines in Australian Universities: Perceptions and Reality" (PDF). Melbourne Institute, University of Melbourne. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 June 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2008.
  12. "Flinders University". Times Higher Education (THE). Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  13. http://www.flinders.edu.au:80/about/our-university/our-history/1958---1965-from-the-ground-up.cfm Flinders University – 1958–1965: From the ground up
  14. "The Australian Idea of a University". Meanjin. 30 December 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  15. http://www.flinders.edu.au:80/about/our-university/our-history/1966---1971-the-first-students.cfm Flinders University – 1966–1971: The first students
  16. "Electrical and Electronic Engineering". Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  17. "Biomedical Engineering". Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  18. "Opportunities for Northern Territory applicants". www.flinders.edu.au.
  19. "Disciplines within the School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics". www.flinders.edu.au.
  20. "Mechanical Engineering". Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  21. Parte, A.C. "Flindersiella". LPSN. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  22. "Flinders Future Focus". Flinders Future Focus. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  23. "Computer Science, Engineering & Mathematics". flinders.edu.au.
  24. "Medical Device Research Institute (MDRI) – Flinders University". www.flinders.edu.au.
  25. "Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology". www.flinders.edu.au.
  26. Macfarlane, Ian. "Flinders' Tonsley campus links students, research and business". Ministers for the Department of Industry and Science. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  27. "50th Anniversary – Flinders University". Flinders University. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  28. Winkler, Tim; Hedley, author.), Katea; University, Flinders (2016). The Investigator transformed : 50 Years of Flinders University. Bedford Park, South Australia Flinders University. ISBN 9780646950808.
  29. "The Investigator Transformed – Flinders University". Flinders University. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  30. "Flinders edges closer to restructure". 24 November 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
  31. Location and getting to Flinders, http://www.flinders.edu.au
  32. "College of Science and Engineering – Flinders University". Flinders University.
  33. "Flinders University". www.flinders.edu.au. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  34. About_ACD Archived 30 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine accessed 7 June 2011
  35. "QS World University Rankings 2021". Quacquarelli Symonds Limited.
  36. "World University Rankings 2020". TSL Education Limited.
  37. "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2019". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
  38. "U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News and World Report.
  39. "THE 2020 - Australia". Times Higher Education.
  40. "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2019 - Australia". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
  41. "U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities in Australia/New Zealand". U.S. News and World Report.
  42. "Australian University Rankings". Australian Education Network.
  47. Austlit. "Student Newspapers | AustLit: Discover Australian Stories". www.austlit.edu.au. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  48. "Tu'ivakano became Prime Minister Designate". Matangi Tonga. 21 December 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  49. "Rhodes scholars – Flinders University". Flinders University. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
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