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Torrens University Australia

Coordinates: 34°55′42″S 138°36′14″E / 34.928244°S 138.603956°E / -34.928244; 138.603956
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Torrens University Australia
Motto
Love what you do
TypePrivate university
Established2013; 11 years ago (2013)[1]
AccreditationTEQSA[2]
ChancellorJim Varghese[3]
Vice-ChancellorAlwyn Louw[4]
Total staff
1,914 (2022)[5]
Studentsc. 19,600 (2022)[5]
Location
Australia, New Zealand and China[6]
CampusUrban and regional with multiple sites[6]
Named afterRobert Richard Torrens[7]
HeadquartersSydney, New South Wales, Australia[2]
ColoursOrange Grey
Sporting affiliations
Websitetorrens.edu.au

Torrens University is an Australian international private, for-profit university and vocational registered training organisation, with campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Blue Mountains, Australia, Auckland, New Zealand, and Suzhou, China.

Torrens University Australia, along with Think Education and Media Design School, together form Torrens Global Education, which is part of Strategic Education, Inc.

History

[edit]

An application from Laureate Education Asia to found a private university was approved by the Government of South Australia in October 2011.[8] Upon commission, Torrens University became the 33rd university in Australia and the first new university for 20 years.[9]

The go-ahead for the new university was given by the South Australian Cabinet following Premier Mike Rann's negotiations in Australia and in Cancun, Mexico, with Laureate chairman Douglas Becker and Chancellor Michael Mann. Honorary Laureate Chancellor and former US President Bill Clinton publicly endorsed the Australian project.[10]

The founding President and Vice-chancellor was Fred McDougall, former deputy vice-chancellor and vice-president of the University of Adelaide.[11]

Torrens University Australia was accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency in 2012. It was originally expected to open in 2013 but commenced teaching in 2014. In September 2019, Torrens University was reaccredited by TEQSA for 5 years until September 2024.  

In 2020 Strategic Education, Inc. became the new owner of Torrens University Australia. This new alliance created a global network of over 100,000 learners around the world.[12]

Campuses and buildings

[edit]

As of 2021, Torrens University has campuses in and around five cities in Australia, one in New Zealand and one in China.[13]

Adelaide

[edit]

Adelaide was the first location in the country, opening its first campus in the heritage-listed Torrens Building on Victoria Square/Tarndanyangga, in the CBD, in 2013.[14][15]

On 3 August 2015, the university opened a new campus just along the road in the old Menz Biscuits factory on Wakefield Street,[16] and as of 2019 no longer lists Torrens Building as another campus.[13] There is another campus in Adelaide on Pulteney Street. This campus is the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School hub in the centre of Adelaide's CBD, exclusively focused on students studying a Master of International Hotel Management.

Brisbane

[edit]

The Fortitude Valley campus is adjacent to the Story Bridge and home to a range of courses and degrees in Design and Creative Technology, Health & Education, and Business & Hospitality, along with the Torrens University Language Centre.[13]

Melbourne

[edit]

Melbourne plays host to a campus located on Melbourne's Flinders Street and The Practice Wellbeing Centre located in Fitzroy.[17]

Sydney and Blue Mountains

[edit]

There are three campuses in the Sydney region. These campuses include the Ultimo campus and Surry Hills, and the Blue Mountains campus on the outskirts of metropolitan Sydney.[13][18] The Blue Mountains campus is located in the suburb of Leura,[19] adjacent to Katoomba. The campus is home to Torrens University's Practical Learning Centre,[18] simulated hotel environment where students learn hotel management as part of their practical development. The Ultimo campus is a home for the Design & Creative Technology students, while its newest campus, Surry Hills Campus, is home to students from all other faculties, as well as the Torrens University Language Centre, and just minutes away from Sydney's Central Train Station.[20]

Auckland, New Zealand

[edit]

Media Design School offers a range of courses in design and creative technology.[21]

Suzhou, China

[edit]

This campus is home to BMIHMS at Torrens University Australia,[22] operated as a joint venture with Suzhou Tourism and Finance Institute.[23] This campus is in close proximity to Shanghai, and offers training in restaurant service, front office management, guest relations and housekeeping.

Governance and structure

[edit]

Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor

[edit]

Vice-chancellors

[edit]
  • Alwyn Louw (2020–present)[24]
  • Justin Beilby (2015–2019)[25][26]
  • Fred McDougall (2012–2015)[11]

Chancellors

[edit]
  • Jim Varghese AM (2022–present)[27]
  • Michael Mann AM (2012–2021)[28]

President

[edit]
  • Linda Brown (2014–present)[28]

Constituent schools

[edit]
  • APM College of Business and Communication – APM was established over 25 years ago[29] and offers business degrees and vocational diplomas, and the opportunity to pathway into a master's degree.
  • Australasian College of Natural Therapies (ACNT) - a natural health college that offers courses in Health Science specialising in Naturopathy, Nutritional Medicine and Western Herbal Medicine.
  • Australian Natural College of Beauty (ANCB) - ACNB was a natural therapy college for beauty therapy, and part of Torrens University Australia since 2009.[30]
  • Billy Blue College of Design – Billy Blue College[31] was created by designers for designers, offering appropriate courses for aspiring design professionals. The college started off as a magazine and later moved into a design agency. It then went on to develop into a school and now finally, a university.
  • Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School (or BMIHMS) – was opened in 1991 and focuses on hotel management education. It is number 1 in Oceania by subject 2019 according to QS World University Rankings Hospitality and Leisure Management,[32] and number 1 Hotel Management School in Australia and Asia-Pacific's in 2020 according to Kantar.[33]
  • Chifley Business School – For over two decades, Chifley[34] has provided business education across Australia and internationally through a range of postgraduate courses for those looking to pursue careers in resources, engineering, and information technology.
  • Jansen Newman Institute - offers courses in counselling, psychotherapy and community services.
  • Media Design School – Media Design School was founded to provide trained graduates for digital and technological companies.
  • Real Madrid Graduate School (Universidad Europea) – The Real Madrid Graduate School[35] was launched in 2006 to train in all disciplines related to sport.
  • Southern School of Natural Therapies - one of the longest standing Natural Therapies schools in Australia.[36] The college offers Naturopathy, Nutritional Medicine, Clinical Myotherapy, Western Herbal Medicine and Chinese Medicine.
  • Torrens University Language Centre (TULC) – The Torrens University Language Centre[37] has been delivering English language programs in Australia for more than 20 years. Founded in 1995, the centre offers academic and general English courses to students from around the world.
  • William Blue College of Hospitality Management – private hospitality college offering bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and diploma courses that specialise in tourism and hospitality management including work placement with industry partners.

Academic profile

[edit]

Research divisions

[edit]
  • The Centre of Artificial Intelligence Research and Optimisation (AIRO) focuses on research in two areas of science: Artificial Intelligence and Optimisation.[38]
  • The Centre for Organisational Change and Agility (COCA) spans research topics from accounting, finance, global project management, global supply and value, leadership, business systems, commercial services, tourism, strategy, management and organisational behaviour.[39]
  • The Centre for Healthy Futures (CHEF) aims for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases and the improvement of individual wellbeing. Through research on environmental, lifestyle and economic factors that impact health and quality of life, and with a particular focus on health and wellbeing throughout the lifespan, this research also contributes to better understanding healthcare systems and developing technology for both individual and whole of population health.[40]
  • The Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing (PHEHF)[41] conducts transdisciplinary research to tackle complex and critical public health issues of our time.
  • The Centre for Healthy Sustainable Development (CHSD)[42] conducts cross-disciplinary, inter-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary research to tackle complex and important policy issues of our time, which are aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU) – Since its establishment with funding from the Australian Government in 1999, the PHIDU has been committed to providing information on a broad range of health and other determinants across the lifespan. Located at Torrens University Australia since November 2015, the emphasis continues to be on the publication of small area statistics. Since 2008, PHIDU has offered free online access to a range of data for researchers to reference.[43]

Other initiatives

[edit]

On 2 April 2018, Torrens University Australia launched a free online course called "the Voices of Autism"[44] to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day.

In July 2021, Torrens University Australia launched another free online course, the Thin Ice VR short course. Co-designed by environmental scientist Tim Jarvis AM and lecturer James Calvert, it goes behind the scenes of the "Thin Ice" virtual reality production to teach about the creative technologies used to recreate Antarctic locations in realistic 3D.[45] In 2022, Thin Ice VR won several awards, including Best Virtual Reality Short at the Cannes World Film Festival.

On 25 January 2022, Torrens University Australia launched a 9-part podcast series featuring researchers from Torrens University, who are working towards solving complex global problems and propelling innovation. The podcast was recorded across Australia and New Zealand.[46]

Academic reputation

[edit]
  • Top 10 for teaching quality[47]
  • Top 10 for education experience[47]
  • Global Online MBA Rankings (CEO Magazine) Tier One status four years in a row [48]
  • Recognised as one of Australia's Most Innovative Companies three years in a row (2020 and 2021) (AFR) 
  • BMIHMS in Suzhou named the Most Respected Hotel School of China 2021[49] 
  • Recognised by CEOWORLD Magazine as one of the top universities in Australia to study Software Engineering in 2021. 
  • Ranked 2nd in overall employment for undergraduate international graduates in Australia[50]
  • Ranked 4th in full time employment for undergraduate international graduates
  • Postgraduates earn a salary within the top 20% in Australia.[51]
  • Media Design School ranked No. 1 in New Zealand and No. 2 in Australasia, with Billy Blue at No. 7 in Animation Career Review's 2020 Global College Ranking. 
  • Media Design School ranked No. 1 Creative Tech School in the Southern Hemisphere – The Rookies 2021[52]
  • Ranked in of the Top 12 Animation School in the world – Animation Career Review 2021[53]

Other awards

[edit]
  • 2022 ASCILITE Award for Innovation[54] – virtual design studio
  • Professor Seyedali Mirjalili named The Australian Research 2023 Magazine's number 1 artificial intelligence researcher in the world[55]
  • 2022 Catalyst Award in the Teaching and Learning category – virtual design studio[56]
  • Linda Brown, Torrens University CEO and President | EY Entrepreneur of the Year™ Australia 2021[57]
  • MBA ranked by CEO Magazine as a Tier 1 MBA for 4 years in a row (2022)[48]

Student life

[edit]

Student demographics

[edit]

There are about 20,000 enrolled students.[58]

Notable people

[edit]

Notable alumni

[edit]

Academics and staff

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Our Heritage". Torrens University Australia. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Torrens University Australia Ltd". Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. Melbourne, Victoria. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Governing Board". Torrens University Australia. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Executive Leadership". Torrens University Australia. Archived from the original on 18 July 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  5. ^ a b "2022-2023 Impact Report" (PDF). Torrens University Australia. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Campus locations". Torrens University Australia. Archived from the original on 25 October 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Portrait of Sir Robert Richard Torrens". History Trust of South Australia. Adelaide, South Australia: Government of South Australia. 1870. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Torrens University Australia". Archived from the original on 15 January 2013.
  9. ^ "Torrens University Australia". AMEC 英美澳國際有限公司. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  10. ^ readJuly 24, Education Reporter Tim Williams2 min; 2014 – 1:06 pm (24 July 2014). "Clinton in Adelaide — the world according to Bill". adelaidenow. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ a b "Fred McDougall". The Conversation. 5 August 2011. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Torrens University Australia, Think Education & Media Design School Boards announce new owner". www.strategiceducation.com. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d "Campuses". Torrens University. Archived from the original on 22 August 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  14. ^ Martin, Sarah (19 October 2011). "Torrens University to open in Adelaide in 2013". The Advertiser. Adelaide. Archived from the original on 8 April 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  15. ^ "Torrens University to open in adelaide in 2013". The Advertiser. Adelaide.
  16. ^ "University launches new Adelaide campus". Torrens University. 3 August 2015. Archived from the original on 22 August 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
  17. ^ "Torrens University Australia". SATAC. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  18. ^ a b "Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School". VTAC. Archived from the original on 17 June 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  19. ^ "Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School at Torrens University". AAHS. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  20. ^ "Surry Hills Sydney". www.torrens.edu.au. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  21. ^ "10 Madden". Warren & Mahoney. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  22. ^ "Suzhou China". www.torrens.edu.au. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Suzhou Tourism & Finance Institute". www.stfi.cn. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  24. ^ "Alwyn Louw". The Conversation. 5 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  25. ^ "Torrens University Australia Appoints New Vice Chancellor, Professor Justin Beilby". Glam Adelaide. 19 January 2015. Archived from the original on 5 December 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  26. ^ "Justin Beilby". Torrens University Australia. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  27. ^ "Torrens University Australia announces Jim Varghese AM as second Chancellor". Torrens University. 30 November 2021. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
  28. ^ a b "Governing board". Torrens University. 18 June 2020. Archived from the original on 16 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
  29. ^ "APM College of Business Communications". Edarabia. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  30. ^ "Australian College of Natural Beauty (ANCB)". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  31. ^ "Billy Blue College of Design". MySkills. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  32. ^ "QS World University Rankings for Hospitality & Leisure Management 2019 | Top Universities". www.qschina.cn. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  33. ^ "Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School Ranking, Programs, Admission Process, Cost of Attendance & Scholarships". collegedunia.com. 27 July 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  34. ^ "Chifley Business School at Torrens University Australia". MySkills. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  35. ^ "Real Madrid Graduate School". Universidad Europea. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  36. ^ "Southern School of Natural Therapies (SSNT)". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  37. ^ "The University of Adelaide's English Language Centre". Study Adelaide. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  38. ^ "Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research & Optimisation (AIRO)". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  39. ^ "Centre for Organisational Change and Agility (COCA)". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  40. ^ "Centre for Health Futures (CHEF)". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  41. ^ "Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing (PHEHF)". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  42. ^ "Centre for Healthy Sustainable Development (CHSD)". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  43. ^ "Public Health Information Development Unit (PHIDU)". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 20 October 2022.
  44. ^ "Free online course about autism, co-designed and delivered by people with autism". HealthTimes. Archived from the original on 10 October 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
  45. ^ "Free short course takes you on a journey of discovery through Thin Ice VR". www.torrens.edu.au. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  46. ^ "Research that Matters podcast". www.torrens.edu.au. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  47. ^ a b "Student Experience Survey". QILT. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  48. ^ a b "Global MBA Rankings Archives". CEO Magazine. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  49. ^ "BMIHMS Suzhou recognized as top hotel management school in China". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  50. ^ "Graduate Outcomes Survey". QILT. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  51. ^ "Torrens University Australia Postgraduate Rankings". www.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  52. ^ "Design School Auckland | Media Design School". www.mediadesignschool.com. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  53. ^ "Top 10 Animation Schools in Australia & New Zealand – 2021 College Rankings". Animation Career Review. 26 April 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  54. ^ "Torrens University's virtual fashion studio wins 3rd award in 2022". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  55. ^ "Torrens University researcher recognised as the world's best AI expert". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  56. ^ "Torrens University wins International award for virtual fashion studio". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  57. ^ "Torrens University CEO Linda Brown is the EY Entrepreneur of the Year™ Australia 2021". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  58. ^ "Who we are". www.torrens.edu.au. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  59. ^ "Torrens University welcomes chief economist Stephanie Kelton | Torrens University". www.torrens.edu.au. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  60. ^ Mirjalili, Seyedali. "uCity". uCity. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  61. ^ "Media Design School appoints Andy Blood, ex-Facebook Creative Strategist as Industry Fellow to lead its way forward into Web 3.0 | Media Design School". www.mediadesignschool.com. September 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2023.

Other references

[edit]
  1. ^ "Golgol MEBRAHTU | Torrens University Australia, Adelaide | Department of Business Administration | Research profile". ResearchGate. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  2. ^ "PFA members advance off field learning through Torrens University scholarships and education grants". 11 May 2022.
  3. ^ "Jonathan Giles". LinkedIn. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Oscar McInerney". LinkedIn. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  5. ^ "Torrens University vs Kaplan Business School". collegedunia.com. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Daniel Menzel". LinkedIn. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Matildas' Caitlin Foord & Mackenzie Arnold on studying Nutrition".
  8. ^ "How one Sports Management Student went from Internship to Dream Job at the Penrith Panthers".
  9. ^ "Triple threat. Equally passionate about the environment, footy and education".

34°55′42″S 138°36′14″E / 34.928244°S 138.603956°E / -34.928244; 138.603956

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