Steve-Bracks.jpg

The Hon Steve Bracks AC

Chancellor of Victoria University

The Hon Steve Bracks AC was Premier of Victoria for eight years. He now advises several leading Australian finance and service sector corporations. Mr Bracks also holds two major honorary positions: as an Adviser to the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste; and is also the Honorary Chair of the Union Education Foundation. He is Chairman of the superannuation fund Cbus; the Chair of the MCG Trust, Chair of Maurice Blackburn and a Director of Bank of Sydney and Victory Offices.

Mr Bracks was installed as Chancellor of Victoria University in 2021.

 
 
 

University Profile

For more than 100 years, Victoria University (VU) has offered accessible, world-class education to students in Melbourne’s west and beyond. As one of only six universities in Australia to deliver both TAFE and Higher Education courses, VU aims to be a global leader in dual sector learning and research.

 VU rankings

  • #1 university in Australia for Employability (2020 Employer Satisfaction Survey)

  • Top 2% globally (THE World University Rankings 2022)

  • 63rd in the world (THE Young University Rankings 2021)

  • 1st in Australia and 10th globally for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (THE Impact Rankings 2021)

  • 8th in Australia for quality education (THE Impact Rankings 2021)

  • 1st in Victoria and 3rd in Australia for learner engagement (Good Universities Guide 2021 and 2021 QILT Student Experience Survey)

  • 9th globally for sport education (Shanghai Rankings 2020)

  • 28 research disciplines ranked at, above, or well above world standard (Excellence in Research Australia 2018).

Multi award-winning learning models

Students benefit from VU’s award-winning learning models and flexible pathways across short courses, apprenticeships, certificates, diplomas and bachelor degrees, as well as masters and PhDs.

VU was the first Australian university to use Block Model learning, where students complete one subject over a four-week ‘block’. Since its introduction in 2018, students have become more engaged, get higher pass rates (91% in 2020, up from 74% with the standard model) and achieve better grades (60% distinction level or above). 

VU Polytechnic, VU’s TAFE provider, has award-winning interactive eLearning models that replaces paper-based theory with a combination of face-to-face, hands-on teaching and user-friendly e-learning tools.

Impactful research

VU research offers outstanding cross-disciplinary research opportunities in sport, health and active living, and sustainable industries and liveable cities. The research institutes and centres are supported by their partnerships with industry, resulting in collaborations that address the challenges our communities face.

Industry-leading partners

Partnerships with more than 4000 organisations inform VU’s curriculum and provide students with work-integrated and hands-on practical learning opportunities to ensure they are work ready. Graduates are more employable, meeting the current and future needs of industry.

Celebrating diversity

VU has more than 40,000 students from over 90 countries study onshore, and 5,400 more are at VU’s partner institutions in Asia. It has several campuses in Melbourne’s CBD and western suburbs, and one campus in Sydney.

For more than a century, VU has proudly offered its students an accessible, internationally-engaged and industry-focused education that produces career-ready graduates.

To find out more, visit www.vu.edu.au/about-vu.

Victoria University

 
 

Governance

Victoria University is regulated by the Victoria University Act 2010 which confers powers upon its peak governing bodies to administer the business, performance and strategy of the University.

The University is governed by: 

  • Council: the formally constituted governing body that oversees and is accountable for all of the University's operations.

  • Vice-Chancellor: the Principal Academic Officer and CEO, and manages the day-to-day business of the University.

  • Academic Board: the body established to assure the quality of the University's teaching, learning and research.

University Governance sits in the Office of the Vice Chancellor.

 

Chair & Deputy Chairs:

  • Steve Bracks – Chancellor

  • Dr Jennifer Gray – Deputy Chancellor

  • Kate Roffey – Deputy Chancellor

 

Official members:

  • Steve Bracks – Chancellor

  • Associate Professor Tom Clark – Chair of Academic Board

  • Professor Adam Shoemaker – Vice-Chancellor

 

Council members:

  • Elizabeth Beattie

  • Tony Brain

  • Peter George

  • Dr Jennifer Gray

  • Rhonda Hawkins

  • Lisa Line

  • Janine Mohamed

  • Kate Roffey

  • Pru Sanderson

  • Mark Toohey

 

Elected members:

  • Stuart Martin (staff)

  • Catherine Abourizk (student)

 

Other Governing Committees

Corporate Governance

Compliance, Audit & Risk Committee
Chair: Peter George

Finance & Investment Committee
Chair: Mark Toohey

Infrastructure Planning Committee
Chair: Rhonda Hawkins

Nominations Committee
Chair: Steve Bracks, Chancellor

Remuneration Committee
Chair: Steve Bracks, Chancellor

Academic Governance

Academic Board
Chair: Associate Professor Tom Clark

Learning, Teaching & Quality Committee
Chair: Dr Sharna Spittle

Research & Research Training Committee
Chair: Associate Professor Randall Robinson

Courses Committee

Chair: Associate Professor Alasdair McAndrew