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VU is Open for Business

Above - City Launch Promotional Poster

The Faculty of Business and Law at Victoria University has upgraded its premises at the City Flinders Campus, with three connected floors of classrooms, lecture theatres and computer labs, supported by a new Learning Commons. A closer proximity to the Melbourne financial district will strengthen the Faculty's ties with professional organisations, employers and VU Alumni mentors.

The new facilities were opened by The Honourable Tim Holding, Minister for Finance, Tourism and Information, and Communication Technology, on Wednesday July 18, 2007.

Andrew Rogers, Project Manager of the Finance Hub explains:
"The relocation of three Faculty of Business and Law courses to the City Flinders Campus in 2007 has provided us with an opportunity to introduce teaching and learning innovations that will enhance the achievement of profession ready graduates."

"Each of the courses is a mature course with an established reputation and a large pool of alumni working in related industries. The locating of the courses in close proximity to the Melbourne financial district provides an opportunity to reinvigorate the programs and strengthen ties to professional organisations and employers."

Commencing with the specialist subjects in each course changes will include:

• The introduction of seminar style teaching in place of the lecture/tutorial mode currently used in most subjects and the introduction of a problem based learning approach.
• Concurrent development of webCT support facilities for each subject.
• Creation of a pool of alumni mentors to support students on particular subject projects and assessment exercises, and to provide career development guidance and networking opportunities.
• The establishment of a seminar series drawing on professional speakers and past graduates to raise the profile of Victoria University's Finance Hub at the City Flinders Campus.
• Two overlapping seminar series are envisaged - the first will focus on developing the knowledge of students regarding employment skills and opportunities, and the second will strengthen engagement between academics, students and industry practitioners.

Andrew said: "I have begun the implementation of the new approach this semester in the subject I teach - commercial banking in finance. We have held three hour interactive seminars, used industry practitioners, taken a problem based learning and whole of subject approach to assessment."

"Research identifies that employers want graduates with time management skills, capacity to handle pressure, independent/critical thinking skills, creativity and flair, enthusiasm, problem solving skills, flexibility and adaptability, academic learning and maturity - in that order."

"Our redesigned courses will ensure VU graduates are profession ready."

Further information:
Ashley Sievwright, VU. Ph: (03) 9919 1553; Email: ashley.sievwright@vu.edu.au