UNI ON UPWARD COURSE

his new university apart.

“In a really good way, I have found that really you’re only ever about one degree removed from Deakin University wherever you go in Geelong,” he said.

It is Prof Martin’s first time at a Victorian university.

“I’ve inherited a university in extraordinarily good health,” he said. “The trajectory is brilliant, the measures of performance are great.

“We’re starting from a really strong position, and that is in no small measure due to Jane’s legacy. The question is how do we build on those strengths.”

Prof Martin flagged technological advances changing what is required from graduates.

“I think for our undergraduates, it’s about really focusing on the degrees we offer and making sure they provide the strongest possible starting point for first career and careers after that.

“In the postgraduate space I think we’ll see quite a lot of change over the next few years in terms of what’s required out there in the environment.”

Prof Martin acknowledged new technology, digital advances and artificial intelligence are changing the way the world works.

“I think we’ll see quite a ramping up of new types of postgraduate qualifications to enable people to transition from the job they’re doing now to the next job, and that may be within the same employer, it might be jumping employers,” he said.

“I’m certainly focused on how Deakin plays a really strong role in that, because however you look at it that’s going to be a big part of the next five, seven years of higher education in Australia but almost in any country.”

And Prof Martin is keen to expand the scope of research the university is known for.

“It’s about looking at what else can we do to build on our research mission,” he said.

He said while Deakin was well-known for manufacturing research, the university was eager to find new areas to focus on too.

Prof Martin flagged the marine space as an area Deakin is well-placed to excel in.

The university has a marine presence in Warrnambool, and also works in partnership with the Victorian Fisheries Authority at Queenscliff. And the university is keen to solidify and grow its presence in the field.

“We’re looking to really strengthen that, from environmental management, coastal management, aquaculture (perspectives). We’ve got a really good base, I think we can take that to the next level.”

Prof Martin said he considered it a key challenge to make sure universities were nimble and responsive to the needs of the modern world, while ensuring global linkages were maintained was also important.

Another important task was to ensure he and the university’s senior team can bring in enough resources to continue doing what it does for the community.

“We have to make sure we continue to deliver.”