Australia research excellence

Updated on: Tuesday, March 29, 2011

EXCELLENCE in Research for Australia (ERA), a research management initiative of the Australian government, has recently released the research excellence report. According to it, the Group of Eight (Go8) — a coalition of Australian universities responsible for over 70% of the country's research output — tops the list.

The ERA outcome provides evidence-based analysis of the standing of each Australian university with respect to research output and concentration in specific discipline areas. It will serve as a guide for international researchers seeking to partner with Australian universities in specific disciplines.

In fact, the ERA exercise is similar to the Research Assessment Exercise ( RAE) in the UK. The report validates the standing of the Go8 universities , which were ranked as the top eight institutes in Australia.
According to the report, University of New South Wales (UNSW), a research-intensive university, was assessed as 'first or equal first' in 32 areas ranging from analytical chemistry, geomatic engineering and clinical sciences to immunology, criminology and historical studies.

Explains Jennie Lang, pro-vice-chancellor , UNSW, "ERA is the first detailed analysis of the research performance of all Australian universities by the Australian government. It looks at the performance of each university in specific discipline clusters and also at the university level."

A Go8 university, UNSW has over 350 Indian students . As to scholarships, Lang adds, "We do not offer scholarships for specific countries. The Australian government offers 'endeavour scholarships' for students in India and a number of Indian students enrol at UNSW on scholarships funded by the Australian government."

As far as research is concerned, Lang stresses that UNSW has built a significant international reputation in the areas of sustainable and renewable energy, solar technology, cancer research, population and ageing and environmental biotechnology, to mention a few.

GROUP OF EIGHT

THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA ,THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND ,THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY ,THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE ,THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY MONASH UNIVERSITY ,THE UNIVERSITY OF ADELAIDE

Times of India

Australia research excellence

More Education news