Established by an act of parliament in 1946, Australian National University (ANU) is widely acknowledged as the sixth continent’s premier research and teaching institution of Higher Education, writes Summiya Yasmeen Strategically located in Canberra, the national capital, the Australian National University (ANU) is widely acknowledged as the sixth continent’s premier research and teaching institution of higher education. The Australian Good Universities Guide 2005 awarded it a five-star rating for six categories including prestige, staff qualifications, graduate starting salaries and placements. Moreover, the China-based Shanghai Jiao Tong University Institute of Higher Education’s Academic Ranking of World Universitieshas ranked ANU ahead of every other university in the southern hemisphere two years (2004 and 05) in a row. Promoted by an act of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1946, ANU was established as the country’s first full-time research university without any teaching responsibilities. Its mandate was to undertake “postgraduate research and study both generally and in relation to subjects of national importance”. However, subsequently in 1960 following its amalgamation with the Canberra University College, it incorporated the latter institution’s undergraduate study programmes. Following another amalgamation in 1992 with the Canberra Institute of the Arts (comprising the Canberra School of Art and the Canberra School of Music), music and art study programmes were incorporated into its syllabus. Throughout these mergers and acquisitions, the research institutions of the parent ANU of 1946 vintage maintained their distinct identities under the umbrella of the Institute of Advanced Studies. Currently ANU’s seven faculties offer a wide range of undergrad, postgrad and doctoral programmes. Sited on a leafy campus ANU has an aggregate enrollment of 13,500, of whom 8,700 are undergrad and 4,600 postgraduate students. Moreover it boasts more faculty with higher degrees, more ARC Discovery grants per staff member and more research expenditure per faculty member than any other Australian university. “ANU continues to be a unique institution within the Australian university system. It is well placed to continue and build upon its role as a major centre of research in the natural, physical and social sciences and the humanities. It values its reputation as an innovative research and teaching university,” says Prof. Ian Chubb, vice chancellor and president of ANU. Canberra. The capital of Australia, Canberra (pop.3.12 million) is an exquisitely designed city nestling in a picturesque bushland setting. With a history spanning just 80 years, Canberra combines the infrastructure and facilities of a modern city with the culture and vibrancy of a national capital. Designed by Chicago architect, Walter Burley Griffin, it is centred around a scenic lake bearing his name. Numerous parks and reserves dot the capital and careful integration of urban and natural environments has earned Canberra the sobriquet of “the bush capital”. In addition to being the political hub of the nation, the capital’s intellectual and cultural life is enhanced by the activities of the diplomatic corps, with representatives from over 120 countries located in the city. Inevitably ANU is a neighbour to several national institutions including the high court of Australia,…
