UOW heads Learning and Teaching Performance

Dec 07, 2006

The University of Wollongong is one of two universities that figure in the top tier in three categories of the Federal Government׳s Learning and Teaching Performance Fund for 2007, announced by Education Minister Julie Bishop today.

UOW has been rewarded with $5.4 million in extra funding, after featuring in the top tier A1 Band in the categories of Humanities, Arts and Education (in which it was ranked No.1), Science, Computing, Engineering, Architecture and Agriculture and Business, Law and Economics.

UOW and the Australian National University in Canberra were the only two institutions to be ranked in Band A1 in three of the four categories (the fourth being Health) in the Performance Fund, which reward higher education providers that best demonstrate excellence in teaching and learning for domestic undergraduate students.

The Fund was established last year, when UOW was the outstanding performer in the inaugural rankings, earning $5.1 million in additional funding. Earlier this year the Minister announced some changes, including that the funding for 2007 would be allocated on the basis of performance in broad discipline categories, rather than across the whole of the institution.

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International) Professor Rob Castle, who was in Canberra for today׳s announcement, said the ranking confirmed the University׳s strength in teaching and learning.

"It is a tribute to our outstanding staff for the quality of their teaching," Professor Castle said.

Minister Bishop said 21 universities had been recognised in the 2007 rankings.

"I congratulate the winning universities, particularly those universities who have received awards in more than one discipline group," she said.

"Our universities should be proud of their achievements in learning and teaching. Although the fund has rewarded the top achievers, we must recognise that the whole sector is responsible for Australia׳s outstanding reputation for quality."