Deakin University is fast becoming one of Australia’s most progressive universities.
Deakin University aims to have a workplace culture that fosters and supports excellence in teaching and research. It does this by seeking out and retaining a workforce of the highest calibre, people who are confident, and ambitious for Deakin’s success and who are committed to achieving shared goals and constant improvement.
There are many opportunities for professional growth, leadership and development for staff in an environment that values and rewards innovation and excellence, is supportive, and has transparent processes. The University provides attractive conditions of employment, including workforce flexibility, a stimulating working environment and an organizational culture that nurtures and develops promising and high achieving staff.
Deakin is truly a family friendly employer. It has in place a large number of leave arrangements and flexible work options that are available to staff to assist them in meeting their family responsibilities. These include very generous maternity and paternity leave entitlements, and a scheme that provides paid leave when undertaking service within the community. The University is an equal opportunity employer and has been awarded Employer of Choice for Women, EOWA.
The University goes beyond the standard offer of employment in a number of ways, providing staff with additional benefits to enhance work/life balance. Child care facilities, employee assistance programs, ANZ Bank packages, health care and mobile phone plans, sport and recreation clubs and outside study programs are just a few of the options available to staff.
Deakin is an inspirational place to work, and as an employer it actively seeks out innovative thinkers. Recent achievements illustrate the success of this approach:
- The Prime Minister of Australia formally opened Deakin University’s Medical School in May this year. “This is a red letter day for Deakin University. The Deakin Medical School became a reality when the first intake of 120 medical students began classes in February 2008”, the University’s Vice-Chancellor said. The Medical School will contribute to solving the shortage of doctors across rural and regional Australia and will contribute more than $90 million to the local economy each year.
- A University researcher and principal scientist, overseeing a major research project to eventually map Victoria’s entire marine environment, has discovered a breathtaking array of marine life on Victoria’s seafloor. “The significance of this work is immense, for some areas this is the first information that has been obtained since Matthew Flinders took depth readings from his ship, the Investigator, in 1803”, stated the researcher.
- Deakin has been selected by the Ford Motor Company to design a revolutionary concept vehicle, to drive the future automotive industry. “It is a great honour that Ford has selected Deakin to be the only Australian university to be involved in the Model T Challenge” stated the Head of Deakin’s School of Engineering and Information Technology.
- The Special Libraries Association recently named the University’s Medical Librarian the 2008 Information Professional of the Year, during a recent conference in the USA. The staff member was able to successfully build a world-class library collection and service to support Deakin’s new medical program.
Recognition of excellence and achievement is important, and helps to create an environment that motivates staff to succeed. The Deakin Staff Awards recognise dynamic, passionate and committed staff. Managers nominate individuals for the annual Vice-Chancellor awards in the following areas: Outstanding Teaching, Outstanding Supervision, Outstanding Research and Substantial Contract Success.
The fact that market research has shown that Deakin is friendly, contemporary, flexible and accessible sends a clear message to prospective employees – The difference is Deakin. http://www.deakin.edu.au/hr/employment/
