The (also abbreviated as UTAS, UTas or Tas Uni) is an
Australian University , with three campuses in
Tasmania . A '
Sandstone University ', it is the fourth-oldest university in Australia, and has been established for over a century. It was founded on
1 January 1890 , and is a member of the international
Association Of Commonwealth Universities . The university works with overseas universities to offer students an international experience, with exchange arrangements in place with over 40 institutions throughout Europe, Asia and North America.
Its two main campuses are the
Sandy Bay Campus, about 5 minutes from the centre of the city of
Hobart , and the
Newnham Campus, about 10 minutes from the smaller city of
Launceston . The third is the small Cradle Coast Campus (formerly called the North-West Study Centre), located in
Burnie , offers a small number of full degrees, and also offers first year studies in a number of subjects to attract students from that area of the state, and to facilitate rural/regional studies in particular areas.
The university,
The Australian Maritime College and
TAFE Tasmania are the only institutions of higher education in Tasmania.
The University of Tasmania was officially opened on
1 January 1890 .
Richard Deodatus Poulett Harris had long advocated the establishment of the University and became its first warden of the senate. The first degrees to graduates admitted
Ad Eundem Gradum and diplomas were awarded in June 1890. Referred to as one of the original sandstone universities, it was the fourth university to be established in Australia, and today maintains a strong reputation as a small to medium-sized university. The first campus location was in the Queen's Domain near
Hobart , but as enrollment numbers grew and study interests expanded, the new campus at
Sandy Bay was developed in the early
1940s .
The university was reorganised in 1991 when it merged with the
Tasmanian State Institute Of Technology , which became the Newnham Campus. The centre at Burnie was opened in
1995 .
There is a sizeable international student population, and
Professor Daryl Le Grew , the current vice-chancellor announced in 2004 that the university would not increase HECS (
Higher Education Contribution Scheme ) fees for the
2005 and subsequent academic years.
- Conservatorium of Music
- Riawunna (a centre for Aboriginal studies)
- School of Asian Languages & Studies
- School of English, Journalism & European Languages
- School of Government
- School of History & Classics
- School of Philosophy
- School of Sociology & Social Work
- School of Visual & Performing Arts
- Tasmanian School of Art
- School of Human Life Sciences
- School of Medicine
- School of Nursing & Midwifery
- Tasmanian School of Pharmacy
- Rural Clinical School
- Department of Rural Health
While the University of Tasmania retains a strong liberal arts focus, it is a comprehensive university covering most subjects in the arts and sciences. Academic strengths include Agricultural Science, Law, Medicine, Natural Environment and Wilderness Studies, Animal & Plant Science, Visual Arts, Journalism and Literature, Geography, Philosophy, Politics, Geology, Engineering, Sociology, Aboriginal Studies, Women's Studies, Psychology, Antarctic Studies, and Education.
The Tasmanian Faculty of Law markets itself as being a highly respected Australian law school and a number of senior academic staff in that faculty are leading researchers in the areas of medical and bio-technological law and ethics, Freedom of Information, legal ethics and equity. The Faculty, with the Tasmanian state government, also operates the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute.http://www.law.utas.edu.au/
The university has a particularly notable and long-standing reputation in examining the practical and theoretical challenges involved in addressing social and environmental concerns.
In recent years the institutional focus has shifted substantially from a quality based service to an economically driven service. The recently adopted 'primary goals' at the institutional level have been to increase enrollment numbers. This focus differs largely to the once traditionally favoured objective of providing high quality teaching service to students.
In (SA) is the equivalent body on the Northern Campuses. The TUU is well-regarded for its organisational skills in creating a wide range and concentrated list of student-focused events, services, and activities. The recent abolishment of compulsory university student unionism (the requirement that students pay compulsory union membership fees) by the Australian federal government has meant resulted in substantial funding reductions, ultimately diminishing the future level of services provided by the TUU.
The President of the TUU and the President of the SA both sit on the University Council, which is the governing body of the University of Tasmania.
The TUU is also responsible for the overseeing of all the university’s many societies and clubs at the Hobart campus. Some of these include faculty-based societies, such as the Law Students, Medical Students, Engineering students societies, etc.; societies related to various interests, such as TUMS (Tasmanian University Musical Society http://www.tuu.com.au/club_homepage.asp?clubid=4309), PLoT (Produces Lots of Theatre), The Anime Society; and various sporting clubs, including white water rafting, soccer, hockey, Australian Rules football, rugby, and many others.
A lesser number of societies exist on the Northern and Cradle Coast campuses of the University and are administered by the Student Association.
