Public universities and regional development in Australia : the case of Monash University

![CDATA[Regional development has emerged as a concern in the reassessment of the role of universities in the global knowledge economy. The capacity and ability of universities to meet this challenge, however, is shaped by the context in which universities work, including the evolving politics of national systems of regulation, intellectual and academic cultures, institutional histories and uneven economic geographies. This chapter examines these challenges in the Australian context through a case study of Monash University. From its origins in 1958, Monash has grown to be Australia's largest university with almost 60,000 student enrolments, equivalent to 42,000 full-time students. At the same time, Monash has developed into one of the foremost universities in the country, signified by its membership of the Group of Eight research intensive universities. In the process, Monash has evolved from a single campus in suburban Melbourne into a complex, highly internationalized institution, a structure which presents particular challenges and opportunities in managing its contribution to regional development. This chapter outlines how Monash leaders have articulated their regional development mission and strategies and how they have managed the relationship between the broad goals of the university and the objective of regional development. Ultimately, the case study of Monash is concerned with illuminating the issues and challenges confronting research intensive universities in Australia. The chapter draws on 25 interviews, conducted in October and November 2008, with senior managers at Monash and local and regional stakeholders in the state of Victoria.]]