UWA, Murdoch win $7.5m for undergrad teaching

The University of Western Australia and Murdoch University have received $7.5 million in grants from the Federal Government's 2007 Learning and Teaching Performance Fund for undergraduate education.

The fund rewards excellence in learning and teaching for undergraduate students in the categories of Science, Computing, Engineering, Architecture and Agriculture; Business, Law and Economics; Humanities, Arts and Education; and Health.

It was based on an assessment with included employment outcomes for undergraduate students, further full-time study, student satisfaction and student progress.

UWA received $4.2 million overall, with Murdoch receiving $3.3 million and Curtin University of Technology being awarded $500,000 for their competitive performance.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Alan Robson said he was extremely pleased that the University's teaching had been recognised for their work in the fields of Science and Engineering ($1.8 million), Business and Law ($836,000) and Health teaching ($512,000).

"It is pleasing that the government is committed to rewarding good teaching as this is the cornerstone of a high quality education system not only in Western Australia, but across Australia more generally," Professor Robson said.

"For the University to be recognised in three out of the four discipline areas is an outstanding result. It reflects the high level of commitment of our teaching staff and their contribution to an offering an excellent experience for students at UWA."

Murdoch Vice-Chancellor John Yovich said the Fund was an example of the strong alignment between policy and funding within the university sector.

Professor Yovich said Murdoch University had a long history of strategic commitment to student centred learning.

"The awarding of these additional funds to Murdoch is testimony to the commitment, experience and professionalism of our staff who strive to create excellent student experiences in the context of research intensive university," Professor Yovich said.

Murdoch received $838,000 for science education, $1.3 million for Humanities and $139,000 for health education.