Annammal College of Education for Women, Tuticorin 

Forty five years after it admitted its first batch of aspirant women teachers, ACE has established itself has a preferred institution for teacher education in southern India

Founded in 1870, the University of Ballarat (UB) is Australia’s third oldest tertiary education institution and the only varsity in southern Australia to offer vocational education (technical and further education (TAFE) programmes) as well as higher education (undergrad, postgrad and doctoral) studies. While UB TAFE offers accredited certificates, diplomas and advanced diplomas across three schools: business, human and manufacturing services, the university’s higher education division offers a wide range of undergrad, postgrad and doctoral programmes in its seven academic schools (see box).

Spread across three campuses in the eponymous town (pop. 90,000), an hour’s drive from Melbourne, UB was recently ranked among Oz’s top 10 universities by students. Comments Prof. Kerry O. Cox, vice-chancellor: "We place great emphasis on the quality of our teaching, learning and our expanding productive research capability. We have acquired a reputation for delivering relevant, high quality programmes in consultation with industry and employers nationally and internationally while maintaining a commitment to delivering our courses in a personalised learning environment with a student centred approach."

An Australian federal government funded public university and a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, UB boasts an aggregate enrollment of 21,500 students, of whom 3,500 are from overseas. Moreover UB has a growing international profile and presence — it currently delivers a range of professional diploma and degree courses in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.

Ballarat. Ideally located in the Central Highlands region of Victoria state and within easy reach of Melbourne, Ballarat was a boom town during the gold rush era of the 1850s and a pressure point for the establishment of Australian democracy. A major tourist attraction, Ballarat is a green, clean and student friendly town with a central business district, theatres, shopping malls, pubs and restaurants. To the south of this historic town are coastal resorts and villages, including several surfing beaches. It is the starting point of the Great Ocean Road, considered one of the world’s most scenic drives offering spectacular coastal views, national parks, temperate rainforests and clear lakes over a distance of 500 km.

The climate in Ballarat is Mediterranean. Average temperatures in summer range from 25-35oC. Winter is cold and often wet with temperatures hovering between 10-15oC. It may snow lightly once or twice a year.

Campus facilities. The University of Ballarat is spread across three campuses in the eponymous town — Mt. Helen, Camp Street and SMB campus. Sited 10 km from downtown Ballarat amid 110 hectares of natural bushland, the Mt. Helen campus offers most of the university’s undergrad and postgrad programmes. The park-like setting comprises modern teaching facilities, information resources, studios, lecture theatres, student residences, students association office and outstanding sports facilities.

Located in the heart of Ballarat, the Camp Street campus houses the Arts Academy. Inaugurated in 2003 it is commonly eulogized as Australia’s pre-eminent arts teaching centre and offers a wide range of visual and performing arts programmes. The SMB campus is situated in the central business district of Ballarat and is the original site of the university, established in 1870. This old and new blend campus with contemporary teaching facilities hosts more than 9,000 students. Quality TAFE, vocational education and training are provided here.

All campus libraries are linked to a central online catalogue in the E.J. Barker Library on the Mt. Helen campus. Unisports — the recreational complex of the university — provides students with superb facilities which include a 25 metre swimming pool, a purpose-built rehabilitation centre, a fully-equipped gym and the Unisports shop. A large number of student clubs and societies — hockey, rowing, rugby, arts, computer graphics, etc — also offer opportunities for social and cultural interaction.

Admission. The minimum eligibility criterion for admission into UB’s undergrad programmes is completion of Plus Two or equivalent with an average 60 percent. For postgraduate entry it’s a first class bachelor’s degree. Additionally international students have to demonstrate proficiency in the English language — above average TOEFL or IELTS scores are acceptable. Students who don’t fulfill the university’s admission criteria have the option to enroll in the one-year Pathways Programme which prepares students for entry into UB’s undergrad courses. There are no specific admission application closing dates.

For further information contact the University of Ballarat, PO Box 663, Ballarat, Victoria 3353, Australia. Tel: +61 (3) 5327 9018; Fax: +61 (3) 5327 9017; e-mail: international@ballarat.edu.au; website: www.ballarat.edu.au.

Accommodation. Housing options at Ballarat include on-campus residences, off-campus university houses and hostels, private rental (houses and apartments) and home stay. Halls of residence on the Mt. Helen campus are designed in clusters of two-storey units, each unit housing 10-12 students in comfortably-sized fully-furnished single bed/study rooms All units have spacious lounge/kitchen areas. UB also has a number of university owned residences in several central locations.

Degree programmes. UB offers a wide range of vocational education and training programmes via TAFE and a number of bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. The seven academic schools include behavioural and social sciences, humanities, business, education, human movement and sports sciences, information technology and mathematical sciences, nursing, science and engineering.