The University of
Western Australia
Monash University
The Australian
National University
The University
of Adelaide
The University
of Melbourne
The University of
New South Wales
The University
of Queensland
The University
of Sydney
What is the Group of Eight
The Group of Eight (Go8) is a coalition of
globally recognised research-intensive universities
based in Australia. With concentrated expertise
and a focus on discovery-based learning, Go8
universities provide a quality education
experience and help develop future leaders.
The Go8 perform the majority of research
conducted by Australian universities, are well
connected internationally, and have strong links
with the business and public sectors.
www.go8.edu.au
Go8 member universities
The University
of Queensland
The University of
Western Australia
The University of Adelaide
Monash University
The University of Melbourne
The University of
New South Wales
The University of
Sydney
The Australian
National University
Characteristics of Go8 universities
• Go8 universities train, attract and retain the best
researchers from Australia and around the world
• Go8 universities attract the highest quality students
• The Go8 implement initiatives across the whole
sector. For example, Australia’s Knowledge
Gateway, the Future Research Leaders Program, the
Quality Verification System, and the Young
Researchers Exchange Program.
Characteristics of Go8 universities (cont)
• 70% of all university research is undertaken at
Go8 universities
• Go8 universities attract almost 70% of the total
research funding from industry and other nongovernment sources
• The Go8 are the most research concentrated
of all Australian universities (see next graph).
Research income as a percentage of total
Australian university income
Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
ERA, undertaken by the Australian Research Council, assesses the quality of
fields of research within Australia's universities using review by committees of
experienced, internationally-recognised experts.
It provides a national stocktake of discipline-level areas of research strength
and identifies areas where there is opportunity for development in Australia’s
higher education institutions.
It is designed to identify excellence of research performance:
• A rating of 3 indicates research is equal to world standard
• A rating of 4 indicates research is above world standard
• A rating of 5 indicates research is well above world standard
ERA 2012 assessed 98 per cent of the fields of research at Go8 universities as
world standard or above, with over a third of the fields of research rated well
above world standard.
Further information on ERA www.arc.gov.au/era/default.htm
Number of fields of research with ERA Ratings 4 or 5
ERA 2012: Fields of Research (2 digit) with ERA Ratings 4 or 5
The graph below depicts fields of research vertically, with the strongest performing
fields at the top. The horizontal axis shows the performance of individual universities in
each field of research.
ARWU top 200 universities 2012
All Australian universities in the top 200 are Go8 institutions
Belgium, 4
China, 7
Italy, 4
Other, 10
Denmark, 3
Netherlands, 8
Israel, 4
Sweden, 5
United States, 85
France, 8
Switzerland, 6
Canada, 7
Germany, 14
Australia, 7
Japan, 9
United Kingdom, 19
ARWU rankings 2012:
Universities in top 200 by field
All Australian universities in
the top 200 in the fields of
Mathematics and Chemistry
are Go8 universities
Switzerland, 4
Israel, 4
Sweden, 4
Other, 8
Italy, 5
Netherlands, 5
South Korea, 6
United States, 57
Australia, 6
Canada, 8
France, 9
China, 28
Japan, 9
Saudi Arabia, 3 Netherlands, 2
Belgium, 3
United
Kingdom, 16
Germany, 18
Spain, 10
Norway, 2
Denmark, 3
Australia, 4
Chemistry
Russia, 2
Other, 9
Israel, 4
Switzerland, 4
Japan, 4
United States, 69
Canada, 7
Spain, 8
Germany, 11
United Kingdom,
11
Italy, 12
China, 28
France, 17
Mathematics
Go8 universities represent over
80% of the Australian
universities in the top 200 in the
fields of Computer Science and
Economics / Business
The role of the Go8
•
The Go8 Board consists of the vice-chancellors (presidents) of its eight
member universities. The Board meets five times a year.
•
Go8 collaboration is strengthened by an extensive network of
committees of both academic and administrative staff which meet
regularly for benchmarking, policy development and joint project work
including:
– Deputy Vice-Chancellors Research
– Academic Policy Committee
– Deans of Graduate Studies
– Deans of Engineering
– Deans of Medicine
– Directors International
– Directors Research
– Directors Human Resources
– Directors of Planning and Statistics
The role of the Go8
The Go8 Secretariat is located in Canberra, Australia’s national capital. The
Go8 works to maximise the potential for collaboration in a competitive
environment, adding value for individual universities and for Australia through:
• facilitating collaboration between Go8 universities across their range
of functions;
• facilitating a trusted network through which the leaders and
administrators
of Go8 universities share ideas and expertise;
• influencing national policies for higher education and university research,
as well as broader policy development through mobilising the range of
expertise across the group;
• sustaining quality brand recognition;
• developing international strategic alliances and networks;
• benchmarking for performance improvement; and
• building community support for research universities.
Go8 leadership:
Australia’s Knowledge Gateway
• “Australia’s Knowledge Gateway” is a search engine to
highlight the activities of Australian researchers and make
them more accessible to business, government, Australia’s
foreign affairs and trade officials, students and the wider
community.
• Using key words, the search is able to identify individuals and
institutions with strength in particular research disciplines.
akg.edu.au
Go8 international engagement
Global partnerships enable our universities to operate
at the cutting edge of research and innovation.
The Go8 seeks to collaborate with like-minded
university consortia around the world and facilitate
the participation of its member universities in leading
centres for research and higher education.
Contact can be made through www.go8.edu.au
Examples of Go8 international collaboration
•
Go8 Research Scheme with the German Academic Exchange
Service (DAAD) – two-way exchange
of early career researchers between Germany
and Australia. The joint scheme has provided over AUD 6 million
(2008-2013) to support collaborative research projects over a
wide range of disciplines.
• Go8 MOU with leading universities in Chile (based around sharing
information on issues such as research commercialisation,
innovation and technology transfer);
• Go8 co-operation with the Embassy of France which provides Go8
students the opportunity to take part in the French Company
Internship Program
www.go8.edu.au/university-staff/international-collaboration
Examples of Go8 international collaboration
The Go8 have a long standing partnership with the China 9 (C9)
research-intensive universities
•
Go8-C9 undergraduate student exchange program
•
Annual meeting of Go8-C9 presidents
•
Annual meeting of Go8-C9 deans of graduate studies
•
Annual HDR forum –
•
Go8-C9 Student Leadership in International Cooperation project – allows
a joint forum bringing together PhD students from Go8 and C9
universities around a particular theme
Go8 students to visit C9 universities to develop and manage proposals for international
cooperation
•
Go8-C9 Research leadership executive shadowing program - enables senior
research and research training executives from Go8 universities to spend two weeks at a C9
institution, and vice versa, to observe the host university’s operations and decision-making
processes, and gain insights into research management and leadership issues in the partner
nation
Information follows about each
Go8 university.
Further details can be obtained
by clicking on the links below.
Go8 Member Universities
The University of Sydney
The University of Sydney
• The University of Sydney demonstrates national leadership through its
teaching and research; its advice to industry, government and the wider
community; and its contribution to public debate.
• Sydney is one of only 20 universities in the world in the top 50 in all listed
disciplines in the Times Higher Education rankings and is one of only four
Australian universities in the world’s top 100 in the Shanghai Jiao Tong
Academic rankings.
• Supported by the largest university library collection in the Southern
Hemisphere and new state-of-the-art research facilities, Sydney
emphasises the importance of multi-disciplinary research.
• Sydney is Australia’s leading research university in funding, publications
and citations. It provides research training and research-led teaching
across a diverse range of disciplines covering Health and Medicine,
Science and Technology and the Humanities and Social Sciences.
Particular areas of strength include biomedical and clinical research,
public health, fundamental and enabling sciences, Australian biological
science, history, philosophy and languages.
Go8 Member Universities
The University of Western Australia
The University of Western Australia
• Located in Perth, The University of Western Australia encourages
creativity and innovation at international standards and has a reputation
for excellence and enterprise.
• Research and research training are the major factors distinguishing the
university as one of Australia’s leading research-intensive universities and
the premier institution in Western Australia.
• Particular emphasis is given to research into the exploration, production
and exploitation of minerals, oil and gas; the management of agricultural
and natural ecosystems; the humanities and social sciences; health and
bio-medicine (injury research, prevention, repair and rehabilitation);
genetic epidemiology; indigenous issues; information technology,
telecommunications and computer science; and international
management and business studies.
• The university is rated very highly in terms of research output and the
number of citations per staff member in international journals. Its
reputation for internationally excellent research has resulted in
important government and industry collaborations, bringing together
industry and other major Australian research bodies.
Go8 Member Universities
Monash University
Monash University
• Since its inception Monash University has focused on developing worldleading research facilities and a culture that encourages staff and students
to push new boundaries and to find creative ways to make an impact.
• Projects such as pioneering IVF work, design of a drug to fight a potential
flu pandemic and research that underpins road safety initiatives
demonstrate the university's ability to engage with the world.
• Monash has ambitious aims to build on its already substantial research
record. By commissioning world class infrastructure and recruiting
outstanding international researchers, Monash is moving quickly towards
its objective of becoming one of the world's finest research universities.
• Using stem cells, researchers hope to transform the treatment of
Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury. Scientists are also investigating
ways to help the body regenerate damaged tissues and organs. Monash
engineers have revolutionised the design of fuel cells used in the latest
generation of hybrid cars, which could make more sustainable vehicles
cheaper to build.
Go8 Member Universities
The Australian National University
The Australian National University
• The distinguishing culture of The Australian National University (ANU) in
Canberra is the pervasive notion of discovery.
• Since its inception in 1946, ANU has been building a legacy of inquiry and
discovery of which the nation can be proud. Generations of researchers,
educators and graduates at ANU have helped propel Australia to the
forefront of international thinking in areas such as humanities, science, the
arts, medicine, law, economics and public policy. Not surprisingly, ANU is
consistently ranked among the best universities in the world.
• ANU is a member of the International Alliance of Research Universities
(IARU). IARU members are collaboratively researching matters of global
consequence, including ‘Movement of People’, ‘Longevity and Health’,
‘Energy, Resources and Environment’ and ‘Security’.
• The parkland ANU campus, in the centre of the nation’s capital,
boasts accommodation for thousands of students, modern facilities,
Australia’s most powerful computer, several libraries, and access to
a wealth of e-resources.
Go8 Member Universities
The University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide
• The University of Adelaide is committed to producing graduates
recognised worldwide for their creativity, knowledge and skills. It offers a
broad range of courses and outstanding opportunities for research in a
stimulating environment.
• Innovative and forward-looking, the university has research and teaching
strengths in biological sciences, physical sciences, health sciences, engineering,
information technology and telecommunications, wine and
food, environmental sciences and social sciences.
• Among the university’s graduates and staff are leaders in science, medicine,
engineering, law and the social sciences. It numbers three Nobel Laureates
among its graduates (the most of any university in Australia), and another
two Laureates among past and present faculty. It has also produced 102
Rhodes Scholars.
• The University has six major research institutes focusing on its core
strengths, as well as high-tech, world-class research and teaching facilities
incorporated in a $400 million building program.
• Internationalisation is a key objective and formal linkages have been
established with more than 200 universities around the world.
Go8 Member Universities
The University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne
•
Located in the centre of Australia’s most multicultural city, the University of
Melbourne is consistently one of Australia’s top performing universities in world
rankings.
•
With annual operating funds of around $2 billion, net assets of $3.8 billion, and
research expenditure exceeding $700 million, the University of Melbourne is the
largest research university in Australia. Its academic community is at the forefront of
international scholarship in fields as diverse as human rights law, medical biology, and
information and communications technology.
•
In 2008 the University led Australia’s most significant set of curriculum reforms.
Characterised by broad and deep undergraduate degrees with direct pathways into a
range of world-class Graduate Schools, the Melbourne curriculum provides greater
flexibility for students and reflects the evolving tertiary educational environment in
Europe, Asia and North America.
•
A range of key international partnerships led by the University has brought new
world-class facilities to Melbourne – the most powerful supercomputer and
computational biology facility in the world dedicated to life sciences research, a
national public policy ‘think tank’, a national centre for marine and climate research,
and a major neurosciences research hub.
Go8 Member Universities
The University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales
•
UNSW is a leading research-intensive university with strong regional and global
engagement. Ranked in the world’s top 50 universities, UNSW has more than 50,000
students, including some 13,000 international students from more than 120 countries.
•
UNSW is the only research-intensive university in Australia to be established with a unique
scientific and technological focus, modelled on US institutions such as MIT.
•
The University’s commitment to research has generated groundbreaking results in
biomedical sciences; water, environment and sustainability; next generation materials and
technologies; social policy, government and health policy; ICT, informatics and robotics; and
business, law and economics.
•
UNSW leads three ARC Centres of Excellence – in quantum computing; climate science;
and population ageing; UNSW also hosts Australia’s new Centre for International Finance
and Regulation; and is home to many leading centres including the Lowy Centre for Cancer
Research.
•
UNSW has strong partnerships with industry and business, consistently topping the
country in ARC Linkage grants.
•
The full-time AGSM MBA at the Australian School of Business is the top ranked
program in Australia and in the world’s top 40.
Go8 Member Universities
The University of Queensland
The University of Queensland
• The University of Queensland in Brisbane has achieved international levels
of excellence in research and research training. Its work is facilitated by
outstanding infrastructure.
• The university operates specialist teaching and research centres
throughout Queensland, among them Australia’s largest university marine
research station (on the Great Barrier Reef), the Centre for Advanced
Animal Science, medical and dental schools, and an experimental
underground mine.
• UQ maintains a broad research profile with strengths in Molecular
Bioscience and Biotechnology; Cognition and Performance; Cultural,
Historical and Media Studies; Environment, Biodiversity and Sustainability;
Hypersonics; Imaging Science and Technology; Materials and
Nanotechnology; Neuroscience; Population Health and Health Promotion;
Quantum and Photon Science; Clinical and Translational research; and
Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems. It is home to major research
Institutes such as the Institute for Molecular Bioscience, the Queensland
Brain Institute, the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and
Nanotechnology, the Sustainable Minerals Institute and the Diamantina
Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine.
go8.edu.au
The Group of Eight Limited
PO Box 6229
O’Connor ACT 2602
Level 2, Group of Eight House
101 Northbourne Avenue
Turner ACT 2612
Tel +61 2 6239 5844
Fax +61 2 6239 5808
executive.director@go8.edu.au