QUT has decided to leave the Australian Technology Network, a coalition of five Australian universities that was formed 20 years ago.
The other member universities of this network are Curtin University, the University of South Australia, RMIT University and the University of Technology, Sydney.
QUT Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Margaret Sheil AO said member universities had been developing their own unique strengths and directions for some time.
“QUT’s strategic direction has evolved significantly since joining the ATN, and today we find ourselves on a trajectory we feel best able to pursue in our own right,” Professor Sheil said.
“While we still have much in common with the other members of the ATN and will continue to work closely with them, QUT also has a range of joint projects with other higher education institutions both in Australia and overseas. We feel it is best to pursue these collaborations independent of a sub-grouping affiliation.”
Professor Sheil said QUT would continue to work fruitfully with the ATN and with other institutions in a collegial manner within Universities Australia, the sector’s peak representative body.
QUT collaborates with the ATN on a number of initiatives including the Industry Doctoral Training Centre, the e-Grad School Australia based at QUT and the ATN Grants Scheme for Excellence in Learning and Teaching.
“These activities will run their course as normal while QUT transitions from the ATN,” Professor Sheil said.
Professor Sheil said QUT’s transition from the ATN was a considered decision and no other network affiliation was on the agenda.
Media contact: Rose Trapnell, QUT Media team leader, 07 3138 2361 or 0407 585 901, rose.trapnell@qut.edu.au or media@qut.edu.au.
