Professor Thomas, appointed as the University of Notre Dame Australia’s Deputy Vice Chancellor of its Fremantle campus this month, writes on the education mission of the Catholic university
Universities serve three broad functions in society. First, they educate the next generation of citizens and leaders.
They provide a social and scientific critique of society. And they create and disseminate new knowledge through research.
These functions are all connected with discovering the truth and identifying elements of the common good by which we measure the contribution our society makes within our globalised world.
They are necessary for a mature democratic society to function. Australia is rightly proud of its international reputation for university education.
Unlike other Western nations, however, the vast majority of Australian universities are secular and government owned.
The establishment of two Catholic universities in Australia in recent decades builds on the rich, centuries-old tradition of Catholic universities elsewhere, and provides a welcome choice for Australian citizens that has been available internationally for centuries.
Notre Dame embraces Catholic intellectual and moral tradition and believes this has something unique to offer to broader academic debate.
By all measures, Notre Dame has established an outstanding record in educating the next generation of citizens and leaders.
Along with its other Objects, our University seeks to provide an excellent standard of research, creating new knowledge for the benefit of our students and the nation more broadly.
So, what is research?
In short, it is the systematic pursuit of new knowledge and understanding in a discipline area and/or in professional practice. The outcomes of research are typically expressed in publications either as theses or in relevant refereed journals and academic books (whether undergraduate texts that summarise a discipline, or at the cutting edge of new insights).
In professional areas, it is expected that the dissemination of these research outcomes will affect professional practice.
It is expected that research outcomes will be used and cited by others as the general body of human knowledge expands.
These endeavours will normally involve research students and the development of clusters of academics with particular recognised research expertise and the ability to supervise.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Celia Hammond, has set a clear strategic direction for the University.
A core element is that its research is recognised as excellent nationally and internationally in focused areas.
To achieve the goals it has set for itself, the University will be working to support and develop staff as active researchers and supervisors.
Notre Dame will be seeking additional funding from a range of sources to offer additional scholarships and stipends for high potential research students.
The University will pursue funding for the research itself and for contemporary facilities and equipment.
Fundamental to achieving these outcomes will be an active collaboration with other universities, both within Australia and internationally.
Specifically, building collaborative links with other international Catholic universities in key areas of research will strengthen the University’s aspiration to be a leading Catholic university.
With the University’s emerging strengths in research, some may wonder about the potential dilution of its absolute commitment to the highest possible education experience for its coursework students.
The University remains passionate and committed to providing an outstanding and unique student learning environment built on the core curriculum and infused at all levels with the Catholic ethos and values.
All our undergraduates will benefit from the climate of critical enquiry that is created in an institution strong in research and from being taught by teachers at the cutting edge of their discipline.
Moreover, for the institution to grow in reputation internationally and to forge new avenues for Catholic higher education in Australia, Notre Dame needs to be a university engaged effectively in high quality teaching and research.
To do less undermines its potential to be one of the leading Catholic universities in the world.
Professor Thomas has the university-wide responsibility for research and research development.