Notre Dame and the Catholic Institute of Western Australia announce historic partnership

29 Feb 2024

By The Record

UNDA CIWA Collaboration
Back row, from left Professor David de Carvalho Executive Dean, Faculty of Education, Philosophy & Theology, Mr Julian Smith, UNDA Pro Vice Chancellor, Strategy and Planning, Mr Charbel Haddad, UNDA Pro Vice Chancellor, Governance and Legal & General Counsel, Mr Christopher Ellison UNDA Chancellor, Bunbury Bishop Emeritus Holohan, Chair of the Catholic Institute Council of Western Australia, Dr John Topliss, Managing Director of the Catholic Institute of Western Australia, Mr Pat Hampton, National Deputy Head of Schooll of Education Philosophy & Theology, Fremantle, CEWA Director of Religious Education Rev Deacon Mark Powell, Mr Wayne Bull Executive Director of Catholic Education Office of Western Australia and front row from left, members of the Catholic Institute of WA Council, Mr Paul Leuba, Sr Catherine Warner PBVM, Professor Renee Kohler-Ryan, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Education, Philosophy & Theology, Mrs Clare Kanakis and Mrs Dee Johnston. Photo: UNDA.

In a significant move for Catholic education, The University of Notre Dame Australia is proud to announce a new strategic alliance with The Catholic Institute of Western Australia (CIWA), which was formalised at a special ceremony held in Fremantle today.

The Alliance will combine the distinctive and common responsibilities of both bodies.

A unique Catholic tertiary educational body, the Catholic Institute of Western Australia (CIWA) was created by and is accountable to the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Western Australia.

Mr Charbel Haddad UNDA Pro Vice Chancellor and Dr John Topliss, Managing Director of the Catholic Institute of Western Australia signed the historic agreement. Photo: UNDA.

Established by the Bishops of Western Australia in 1975, the purpose of the CIWA is to provide professional and theological education and spiritual and faith formation for current and future educators and leaders in Catholic schools and other groups.

It also has the responsibility of providing Catholic Education units in State Universities.

The collaboration aims to enhance Catholic education in Western Australia by leveraging the strengths of both institutions in providing Catholic-based education and formation.

The University of Notre Dame Chancellor, the Hon Christopher Ellison, said the alliance represents an important mission for Notre Dame.

“And signifies our commitment to nurturing future generations of Catholic education leaders with a deep understanding and formation in Catholic faith and values,” Mr Ellison said.

Managing Director of CIWA, Dr John Topliss, said the partnership between Notre Dame University and The Catholic Institute of Western Australia facilitates both Catholic Institutions to continue to provide for the students of today.

“So that they may become the future Catholic teachers, leaders, and principals of our Catholic schools,” Dr Topliss said.

The University of Notre Dame Chancellor, the Hon Christopher Ellison and Chair of the CIWA Council, Bunbury Bishop Emeritus Gerard Holohan. Photo: UNDA.

Chair of the CIWA Council, Bunbury Bishop Emeritus Gerard Holohan, spoke at the ceremony on the history of Catholic Education in Western Australia since the establishment of the Catholic Education Commission in 1971 saying: “The Strategic Alliance will combine resources and expertise, to greatly benefit Catholic education in Western Australia, focusing on undergraduate and postgraduate programs, leadership professional development and formation, and other key initiatives.”

By combining resources and expertise, Notre Dame and CIWA aim to create a robust framework for Catholic education, focusing on undergraduate and postgraduate programs, professional development, and other key initiatives.