Macquarie University

Macquarie University is a public research university in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was started in 1964 by the New South Wales Government and was the third university in the Sydney area. The university began with a green campus and now has four faculties, including the Macquarie University Hospital. All of these are on the main Wallumattagal campus in Macquarie Park. Macquarie University was also the first in Australia to fully match its degree system with the Bologna Accord, helping it become a leader in modern education.

History

The idea of a third university in Sydney started in the early 1960s. The government of New South Wales formed a committee to find more spots for students. They chose a quiet area of North Ryde for the new university and named it after Lachlan Macquarie, an important leader from Australia’s early days.

Macquarie University began in 1964. It welcomed its first students in 1967, more than they expected. Over the years, the university grew fast, adding new courses and buildings. In 1972, it started a law school, and in 1990, it added the Institute of Early Childhood Studies. The university kept changing and improving, becoming an important place for learning and research.

Campuses and buildings

Macquarie University's main campus is about 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) north-west of the Sydney CBD. It covers 126 hectares of green space and natural bushland. The campus is in a high-technology area of Sydney's north-west, close to Macquarie Park. This has helped the university become strong in research.

Before it became a university, the land was used for growing peaches, vegetables, and raising chickens. The first architect-planner, Walter Abraham, helped design the campus with careful planting and a grid layout. This design aimed to make sure any part of the campus was only a short walk away. A main path from the research park to the arts faculty buildings is called Wally's Walk to honor Abraham's work.

Besides classrooms and labs, the campus includes a research park, museums, art galleries, a sculpture park, an observatory, a sport and aquatic centre, and a private Macquarie University Hospital. The campus even has its own postcode, 2109.

Macquarie University Hospital

In 2010, Macquarie University became the first in Australia to open its own private hospital on campus. This hospital is used for teaching and is not-for-profit. It is located north of the main campus, near the sports grounds. The hospital is next to the university's Australian School of Advanced Medicine.

Commercial use

The university allows many high-technology companies to operate on its campus. This helps the university work closely with industry and brings in extra money. Companies are chosen if they can work with university researchers or offer opportunities for students and graduates. Cochlear, for example, has its headquarters near the Australian Hearing Hub on the southern edge of campus. Other companies with offices on campus include Dow Corning, Goodman Fielder, Nortel, OPSM, and Siemens.

The Macquarie University Observatory was built in 1978 for research but has been open to the public for visiting and stargazing since 1997 through its Public Observing Program.

Governance and structure

The university is led by a group of 17 people called the University Council. This group makes important decisions about how the university runs. It includes the vice-chancellor, some teachers, and a student. The Council is led by the chancellor.

Macquarie University has four main areas of study, called faculties. These include the Faculty of Arts, Macquarie Business School, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and Faculty of Science and Engineering.

The university also has a special coat of arms. It shows the Macquarie Lighthouse and the bright star Sirius. The motto, "And Gladly Teche," comes from an old story and means the university loves to teach and learn.

Academic profile

Further information: Macquarie Dictionary

The university is good at research and has many important studies. Researchers at Macquarie helped create Wi-Fi, and the university’s linguistics team made the Macquarie Dictionary, which is a key reference for Australian English.

Macquarie works with universities in Germany and China on joint programs and research. The university has special centers for studying the environment and hearing, and it has a big library with over 1.8 million items. The library includes special collections like rare books and items about ancient Egypt.

The university has many museums and galleries, with nearly 100 sculptures on display across its campus. It also has a special space for developing new business ideas, which opened in 2017 with support from the government and businesses.

In recent rankings, Macquarie University is well-regarded both in Australia and around the world. Graduates often find jobs, with many employers happy with their skills. Students also rate their learning experiences highly.

Main article: Museums and Collections of Macquarie University

Student life

See also: Macquarie University Campus Experience

Campus Life manages many services at the university, like food, sports, student groups, child care, and entertainment. In 2017, the Campus Hub closed for rebuilding, and a temporary place called the Campus Common opened instead.

Student demographics

Macquarie is one of the biggest universities in Sydney, with many students. It also has the largest student exchange program in Australia. In 2012, many students from Asia studied at Macquarie University.

Student media and radio

Macquarie University has its own radio station on campus, 2SER FM. It is owned by Macquarie University and the University of Technology Sydney.

Campus traditions

Students at Macquarie University celebrate Conception Day each year since 1969. This day marks a special date connected to Lachlan Macquarie, and it is held on the last day of classes before the September break.

Sports and athletics

On the west side of the campus is the Macquarie University Sport and Aquatic Centre. It was updated in 2007 and now includes a large outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a gym, and courts for different sports. The university also has big fields for football, cricket, and tennis, which are used by both students and some top sports teams like Sydney FC and the Matildas.

Residential colleges

Macquarie University has two places where students can live on campus, Dunmore Lang College and Robert Menzies College. Both opened in 1972 and offer help with studying and many social and sports activities. There is also Student Village North Ryde in Marsfield, New South Wales. It was built in 2001 and has over 900 rooms. The village hosts social events and helps students connect with each other.

Leadership and development

The Global Leadership Program (GLP) is a special program for students at Macquarie University. It helps students develop leadership skills, learn about different cultures, and become good global citizens. Students can join the GLP while studying any subject. They attend workshops, meet interesting speakers, and can choose from many activities like studying abroad or volunteering. When they finish, they get a special note on their diploma.

The GLP started in 2005 and is one of the best programs like it in Australia. It has won several awards for helping students grow and connect with others around the world.

Transportation

Macquarie University has its own train station, Macquarie University railway station, which is on the Sydney Metro Northwest. It is the only university in Australia with a train station on campus. There is also a big bus stop on campus with many buses passing through each day. The M2 Motorway runs close to the campus and can be reached easily.

Notable people

For a more comprehensive list, see List of Macquarie University people.

Notable alumni

Alumni include Rhodes and John Monash Scholars and several Fulbright Scholars.

Notable alumni include: Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek; Australian politician and former Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Jim Soorley; New South Wales Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard; Australian politician, Harini Amarasuriya; Australian basketball player, Lauren Jackson; Australian swimmer, Ian Thorpe; Australian water polo player, Holly Lincoln-Smith; three founding members of the Australian children's musical group The Wiggles, Murray Cook, Anthony Field, and Greg Page; Australian journalist, Hugh Riminton and BBC Presenter, Yalda Hakim.

Notable alumni in science include: Australian scientist Barry Brook, American physicist Frank Duarte, and Australian physicist Cathy Foley. Alumni notable in the business world include: Australian hedge fund manager Greg Coffey, Australian businesswoman Catherine Livingstone, founder of Freelancer.com Matt Barrie, businessman Napoleon Perdis; Australian venture capitalist Larry R. Marshall; former CEO of Seven West Media, David Leckie; Australian economist, Sean Turnell; former CEO of Commonwealth Bank and former chairman of the Australian Government Future Fund Board of Guardians, David Murray.

Academics and staff

Notable faculty members include: Indian neurosurgeon B. K. Misra Australian writer and four time Miles Franklin Award winner, Thea Astley; Hungarian Australian mathematician, Esther Szekeres; Australian mathematician, Neil Trudinger; Australian environmentalist and activist, Tim Flannery; British physicist and author, Paul Davies; British-Australian physicist, John Clive Ward; Israeli-Australian mathematician, José Enrique Moyal; Australian linguist, Geoffrey Hull; Australian geologist, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, John Veevers; Australian climatologist, Ann Henderson-Sellers; Australian breakdancer and Olympian, Rachael Gunn; Australian sociologist, Raewyn Connell.

Four Macquarie University academics were included in The World's Most Influential Minds 2014 report by Thomson Reuters.