Welcome to Griffith University, one of Australia's largest multi-campus universities and home to 50, 000 students. Our staff and students from 131 countries work and study across five networked campuses in Australia's fastest growing region of South East Queensland, enjoying a truly international experience and a high standard of teaching and research in a full range of academic disciplines.
Since Griffith University opened its doors in 1975 to 451 students at its Nathan campus, student numbers and locations have both grown exponentially, but just as importantly our legacy of innovation has continued. We were among the first universities to take an interdisciplinary approach to research and teaching and were the first in the country to establish the fields of Environmental Science and Asian Studies. Now students can join forces with our world-class researchers in tackling the big issues of the twenty-first century in vital areas such as the environment, biotechnology, drug discovery and the redefining of the creative arts in a digital world.
While Griffith University offers all the benefits of a large university, our multiple campuses also allow our students to choose from five unique locations, each with their own distinctive programs and research. For example, at our Brisbane Southside campus of Nathan, students can join forces with Australia's largest cohort of water researchers to work in preserving our most precious asset water. At our Gold Coast campus they can enjoy the cutting edge facilities and research of Australia's newest medical and dental schools, both founded in 2004. Meanwhile our South Bank campus in the heart of Brisbane offers the vibrancy of a true arts precinct. Students can choose from Australia's largest film school, our Conservatorium of Music or the oldest academy in Queensland our Queensland College of Art founded in 1881.
Whichever of our campuses they decide to call home, students and staff will find themselves members of a university which produces graduates who are confronting tomorrow's issues today. At the same time, we use work integrated learning and industry connections to ensure our graduates are eminently employable. Griffith University plans to continue to respond creatively to the considerable challenges of our time, whether it is building the health workforce of the future, collaborating on research on national security, or providing solutions for sustainable business practice.
I encourage you to join us on the journey.
Professor Ian O'Connor AC
Vice Chancellor