Monash South Africa continues to expand its facilities

4 June 2009

At the opening of the new building at the Monash South Africa campus (from the left) Prof Chika Sehoole, Chief Director Higher Education Policy and Development Support, Department of Education; Dr Shaaeda Essack, Department of Education and Prof Richard Larkins, Vice Chancellor and President, Monash University.

The opening of a new building on the Monash South Africa campus was celebrated at a ceremony held on Friday 5 June 2009.

Professor Tyrone Pretorius, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Monash South Africa, said it was exactly two years since the opening of the Library and Learning Commons building in 2007. “Due to the continued growth in student numbers over the past few years and the resulting pressure on existing teaching facilities, a decision was taken by the Monash South Africa Board at the end of 2007 construct this new building to create additional teaching facilities, particularly lecture theatres”.

In order to retain the aesthetic theme on campus, the same architectural firm that designed the rest of the campus, was commissioned to design the new building and foundations were laid in August 2008.

“We are delighted with the outcome of this attractive and high-quality, 2000-sq metre facility and the fact that it has been completed on time and ready for the second semester,” said Prof Pretorius.

The building is fully air conditioned and all the teaching venues are equipped with state-of-the-art technology including data projectors, touch-screen displays and smart-board technology.
Prof Pretorius added that: “The construction of this excellent new facility is in line with Monash University’s undertaking to create and maintain a quality on-campus experience for all its staff and students at all eight of its campuses.”

Prof Chika Sehoole, Chief Director Higher Education Policy and Development Support at the Department of Education said: “This year marks a decade in the history of Monash’s registration as a private higher education institution in this country. It is commendable that it has demonstrated its ability to survive the very stringent registration requirements of the Department of Education which signifies the confidence it has in the people of South Africa.”

While private higher institutions are, by law, not allowed to use the word ‘university’ Prof Sehoole stressed that this did not imply that the programmes offered by Monash were of any less quality than those offered by public universities.

“In this regard the Department is appreciative of Monash’s contribution to education and development in this country, its resilience in overcoming earlier obstacles and its sincere and genuine commitment to make a positive difference in the lives not only of students, but of the country as a whole.”

Prof Sehoole added that: “The opening of this world-class facility signals a positive development in the expansion of the institution.”

 Monash is Australia’s most internationally-focused university. It has six campuses in Australia (five of which are in Melbourne), one in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and one in Ruimsig, Johannesburg. It is also Australia’s biggest university with more than 55 000 students in total.