MGSM Review - Media Release 19th May 2009
Macquarie University has accepted the major recommendation of the panel set up to review the Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM) - to maintain the School's autonomy from the University's Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE).
"Before the review began I stated publicly that there would need to be very good arguments for me to become convinced that the MGSM should follow the sector-wide trend of becoming integrated with the University's business faculty," Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor Professor Steven Schwartz said.
"The review panel could not find a compelling argument for integration to occur, rather they regarded the MGSM's autonomy as a major strength and point of differentiation in the sector, so our focus now will be on making sure the School is in the best possible position to be able to take advantage of the opportunity presented."
The review was commissioned at the beginning of 2009 in response to a number of changes to the environment in which the School operated, including the restructure of Macquarie University into four faculties; the departure of the School's Dean; and the trend for business schools in Australia and the United Kingdom to become integrated with their host universities.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Provost), Professor Judyth Sachs, who commissioned the review, said she expected the panel's recommendation to be welcomed by those among the School's staff, students and alumni who were concerned that the MGSM could lose its unique identity.
"Through its review consultation, the panel not only discovered a loyal alumni community, an engaged student body and committed business partners all dedicated to an autonomous MGSM, they also found the School's excellent reputation, high international rankings and its particular focus on executive education as key reasons for maintaining the current relationship between Faculty and School," she said.
"The panel's second major recommendation is that the MGSM now begin to address a series of strategic questions about its future direction, how it plans to increase the quality of education, research and thought leadership it delivers; how it plans to continue building its relationships with business and with a number of faculties within the University; and how it plans to respond to the GFC and its effects," Sachs said.
"Our top priority - now that the issue of the MGSM's relationship with the University has been addressed - is to select a new Dean and establish the executive leadership team and internal structure to best equip the School to realise its considerable potential."
Interim Dean of the MGSM, Professor Bill McGaw, said the School was in a solid financial position with a positive outlook in the current economic climate; had this month been named in a worldwide Top 50 by the London Financial Times Executive Education Rankings, for the second year in a row; and was also enjoying a growth in enrolment numbers this year.
Notes for media:
The Review Panel's report can be viewed online at http://www.mq.edu.au/provost/reports.html (open Review of the MGSM, March 2009 (DOC 32k) and follow the link at top)
The following representatives are available for media interview:
- Professor Steven Schwartz, Vice-Chancellor, Macquarie University
- Professor Judyth Sachs, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Provost), Macquarie University
- Professor Barry Spicer, Chair of the MGSM Review Panel (and former Dean of the Graduate School of Business at the University of Auckland) - in New Zealand
To organise interviews, and for any other information, contact Greg Welsh (02) 9850 7456, 0407 200 474, greg.welsh@mq.edu.au.
