Victoria University, Australia

History
The idea for a technical school based in the western suburbs of Melbourne was first proposed in 1910. The Footscray Technical School opened its doors to 220 students and 9 teachers in 1916 after 5 years of fundraising.

Charles Archibald Hoadley was the school's principal from its founding until his death in 1947. His vision was to aid and distinguish students who had not only a sound technical knowledge but also an appreciation of the arts, sports, outdoor and community activities. He believed in educating students "for life as well as for living"[2] and wanted students to view education as opening the doors of opportunity.

Under Hoadley's leadership, the school expanded rapidly and began offering trade certificate courses, diplomas in architecture, building and contracting, as well as evening classes. War and the Depression saw a dip in numbers. However, by 1943, there were 2500 students enrolled in courses taught at the Footscray Park and Footscray Nicholson campuses.

The following decades saw gender and cultural shifts. Women first enrolled in day diploma course in 1960, and changes to the Federal Government's immigration policy resulted in many more European and Asian names entered on the roll.

In 1958, the school changed its name to the Footscray Technical College. Ten years later, it changed its name again, this time, to Footscray Institute of Technology (FIT). The secondary school component was separated from the rest of the Institute in 1972.

By the mid-1970s, the expanded curriculum included degree courses and was well beyond the technical focus of the original Footscray Technical School.

Further changes occurred in the 1980s with the technical and trades education section separating from FIT to form the Footscray and Newport Colleges of TAFE.

In 1990, FIT merged with the Western Institute, which had been founded three years earlier to provide TAFE and higher education courses to the outlying suburbs in Melbourne's west. In 1990, it was established as a university by the Victorian State Parliament as Victoria University of Technology.[3] A further amalgamation occurred in 1998, this time with the Western Melbourne Institute of TAFE. In 2005, The Victoria University of Technology Act 1990 was amended[4] to rename the university as Victoria University, reflecting the development of the University's teaching research into wider domains.

The institutions that combined to form VU over more than 80 years, include:

Footscray Technical School, renamed Footscray Technical College and later Footscray Institute of Technology
Newport Technical College, renamed Newport College of TAFE
Melbourne School of Hairdressing
School of Painting, Decorating and Sign Crafts
Melbourne Technical College of Hairdressing
Melbourne College of Decoration
Footscray College of TAFE
Flagstaff College of TAFE
Western Institute
Gellibrand College of TAFE, renamed Western Metropolitan College of TAFE
Western Melbourne Institute of TAFE
Victoria University of Technology

Structure

Seven of the University's colleges offer internationally recognized qualifications ranging from certificates and diplomas through to higher education degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas, master and doctoral research degrees (PhD). The two additional colleges (Victoria Institute of Technology and Victoria University College) offer vocational education courses.

The College of Arts offers a range of pre-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate courses and conducts research in arts, communication, community development, creative arts and industries, psychology, social science and social work.
The College of Business is one of the largest business schools in Australia. Training is provided across various business-related areas including business, management, accounting, finance, supply chain and logistics, marketing and human resources. It conducts research at its associated centers: the Institute for Supply Chain and Logistics and Victoria Institute of Strategic Economic Studies.
The College of Engineering and Science offers architectural, building, civil, mechanical, electrical and sports engineering courses, as well as courses in information technology, building surveying and science.
The College of Education emphasizes workplace learning in teacher and youth work education through its partnerships with schools, community organizations and industry, especially in Melbourne’s west. It is one of the few Australian universities to offer a Bachelor of Education (P-12) so graduates can teach at any level. The Victoria Institute, which focuses on inclusive education, is part of the College of Education.
The College of Health and Bio-medicine provides hands-on learning, teaching and research in nursing and midwifery, dermal therapies, osteopathy, beauty therapy, nutrition and paramedics. Learning in simulation labs and training clinics and salons is part of most courses.
The College of Law and Justice operates through The Victoria Law School at the University's City Queen Campus in Melbourne’s legal district at the Sir Zelman Cowen Center. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate law degrees as well as continuing legal education for legal professionals, including migration law courses. Second and third-year students participate in real cases at the Melbourne, Sunshine and Werribee Magistrates' Courts.
The College of Sport and Exercise Science offers courses in aspects of sport, physical education, recreation management, coaching and exercise science. The courses are based mainly at Footscray Park Campus, site of the University's new sport and learning precinct, including the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL).
Victoria Polytechnic is the University's TAFE entity, offering National Training Package qualifications in construction, engineering and machining, hairdressing, hospitality and make-up. These courses include skills development for pre-apprentices, apprentices, trainees and current workers, as well as tailored workforce development for enterprises both nationally and internationally.
VU College provides a range of student support programs for local and international students across all University colleges, including assistance with English language, literacy and numeracy. It also delivers nationally accredited and customized courses, and career development services.