Griffith University: a legacy helping the world to a better future

Griffith Dentistry student, Shirley Fan

Founded in 1971 with the mission to make the world a better place, Griffith University has maintained its focus on being a university of influence in the Asia Pacific and has never lost sight of the many benefits that international relationships can bring.

Among the four schools the University established in its founding year was Australia’s first School of Modern Asian Studies, which was primarily dedicated to the development of political, commercial, industrial and cultural contact with Asian societies.

Since then, Griffith has developed a portfolio of world-class degree programs and research collaborations that contribute to the understanding and development of the Asia Pacific region.

Testament to the University’s commitment to being a different kind of university was an early collaboration in China that has stood the test of time.

A lifelong partnership with China

In 1974, Griffith University struck a partnership with Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) in the city of Guangzhou, a bold move at a time when the People’s Republic of China was just beginning and before it became the economic and cultural powerhouse that it is today.

That partnership remains strong almost 50 years later and comprises a range of collaborations between the two universities, which have since grown to be positioned among the world’s best.

World leader

Griffith University is one of the world's leading research universities investigating areas of vital global importance, such as chronic diseases, criminology and environmental science. Griffith researchers are at the forefront of discovery, working with world-class research centres, institutes and schools on campus.

Griffith now has more than 50,000 students undertaking more than 200 degrees across five campuses in and around Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Among them, are thousands of international students who enjoy the benefits of studying at one of the world’s top universities in Australia located in South East Queensland.

“Griffith is ranked among the top 2 per cent of universities globally, driven by a culture of excellence in research, teaching and student support that positions it among the universities of choice for international students,” said Professor Sarah Todd, Griffith University’s Vice President (Global).

Home away from home for Chinese students

“Griffith prides itself on being a home away from home for students from all around the world, and the strong institutional partnerships forged in China and other countries are symbolic of our commitment to being a truly international and diverse university community.”

Professor Todd highlights the faculty and student exchange agreement signed by SYSU and Griffith University in the early 1980s, a partnership that led to cooperation agreements in civil engineering and public health, and has resulted in various exchanges and collaborations in education and research over the years.

In 2014, the partnership continued when SYSU and Griffith University signed an agreement on faculty and student exchange, which led to the official launch of their student exchange program. Since then, the partnership has continued to evolve and now includes a special China Scholarship Council-supported PhD program in tourism, in recognition of the mutual strengths in this discipline.

“International relationships such as these are critical to engendering cultural connections and expanding our knowledge at a time when the world is facing so many issues that affect us as a global community,” said Professor Todd.

“As a leader in research on environmental science, for example, Griffith’s collaborations with international universities have led to significant advances in our understanding of climate change and its impact on each of our lives.”

Sustainability excellence

Griffith University was recently ranked 66th globally in the inaugural QS Sustainability Ranking 2023, which assesses efforts to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social and governance challenges.

The QS Sustainability Ranking 2023 assessed 700 global institutions, with 33 of them in Australia, where Griffith ranked third for its environmental impact and 12th for social impact.

“We were ranked the top university in Queensland overall in this ranking and sixth in Australia for our efforts in sustainability,” said Professor Todd.

“It speaks volumes about our university culture of being socially conscious and environmentally aware.

“Within this environment, Griffith University has established a global reputation as one of the world’s leading research universities, offering a choice of future-focused degrees that are developed in consultation with industry and based on cutting-edge research to ensure they deliver education that remains relevant in a rapidly changing world.

“These are among the many reasons the University appeals to international students as their preferred place of study, but we also understand that it offers an unparalleled opportunity for students to immerse themselves in a new culture.”

Griffith Mates help students to socialise and develop their English language skills.

International students are always supported

Griffith University is dedicated to the success of international students through a range of support programs and initiatives to provide them with quality education and support to ensure they get the most out of their Australian experience.

“Our team of International Student Advisors offer personal support, advice and information on issues that can impact everything from their new life in Australia to their studies at Griffith,” said Professor Todd.

“Language is often among the biggest hurdles for some students, so we have developed the much-awarded Griffith English Language Enhancement Strategy, as part of our commitment to ensuring that international students speaking English as an additional language get the best support possible and can thrive academically and socially.”

One strand of that strategy is English HELP, through which all international students are able to access free English language support to support the continuous enhancement their academic English and improve their overall academic performance.

A second strand is the Griffith Mates program, which ensures international student engagement with their domestic counterparts through a range of social and volunteer activities on and off campus.  The program also offers leadership development opportunities for senior students who take on the role of being a Griffith Mate, with over 130 domestic and international students making up the cohort every year.

“While Griffith Mates is ostensibly a social engagement and buddy program, every event is purposefully designed to ensure the ongoing development of students’ social English language skills, as well as encouraging and challenging students to meet their peers and interact outside of the classroom” said Professor Todd.

“As a values-led institution, it is not surprising that Griffith has made a significant investment in ensuring our researchers are collaborating internationally to solve global challenges, while we are also leading the way in providing international student support. Our campuses are places where everyone is welcomed and supported to achieve their individual goals.”