Melbourne positioned as Australia’s knowledge capital

The Office of Knowledge Capital (OKC) was launched by Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser, in August 2008. Establishing the OKC and implementing the first year strategic plan was one of the five key strategic activities for 2008–09.
The initiative positions Melbourne as Australia’s knowledge capital and is backed by the City of Melbourne, Australian Catholic University, Deakin University, La Trobe University, Monash University, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology, the University of Melbourne, Victoria University and the Committee for Melbourne.

International students are an important part of Melbourne’s knowledge economy and in 2009 the OKC created a welcome desk for international students arriving at Melbourne Airport. Students were greeted by volunteers and provided with important information about the city and its services.

More than 30,000 students call Melbourne home, many of them from overseas. The City of Melbourne’s welcome event at Federation Square attracted more than 3,500 international students, including 60 who volunteered to help organise the event. Students reported the event was an excellent introduction to Australian culture, an opportunity to meet others and a chance to learn about the city’s services and facilities from Victoria Police, Melbourne Fire Brigade, the Australian Federation of Students, SYnFM Youth Radio and Essendon Football Club.

In 2008–09 the OKC assisted potential research collaborations on climate change in Victorian industry, with the completion of stage one of the Victoria–California Climate Change Research Collaboration framework. The OKC also partnered on the development of the Inner Melbourne Action Plan (IMAP) to identify opportunities between universities and IMAP-member councils for student internships.

Record–breaking demand for library services

Melbourne Library Service launched its new catalogue, Aurora, in August 2008. The catalogue features easy-to-use and improved searching facilities, adding to the service’s accessibility. Opening hours were extended in 2008–09 with all three branches—City Library, East Melbourne and North Melbourne—now open seven days a week.

More than one million people visited Melbourne’s libraries over the year, representing an impressive 16 per cent increase in patronage. City Library continues to be Victoria’s busiest public lending library. The libraries are also an important gathering place for Melburnians to celebrate events such as Cultural Diversity Week and the arts, including the Acoustica series of musical performances in May 2009.