FEC and MBS announce agreement to merge

[Collin Li]

Dear student,

In an exciting development for students and for business and economics education at the University of Melbourne, the Faculty of Economics and Commerce and the Melbourne Business School have decided to merge to form a new Faculty: the Faculty of Business and Economics.  Before the merger proceeds approval must be sought from the members of Melbourne Business School Limited on August 26, 2009.  If approved the new Faculty will be created on October 1, 2009 with full integration by 1 January 2010.  The new faculty will build on the academic excellence and reputation of both the Melbourne Business School and the Faculty of Economics and Commerce.  The merger provides the potential to be the leading business and economics faculty in the Asia-Pacific region, offering a comprehensive range of courses from undergraduate, through postgraduate and executive education programs.

As inaugural Executive Dean, Professor Margaret Abernethy will lead the merged Faculty, which will be a powerhouse of industry aligned business and economics education, research and knowledge transfer.  The Bachelor of Commerce remains the flagship undergraduate course for business and economics education at the University, and is an essential element of the Melbourne Model's six 'new generation' undergraduate programs.  B.Com students will continue to benefit from the high quality program that is currently offered.  Students at all levels across the new faculty will share the enhanced effects of the depth of expertise provided by over 300 academic staff, even closer links to the business community through MBS corporate engagement, a broader research base underpinning the faculty, and a larger alumni association.  Students will continue to receive high quality services designed to meet their particular needs.  All award programs will continue to be degrees of the University of Melbourne.  There will be clear articulation of pathways from undergraduate into postgraduate studies, including into the Melbourne MBA.
   
The new Faculty will be made up of three Schools:
* the School of Economics and Commerce, offering the undergraduate B.Com including Honours
* the Melbourne Business School will become the graduate school of the new Faculty providing the complete range of postgraduate programs currently offered by MBS and the Melbourne GSM
* Melbourne Executive Education, incorporating Mt Eliza, will continue to offer customised, tailored programs, and deliver executive coaching.
 
As you are entering your second semester, I wish you all the best for your studies and I look forward to you participating in our merged Faculty of Business and Economics.

Professor Susan Elliott
Acting Provost

[lukeperry91]

Are they improving facilities, faculty and opportunities or just refining the whole shebang? I read the article in the Age, but it didn't seem very objective, more like an ad.

[ReVeL]

Just read in the paper this morning that this merger has been cancelled. Not really sure if thats good or bad. :/