Deakin down in national ranking of research work

Peter Farago
DEAKIN University has slipped on an Australian ranking of research performance, a new report has revealed.
Despite a 27 per cent increase in research income over five years and a rise in academic publications, Deakin’s ranking in both areas dropped between 2002 and 2006.
Ranked 20 among Australian universities for income from research in 2002, Deakin fell to 23. The university fell from 12 to 19 for publications.
The report said Deakin’s recent performance in generating research income and publications demonstrated a need to focus on increasing the quality of research to increase its share of external income.
The university must also improve on the amount of students going on to higher degrees through research, the report stated. Research students were three per cent of Deakin’s enrolments since 2002.
The report said Deakin had started pouring more money into improving the profile of research, including development of a Geelong Technology Precinct at the Waurn Ponds campus.
A university spokesperson said a strategic plan due next week would focus on improving research.