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The University of Western Australia has joined the Centre for Social Impact, a significant national network of university business schools that aims to achieve academic excellence for a social purpose.

The UWA Business School-based Centre for Social Impact (WA) will ensure that teaching, research and facilitation contributes to public debate and builds cross-sectoral alliances which drive social innovation and entrepreneurship.  From 2011, the Business School will offer a Graduate program in Social Impact.

Nationally, the Centre for Social Impact is a partnership between the business schools of the University of New South Wales, The University of Melbourne and Swinburne University of Technology and is headed by Peter Shergold, Macquarie Group Foundation Professor.  The CSI works with governments, public services, private sector organisations, community benefit sector organisations and philanthropists to engage with the community.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson said the initiative was an important contribution to building a strong civil society in Western Australia and developing the next generation of business and community leaders.

"The Centre for Social Impact has established itself as a powerful voice in teaching, research and public engagement in generating social innovation.  Western Australia is in an enviable position to lead a social innovation agenda," Professor Robson said.

CSI (WA) will be guided by an advisory council chaired by UWA Chancellor and chairman of NAB and Woodside, Dr Michael Chaney.

Dr Chaney said he was delighted that the UWA Business School was joining the Centre for Social Impact partnership.

"The outstanding economic opportunities available to Western Australia present a great chance for business, community and government to work together on the resolution of some of our more difficult social challenges," he said.

The Centre will be a core part of the UWA Business School and will add to, and enrich, the UWA Business School's education, teaching and research.  Activities of CSI (WA) will encompass teaching, research and community engagement.

"CSI looks forward to benefiting from the expertise and perspective of The University of Western Australia and its Business School in building a west coast home for the CSI," Prof Shergold said.

Winthrop Professor Tracey Horton, Dean of the UWA Business School said: "Business Schools have a special responsibility to educate students in decision-making for the long-term which takes into account social, environmental, economic and commercial impacts."

"The UWA Business School was the first Australian Business School to have an ethics and society unit as a compulsory part of the curriculum.  We aim to enrich our students with the knowledge and broader perspectives they will need to navigate an increasingly connected world, and to work closely and collaboratively with local communities."

Advisory Council membership

Michael Chaney (Chair), Chancellor, The University of Western Australia; Sue Ash , WACOSS; Wayne Bergmann , Kimberley Land Council ;  Carl Binning , BHP Billiton; Joe Calleja , The Richmond Fellowship of WA; Ronald F Chalmers , Disability Services Commission; Peter Conran , Department of Premier & Cabinet; Jeffery P Dowling , Ernst & Young; Annie Fogarty , Fogarty Foundation; Vanessa Guthrie , Woodside Energy Ltd; Chris Hall , Uniting Care West; Lloyd S Perron, Perron Group of Companies; Anne Russell-Brown, St John of God Healthcare Inc.; Chris Ryder , Corrs Chambers Westgarth; Jan Stewart , Lotterywest; Deidre Willmott, Office of the Premier

Other facts:

• CSI (WA) will appoint a Professor to lead academic and research efforts
• Partnership research projects will be undertaken as collaborations with Community Benefit sector organisations and peak bodies
• The University and CSI nationally have provided matching funding to launch the CSI (WA)
• Graduate Certificate in Social Impact will commence in 2011.

Media references

Winthrop Professor Tracey Horton (UWA Business School)  (+61 8)  6488 2544
Professor Peter Shergold (CSI, UNSW)  (+61 2)  9385 6568
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716