Art and Design at Griffith University is now ranked among the world’s best.
Following the release of the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, the University was named in the top 100 globally in the creative field for the very first time.
According to Professor Paul Mazerolle, Pro Vice Chancellor (Arts, Education and Law), the result is testament to the diversity, capacity and creativity of the Queensland College of Art Griffith University.
“To be ranked alongside the world’s best universities in the fields of art and design, reflects the inspiring creative environment we have worked tirelessly to achieve, enriched by the expertise of leading practitioners from across Australia and the world,” Professor Mazerolle says.
“As one of the country’s oldest art institutions, such an achievement on the world stage goes some way to demonstrate our continued relevance, our commitment to forward thinking and our emphasis on nurturing the very best in emerging talent.
“It is a credit to our staff, artists and academics to be recognised globally for such fine education delivered across both traditional and emerging pathways.”
Nurturing the new digital natives
Recording the highest performance ever in the field of Art and Design has also resonated well with students, such as 29-year old Gold Coast local Tim Wilson.
“Being part of a University that places so much emphasis on the creative industries is a fantastic opportunity,” he says.
“I’ve been able to get on the front foot of additive manufacturing or 3D technology from the very first day of my degree and the prospects are now endless.”
The first year Industrial Design student made the change to focus on his creative side after a successful career as an academic and also 13 years in remedial massage for the sporting industry. And it’s a change he says came at just the right time.
“Global production processes are changing and expanding every day so exploring avenues to progress quickly within the field of design and manufacturing is such an advantage,” he explains.
“To have access to amazing facilities coupled with the unparalleled support of leading experts who put their full confidence in you has been incredibly refreshing.”
A “real confidence boost”
The self-described “problem solver” is currently in the process of producing a range of unique designs, including a wooden wine cradle, a copper light and other one-off furniture.
“It’s a real confidence boost to know you’re learning in a Top 100 university and it makes a massive statement to a potential employer,” he says.
QS evaluated 3,551 universities and 14,000 programs and ranked Griffith in the top 100 in the world for four other separate study areas: Architecture/Built Environment, Politics & International Studies, Law, and Education with another 10 subject areas ranked globally, including Medicine (also for the first time).
Griffith University is home to the Queensland College of Art — one of the country’s longest running art and design colleges, established in 1881, that now boasts the widest range of visual art programs in Australia.
This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art and next month, Griffith Artworks welcomes a new Director to the helm, Australian Curator Angela Goddard.
