The University of Notre Dame Australia

The University of Notre Dame Australia is Australia's first Catholic university. It is one of only two private universities in Australia and was established by Act of the Parliament of Western Australia on 21 December 1989. Teaching commenced in January 1992. In 1994, the University enrolled its first undergraduate students. Its main campus is in Fremantle & its second campus is in Broome, Western Australia.

Fremantle was established at the mouth of the Swan River in 1829. Twenty minutes from the center of Perth, it is alive with sidewalk cafes, galleries, restaurants and pubs. It is also one of Western Australia's busiest ports and fishing harbors.

Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is a beautiful, clean, modern city on the shores of the Swan River and the Indian Ocean. Four major universities located there form a strong educational environment with Notre Dame Australia (NDA) and are easily accessible by a 20-minute train or bus ride from NDA.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of The University of Notre Dame Australia is the advancement of learning, knowledge
and the professions, and the provision of university education, within a context of Christian faith and
values.

THE GOALS OF NOTRE DAME AUSTRALIA

To provide through teaching, pastoral care and personal development, for the total education of its students. To support an academic community noted for excellence in teaching and research in major academic disciplines and the learned professions.
To support the role and work of the Church in Australia and other countries by helping to meet its need for special training in areas of service (e.g. education, health, welfare, management, theology) and by promoting research and debate on issues relevant to the intellectual life of the Church. To make a special contribution to the economic and social development of Australia.
The University seeks to be faithful to the ideals, both spiritual and intellectual, which underlie the great Catholic universities of the world which, for centuries, have been leaders in scholarship and education.

NOTRE DAME'S LEGAL CHARTER

The University of Notre Dame Australia was established by Act of the Parliament of Western Australia. The Act was passed on 21 December 1989 and proclaimed on Australia Day, 26 January 1990. The Act provides the University with the power to award degrees and diplomas and confers upon it full university status. Under the terms of its Act, the University is owned, controlled and operated by a body of Trustees and a Board of Governors. The University's first Trustees were appointed by Archbishop William Foley, the then Catholic Archbishop of Perth. The Archbishop of Perth appoints or nominates a number of the Trustees. The twelve Trustees (who are also members of the Board of Governors) have a basic responsibility to protect and preserve the essential Catholic character of the institution and to ensure that it remains faithful to its mission. The duties of the Trustees include the appointment of members of the Board of Governors and the Vice Chancellor, and approving the disposal of the University's assets.

The Board of Governors is the governing body of the University. The Vice Chancellor is the chief
executive officer of Notre Dame. He is responsible to the Board for all aspects of the day to day
management of the University. The Board meets four times each year. The Executive Committee of
the Board meets monthly and exercises delegated authority for the leadership of the University.

The University has a close working and collegial relationship (but no constitutional connection) with
the University of Notre Dame in the United States. It has drawn much of its founding inspiration and
philosophy from that outstanding Catholic university. Five of the senior officers of Notre Dame (US)
are Trustees or Governors of the University of Notre Dame Australia.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Excellence in teaching, research and pastoral care is central to Notre Dame. The University, through its curriculum, its focus on quality of relationships, and its commitment to the advancement of every student as an individual, aims to provide a total education experience. In designing its undergraduate courses, the University has endeavoured to ensure that all students have the opportunity to experience an integrated core of learning which will broaden and expose them to the Christian educational tradition and practice. The University refers to this as its Core Curriculum.

The undergraduate Core Curriculum consists of an integrated program of four units, drawn from the academic disciplines of ethics, philosophy, theology and communications. This Core Curriculum is foundational to Notre Dame's identity as a Catholic institution and expressive of the values and philosophical commitment which inspire the University. It is intended to provide undergraduate students in all Colleges with an introduction to liberal studies.

ACADEMIC YEAR

The academic year begins early in February, with first semester lasting until late May. This is followed by a Winter Term from June until mid August. Second semester is from August until December. Students may enrol for credit in a range of units in the Winter Term.