Western Sydney University’s scientific research performance has outranked some of the most prestigious universities within Australia and internationally, following the release of the latest Leiden rankings.

The Leiden rankings are administered by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) at Leiden University in the Netherlands.

The rankings system measures the research performance of 750 major universities from around the world, looking at the impact of their scientific research publications, …

Melbourne was named the Best Student City in Australia (and second best globally) in the QS Best Student Cities 2016 ranking. But why?

1. Most liveable city: Melbourne was ranked the world’s most liveable city The Economist’s liveability rankings for a fifth consecutive year in 2015.
2. Mix of people: Melbourne is a multicultural city. Within the index, Melbourne has the highest score in the “student mix” category – calculated based on the relative size and diversity of each city’s student population,

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Curtin University researchers have found children who spend a lot of time watching television, have poorer and weaker bones in young adulthood which could significantly impact their health in later life.

Lead researcher Dr Joanne McVeigh, Curtin’s School of Occupational Therapy and Social Work, said the study examined the TV viewing habits of 1,181 young adults over their childhood and adolescence years and related these to how strong their bones were at age 20. …

The next generation of rechargeable lithium batteries set to disrupt the electric vehicle industry may soon be here, thanks to the humble salt bath.

CSIRO scientists, in collaboration with RMIT University and QUT, have demonstrated that pre-treating a battery’s lithium metal electrodes with an electrolyte salt solution extends the battery life and increases performance and safety.

The research, “Stabilizing lithium metal using ionic liquids for long-lived batteries”, was published recently in Nature Communications. …

Griffith – Creative Arts Research Centre Explores New Creative Modes

The Griffith Centre for Creative Arts Research (GCCAR) is shaking up research methods and processes within the creative arts.

With a cross-disciplinary approach and collaborative focus, the Centre’s areas of strength include: studio research methods and approaches, art in the Asia-Pacific region, additive manufacture and contemporary design, documentary film and photography, games, animation and new technology, and art in public places. …

Prateek Konnur, a final year student, enrolled in Griffith’s Masters of Aviation Management program by distance, was recently announced as one of the two winners of this year’s Dr Peter Gardiner Student Grant and invited to participate in the CHC Summit held in Vancouver, Canada. The Summit is annually attended by hundreds of aviation delegates from around the world who collaborate and openly share the foundations of their Safety Management Systems and create a platform for learning and networking. …

Adelaide is the capital of South Australia – a city of festivals, relaxed living and education excellence.

One of the world’s most liveable cities

Studying in Adelaide means you are also living in one of the world’s most liveable cities. Adelaide is ranked in the Top 5 liveable cities in the world according to the Global Liveability Study (2013) and in the world’s Top 10 cities to visit by Lonely Planet (2014). …

From helping a student get to that “light bulb” moment to helping shape the lives of the next generation – teaching is a challenging but incredibly rewarding profession.

As a teacher, you’ll face a myriad of competing demands but for every challenge you face, there’s an equal or greater reward.

As you enter a profession that has the ability to impact the lives of others, you also take part in a career that is full of meaning. …

Professor Louis Schofield, Director of the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM) at James Cook University (JCU) in North Queensland has received a $2.8M grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to pursue the pre-clinical development of a vaccine aimed at the goal of malaria eradication.

The research will be conducted in collaboration with researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, and other colleagues and institutions in the USA. …

ACU students have expressed higher overall satisfaction with teaching, learning and skills development than students at other Australian universities, according to a national survey.

The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching’s (QILT’s) 2015 Student Experience Survey (SES), published on Tuesday 10 May, demonstrates that ACU students scored the University more highly than the sector average in all key areas surveyed.

ACU student satisfaction improved in 2015 for four of five focus areas. …