About Us
The Sidney Myer Asia Centre is a purpose-built facility to house the Asia Institute (formerly Melbourne Institute of Asian Languages and Societies) and the Asialink Centre. Its purpose is to be a catalyst for Australia's understanding and engagement with contemporary Asia, and to foster awareness of the importance to civilization of the diverse Asian cultures, both ancient and modern.
The Sidney Myer Asia Centre was a $18.5 million project designed by Bob Nation of Nation Fender Katsalidis to form a 'book-end' to the award-winning Ian Potter Museum of Art as part of the streetscape of the University's external profile on Swanston Street. The building was erected by Probuild Constructions and in 2002 won the Master Builders Association of Australia award for 'Excellence in New Construction (Buildings) $10-50 million'. It comprises the 500-seat Carrillo Gantner Theatre and five storeys of teaching and learning, research and academic office space.
To mark the centenary of the arrival in Melbourne of one of Australia's most successful immigrants - Sidney Myer - the Myer family reinforced its commitment to Asia-Australia relations in 1999 with a $2 million grant to the University of Melbourne for the design and building of the Sidney Myer Asia Centre.
Asia Institute
Asia Institute (formerly Melbourne Institute of Asian Languages and Societies) was established at the University of Melbourne in 1998 as a major teaching and research initiative. Through coordinating and developing Asian studies across the University, Asia Institute aims to strengthen the University's role as a major international centre for Asian studies and to integrate Asian studies across teaching, learning and research disciplines.
For its outreach programs, Asia Institute works closely with Asialink to promote understanding of Asia in the wider community. Asia Institute also works with other University faculties and departments and other universities to host conferences and seminars.
Asia Institute reflects the importance in the modern world of understanding Asian societies. It is also powerful evidence of the commitment of the University of Melbourne to the study of Asia.
For more info visit: http://www.asiainstitute.unimelb.edu.au
AsiaLink
Asialink is a unique national Australia-Asia centre working to equip Australians with knowledge and networks for full participation in the Asian region. The University of Melbourne and The Myer Foundation provide annual core funding supported by a wide range of government, corporate, philanthropic and individual donors.
Asialink offers a broad range of services including:
- Advocacy
- Briefings
- Lectures
- Publications
- Study tours
- Training
- Conferences
- Exhibitions
- Residencies
- Seminars
- Teacher Education
- Literary Tours
Asialink's programs reach all age groups from primary school children to captains of industry. Asialink works in education, business, arts, media and the community sectors with institutional partners in all Australian states and territories and in 15 Asian countries.
For more info visit: http://www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au