Flinders University

The idea of a second university for South Australia was conceived and in 1960 government owned land in Bedford Park was allocated to the University of Adelaide for a second campus. This was at a time when the population of South Australia was increasing rapidly and more people were seeking higher education. In 1961, a Planning Committee was established and Professor Peter Karmel was appointed Principal-Designate. In 1962 Architect Mr Geoff Harrison, was appointed in conjunction with the architectural firm Hassell, McConnell and Partners. £3.8M ($7.6M) was allocated by the Australian Universities Commission for capital works from 1964 - 1966. In 1963 the first academic appointments were made and capital works began later that year, and the first meeting of the Bedford Park Professors took place at the Bedford Park Planning Office on North Terrace in Adelaide. In 1965 after the Australian Labor Party won the State election, it was decided that the Bedford Park site would become a separate university from the University of Adelaide.For over 50 years, Flinders has been a centre of inspiring achievement: from our pioneering research and excellence in teaching to the positive impact we have in the communities we serve.  Inspiration leads to innovation. But innovation is more than just a buzzword at Flinders. It extends from our founding Vice-Chancellor Peter Karmel’s entreaty to ‘experiment and experiment bravely’ through to the creative, trailblazing work of our staff, students and alumni. As we enter an era of disruptive change and remarkable technological innovation, Flinders is well prepared for this unpredictable, exciting future. Our strong network of external links keeps our work dynamic, enabling us to connect across barriers to create enterprising solutions for the future, to make a difference by changing lives and, ultimately, the world.Flinders University has developed a remarkable record of achievement across an impressive range of endeavour. Through the diverse efforts of an eclectic cohort of teachers, researchers and graduates, Flinders has exerted a profound and distinctive influence on society and in its various communities. Just as our namesake Matthew Flinders famously remarked he was not content to rest unnoticed in the middle order, Flinders as an institution has never been content with the status quo; we have always looked for ways to make the world a better place by making a positive difference. We look forward to your involvement and support as we continue in our pursuit of this ideal.VisionTo be internationally recognised as a world leader in research, an innovator in contemporary education, and the source of Australia’s most enterprising graduates.MissionChanging lives and changing the world.The university's main campus is in the Adelaide inner southern suburb of Bedford Park, about 12 km south of the Adelaide city centre. The university also has a presence in Victoria Square in the centre of the city, and Tonsley. It also maintains a number of external teaching facilities in regional South Australia, south-west Victoria and the Northern Territory. As of 2020 international students made up 19.5% of the on-campus student population[30] and a number of offshore programmes are also offered, primarily in the Asia-Pacific region.Flinders’ first half-century was a natural occasion to celebrate a truly remarkable record of achievement across an impressive range of endeavour. Through the diverse efforts of an eclectic cohort of teachers, researchers and graduates, Flinders has exerted a profound and distinctive influence on society and in its various communities.The program of events offered numerous opportunities for the extended Flinders family to join together in marking this milestone, as well as allowing us to showcase our strengths and our capabilities. And while there was plenty of pride and perhaps a little nostalgia involved in the gatherings and reunions of 2016, it was also a wonderful time to focus on our exciting aspirations for the future. Just as our namesake Matthew Flinders famously remarked he was not content to rest unnoticed in the middle order, Flinders as an institution has never been content with the status quo; we have always looked for ways to make the world a better place by making a positive difference. We look forward to your involvement and support as we embark on our next 50 years in pursuit of this ideal.

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