Victorian Current Acts Victorian Current ActsPreamble
WHEREAS by section twenty-five of the University Act 1890 as amended by the University Act 1903 it is provided inter alia that, subject to the statutes and regulations of the University, the Council thereof may after examination confer in any Faculty except Divinity any degree diploma certificate or licence:
AND WHEREAS it is expedient to provide facilities for the conferring of degrees diplomas and certificates in divinity and for that purpose to provide for the constitution and incorporation of a body (other than the University of Melbourne or any College or educational establishment affiliated to or connected with the University) which body shall be authorized to confer degrees diplomas and certificates in divinity, and to hold examinations for that purpose:
The Melbourne College of Divinity, a self‑accrediting higher education provider since 1910, was created by the Melbourne College of Divinity Act 1910 at the request of a group of Victoria's churches to provide for the award of degrees, diplomas, and certificates in divinity and its associated disciplines. The College was significantly enlarged in 1972 with the inclusion of the Roman Catholic Church and the Churches of Christ, and the adoption of a collegiate structure for the delivery of its awards.
In 2011 the Melbourne College of Divinity was recognised as an Australian University of Specialisation, the first in Australia, and it commenced operation with university title on 1 January 2012. In 2013 the Melbourne College of Divinity resolved to request that its name be changed from the Melbourne College of Divinity to the University of Divinity to reflect its new status.
The University of Divinity is a collegiate university, conferring awards and conducting research in divinity and its associated disciplines through a network of colleges in Victoria and across Australia and overseas. The University's vision is to address the issues of the contemporary world through critical engagement with theological traditions.
To align the University of Divinity with its status as a university, it is expedient to amend its name and the title of this Act and to make other related amendments.
BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED by the King's Most Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of Victoria in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same as follows (that is to say):
S. 1 amended by No. 61/2016 s. 6.