Dee-lightful: University and Melbourne Football Club officially join forces

Two of the city's oldest and most-iconic institutions have signed a memorandum of understanding, with future collaboration planned in areas as diverse as student engagement and research. The agreement between the University of Melbourne and the Melbourne Football Club will initially focus on international student engagement, in a bid to make Aussie rules more accessible to the University's more than 16,000-strong international student population. "We are both borne from this city, our futures are tied to this place" said Professor Ian Anderson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement).  "At the core of this partnership is our shared commitment to Melbourne the city. We are seeking ways in which we can enrich the experience of Melbourne, and in turn, look at how we can make this the best city in the world for students."  Both the club and the University agree that such an undertaking can only benefit the city more broadly, which in 2014 was ranked second behind Paris in the QS rankings for most student-friendly city.   "Football is one way to enrich the student experience, and we want to prove international students with an experience that will make their time in Melbourne truly memorable," said Professor Anderson.  "Sport is integral to the life of the University and our contribution to our community, a part of our commitment to excellence in a holistic sense. With the Melbourne Football Club we have a common passion in supporting the development of a sport that is the heart and soul of the Australian experience in Melbourne." Melbourne Football Club CEO Peter Jackson indicated 2015 was about developing the Club's long-term strategy and today's agreement reflects its future direction.