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Griffith University

Coordinates: 27°33′09″S 153°03′14″E / 27.5526°S 153.0539°E / -27.5526; 153.0539
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Griffith University
Motto
Make it matter [1]
TypePublic research university
Established30 December 1971; 52 years ago (1971-12-30)[2]
AccreditationTEQSA
Academic affiliations
BudgetA$1 billion (2022)[3]
ChancellorAndrew Fraser[4]
Vice-ChancellorCarolyn Evans[5]
Total staff
4,642 (2023)[6]
Students44,427 (2023)[6]
Undergraduates30,924 bachelor (2023)[6]
Postgraduates8,442 coursework (2023)
1,931 research (2023)
2,104 other (2023)[6]
Other students
1,026 (2023)[6]
Location
Gold Coast, Logan and Brisbane
,
Queensland
,
Australia[7]
CampusUrban, parkland and regional with multiple sites[8]
Named afterSir Samuel Griffith[9]
ColoursRed
Sporting affiliations
Websitegriffith.edu.au

Griffith University is a public research university in South East Queensland on the east coast of Australia. The university was founded in 1971, but was not officially opened until 1975.[10] Griffith University is credited with introducing Australia's first degrees in environmental science and Asian Studies. The university has five campuses, in Gold Coast, Nathan, Logan, South Bank, and Mount Gravatt. The university was named after Sir Samuel Walker Griffith, who was twice Premier of Queensland and the first Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. Sir Samuel Griffith played a major role in the Federation of Australia and was the principal author of the Australian constitution.

The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs across a range of disciplines, including business, law, science, health, education, engineering, and the arts.

Griffith University was originally opened in Nathan, Queensland, as a single campus of 451 students, but has expanded to include five campuses in three cities, the largest of which is the Gold Coast campus at Southport and the Nathan campus in Brisbane. The Mount Gravatt and South Bank campuses are also located in Brisbane, while the Logan campus is at Meadowbrook.[11][12]

Griffith University, with about 50,000 students enrolled from more than 130 countries,[13] is a verdant university and a member of the IRU. According to the 2021 Student Experience Survey, it has the ninth-highest student satisfaction rating among all Australian universities[14] and, since 2012, has received more Australian Awards for University Teaching than any other Australian university.[15]

History

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Beginnings

[edit]

In 1965, 174 hectares (430 acres) of natural bushland at Nathan was set aside for a new university campus.[16] Initially, the site was to be part of the University of Queensland, which was experiencing strong demand in humanities and social sciences.[16] By 1970, a new tertiary institution was being mooted, and Theodor Bray (later Sir Theodor Bray) was asked by the Queensland Government to establish a second for Brisbane and the third for the state. After several months of discussion, the government announced on 24 December 1970 that Bray would head a committee charged with establishing Griffith University.[17]

On 30 September 1971, the Queensland Government officially created and recognised Griffith University with the passing of the Assent to Griffith University Act 1971.[17] On 5 March 1975, Griffith University began teaching 451 students in four schools: Australian Environmental Studies, Humanities, Modern Asian Studies, and Science.[11]

Expansion

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In the 1990s, the Dawkins Revolution saw several tertiary education reforms in Australia, resulting in a series of amalgamations of colleges and universities. In 1990, the Mount Gravatt Teacher's College (est. 1969) and Gold Coast College of Advanced Education (est. 1987) became official campuses of Griffith University, remaining in the same location today. The Queensland Conservatorium of Music continued the higher education mergers and became an official part of Griffith University in 1991. Originally established in 1957, the new entity became known as Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University. In 1992, Griffith's amalgamations were completed with the Queensland College of Art (QCA), established in 1881 and recognised as the oldest continuously operating art training institution in Australia, officially becoming part of the university.[17]

Griffith's fifth campus, Logan, opened in 1998. Located in the suburb of Meadowbrook, on an area of green fields south of Brisbane, the Logan campus was established to specifically address the interests and needs of the Logan City area.[12]

Griffith University was an official Partner of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. Over 500 students and staff were closely involved in the planning and delivery of the event.[18]

Campuses

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Griffith University's campuses are distinctive for their nature-based settings within urban environments.

Library at the Griffith University Gold Coast campus.
Griffith University (Nathan campus) from Stadium Path

Gold Coast campus

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The Gold Coast campus is located in the Gold Coast suburb of Southport. Set in native bushland, on the land of the Aboriginal Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples,[19] this campus hosts over 19,000 students.[13]

The campus has seen significant growth and development over the last few years, with the opening of the Griffith Health Centre and the neighbouring Gold Coast University Hospital in 2013, and the launch of the Griffith Business School building in 2014. The campus is serviced by two Gold Coast light rail (G: link) stations and is a major interchange for bus routes.

Logan campus

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Logan is Griffith University's community-focused campus. Hosting approximately 2,000 students, the campus offers degrees in human services and social work, nursing and midwifery, business and commerce, and education. The campus has strong connections with the local community, hosting numerous sporting and cultural events throughout the year.[citation needed]

Nathan campus

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Nathan, Griffith's foundation campus, is situated on the edge of Toohey Forest approximately 10 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD. Nathan hosts over 13,000 students and offers degrees in business and government, engineering and information technology, environment, humanities and languages, law, and science and aviation.[citation needed]

The buildings at the Nathan campus were designed to fit into the environment by Roger Kirk Johnson, the founding architectural designer of the campus, following the slope of the land and using architectural means of cooling.[16] The library building was designed by Robin Gibson and won the first national award for library design. The clusters of buildings, sports facilities, bushland reserves, and recreational areas are connected by integrated networks of walking paths. On the northern edge of the campus lies the Dunn Memorial.[20]

In 2013, the six-star[citation needed], green-rated Sir Samuel Griffith Centre was opened on the Nathan campus. The building operates off the grid and is powered by a combination of photovoltaics and hydrogen. The campus has two residential colleges for students and a range of sporting facilities.[citation needed]

Mount Gravatt campus

[edit]
Queensland Conservatorium of Music

The Mount Gravatt campus, adjacent to the Nathan campus, hosts 4,400 students. It is the university's social sciences and humanities hub and the base for research into crucial social issues, including education and suicide prevention. The campus is situated on the edge of Toohey Forest. The campus includes an aquatic and fitness centre, with a heated pool and indoor and outdoor recreation areas, co-located with a 16-court tennis centre, a training oval, and basketball and netball courts. On-campus student accommodation is also available.[citation needed]

South Bank campus

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Located in Brisbane's cultural precinct, the South Bank campus is Griffith University's creative hub. It encompasses Griffith's Queensland College of Art and Queensland Conservatorium, and the Griffith Film School and Griffith Graduate Centre. As of 2020, enrolment for all four units is about 3,400 students.[21]

Organisation

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Griffith University is structured in four academic groups, with teaching offered through a range of schools, colleges, and departments.[22]

Arts, Education, and Law

[edit]

Griffith Business School

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  • Department of Accounting, Finance, and Economics
  • Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources
  • Department of Business Strategy and Innovation
  • Department of Marketing
  • Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management
  • School of Government and International Relations

Griffith Health

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  • School of Applied Psychology
  • School of Health Sciences and Social Work
  • School of Medicine and Dentistry
  • School of Nursing and Midwifery
  • School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences

Griffith Sciences

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  • School of Engineering and Built Environment
  • School of Environment and Science
  • School of Information and Communication Technology

Academic profile

[edit]

Rankings

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University rankings
Global rankings
QS[23]255
THE[24]251–300
ARWU[25]301–400
U.S. News & World Report[26]203
CWTS Leiden[27]316
Australian rankings
QS[28]19
THE[29]17
ARWU[30]11
U.S. News & World Report[31]15
CWTS Leiden[27]12
ERA[33]12=[32]

In Australia, Griffith University ranks 18th out of 39 universities as of 2025.[34] As of 2022 Griffith is in the top 300 universities worldwide in three major world rankings; QS World University Rankings (QS)[citation needed], Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE-WUR),[35] and University Rankings by Academic Performance (URAP).[36]

Griffith also ranks highly as a young university, ranking 33rd in the 2021 QS University Rankings Top 50 Under 50[37] and 35th in the 2024 Times Higher Education Young University Rankings.[38]

Griffith has several top-ranking subjects according to the ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022:[39]

Top 10

  • Hospitality and Tourism Management (third globally, first in Australia)
  • Nursing and Midwifery (second globally, first in Australia)

Top 40–100

  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Dentistry and Oral Sciences (second in Australia)
  • Education
  • Energy Science and Engineering
  • Law (first in Australia)
  • Marine/Ocean Engineering (third in Australia)
  • Water Resources

Top 101–150

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Environmental Science and Engineering
  • Geography
  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
  • Public Administration

According to Excellence in Research for Australia (2018), Griffith was rated ‘well above world standard’ in 24 fields of research, including chemical sciences, dentistry, political science, and technology.[40]

MBA

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The Griffith MBA (Griffith Business School) is ranked among Australia's leading MBA programs in CEO Magazine and its 2022 MBA Rankings.[41] The rankings are compiled by the International Graduate Forum and are designed to present a 360-degree view of the world's leading business schools. The Griffith MBA is placed fourth in the top tier of Australian programs. It also features in the magazine's top 20 Global MBA Rankings.

The MBA is also the highest-ranking Australian MBA in the Aspen Institute's Centre for Business Education's most recent Beyond Grey Pinstripes Global Top 100, ranked at number 26.[42] Griffith University was awarded this ranking for its focus on responsible leadership, sustainable business practices and the Asia-Pacific. It was also acknowledged as one of Australia's best, ranking fifth in Australia in the 2019 Financial Review BOSS Magazine MBA Survey.[43]

Teaching awards

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Griffith features prominently in Australia's national teaching awards and citations. Since 2012, Griffith has won 10 awards for Teaching Excellence, 7 awards for Programs that Enhance Learning, 46 Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning, and 7 National Teaching Fellowships[citation needed]. Three Griffith staff have been named the Prime Minister's Australian Teacher of the Year.[44]

Research

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Griffith researchers work in 38 centres and institutes, investigating areas such as water science, climate change adaptation, criminology and crime prevention, sustainable tourism, and health and chronic disease.

The university's major research institutes include:

  • Advanced Design and Prototyping Technologies Institute (ADaPT)
  • Australian Rivers Institute
  • Cities Research Institute
  • Environmental Futures Research Institute
  • Griffith Asia Institute
  • Griffith Criminology Institute
  • Griffith Institute for Educational Research
  • Griffith Institute for Tourism
  • Institute for Glycomics
  • Institute for Integrated and Intelligent Systems
  • Menzies Health Institute Queensland (formerly the Griffith Health Institute)
  • Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery (GRIDD)

Additionally, Griffith hosts several externally supported centres and facilities, including:

  • Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention
  • National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility
  • Smart Water Research Centre
  • NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Nursing

Research commercialization

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Griffith offers research commercialization and services for business, industry, and government through Griffith Enterprise.

Other centres

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As well as research centres and institutes, Griffith has several cultural and community-focused organizations. These include the EcoCentre, which provides a space for environmental education activities, exhibitions, seminars, and workshops; and the Centre for Interfaith & Cultural Dialogue (formerly the Multi-Faith Centre).

Recognised research

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In 2021, a research team led by the university discovered a new type of tree frog in New Guinea which is commonly known as the "chocolate frog".[45]

Student life

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Student organisations

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Nathan, Logan, Southbank, and Mt Gravatt

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Griffith University has a wide array of cultural, intellectual, sporting, and social groups. On the Nathan campus, Campus Life[46] supports many clubs and societies including political and religious affiliated organisations. The Griffith University Student Representative Council (GUSRC) represents undergraduate students and the Griffith University Postgraduate Students Association (GUPSA) represents post-graduate students in all campuses apart from the Gold Coast. GUPSA is a constituent member of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations.

Gold Coast

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The students of the Gold Coast campus are uniquely represented by board members of the Student Guild,[47] as defined by the Griffith University Act 1998,[48] and Student Guild staff manages clubs and societies on the Gold Coast campus, as well as student issues related to academic and student advocacy, financial and legal issues, wellbeing, and welfare. The Student Guild Board[49] is an elected group of students that represent all Gold Coast students, while the Gold Coast Association of Postgraduates (GCAP)[50] represents postgraduate students. The Student Guild receives SSAF funding from Griffith University to support the management and provision of services and funding to student-led clubs and societies.

Student Academy of Excellence

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The Student Academy of Excellence,[51] formerly Griffith Honours College, offers high-achieving students potential opportunities to enrich their university experience through mentoring, international experiences, leadership roles, and community engagement activities.

Griffith Sports College

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Students who are elite athletes are eligible to join Griffith Sports College, which provides support by helping them balance sporting and university commitments. The Griffith Sports College supports elite athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence. Distinguished alumni spans 82 Olympians, 13 Paralympians and many Commonwealth Games athletes, including Emma McKeon, Madison de Rozario, Cameron McEvoy, and Ashleigh Gentle.

UniSport Nationals

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Griffith University's Beach Volleyball Team at the UniSport Nationals 2023 held on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

Griffith University competes in Australia's largest annual multi-sport event hosts 42 member universities that compete against each other in 31 different sports.[52] Griffith Sport supports Griffith Team Leaders to assist in the coordination and management of their respective sports teams. Sporting clubs are vital conduits for fostering and facilitating participation in national-level competitions such as UniSport Nationals. Student engagement in these competitions are a fulfilling and engaging experience that helps build a sense of pride and belonging within the university community.[53]

GUMURRII Student Support Unit

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The GUMURRII Student Support Unit (SSU)[54] is the heart of Griffith's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and is located on each of Griffith's five campuses. GUMURRII is a dedicated Student Support Unit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff assist students from recruitment to orientation, providing undergraduate and postgraduate support through to graduation and beyond.

Griffith College

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Located on Griffith University's Mount Gravatt and Gold Coast campuses, Griffith College, formerly the Queensland Institute of Business and Technology, offers undergraduate diplomas in a range of areas, which provide a pathway into many of Griffith's degree programs.

Griffith English Language Institute

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Students from non-English-speaking backgrounds can study English at the Griffith English Language Institute (GELI). A wide range of English language courses is available to help students improve their English for work, travel, study, or everyday purposes.

Residential colleges

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Main article: Residential colleges of Griffith University
Kinaba, KGBC colleges, Griffith University Nathan campus

Griffith University has four residential colleges, with two located on its Nathan campus and one each on its Mt Gravatt and Gold Coast campuses. The three colleges located in Brisbane compete in the sporting Inter-College Cup, also known as the ICC. The premier event of the ICC is the Phar Cup, where both female and male teams compete in rugby league matches against each other. The colleges are as follows:

  • Bellenden Ker College, a.k.a. BK, is a co-educational college located on the Nathan Campus in the Toohey forest reserve.
  • KGBC, also known as "The Flats", consist of four co-educational undergraduate and postgraduate apartments on the Nathan Campus.
  • Mt Gravatt College, a.k.a. MG, is a co-educational college located on the Mt Gravatt Campus which itself sits on the hill for which the surrounding suburbs are named.
  • Griffith University Village is a collection of co-ed apartments on the Gold Coast Campus.

Safe Campuses initiative

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Between 2011 and 2016, there were 46 officially reported cases of sexual abuse and harassment on campus released by the university, resulting in no expulsions and one six-month suspension, the highest reported stats in Queensland at the time.[55] This was fewer than the 2017 Australian Human Rights Commission report on sexual assault and harassment, which found reported figures higher than this.[56]

Following the release of the report, Griffith University established the Safe Campuses Taskforce.[57] The Taskforce and its working parties are working to ensure Griffith's campuses provide safe, inclusive and respectful environments for all students and staff.

Alumni

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For a more comprehensive list, see List of Griffith University people.

Griffith has over 200,000 alumni.[58] Notable graduates have been journalists, musicians, actors, artists, filmmakers, photographers, athletes, activists, and politicians in the Parliament of Australia and the Parliament of Queensland.

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Griffith University".
  2. ^ http://www.griffith.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/7340/preparing-for-the-future.pdf Archived 17 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL PDF]
  3. ^ https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/aba5e623-38af-e811-a963-000d3ad24077/documents/1439aa99-31ee-ed11-8849-000d3acc4456 [bare URL]
  4. ^ "Organisational structure".
  5. ^ https://www.griffith.edu.au/office-vice-chancellor
  6. ^ a b c d e "Annual Report 2023" (PDF). griffith.edu.au. Griffith University. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Campuses and facilities".
  8. ^ "Campuses and facilities".
  9. ^ "Sir Samuel Walker Griffith – 100-year anniversary".
  10. ^ "Griffith University, Southport, Australia - Listing by Bizpages". bizpages.org. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  11. ^ a b "2014-16 Mission-based Compact – Griffith University". Australian Government. 11 December 2015. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015.
  12. ^ a b "Our Campuses". Griffith Archive. Griffith University. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  13. ^ a b "Griffith University 2021 Annual Report" (PDF). 24 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  14. ^ "2021 Student Experience Survey" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Griffith University Ratings and Rankings". Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  16. ^ a b c Hogan, Janet (1982). Living History of Brisbane. Spring Hill, QLD: Boolarang Publications. pp. 130–131. ISBN 0-908175-41-8.
  17. ^ a b c Quirke, Noel (1996). Preparing for the Future: A History of Griffith University, 1971-1996 (PDF). Nathan, Griffith University: Boolarong Press. ISBN 0-86857-864-9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  18. ^ "Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games". www.griffith.edu.au. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  19. ^ "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander: First Peoples - Griffith University". Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  20. ^ "Nathan campus general site map" (PDF). Griffith University. January 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  21. ^ "South Bank campus". Griffith University. Archived from the original on 5 January 2020. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  22. ^ "Griffith Academic Groups". Archived from the original on 12 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  23. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2024". Quacquarelli Symonds Limited.
  24. ^ "World University Rankings 2024". Times Higher Education.
  25. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
  26. ^ "U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report.
  27. ^ a b "CWTS Leiden Ranking 2020". Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University.
  28. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2024 - Australia". Quacquarelli Symonds Limited.
  29. ^ "World University Rankings 2024 - Australia". Times Higher Education.
  30. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022 - Australia". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
  31. ^ "U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities in Australia". U.S. News & World Report.
  32. ^ "ERA Outcomes 2018 Research Rankings". Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  33. ^ "Australian University Rankings". Australian Education Network.
  34. ^ "Australian University Rankings". Australian Education Network. Archived from the original on 4 March 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  35. ^ "Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024". Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024. Times Higher Education. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  36. ^ "University Ranking by Academic Performance 2021-22". University Ranking by Academic Performance. URAP Center. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  37. ^ "QS University Rankings: Top 50 Under 50 2021". QS Top Universities. QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. 25 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  38. ^ "Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024". Times Higher Education Young University Rankings. TES Global Ltd. 14 May 2024. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  39. ^ "ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects". Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  40. ^ "Griffith University Ratings and Rankings". www.Griffith.edu.au. Archived from the original on 17 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  41. ^ "2022 MBA Rankings" (PDF). CEO Magazine. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 May 2022.
  42. ^ "Beyond Grey Pinstripes: MBA Survey". Aspen Institute. 8 August 2012. Archived from the original on 27 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  43. ^ "BOSS MBA rankings | Australian Financial Review". Financial Review. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  44. ^ About Griffith. Griffith University. Archived from the original on 13 February 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  45. ^ Woodyatt, Amy (29 May 2021). "Scientists discover new 'chocolate frog' in swamp". CNN. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  46. ^ "Campus Life". Griffith University. Archived from the original on 5 August 2011. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  47. ^ "Griffith University Gold Coast Student Guild". Griffith University Gold Coast Student Guild. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  48. ^ "View - Queensland Legislation - Queensland Government". www.legislation.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  49. ^ "Meet your Board members - Griffith Student Guild". gugcstudentguild.com.au. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  50. ^ "GCAP - Griffith Student Guild". gugcstudentguild.com.au. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  51. ^ "Student Academy of Excellence". www.griffith.edu.au. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  52. ^ "UniSport Nationals". UniSport Australia. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  53. ^ Admin (26 July 2019). "Data backs the importance of university sport and student retention rates". UniSport Australia. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  54. ^ "GUMURRII Student Support Unit (SSU)". Archived from the original on 29 February 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  55. ^ Funnell, Nina (10 October 2016). "Full list of universities exposed by sexual assault investigation". News Limited. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  56. ^ "Unis urged to act as 'shocking' survey reveals half of all students face sexual harassment". ABC News. 1 August 2017. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  57. ^ "Taskforce". www.griffith.edu.au. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  58. ^ "Griffith University Alumni". Archived from the original on 11 March 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
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