University of Melbourne joins Reach Alliance

The University of Melbourne has become one of four new partners in the Reach Alliance global initiative.

Founded at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy in partnership with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, the Reach Alliance brings together researchers and practitioners from across disciplines and around the world to accelerate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The student-driven, faculty-mentored global research and leadership initiative investigates how critical interventions and innovations reach those who are the hardest to reach, and partners with cross-sectoral organisations to translate actionable research insights for impact.

University of Melbourne Pro Vice-Chancellor (International) Professor Adrian Little highlighted the University's social mission as a key reason for joining the Alliance.

"By engaging with the Reach Alliance, we can tackle problems within Australia and in the wider Asia-Pacific region in collaboration with an outstanding group of university partners," Professor Little said.

"We’re committed to working with and for the communities involved, on projects that have been identified as priorities by the people impacted."

Other partners joining the Reach Alliance include the University of Cape Town in South Africa, Ashesi University in Ghana, and Singapore Management University. This sees the Alliance grow from four to eight major global universities, with original partners including the Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico, University College London and the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, along with the University of Toronto in Canada.

To date, the Reach Alliance has published 30 case studies spanning 20 countries. Actionable research insights have informed practitioners and policymakers – accelerating achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and establishing the next generation of global leaders.