Monash University Prato Centre

A European base for international education and research collaborations

AUSTRALIA CHINA INDIA ITALY MALAYSIA SOUTH AFRICA monash.it

Academic coursesin situ learning

The Prato Centre is a site for innovative Monash teaching programs in Art, Design and Architecture, Arts, Business and Economics, Education, Information Technology and Law. Each year 700 students on average explore new ways of thinking, places and cultures in these programs.

Research initiativesa site for globally integrated researchThe Prato Centre provides a premium location for international research meetings and conferences. We host 35 such academic gatherings on average each year. Leading journals and major international publishing houses share the fruits of this work.

We also pursue a number of location-specific research themes including: urban revitalisation through creative culture, migration, social inclusion and global movement studies. The centre is also home to the Prato Consortium for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

Internship and industry-based learning equipping students for today’s worldWe offer internship and industry-based learning programs that enable students to develop internationally-transferable employability skills.

Executive short courses effective global leadershipWe offer innovative programs to support the professional development of emerging and senior leaders from all sectors. We draw on Monash experts and those from our university and industry partners around the globe to deliver our Executive Short Courses.

School study toursan ideal base to explore EuropeWe provide Australian secondary school students with an exciting opportunity to study and live in Italy and to have a taste of going to university. We can custom-design short programs in Italian language and culture, music, fine arts, history and art history, to suit tour itineraries.

Alumni networkenriched by PratoOur students have transformational experiences during their time at Monash Prato. Some even come back to do another course! We organise occasional events for this growing alumni network including in Melbourne. We welcome opportunities to collaborate with Monash Prato alumni.

“The centre ultimately acts as a base for an international community that aims to integrate the global Monash campus cultures with the local Pratese community.”

Arianna Brown, Bachelor of Arts

“I love to travel, and the opportunity to indulge in the Italian lifestyle was simply a chance I could not pass up. The repertoire of experiences that the Monash Prato team make available to us as students is amazing in breadth. Employers seek well-rounded and grounded individuals: the experience of coming to Prato definitely contributes to that and has helped me develop as an individual. It has opened my eyes to more of the world. It teaches acceptance and tolerance, and even Italian, if you stick with it!”

Giuseppe Spanti, Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Chemical Engineering

Who we areThe Monash Prato Centre is located in Palazzo Vai in the heart of Prato’s historical centre in Tuscany, Italy. It is Monash University’s European base for international education programs and research collaborations.

Bill Kent Library and Foundation Fundhonouring the life and work of Emeritus Professor Bill KentThe Bill Kent Library comprises over 2,000 titles dedicated to the fine arts, Medieval and Renaissance political and cultural history, and its classical antecedents. The library supports the research and teaching activities of the Prato Consortium for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.

Established to honour the life and work of the Founding Director of our centre, the Bill Kent Foundation Fund supports our activities in various ways including raising money for conferences, scholarships and fellowships.

Visual residencybuilding an international profile in creative practice and researchA collaborative initiative between the Monash Prato Centre and the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, the Visual Residency program offers established and emerging creative practitioners the opportunity to incubate new ideas, undertake research, and engage with local institutions and industry in an inspiring location.

Local engagementbringing together local and Monash students, lecturers and researchersWe engage with local people, institutions and industry in many different ways. Popular initiatives with locals and students alike include Conversation Exchange, family meals, volunteering in local schools, and an Australian film screening during Prato’s annual summer arts festival.

Distinguished patronsthe Honourable Sir James Gobbo AC CVO and Dr Carla Zampatti ACOur patrons advocate for the education and research activities of the Prato Centre in the Australian community and they contribute to expanding our European networks.

“After completing a music subject here, I fell in love with this city and I really wanted a chance to come back and experience Prato again. This city has a charm that I find most Tuscan cities don’t have because they are overly touristy. I came back to undertake an internship teaching English to both teachers and students at local high schools. I think that whether or not I decide to go into teaching, having this experience on my resume will be an advantage for me. I have developed leadership skills through it as well as skills in being able to explain concepts to people who might not be English native speakers. I really think that everyone should come here at some stage. It’s a chance to be part of something that is so magnificent and it’s something that Monash uniquely offers to us.”

Peter Sergi, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music

“My education has been unbelievably enriched by this program. What an excellent option other than a semester abroad.”

Nadali Dayananda, Bachelor of Business

Monash Universityin the top 100 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings

Monash is the largest university in Australia and a member of the ‘Group of 8’. It has campuses and centres in Australia, China, India, Italy, Malaysia and South Africa, and an alliance with the University of Warwick in the UK.

Establishment of the Prato Centreofficially opened 17 September 2001 in Palazzo VaiMonash University secured the heritage-listed location with support from the Region of Tuscany and the Municipality of Prato, and with the generous assistance of Rino and Diana Grollo.

The late Emeritus Professor Bill Kent, a world authority on the Italian Renaissance, was the centre’s Founding Director (2000-2004). The centre’s continued presence in Europe today is testimony to his vision.

Why Prato?close to the cultural, intellectual and industrial wealth of EuropeWe use European sites, global expertise and international peer groups to provide an unparalleled experience for our students. The centre acts as a research incubator by enabling experts and specialists to meet about issues of international relevance and complexity in a strategic location.

Monash engages with local institutions and industry to bring both depth and relevance to its programs ensuring they ‘make sense in place’, while actively contributing to the contemporary challenges of the city and region.

Cover photo credit: Shing Hei Ho, Art, Design and Architecture, Monash University Disclaimer: Monash University reserves the right to alter information, procedures, fees and regulations contained in this document. Please check the Monash University website for updates (monash.edu). All information reflects prescriptions, policy and practice in force at time of publication. Published November 2014.CRICOS provider: Monash University 00008C

Contact detailsMonash University Prato CentrePalazzo Vai, via Pugliesi 26, 59100 Prato (PO), ItalyTel. +39 0574 43691Fax +39 0574 436923 Email info@monash.it

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Facilities at a glancen main conference room that seats

up to 130 people (250 using video link)

n can accommodate up to 6 parallel sessions

n fully air-conditioned

n flexible room set-up

n video recording and conferencing

n lecterns with touch screen controller

n wireless Internet access

n qualified on-site technical support

n office space available

n reading room and student lounge

n large outdoor terrace

n reception rooms and buffet areas

n accommodation assistance

n multilingual staff“Even though I had heard about the Prato Centre some years ago, I didn’t appreciate the extraordinary range of subjects - including architecture, history, literature, law, fine arts and art history - taught or researched there.

Monash deserves enormous credit for not only giving its students such an extraordinary, life-enhancing opportunity, but also in providing an important focal point for Australian-Italian (and indeed Australian-European) relations and engagement.”

H.E. Mike Rann Australia’s Ambassador to Italy